A book about love, loss, and the fight for trans equality. Sarah McBride is the first openly transgender person elected to the state Senate. This is her story.

Reading her story made me feel many things. I felt like she was my dear friend and I ugly cried reading about the death of her husband. I felt so proud of her when she stood up for what she wanted and when she was able to achieve such progress for the LGBTQ+ community. I felt honored to have been able to read her story and I hope you all can take a moment to read it, too.

I felt so privileged to be able to read this for my work's book club this year. I think reading stories like Sarah's is a great reminder that we are all human. She just happens to be trans. Thank you, Sarah, for making such an impact.

Most impactful part: On page 255, there is a quote from the last chapter in her book that I found most striking. [This new generation] "represents the first generation of trans people who, in many cases, have been allowed to grow up as themselves." Personally, I couldn't ask for anything better than that ❤️

Sarah McBride is an excellent advocate for the trans & LGBTQ communities. I’m not trans, but I believe in equal rights for all. Read it and learn and weep.

As much as I wanted to give this five stars from the beginning, I realized that reading about what goes on in politics does not grasp me. I came to conclusion as I was around less than 100 pages of the novel, that if this was filmed, if what went on in the white house to fight for LGBT+ rights was visualized, I would 100% be engaged with the story. Sadly, I skipped many pages and even chapters but knew that this story is important. What Sarah McBride went through in the memoir was fascinating, even if I only read bits of it. It should be shared with everyone! She helped the community with so much it should not go unnoticed!

Just read it.
She narrates the audio.

I enjoyed this book and appreciated Sarah sharing her story, particularly her relationship with Andy. I shed many tears reading about her struggles. Although I liked the book, I wasn’t thrilled with the writing and, at times, disjointed narrative. That being said, I would still recommend the book. I think it’s an informative and important read.

McBride's memoir was a powerful story of her own struggles and successes, and it was a really interesting and intimate look at the fights she was involved in to expand equality and access for transgender Americans. The middle section of the book, where she talked about Andy's battle with cancer, was honestly too difficult for me to read, so I skipped it.

2020: WARNING: TEARS AHEAD

Seriously, do not dive into this book if you're not ready to cry. This will not be as a result of McBride's coming out story, or particular mistreatment as an out trans woman (although there is a little of that). It will be because of the dedication and passion that McBride shares for her world to be a better place, and of her never-ending commitment to making the United States (and Delaware in particular) a more hospitable and equitable place for everyone.

I read this book also in the wake of Joe Biden being elected President, because as excited as I am to get rid of Trump, I’m still not ~jazzed~ about Biden being the next President. Biden writes the forward to the book, and his family is wrapped up in a lot of the early parts of McBride’s story. It was a lovely touch to include and made me feel better about having Biden in office.

Also, there is a ton about grief and how to move forward and keep working after incredible loss. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for solace after the loss of a loved one. I listened to the audiobook version of this book, and it was very powerful to hear McBride's own voice recount her story. Would highly recommend if you have a family member or friend who has recently come out as trans, and you are interested in learning the best way to be supportive (and avoid some of the pitfalls that McBride's own family fell into).

Sarah McBride is a fucking rockstar and I am so proud that she's going to be representing America as a state senator, and I can't wait until I get a chance to vote for her. Keep fighting the good fight.