5 stars

Thank you to Macmillian audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. This is a collection of memories and stories from the author. It was so interesting to listen to. I loved her honesty and vulnerability. I. I loved it so much.

Jenny Boylan is a dynamic writer and she was vulnerable in the telling of her truth. I appreciated all she shared. Jenny discusses her journey through life on so many levels: suppressing her true self, finding friendship and love, opening up to family, transitioning, raising children, & life as a woman in private & public spaces. She peppers her story with those of other trans women throughout history (from Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to sportswriter Christine Daniels) as well as personal anecdotes of interactions with various people throughout life both pre & post transition.

My favorite parts of this book are when Jenny addresses fear & hate against trans people because she is so empathetic to where a lot of fear & hate comes from, & she doesn’t speak in a confrontational manner. It takes true strength, courage, & knowledge to be patient with prejudiced people. Yet, ironically, she speaks about her own fear when her eldest child came out as a trans woman. How a part of her felt like she was “at fault” & also how she felt like maybe she wasn’t there enough for her daughter to come to her sooner. She talked about the fear she felt as a parent of a trans child and how that fear made her understand better the fear others have in regards to trans children.

Hands down, this book was 5 stars and a must read.

somewhat thrown off by the title, thought it would be more about gender studies, less personal anecdotes. A bit hard to follow at times, when the story would jump from different timelines. Overall very entertaining, Found myself laughing out loud at times and I was disappointed when it ended, it felt like it flew by too quickly and all of a sudden I was at the end!
Narration was clear and pleasant to listen to.

Truly a book that is much deeper than the cover let on! I really enjoyed this story of the dichotomy of being a trans woman in America. You could definitely feel the way Jenny connected to her youth and adolescence, living in a male body, as well as all of the range of emotions that she experiences now in her female body (and at every stage in between, during and after her transition). I think this is a very important book, especially in today’s political climate. I am also inspired to check out her memoir from about 20 years ago, to see how it compares to how she right now. With that said, mad honey was a beautiful book and I would recommend that one 100 times over as well as this one.

Cleavage was a Macmillan Audio pick & this book was just indescribable. From the synopsis: “What is the difference between men & women? Jennifer Finney Boylan…examines the divisions—as well as the common ground—between the genders, & reflects on her own experiences, both difficult & joyful, as a transgender American.” As a cis woman, it was interesting to see how a trans woman saw the differences between men & women. And let me tell you, she didn’t miss anything. It’s truly so disappointing that being a woman in our society comes with so much fear & acquiescence. Being a trans woman adds a component to that fear as well. But, this book was absolutely not about all of the negatives.

Jenny discusses her journey through life on so many levels: suppressing her true self, finding friendship and love, opening up to family, transitioning, raising children, & life as a woman in private & public spaces. She peppers her story with those of other trans women throughout history (from Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to sportswriter Christine Daniels) as well as personal anecdotes of interactions with various people throughout life both pre & post transition.

My favorite parts of this book are when Jenny addresses fear & hate against trans people because she is so empathetic to where a lot of fear & hate comes from, & she doesn’t speak in a confrontational manner. It takes true strength, courage, & knowledge to be patient with prejudiced people. Yet, ironically, she speaks about her own fear when her eldest child came out as a trans woman. How a part of her felt like she was “at fault” & also how she felt like maybe she wasn’t there enough for her daughter to come to her sooner. She talked about the fear she felt as a parent of a trans child and how that fear made her understand better the fear others have in regards to trans children.

“If accepting [my daughter] had been that hard for me, even given all that I know, what must parents who know nothing about these issues go through? … It makes me want to reach out to all the parents of all the transgender children in the world to let them know that their child coming out as trans is not some terrible fate, but, with a little luck, the thing that might well bring them joy & success. And also to let them know they are not bad parents for feeling an initial sense of loss. That loss, I want to tell them, is not all that you will feel. In time, you will find a new sense of pride, as your child, transformed, becomes a better version of themselves. A person whom you can admire not only for their accomplishments but for the way in which they have done the hardest thing imaginable: to have taken the risk of having their own parents turn their backs on them forever.”

Hands down, this book was 5 stars and a must read.

I am so grateful to Jennifer for sharing her story and helping others going through similar situations. Even as a CIS woman, I could relate to so much of what she said. Especially the weight/appearance stuff.

