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This book was good but not great. I wanted to finish it before picking up other holds that just became available to borrow.

Gutierrez has done everything in her power to succeed. Shes the “good immigrant” who was left with “charitable” “good Christian” family when her parents are unable to return to the US. Though my blood boiled listening to the way she was treated. Her brother is back in Mexico as well, leaving Elizabeth lonely yet driven as a teen. Heartbreaking to listen to the way she describes being hungry and unwilling to “cause trouble” by eating. Emotive.

The first half or so of this memoir is very good, detailing the author‘s childhood as an American with undocumented parents from Mexico, trying to live under the radar but still provide for their kids. When they decide to return to Mexico to try to reestablish their visas, they are rejected and stuck there, leaving Elizabeth with impossible choices. The second half falls apart, as she leaves so many aspects of her college years and adulthood ⬇️

What a great book. Incredible journey she has had so far in life.

I‘m usually anti very young people (she‘s only 28) writing memoirs, but I was pretty impressed with Gutierrez‘s thoughts on her life thus far as a first-generation Mexican-American. Her parents eventually had to return to Mexico with her younger brother then once she graduated college, she raised her brother in the US alone. She didn‘t make it too long (6.5 hours audio) and chose a good angle. I really enjoyed her writing style and narration, too.

I'm looking forward to the tagged book. I believe it's coming out in February, so I hope to have my hands on it soon.

The book is a memoir account of a family broken apart due to immigration. I've read many books about family members leaving to immigrate to the US, but I haven't read a book about parents being deported back to Mexico and leaving the kids behind. I feel like this will be a heartbreaking book.

#SundayFunday @@BookmarkTavern

I don‘t really have much to say about this memoir other than PLEASE READ IT!!

Elizabeth‘s will to rise above the circumstances life dealt her is something to be admired. It is a tough read but I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read it.

#NetGalley Pub Date: 2/13/24

A memoir that shares the challenges faced by a U.S.-born daughter of immigrants when her parents were forced to return to Mexico and stayed in the US…alone…without her family. I can‘t even imagine! I love how Gutierrez shares the complexities of being both brave and “selfish”. This is a deeply personal account of her experiences as she grappled with family separation and navigated the complexities of teenage life all while trying to “make it‘.