I was under the impression that I was getting a history book about cleavage in our society. Instead, I read a heartfelt and funny book about identity, change and what it means to connect with others. Boylan shares her personal experiences with transformation and relationships in a way that feels relatable. She is a master of balancing the laugh-out-loud moments with deeper reflections, making you think about how we see ourselves and others.

<b>DNF at 54% - No Rating</b>

So this was not what I thought it was going to be. I was drawn in by the cover, which depicts one of the most iconic (and one of my all time personal favorite) old Hollywood photos ever, and the tag line. I guess I thought this book was going to be a discourse on sexuality against an old Hollywood backdrop versus now? I don't know. I obvious should have read the Netgalley description more thoroughly before requesting it.

Completely my mistake. When I realized that this was a memoir, I tried to shift gears mentally, but it just wasn't working out for me. I just didn't care for Boylan's writing style. It was very nonlinear and kind of all over the place.

In short, nothing against the author and/or the topic. This just wasn't what I thought it was going to be and I didn't care for the writing.

My first introduction to Jennifer Finney Boylan was when I saw her on television, showing a dog in a dog show. Other than that, at that time, I knew very little about her life, her personal life, anyway.

As an advocate for transgender people, she shares some of the issues she has encountered, as well as the stories of others, sharing her personal experiences of her transition and how her family reacted to the changes in her life that followed.

This covers a lot of changes, not only for herself, but for her family as the years pass. It also explores those who view those who choose these people as stereotypes, as well as the effect it has on how they deal with the transition physically, emotionally, and psychologically, as well as how it affects those in their lives who find it difficult to understand.


Pub Date: 04 Feb 2025

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Celadon Books

This isn't quite a book, yet. It's a lot of essays by Boylan reworked into kind of a book shape, but it needs more work to become a book. it's unfortunately really disjointed because of the origins of many of the chapters, and there's a good bit of repeated material, as well as stories that are begun and never resolved. Maybe that's deliberate. I don't know. What I do know is that while Boylan is always fine to read and while this is enjoyable enough, it doesn't feel particularly meaningful or deep. It's still half-baked, as well as not fully arranged. It feels like she's resting on her laurels. I'm not going to say don't read it, because there is some good writing, and good insight in it, but get it from the library.

I thought this was a good blend of memoir and history. This was the first book I've read by Jenny Boylan and I will definitely be looking at Mad Honey and She's Not There. I think I should have read She's Not There first, but it was still an interesting read. It was a good blend of the history of the sexualization of women's bodies and how it all relates to Jenny Boylan's life before, during, and after her transition. It would definitely make for good discussion for a book club because of that.

I saw this book trending on Goodreads and decided to give it a shot. This is a great overview of how women became objectified and sexualized throughout the eras. It also touches on the trends of body shapes. The history was a little boring and could have been summed up in a better way.

First of all, I love that the author chose an iconic photo for the cover of this book, that is so appropriate! Jennifer Finney Boylan, is a prominent transgender advocate and author. In this semi-autobiographical work, she blends memoir, social commentary, and cultural critique in this deeply personal reflection on her own experiences transitioning while also examining the broader societal constructs of gender.

At the heart of Cleavage is Boylan's exploration of the shifting dynamics between her male and female selves, as well as the ways in which gender roles are constructed, maintained, and challenged. The title of the book itself is a clever metaphor, alluding to the literal and figurative spaces between the sexes, as well as to the often provocative and loaded perceptions of women’s bodies. Through her transition, Boylan navigates the literal cleavage between her past as a man and her present as a woman, while also addressing the figurative cleavages that exist in society’s understanding of what it means to be "male" or "female." Her experiences as a transgender woman are framed with both honesty and insight, making the book accessible not just to those who share similar experiences, but to anyone looking to understand the complexities of gender beyond binary stereotypes. She tackles topics ranging from the physical transformations involved in transitioning, to the emotional and psychological impacts of living as a transgender person, to the sometimes difficult but crucial conversations about gender that need to take place in society.

Rather than viewing gender as an immutable, fixed concept, she sees it as a spectrum—one that encompasses a range of experiences and expressions. She is quick to acknowledge that there is no singular "transgender experience" and points out the vast diversity of individuals who identify with different gender identities. This perspective allows Boylan to critique the often rigid and reductive categories that society imposes on people, while also emphasizing the humanity and individuality of those who live outside the mainstream definitions of "man" and "woman."

