As We Bloom: Wisdom from Extraordinary Everyday Women and Gender Nonconforming People

by Mia Bolton

"...a luminous, heartfelt journey into resilience, identity, and collective healing." — Jeremy Bradley-Silverio Donato, Writer and Wishing Shelf Book Award Winner

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction

374 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[beans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt exploration of identity. I love the concept of this book a lot and it was executed really well.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter felt like a whirlwind of backstory, a mix of sadness and laughter. I genuinely smiled reading about how your parents embraced who you are, even when they had no idea what pansexuality meant. There’s something so tender and hopeful in that. It already feels like I’m getting to know Mia.

Quote: “Funny how you can want so badly to get away from someone, and want to keep them close at the same time.”
Isn’t it?

As we travel, we meet so many beautiful people, each with their own story. Some are deeply heartbreaking, yet end up mostly beautiful. I loved all the pictures that were included, it made the story feel more grounded.

In my notes, I wrote: “Tracie is a bad b*tch”, and I still stand by that. I’ll leave it right here.
There were so many moments that made me pause and reflect. After every couple of chapters, I needed a moment to breathe and take it all in.

I’m glad I got to meet Mia and everyone she met along the way.
Thank you for taking us with you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing for the ARC read,
and Anna, if you're out there, I’ll take your advice:
I need to roll in the grass more. 🌿

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: As We Bloom: Wisdom from Extraordinary Everyday Women and Gender Nonconforming People by Mia Bolton

As We Bloom is a vibrant celebration of everyday wisdom, beautifully weaving together personal narratives, striking photography, and profound insights about growth and identity. Mia Bolton, a life coach and writer, curates an inspiring collection that honors the diverse experiences of women and gender nonconforming individuals, offering readers both reflection and empowerment.

Key Themes and Strengths:

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices
The book centers stories often overlooked in mainstream narratives, presenting a tapestry of resilience, self-discovery, and authenticity. Each contributor’s journey challenges societal norms while affirming the beauty of individuality.

A Visual and Literary Journey
The inclusion of travel photography enhances the reading experience, creating a sense of movement and metaphor. The images—whether open roads, candid portraits, or quiet landscapes—mirror the book’s message: growth happens along the way, not just at the destination.

Actionable Wisdom
Bolton’s background as a life coach shines through in the book’s reflective prompts and practical takeaways.

How would I describe this book?
-A soulful road trip in book form—where every story is a mile marker toward self-acceptance.
-Proof that the most extraordinary wisdom comes from ordinary lives.
-Perfect for fans of Humans of New York with a feminist, inclusive twist.

Personal Reflection
As someone who loves road trips, I was particularly drawn to how Bolton uses travel imagery to symbolize personal transformation. The photos add depth to the narratives, making the wisdom feel tangible and lived.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing for the advance review copy. As We Bloom is a timely and heartfelt reminder that growth is a journey, and every voice matters.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Ideal for: Readers who enjoy memoir-style collections, discussion groups exploring identity and resilience, or anyone seeking inspiration from real, relatable stories.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia Bloom is a communications major and specialist that uses her expertise to travel to meet diverse women and gender non-conforming individual. She is queer and loud about her identity. She begins her adventure looking for a sense of self and adopts habits to unlearn as she engages with different groups of people. I was hesitant at first as a Latina if I could trust Mia – but she truly makes the effort to learn people’s struggles and project those voices. She comes from a place that is actively trying to unlearn toxicity and showing the steps, it took her to get to the place she is today.
The memoir is a story about Mia but also a collection of interviews and photographs of the people she meets along the way. The map illustrations in between chapters were a terrific addition to really get a sense of how far along Mia was travelling through various chapters. Each chapter begins with a location and mileage numbers. The frustrations of living on the road come through as she learns she wants stability after spending much time on the road. The experience has lead her to find her voice, project marginalized voices, and find her identity.
The photo with her cat at the end was a cute addition and the photography included in the memoir is taken by the author herself. They are placed appropriately to accompany the stories she is telling along her travels. Mia’s diction is cutesy but eloquent and fits her personality throughout her narrative. A genuine voice speaking from the heart with their own voice. A queer narrative for people who stray from social norms to speak on their hearts and passions. My only gripe with this memoir is that we did not get more of Mia’s voice through her interactions with others! Thank you Netgalley and Indigo River Publishing for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read more of my reviews on https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/ !

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

When life falls apart, most of us binge Netflix or eat our feelings. But Mia? She grabs the keys to her very uncool minivan and hits the road literally. As We Bloom is her cross-country adventure in search of inspiring stories from everyday badasses who are living boldly, authentically, and unapologetically.

From LGBTQIA+ mechanics in Seattle to pink-smoke-leaving biker babes in New Orleans, Mia meets people who aren’t trying to fit into anyone’s mold. Their stories are raw, real, and honestly, way cooler than anything you’ll find on a Pinterest quote board. You’ll laugh, tear up, and maybe even feel like quitting your job to find your own road trip crew.

This book isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about finding yourself in the messy, magical middle of heartbreak, reinvention, and big “WTF am I doing?” moments. It’s a warm hug from strangers who somehow feel like soulmates.

What hits hardest? The reminder that we don’t need perfect answers, we just need to show up, stay curious, and maybe leave a little glitter (or pink smoke) behind. Mia’s journey is a love letter to rediscovery, community, and quiet courage.

