09/13/2026
"This novel references elements of religious trama, including existential dread, familial shame, intrusive thoughts, pervasive guilt, purity culture, self-harm ideation, systematic bigotry, toxic positivity, and unresolved grief"
Upon open this book those were the first words I read. Either this was just being cautious for topics that are part of every day or maybe something serious is contained in these pages.
Got my tea ready to really help me sit back and enjoy what I thought would be a simple read. Not often does text ground me anymore as I have read enough to be desensitized to surprises or literary devices. After the first few chapters I did something I dont do: I looked up reviews and critiques about this prior to reading more because this was like having wounds opened back up in a way I was not prepared for. The most painful reading experience I have had to date.
Really glad to see that when this came out they raised money fot The Trevor Project which is an amazing non-profit focusing on su***de prevention for young LGBTQ+ which is much needed. While on that topic, September is national su***de provention month and The Trevor Project has crazy multipliers for donations right now!
So the reviews help me feel better to admit something here; this book made me cry. Was not sure if it was early and the tea hit just right to throw me off, but honestly this book is too close to home to not be emotional. So while the tea is great and makes me feel wonderful, the words in this book bring up a lot of what that disclaimer had in the front.
Stopped to take a picture halfway through with our little girl jumping over the Good Mythical Morning slippers and our oldest sleeping under the window. It is a way to take my mind off the wondering through of the early 2000s and what church and that culture did to me.
Life is such a beautiful thing and the more I experience it, nothing is more clear than I want to help people have a higher quality of life. Whether that is feeling part of a community, experiencing a larger sample of what the world has to offer, or just being treated with respect/love... whatever it takes.