Boylan also uses her platform to explore broader themes such as power, privilege, and the cultural expectations placed on men and women. She critically examines how societal gender norms shape our understanding of relationships, work, and even basic human interactions.
While Cleavage is in many ways a deeply personal story, it is also an important cultural commentary on the way gender shapes society. Boylan’s ability to balance personal narrative with critical insight makes the book both engaging and enlightening. It’s not just for those interested in gender identity, but for anyone curious about the complex ways gender impacts our lives, from our relationships to our careers, and our broader understanding of human nature.

In conclusion, Cleavage is a thoughtful, beautifully written book that challenges conventional thinking about gender while offering an intimate portrait of one woman’s journey toward self-realization. The authors' sharp wit, emotional depth, and intellectual rigor make this a compelling read for anyone interested in exploring the intersections of gender, identity, and society. It’s a book that invites readers to rethink not only what it means to be a man or a woman, but what it means to be human! Would make a great discussion at your next book club.

After reading “She’s Not There” a few years back, it was nice to once again catch up with Boylan and see how her life has progressed. She is a talented writer who also offers good insight on the differences between men and women from someone who has been both. Thank you for the ARC.

This was such a interesting story. I had no idea what I was signing up for when I requested it but loved it. I loved all the backstory behind the author's transition and the ending was perfect. This is such a hot topic for many people with so many different opinions but I thought the story was well-written and I hope it inspires more individuals to tell their stories. Thank you so much for the ARC, I appreciate it!

What a beautiful memoir to take a journey on with Jenny Boylan. I personally had never read her work and to see her journey of finding herself was beautiful and poignant. I loved her honesty and punchy humor throughout the book, it is what is needed in this dark time. I think some of the chapters felt a little disjointed but all in all, it was a beautifully written book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Was it an eye opener for me as to how it feels to be in the wrong body? Yes and I will be more aware of using proper pronouns from now on, too.

Jim always felt he was in the wrong body and that he was really a girl inside. It sounds miserable and the option of fixing that problem is a huge one for most people, especially when it was so new. There were really very few role models to even see that it could be done.

Jenny is who he was on the inside and now on the outside. Lots of physical and emotional pain for many years leaves a trail of trauma. At times she seemed very self centered, thinking all of life's problems, including those of her children, were all her fault. I guess the actions of the parents really weigh heavily when you are one of the first of a kind to go public and I have not walked in those shoes, so I don't understand how it feels.

About 3/4 of the way through the book I found it boring and was skimming & flipping pages, until I found parts near the end that I read and learned a lot from finishing the book.

Will I read anything else by this author? No, this was enough. Then when the book was named that was coauthored by Jenny, I realized I had hated that book so this will be enough for me to say it was interesting and enlightening. Anyone facing this situation will learn a lot by reading it.
thank you NetGalley for an advance copy. Honest opinions expressed here are my own and are freely given.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

What does it mean to live between worlds, between identities, between genders? Jennifer Finney Boylan, with her signature blend of wit, warmth, and razor-sharp insight, takes us on a journey through those spaces in Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us. It’s part memoir, part cultural critique, and wholly captivating.

Boylan, a trailblazing voice in trans literature, reflects on her experiences navigating life as both a man and a woman while also unpacking the universal struggles that connect us all. She shares stories with heart-wrenching honesty—from the joy and pain of her transition to the love and loss that come with being human. It’s as much about who we are as individuals as it is about the relationships we build and the divides we bridge.

This isn’t just a book about gender identity—it’s about time, change, self-perception, and the power of connection. Boylan considers how our identities shape the way we love, grieve, and dream. Whether reflecting on how the world reacted to her transition in 2000 versus today’s fraught political climate, or recounting tender, poignant moments as a parent, spouse, and activist, Boylan writes with both candor and grace.

And let’s not forget her humor. Boylan has a knack for pairing searing insights with laugh-out-loud observations, making heavy topics feel approachable and deeply relatable. She invites us to think critically while also finding joy in the space between divides—a reminder that humanity is, at its core, about connection.

