"People don’t call me Sally Sunshine for no reason. I am positive to
a fault."

If you want a light hearted, not too deep, almost cutesy, memoir...this is it.
While on paper Chelsea does come across some hard times, her writing brushes through it all in such a sweet and happy manner, it's hard to take seriously.
Every chapter ends in a sort of "lesson of the day" style way, with some discussion questions. I felt like I was reading a homework assignment in a self help group.
This book was not for me, but I can see how some people would enjoy it. I also applaud anyone releasing a memoir of their life to the public.
Therefore 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and author.

Awesome and informative. This is a book about identity and how to navigate yourself in the sea of confusion we call life. This non fiction book checked all my boxes in talking about queerness and identities in a way that is endearing yet clear and concise.

Inexplicably Me - Chelsea Austin Montgomery-Duban Wachter - (2022)
This inspirational debut memoir features quotes, wisdom, and advice—the author shared her coming-of-age- story and further life experiences as the only daughter of gay fathers. Raised in time when surrogacy was less common and controversial—her fathers were wealthy successful professional businessmen with the means to make parenthood a reality. They adored and indulged their beloved daughter.

When some with LGBTQ parents talk about the parental impact on their lives, differences are noted between tolerance, acceptance, judgmental stigma and intolerance. Chelsea was fortunate not to have been bullied by students or others for having gay parents. When she was in high school, her online post in support of LGBTQ marriage went viral-- she became a student advocate spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign and was introduced to (then) president Barrack Obama.

While Chelsea was attending college, one of her fathers was charged and convicted of tax fraud related to real estate business transactions, and served time in a California prison. This was the best part of her story, heartfelt and relatable. The theme of universal love was important. However, the storyline had an elevated exuberant unicorn and rainbow vibe that seemed (at times) over the top and unrealistic. In addition to her LGBTQ advocacy, writing, and motivational speaking, Chelsea is the co-founder of a non-profit that provides dance scholarships for students of color, and lives with her husband in Los Angeles, California. ** With thanks to HCI Books via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review. (3*GOOD).

This was an easy to read memoir with each chapter ending with the authors lessons she has learned from life.
The writing was easy, in a chatty way and the lessons / wisdom was familiar. A nice book to curl up with with a cup of tea.

Thank you HCI and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and HCI Books for providing me with an ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is one of those memoirs that I could just continue reading, reading little stories and tidbits and continuing hearing about the author's life. So relatable, so enjoyable, filled with laughter and tears and just every day life that in some way or another, we have all been there. Slightly different from other's I read given the author's family and home life but that added to the interest factor. And overall, as the title says, simply being "inexplicably me" which we all could be reminded of at some time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. It comes from the perspective I do not often come across in non-fiction. The author has given the world a gift by sharing her story. While reading it you will feel as if the author is speaking directly to you as a trusted friend. Each chapter not only unpacks and processes memories from the author's past in sometimes hilarious stories, but challenges the reader to do the same with their own life by asking important questions.

I absolutely loved this book and found it honest, candid, heartwarming and inspiring. Such wise words and so much positivity. Reading about Chelsea, her family, having two dad’s and just her growing up in general was at times comical and at times emotional. By the end of the book I really felt like I knew Chelsea. I found her positive outlook on life and how she has bounced back from so many different situations really inspiring and felt like I had gone on the journey with her! The writing flowed and I liked her footnotes at the end of each chapter ~ it felt like she was actually talking to me. Thank you to Health Communications Inc and Netgalley for the ARC copy