A raw and candid memoir about going from teen mom to successful entrepreneur
Jennifer Gauthier’s path to being the CEO of her own nonprofit was neither easy or linear; from becoming a mother at seventeen to working as an escort to make ends meet, her life has been unconventional to say the least. Her misadventures are the focal point of this bold, unfiltered memoir.
Born with a personality she admits is not for everyone, Gauthier has always been scrappy, her persona reading larger than her tiny stature would suggest. Often brash and without a discernible filter, Gauthier lays it all out there for the reader.
Gauthier is especially open regarding the role that addiction (not her own, but primarily her father’s), and abuse have played in her life, and these themes factor heavily throughout the story. The sexual abuse she experienced as a child is heartbreaking to read about, and her detailed retelling provides great insight, though perhaps not as much as what she shares about being a mother.
Becoming a teenage mom to her son Amir changed the trajectory of Gauthier’s life, and it is clear she relishes the role of parent. Much of the book focuses on how important it was for her to have a successful professional life while being a present mother, and she offers guidance to readers who may have similar life paths. Each chapter is meant to provide a piece of wisdom and to help readers find peace, which is a good contrast to her more aggressive personality.
Gauthier is aware that her disposition is polarizing; in fact, she seems to thrive on being a controversial character. She describes the many physical altercations she has gotten into throughout her life with a sense of pride, and, given how much of it has been about throwing caution to the wind, it makes sense. After all, her indirect path has worked well for her. However, some elements of the book won’t always be read as she may have intended.
The biggest example of this is in the chapter entitled “Stop Trying to Act Black.” Gauthier makes some statements that play into negative stereotypes, which doesn’t bode well since she’s a white woman. Another potentially controversial chapter discusses her romantic relationship with someone her son’s age (24 at the time). She both hints at knowing him since he was younger and to kicking her son out of the house for him.
But it’s true that part of Gauthier’s charm is that she is unapologetically herself, and her complete honesty will endear her to many readers. She offers encouragement to those who may be feeling lost, and she emphasizes not giving up on yourself and your dreams. Her story will resonate with those who enjoy following polarizing, unapologetically real characters.
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