From graduating high school to moving into her first apartment, Niami chronicles a rollercoaster life in sunny California, as she makes lifelong friends and tastes the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Her foray into drugs and alcohol use is painful to watch, as are the tragic losses and startling family revelations that threaten her “inner fortitude and wisdom,” as she must learn to cope with—and heal from—the most heartbreaking betrayals and violations from people she once believed in—“trustworthy monster[s],” as she calls them. A true icon of resilience, Niami continues to push forward, working through her pain, mistreatment, and the complex relationships she endures with her abusers, all while echoing a resounding message for anyone who has suffered from sexual abuse: “You are never alone, and it's not your fault.”

"Through this journey, I discovered healing was not always about complete eradication of pain, but rather about finding moments of respite, small victories that punctuated the struggle,” Niami wisely observes. Her razor-sharp prose is both transparent and vulnerable, much like the author herself, and her willingness to hold nothing back empowers—and gives voice to the deep wounds abuse can cause. This will resonate with readers from all walks of life.

Takeaway: Razor-sharp memoir of resilience and self-love in the face of trauma.

Comparable Titles: Sarafina Bianco's The House on Sunset, Gemma Carey's No Matter Our Wreckage.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A