I really enjoyed this book, despite having no real sense of who Janet Mock was. She has an excellent storytelling voice. The one ambivalence I had was with the "I know now" short sections explaining the events after the fact. I understand they were necessary to orientate readers who weren't familiar with trans, trauma, or sex work topics. And most of it really was 101 level stuff. On the other hand, to me some of it gave the impression that she was claiming her current self has things, especially her motivations, figured out almost infinitely well now. Then she juxtaposes it with criticism of her previous actions and attitudes. That may well be her experience, and she should absolutely write an honest bio, but I am also evaluating it as an aspirational book and as someone whose traumatic, family, and sexuality experiences have grown more dissonant with time, who is trying to live with my past self without overwriting or pathologizing her... I found some of those sections... I don't know... stressful... deflating. I mean I would be really horrified if when I went to write my memoirs I regretted my decision to not give my parents enough of a chance.

My other complaint... I wish the book hadn't ended when it did. I still want to find out about whatever it is she's famous for (I guess editor and activist?)