Melissa Giberson is a middle-aged suburban wife and mother of two kids, solidly planted in the life she''s always wanted. Yet she longs for something more - something she can''t quite put her finger on until, one day at the Y, she finds herself mesmerized by the sight of a naked woman and asks herself for the first time: Am I gay? This revelation sends Melissa on a head-spinning journey of self-discovery, one that challenges everything she thinks she knows about herself, forces her to decide exactly how much she''s willing to risk for authenticity, and shakes the foundations of the family she''s fiercely determined to shield from the kinds of wounds she sustained during her own childhood. Torn between her desire to be true to herself and her desire to protect her children, she is consumed by fear and conflicting emotions - and when her husband unexpectedly serves her divorce papers, her confusion only deepens. Adrift in uncharted waters, Melissa finds fragments of understanding and peace in unexpected places - in a conference room in Israel, a small fishing village in Cape Cod, and at a yoga retreat center - that help her deconstruct her preconceptions about faith and identity and begin to construct a new framework for her life. Over the course of her ten-year journey, she finds hope, love, and more courage than she ever knew she was capable of, and she gradually assembles the puzzle that is her - the real her. There are some copies of this book with a known printing error (missing pages). If you are a consumer who received one of these books, please contact the publisher to have a replacement book sent at the publisher''s cost: info@shewritespress.com.
Industry Reviews
2023 Best Book Awards Finalist in LGBTQ+ Nonfiction
"A multilayered and complex remembrance."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Giberson's writing is both engaging and poignant, allowing readers to connect deeply with her experiences and emotions. The book's strength lies in its relatability and its emphasis on the power of self-acceptance."
—Readers' Favorite
“Late Bloomer is an absolutely glorious memoir about a woman coming out, coming into her true self. A woman sharing the most intimate details. The ending of a marriage, the discovering of her own heartbeat, her own desires, the bumpy, scary, frightening, magnificent journey of self-discovery. Giberson writes that coming out is a gut-wrenching process and that she carefully chose each person with whom to share her truth. With this memoir, she's done just that—sharing her truth, sharing the pain and sorrow and joy. And the fear. Sharing intimate details that become chapters filled with so much raw beauty. At the end of this glorious book, Giberson declares, ‘Above all, I’ve found me.’ And we, as readers, are awfully glad she shared herself with us. A remarkable journey, indeed.”
—Amy Ferris, author of Mighty Gorgeous and Marrying George Clooney
“Melissa Giberson’s memoir is a gripping account of a suburban mom’s journey from a world of shuttling kids to pools and temple to the self-discovery she’s trembling with lust after the beautiful women on Provincetown’s beaches. There is a kind of madness that befalls a person brave enough to make that journey—a human roiling through self-loathing, euphoria, depression, joy, guilt, fury, fear, erotic discovery—until they finally make it safely to where they need to be. This is an honest account of the profound ‘awakening’ that stems from an appetite for life and yet also comes at a cost. The writing is just right. It’s straight—from the heart.”
—Richard C. Morais, author of The Hundred-Foot Journey
“Melissa Giberson has written an incredibly important book about truth telling. In this story, she’s searching for her own truth, moment by messy moment. Bravo to her bravery. Shedding societal expectations is not easy, and the path to authenticity is rarely smooth. Reading Melissa’s journey will give so many people hope that there’s sun at the end of the storm.”
—Julie Barton, New York Times Bestselling author of Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself
“Melissa Giberson’s Late Bloomer is transcendent in its relatability: Anyone who has wrestled with how to be who they are rather than who they think their world demands them to be will feel themselves in this compelling, necessary story. Feeling stuck is a nightmare and freedom is divine, but, as Giberson shows in this masterful blueprint for truth telling, it’s in choosing to step out from under the weight of ‘shoulds’ that we realize the richness of authenticity.”
—Becky Vollmer, author of You Are Not Stuck: How Soul-Guided Choices Transform Fear into Freedom
"When we see parts of ourselves reflected in the stories of others, we grow, heal, and find permission to share our own truths. Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife is a soul-bearing tale of a woman's quest to live more fully in alignment and congruence. Melissa writes with vivid color and texture, describing her journey through coming out, divorce, coparenting, and building a new life. I am grateful for this offering, as it creates more visibility and support for women exploring their sexuality later in life."
—Jen Berlingo, LPC, ATR; midlife