Thank you to Jennifer Finney Boylan, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for this incredible read. Cleavage is a must-read for anyone looking to better understand gender, identity, and the complexity of human relationships. It’s a book that will challenge you, move you, and, ultimately, inspire hope for a future where we can all live authentically and joyfully.

I came to know Jennifer Finney Boylan's writing though reading the book Mad Honey, which is co-authored with Jodi Picoult. I love Jodi Picoult's writing, and was interested in reading a book by someone Picoult chose to work with.

This book, Cleavage, is a follow-up book to Finney Boylan's previous book, She's Not There. Upon reading the first chapter of Cleavage, I immediately felt like I needed to read her first book, before jumping right in to this one. I felt a bit like I had joined a conversation already in progress and needed to stand on the sidelines until I gathered enough information to understand the conversation. I felt lost for quite awhile.

I was looking for an understanding of another person's experience with gender identity and sexuality. I fully realize that each person's experience is their own, and being given the opportunity to be let in to the author's life, felt like a gift. I appreciate her openness and insight into her own experiences of coming out 25 years ago and the challenges she faced then, as well as the challenges she experiences and sees now.

I look forward to reading the Jennifer Finney Boylan's first book, She's Not There, so that I have a picture of her life, her transition, and the experiences as she saw them when this book was written.

I went into reading this book with the mindset that it would be able the differences between how men and women are treated in society. I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. This story is interesting for the most part but gets confusing going back and forth between Ms. Boylan's experience as a boy/young man and her experience as a 40+ woman.

Who would you be if you got the chance to be fully yourself?

This is just one of the various incredibly interesting topics covered in this deeply moving, hilarious, and fully developed book. I’ve possibly never wanted to be friends with someone more than Jennifer. Actually, maybe Deirdre.

I really can’t recommend this enough if you’re looking for erudite conversations on identity, love, grief, joy, etc.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. The publishing date for this title is February 4, 2025.

The weaving of the past and present and the ability to give so much information and stories in a way that lets readers to learn and follow along has made this book a great read. I think the aspects of stories, history, and so much is interesting and brings a nuance but also historical look to the interactions between people and the small, yet impactful, parts of history we have overlooked or not looked into.

I enjoyed reading this book, especially how the author weaved in the past with the present. And as I prepare to transition, it is comforting to read how she has handled the ongoing questions and emotions. Proud to include it on my bookshelf.

I really enjoyed Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Boylan, but I hadn’t read Boylan’s first memoir about transitioning, called She’s Not There, which came out 20 years ago. This memoir had interesting insights about the way politics has given some folks “formal instructions on how to hate us.”

She reflects on gender, coming out as transgender, her youth, and what life is like now as an older person.

“Of all the untrue things I convinced myself of in early transition, I think one of the most harmful was the idea of womanhood meant being little. In its way this idea does even more damage than the idea womanhood means being pretty.” She mentions the tapes she once listened to make her voice sound more feminine recommending things like making every statement sound like a question, as if being a woman means being unsure of oneself and other unsavory stereotypes.

There were parts of this memoir that didn’t seem to flow and parts where I got bored, but overall I found it insightful and well written.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel, which RELEASES FEBRUARY 4, 2025.

Cleavage: Men, Women and the Space Between Us is a new release from transgendered American author Jennifer Finney Boylan, Her first book, She's Not There, discussed her transition and its effects on her life, including her family, career, and friendships. The new book dives deeper into her life as an activist/writer and touches on her partnership with her wife; there's more here about her relationship with her son. I wish the book offered more information - medical and scientific- about why a person feels their gender identity is not the same as their birth gender. It's difficult for many people to understand the need to undertake this kind of major change, although we can respect it. Boylan makes the point that hope and love can overcome most challenges. I appreciated her honesty and the love she clearly has for others. Recommended for transgenered individuals and the people who work with them, live with them, and love them.

This was my first Jennifer Finney Boylan book, so I had not read her memoir She's Not There, which gets referenced often in this work. Overall I think this book certainly discusses a lot of topics regarding coming out as trans, and how Boylan navigated that within her own relationships. Her marriage to Deedie was so ridiculously sweet - what a true commitment these two have made to one another. What fell short for me were some of the chapters that were kind of bizarre and just seemed to be slipped in amongst the actual stories about Boylan's life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book.