Tag: i love jonathan van ness

adult, Five Star Book, LGBT, Memoir

Over the Top Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Who gave Jonathan Van Ness permission to be the radiant human he is today? No one, honey.

The truth is, it hasn’t always been gorgeous for this beacon of positivity and joy.

Before he stole our hearts as the grooming and self-care expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, Jonathan was growing up in a small Midwestern town that didn’t understand why he was so…over the top. From choreographed carpet figure skating routines to the unavoidable fact that he was Just. So. Gay., Jonathan was an easy target and endured years of judgement, ridicule and trauma—yet none of it crushed his uniquely effervescent spirit.

Over the Top uncovers the pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today. In this revelatory, raw, and rambunctious memoir, Jonathan shares never-before-told secrets and reveals sides of himself that the public has never seen. JVN fans may think they know the man behind the stiletto heels, the crop tops, and the iconic sayings, but there’s much more to him than meets the Queer Eye.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away knowing that no matter how broken or lost you may be, you’re a Kelly Clarkson song, you’re strong, and you’ve got this.

– Goodreads

Yall. I cannot tell you how excited I was for this book.

Thanks, Giphy!

What I liked:

O.M.G. JVN. He’s just everything. I love him with every ounce of my being.

But man, has he been through some struggles. I won’t divulge what’s in the book, but I just wanted to cry for him. He’s been thrown so many curveballs and faced so many challenges, but he pulled through and became such a beautiful soul who is helping so many other people.

I think Chapter 1 is what hit me the hardest. I know. I was crying at work. Jonathan talks about wondering if people would love all his parts after the book. Everyone sees the bubbly, happy, loving JVN. That’s who people want to see. But what about when he’s had a bad day, running late, not feeling well? People still expect to see the Jonathan they see on Queer Eye. He talks about loving all of his parts. That hit home. There are so many parts of me that I struggle with, so knowing I’m not alone in that really moved me. I mean, of course everyone has struggles, it’s just not pushed in your face. Everyone wants to show the perfect Instagram part of their lives, not what’s really under the surface. Over the Top made me want to come to terms with those not so pretty parts of me, learn to embrace them, and show them.

Jonathan was really thrown some shit in life. I can’t image how he got through it being the person he is today. I honestly don’t think I could have. This just makes me love him so much more.

Also, I totally recommend the audio because who doesn’t want to listen to Jonathan tell them his life story for 5 hours? It was so ah-ma-zing!

What I didn’t like:

Uhm, nothing! This novel made me laugh and cry. Perfection.

Would I recommend?

Oh 1000%. If you need a pick me up, read this. If you’ve faced struggles and want to know you aren’t alone, read this. If you need to learn how to get more involved with your self-care, read this. If you just love Queer Eye, read it!

Until next time…