Scan barcode
torneoluna's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
dr_manuela_reads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a ride. Hopeful and sad. Inspiring. As a Mexican-American who grew up near San Diego and is about a decade older that Mr. Leon, I knew exactly of the places and times he described. I too am first generation and I could identify so clearly with his experiences. I did not have the harrowing experiences he had. I had those of being poor and in predominately white schools, with rich kids. I too ended up at an ivy earning a PhD.
I say this only to say that identified so closely with some of his struggles. I was hopeful for him. Wanting him to head out of the darkness he was in. I was rooting for him, all the while knowing he had “made it”. His experiences are beyond imaginable though he describes them well. It’s unthinkable what he experienced. In that, this is a story of hope.
I hope he can s able to buy his AMA a house like he wanted.
I say this only to say that identified so closely with some of his struggles. I was hopeful for him. Wanting him to head out of the darkness he was in. I was rooting for him, all the while knowing he had “made it”. His experiences are beyond imaginable though he describes them well. It’s unthinkable what he experienced. In that, this is a story of hope.
I hope he can s able to buy his AMA a house like he wanted.
taylorcali's review
5.0
I saw this author speak on a memoir panel last month and was intrigued by his story. After reading it, this is one of those "stranger than fiction" life stories. From growing up poor in the barrio of San Diego and sex trafficked at a young age to one day reaching Harvard for grad school—Jesse truly redeemed himself in many ways.
nelli_lakatos's review against another edition
5.0
This memoir was truly heartbreaking and powerful.
It was a really heavy and beautiful story of survival, hope and bravery. No one should have to live through that much…
I highly recommend this book but check the TWs first if you need them!
Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions.
It was a really heavy and beautiful story of survival, hope and bravery. No one should have to live through that much…
I highly recommend this book but check the TWs first if you need them!
Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinions.
fancy_reads's review
5.0
I was told I would cry, and it was true. I couldn’t get past the introduction without feeling my eyes fill with tears.
Jesse takes us back to San Diego, “America’s Finest City”, back in the 80s and early 90s. He exposes the ugly underbelly of drugs and prostitution that the tourists and those living in the “nice” neighborhoods didn’t see. He brings us into his world to show us what it was like growing up as a Mexican-American in a poor neighborhood: the lack of resources, gang violence, and drugs. But also in that same neighborhood we find camaraderie, family, and a community that is rich in giving and helping one another. Jesse shows us the struggle of questioning one’s sexuality in the 80s with a machista father. He doesn’t hold back how his innocence is brutally stripped from him by a sex predator who forces the young sweet boy into a world of drugs and sex trafficking.
Jesse Leon’s story will punch you in the gut, make you cry, and mourn for all he lost. But you will also laugh, rejoice, and feel inspired by his strength, resilience, and love.
Jesse takes us back to San Diego, “America’s Finest City”, back in the 80s and early 90s. He exposes the ugly underbelly of drugs and prostitution that the tourists and those living in the “nice” neighborhoods didn’t see. He brings us into his world to show us what it was like growing up as a Mexican-American in a poor neighborhood: the lack of resources, gang violence, and drugs. But also in that same neighborhood we find camaraderie, family, and a community that is rich in giving and helping one another. Jesse shows us the struggle of questioning one’s sexuality in the 80s with a machista father. He doesn’t hold back how his innocence is brutally stripped from him by a sex predator who forces the young sweet boy into a world of drugs and sex trafficking.
Jesse Leon’s story will punch you in the gut, make you cry, and mourn for all he lost. But you will also laugh, rejoice, and feel inspired by his strength, resilience, and love.
mnqmariah's review
4.0
Jesse's memoir is truly moving and inspiring.
*Trigger warning - horrific sexual abuse and trauma.
*Trigger warning - horrific sexual abuse and trauma.
joiceeg's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, and Drug use
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexism
serenevannoy's review
I can't really handle stories of kids in peril, and I was not expecting the violent child rape that happens early in this book. Not a fault of the book, but I wasn't enjoying it that much to begin with and that was the deciding point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Pedophilia