Brammer’s voice will be familiar to fans of his column. He is both kind and piercingly funny, often in the same sentence. He slips in and out of queer slang without pause; he is just as sure-footed in contemplating the awkwardness of gay sex as he is in describing his family in Oklahoma. Brammer’s tone lends levity to the weighty subjects he extrapolates upon ... Brammer has been honing his sharp-witted persona for years online, but here, in book form, unbound from the constraints of a column or character limit, his queer advice is more personal and affecting. His voice is intentional, considered and more intimate than ever, but he does not lose the directness and clarity he’s spent so long cultivating ... isn’t really a book of collected advice columns; it’s a memoir through essays, and he uses the form to mine the depths of his own experience. With that comes a vulnerability never clearer than in the first and last chapters ... The book as a whole works through Brammer’s genuine discomfort with being looked to for sincere advice ... a master class of tone and tenderness, as Brammer balances self-compassion with humor. Throughout, Brammer bridges his identities and his sensibilities; he is at once the self-deprecating Papi and the kind sage John Paul. He leaves his beloved reader with the solace that, by practicing kindness in our reflections, we can find lessons for ourselves and teach others to do the same.

Anyone who has grappled with their own identities will relate to Brammer as he wrestles with insecurities and forges ahead through the haze of depression ... Brammer’s talent as a storyteller lies in extracting profound meaning from seemingly minor events and feelings ... a testament to turning past struggles and humiliations into fuel for a brighter future, and to owning your experiences by reframing the narrative and finding agency in the retelling.

... readers are likely to become addicted to these stories; they’re that good. Beautifully written, the stories run a gamut of emotions that readers will share. Some are wistful; some, melancholy; others, sad or poignant or bittersweet. The subjects of the stories—Brammer’s quotidian life—are made fascinating with the author’s deeply introspective musing and self-analysis. Brammer comes to know himself very well, and readers will be delighted to make his acquaintance, too.

There is an ease and charm to Brammer’s writing that will make readers feel as though he is sitting beside them, regaling them with his often funny, increasingly insightful, sometimes heartbreaking tales ... This collection shines especially brightly whenever Brammer describes his coming-of-age experiences—figuring out his sexuality, as well as his efforts to grow into his career as a writer. As he does in his advice column, Brammer addresses readers directly, showing us the times he sought advice and the times he should have taken it ... Brammer’s worldview is grounded in realism and self-deprecating humor; his book is likely to be a well-loved addition to any collection of personal essays or memoirs.

... sassy, entertaining ... The author humorously and candidly discusses his personal coming-out process and thirst for knowledge about the gay community, and his authentic voice will appeal to and resonate with readers navigating their own sexual identities ... As free-flowing commentary on identity, Latinx culture, and tradition commingle with Brammer’s contemporary urban gay experience, the narrative is packed with illuminatingly frank perspectives. Some sections, which answer fan questions on how to dress 'gayer,' aren’t nearly as impactful, but the sum of Brammer’s life experiences will prove charming, instructional, and frequently relatable for his established readership and those seeking time-tested advice on contemporary conundrums within the gay community ... Contemporary lighthearted wisdom (and some campy fun) for LGBTQ+ audiences.

... frothy, episodic ... Though he has a genuine interest in helping others and frankly details a suicide attempt and other intimate matters, Brammer’s writing regularly slips into clichés. Fans will appreciate a closer look at Brammer’s life; others will wish for greater depth.