I was unfamiliar with Jennifer and her previous work, but I will add it to my list! The title and cover of the book are amazing but I do agree with other reviewers that they didn't exactly represent the book. You do think you'll be reading a book maybe about the iconic scene or jealousy between women over looks.

There are two narrators, and I enjoyed both their voices. I think this book is very important right now with everything the current administration is trying to do to trans people. It is time for us, as allies, to step up and protect our friends. One way you can do that is educating yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Gabra Zackman, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read Cleavage. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

Narrative memoir is often my thing, but this felt more like a collection of essays or episodes rather than a book with a narrative arc. It probably would have helped if I'd read Boylan's She's Not There first, as this book explicitly engages in a conversation with that on in a "this is how things have changed" sort of way.

I listened to this one and at first kept wondering if I'd somehow skipped back or forward by mistake, or if my attention had wandered, because I kept hearing phrases, sentences, even paragraphs I thought I'd already heard. But then I got to a portion of the book talking about the Goldberg Variations and realized that these repeated sections were deliberate. When I knew what to listen for, it was interesting, but it definitely lost me a little bit in the beginning! This did intrigue me and I may go back to read She's Not There. On its own, it felt a little incomplete.

Narrator Gabra Zackman did a great job bringing the words to life.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.

I deeply appreciate Jennifer Finney Boylan’s ongoing willingness to explore her identity with us, offering a post-transition memoir that, if not a direct continuation of She’s Not There, picks up where her adult life, her perspective, and her writing have brought her now.

I loved listening to Cleavage—I was completely drawn in by its themes of gender, body image, and the ways our relationships shape us. It reminded me why her first memoir mattered, why it still matters, and how her authenticity continues to resonate. Cleavage is a thoughtful, engaging examination of a life in progress—an invitation to reflect on our own experiences, the forces that shape us, and how we understand gender. I can’t wait to recommend it to others.

Thank you MacMillan audio for the review copy.

This book wasn’t what I expected, but it was still a worthwhile listen. The cover image teases a pop culture and gender analysis, but the book instead offers a memoir reflecting on the author's experiences as an out trans woma.

The writing is wry, funny, and heartfelt, filled with thoughtful insights on gender, relationships, and identity. My only critique is that the marketing sets up expectations for a cultural commentary that never fully materializes. I’d recommend this book—just go in with the understanding that it’s memoir first.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I saw Jenny on Caitlin Jenner's show and she was my favoriate, I like a smart lady. So I had to pick this book and I liked it! Just the right amount of funny and heartfelt, I have already recommended to a friend, Good job!

A wonderful thoughtful memoir about life, aging, and change. Ver.y kind, big-hearted, and something Boomer should read ASAP.

I will say the marketing of this book does not make sense. Although Boylan points out the polarizing nature of the title, I still don't think it makes sense for a book about a person's story and also could mislead people in thinking the book is about a narrow binary view of gender when i'ts not.

A thoughtful memoir by transgender activist Jennifer Boylan. I found her reflections on transitioning 25 years ago—and the world that would greet the same act today—to be insightful and provocative. I love her writing style and I learned a great deal from this book. It’s one that a lot of people should read—but most likely the people who need to read it won’t be the ones who actually do. My only quibble is that she does not narrate the audiobook. Given the statements made in the chapter entitled, “Voice,” I understand; however, I find it disconcerting when a memoir is narrated by someone other than the author and that chapter would have resonated differently if told in her own voice. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGallery for the opportunity to review this audiobook—highly recommended!

Firstly, I blame the marketing on this one, but this book (ironically) has a bit of an identity crisis resulting from the promises made by the title and cover (which makes this look like a book of essays on pop culture and gender) and what this book actually is (which is a memoir following up on the author's experiences as an out trans woman twenty-five years after coming out). She wrote a bestselling memoir in 2003 called She's Not There, but her perspective there was of someone newly out. Here, she has a lifetime of experiences to reflect on.

What this book is is very well written, wry and funny, heartfelt, and insightful. My only complaint is that I kept wanting what that cover promised. But what is in the book itself is a worth reading.

The audiobook is read by Gabra Zackman, who is a narrator I've listened to many audiobooks from, and she always does a great job.

I would definitely recommend this book, just go in with the right expectations. Memoir, not pop culture. She does have opinions about those things, but they are all filtered through her own lived experience.

I really enjoyed this book. Its mostly a memoir with a little bit of cultural criticism.

