Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love

I got the audiobook version of this and listened to Johnathan Van Ness talk at me for the whole day, and it was like spending time with a good friend. I laughed, cried and learned more about famous gymnasts and ice skaters than I anticipated.

Van Ness is a breath of fresh air who tells her truth while using her stories to bring light to injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community and more.

This is one of those memoirs I’m grateful for, but I can’t help but wonder how much more powerful it would be if written later in life with more distance for reflection. Knowing how much Jonathan has grown professionally and personally since 2019 makes this feel like only part of the story. His voice, in narration and perspective, is unmistakable and engaging. The book opens with the fear that we wouldn’t love him if we knew more, setting the stage for some dark personal truths, and Jonathan delivers. His grace in reflecting on himself and his family makes him all the more lovable. My heart broke for him over and over, losing his stepfather, his HIV diagnosis, but he turns each moment into an opportunity to educate, never feeling show more forced. I was lucky enough to see him on tour where this book leaves off, and of course, I love him even more now! If you’re a fan or just getting curious, this one is well worth a listen. show less

I enjoy JVN and he always makes me smile - on Queer Eye or his Instagram. Knowing the journey he took makes me appreciate his joy, kindness, and positivity even more.
This book is written very conversationally - with lots of tangents and rough transitions, but it was just like he talks. I was glad his story was kept in his voice.

Full disclosure: I adore JVN. He's lovely on Queer Eye and I enjoy his podcast as well. So obviously, I loved this memoir too.

You can really tell Jonathan put his heart and soul into OVER THE TOP, especially if you listen to the audiobook (he narrates it). At times I was doubled over laughing, other times I just wanted to give him a big hug. I don't want to directly critique the writing style, pacing, etc because it feels wrong to criticize someone's life story that they reluctantly shared with the world. The only thing I will say is I wish it was longer because I was really enjoying it.

But above all, his existence in the spotlight as a non-binary, HIV+ person is so important. Consequently, this book is also very important. We need show more more queer voices. Representation matters! I'm grateful Jonathan chose to share these stories and struggles with the world. show less

Charlie and I both love the Queer Eye reboot, and Jonathan is our favorite of the group, so when he read this memoir and then handed it to me, I knew I needed to read it, too. It took me a couple of years to get round to it, but I’m glad I did. Sweet and funny and dark by turns, although I would suggest you choose the audiobook (I’m assuming Van Ness reads it himself), because his particular brand and cadence of speech works better when heard than read, I think. Otherwise, a lovely and interesting read.

Of all the Queer Eye books, I think this is my favorite so far. Between the way Johnathon writes, which makes it so easy to hear his voice in the words, and how candid he is. He doesn't hold anything back, fully owning up to how much growth he had to go through in order to get to where he is now. Overall he is a very attention grabbing writer, and it was hard to put the book down.

Jonathan's voice is effervescent - it feels like you are making a new bff the whole time and he's telling you his life story. It's not all sunshine and rainbows and though all of his life experiences aren't relatable to me personally, there's such a undercurrent of midwestern, fish out of water trauma that I couldn't help but not along with. JVN is exactly who you want him to be: honest, funny, effervescent and inspiring.