I have not read this author's previous memoir, "She's Not There". I imagine my experience of this book might have been enhanced if I had, however, it reads perfectly well without it. Some essays where more impactful than others, which feels normal with a memoir written like this.

As a memoir, it didn't feel particularly revelatory. However, it is really special to read a book from the perspective of an elder queer person, especially a trans woman. We've lost so many of them. This feels special for that reason.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Macmillan audio for the ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed hearing about Boylan’s life and overall story. I had been unfamiliar with her work until I read this book and later discovered she had co-authored Mad Honey! I will say I wish I read her first memoir before this book as it is frequently referenced and seems to be a really interesting companion piece as she often talks about changes in her life, growth, etc. since that memoir.

One of the most poignant aspects of this book is the unfolding of her daughter coming out to Jennifer as trans. She is real, honest, and vulnerable in the telling of that journey and the realities of her daughter’s transition for her family/relationship to her.

While I really enjoyed the audibook, epically hearing Boylan’s own voice in excerpts, I think the non-linear storytelling was a bit tough to follow with the audio since the writing often jumped decades. With that being said it wasn’t impossible to follow and I thought the non-linear storytelling was often helpful to understand how had felt about her gender identity, etc. over the years.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book!

I didn't come into this with the correct expectations. I hadn't heard of Jennifer Boylan before and based on the cover and subtitle was expecting more of a pop sociology type text and not a sequel memoir. I still enjoyed parts this book, Jennifer is a talented writer and it is extremely well written. I found myself either over relating and bored with topics of weight/body acceptance and cultural violence against women or under relating and alienated when she discussed her east coat academia life style. Overall, I do think it's a good book, but just not for me.

Jennifer Finney Boylan is a transgender writer (co-writer of Mad Honey), professor and president of Pen America. She came out years ago, when her children were young and married to her wife. She has been an advocate for many years and has now written a memoir which focuses on the differences between men and women, the impact of gender in our lives as well as the story of her coming out and her loving and sustaining marriage.

Since this was a memoir I mainly listened to the audiobook (not narrated by her) and thought the content and the audiobook were exceptional, I had picked up the physical galley at a Celadon event so I had the benefit of being able to read when I couldn’t listen. I was so excited by the fact that she went to my college and referenced one of my favorite professors in the book but in all honesty, that was just gravy. I thought her insightful memoir was a wonderful means to gain insight into the trans community. The writing is superlative and she tells her story with wit and honesty. I have had the pleasure of seeing Boylin speak at Pen America events and so I grabbed this one without a second thought and I am so happy I did. With what is going on in our crazy world right now with the stripping of trans rights - this was the perfect read to help me gain a better understanding of their internal struggle (I have a few friends with trans children so I had a pretty good base of anecdotal knowledge going into it).

4.5 stars

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC to review

DNF - This book was different than I expected. I thought it would be more a exploration of gender, rather than leaning so much on the autobiography part. I also didn't love the meandering nature of this memoir. It just wasn't for me.

Such a powerful, beautiful & inspiring memoir. From boyhood to womanhood- Jenny is a trans icon. Coming out in the early 2000's was no easy task but, she paved the way for the future generation to come. I absolutely loved the writing style(it's a little bit all over the place but in the best way) she had me laughing and also crying. truly an inspiring read to never be afraid to be yourself and the right people will always stand behind you and love you no matter what. love will prevail.

*Cleavage* is a collection of autobiographical essays centering Jennifer Boylan’s reflections on the differences and similarities between men and women. Boylan is a transgender American woman who transitioned in her early 40’s, thus has a wealth of insight on the changes that arise as she went from living life as a man to living life as woman, and how gender impacts love, friendship, body image, and self esteem. Boylan provides analysis on this divide largely based on personal experience in a lovely memoiresque style. Her writing and emotion in these essays is captivating and honest. I enjoyed this very much.

Throughout *Cleavage* Boylan seems to build on her information from her previous memoirs. Although she provides enough detail and background to be able to jump straight in, I think I would have preferred to start with her first memoir.

I was quickly drawn to this book based on the eye catching title, cover, and blurbs, however *Cleavage* wasn’t exactly the book I was expecting to read based on the marketing alone. I think I was expecting more of a researched nonfiction on how external appearance impacts the lives of women generally, rather than a personal essay/memoir. Nevertheless, this book was enjoyable and achieves its goal, probing important questions on how gender impacts the way we experience life.