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were aspects of this book I really enjoyed. The focus on women and GNC identities and their lived experiences, the things they care about, the photos (I love to put a face to a name). I think perhaps my expectations were a little different than reality. I thought this book would have each person be the central focus of their chapter/section. And while, they shared some really important thoughts, I felt like the book was more focused on the author’s journey. I find this detracted instead of improved my ability to relate as my thoughts/impressions felt guided by the author instead of helping me come to my own conclusions. Not to say this is wrong, but it wasn’t my expectation unfortunately and did skew my opinion of the book as I was reading. I would suggest readers go into the book realizing that they’re essentially going into the mind of the author as well and set expectations accordingly. Other than that, the chapters were short and easy to read whenever I had a moment, and I did enjoy the writing itself. I would consider reading another book by this author, though with different expectations in mind.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia shares the kind of story (and stories) that are unpredictable, emotional, deeply human. She captures the reality of being on the road...the highs, the lows, the stretches of quiet, the moments of beauty and the many people you meet (intentionally and unintentionally) who leave lasting impressions.

I have always loved the way Mia writes, and this book felt like sitting beside her while she processes the world around her. And yes, the book itself is beautiful. It now sits on my coffee table, and I feel so delighted to tell everyone who visits that my wonderful, thoughtful and curious friend Mia Bolton wrote this.

I especially appreciated Mia's vulnerability in exploring what it means to ask others for their stories. She approaches people with care and deep awareness, and her curiosity is never careless. You can feel how much she truly cares about the people she meets. And then, in the midst of all this movement and discovery, love finds her. Real and gentle love. It is a joy to read those parts and to cheer for her with your whole heart.

Read this. It feels good to be in it. LOVE YOU MIA!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was far more powerful than I expected and also so hopeful. I love how Mia truly just embraced it all, and embraced the people that she learned from - she went for the ones that live boldly, that are authentic and unapologetically themselves. She met and learned from the ones not afraid to stand on their own, not afraid to break the molds. I loved the power in reading these raw and emotional stories - they were absolutely incredible.

There's no "fixing" in this book because none of these beautiful souls are broken. Instead this is about finding yourself when it really matters, when it really counts - it's about embracing the mess and chaos and showing up. Always showing up.

This book reads almost like a private diary would - the reflections all feel far more personal than I'd expect with a memoir (but maybe I just don't know - I haven't read many memoirs, yet, I'll admit). I loved how ultimately it was about uplifting diverse voices.

[fhmltn · Rating 3 out of 5]

while As We Bloom offers heartfelt and intimate portraits of remarkable women and gender nonconforming individuals across the US, i found the book felt like more of a personal diary than an interesting memoir. Bolton’s reflections, though sincere, often veer into territory where it feels like her own accomplishments at learning about these people outweigh the people themselves, which at times overshadowed the powerful stories she set out to share. that said, her commitment to uplifting diverse voices and exploring themes of identity, resilience, and self-discovery will likely resonate with lgbtq+ readers and allies who enjoy introspective, feminist narratives, and especially those who appreciate a deeply personal storytelling style

2.5⭐️⭐️✨✖️✖️

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia is floundering. She decides to embark on a journey to interview women and nonbinary people who are doing amazing things. Along the way, she discovers answers to questions she didn't know she had. She falls in love with life again, and makes challenging decisions that open up the future.

The book is a combination memoir, travelogue, and interviews of inspirational people. I thought it was going to focus more on the interviews, but it's more of a memoir than anything else. I love memoirs, so that didn't bother me.

This was difficult to put down. Mia's writing is beautiful. I enjoyed seeing her travels through her eyes, and I liked learning more about various businesses and people to support. I haven't read anything like this before, and I would happily read something similar in the future.

All in all, the book is lyrical and inspirational. It's also made me want to travel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia Bolton takes us through her heartache and her healing in this novel. This book is not only about her journey, but the amazing stories of female and gender non-conforming entrepreneurs filling the gaps and niches that were not available or accessible to them. These women break the boundaries of love, commitment to their art and kindness to the world. Many of the people highlighted are artists and individuals who think outside of the box. I love that each chapter is short, making it easy to start reading and then easy to keep going. Each chapter fills my heart with love and hope. This is an excellent and inspirational read.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading As We Bloom. It made me laugh, kept me engaged, and I loved how the intertwined stories resonated throughout. The book beautifully highlights the heartfelt experiences of marginalized communities, including POC and the LGBTQ+ community. I especially admired the vulnerability and courage it took for Mia to drive across the country and, through that journey, find her voice and her sense of self.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about riding the wave of life, discovering something new about women’s stories, and recognizing how our intuition and nurturing nature can be our greatest superpowers.

[Angelyn Nye · Rating 5 out of 5]

As We Bloom is such a powerful and moving collection of stories. Mia brings you into her own journey while also sharing the voices of others who have taken bold steps toward knowing themselves more deeply—and using that growth to help make the world better.

What I love most is that it doesn’t feel like a book with a clear end. You keep turning the pages wanting to stay on the journey with Mia and the incredible people she features. It’s full of heart, purpose, and inspiration. The kind of book you come back to again and again.

[Xander Boger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a beautiful reminder of the power of telling your story. Mia brings honesty and warmth to her own journey, and the voices she shares alongside hers are equally brave and moving. Each chapter feels like a step further into what it means to grow, to question, and to show up more fully in the world.

As We Bloom made me reflect on my own path, and it left me feeling hopeful and connected. Thank you for taking us on this journey Mia!

[Alicia Aguayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an inspiring read so critical at this moment and time to not only see the author who has paved the way for a better world in her personal work and with this book, but all the heart felt stories and people who are highlighted in the book. the stories that needed to be archived! I highly recommend. The moment I picked up this book I couldn’t set it down and as someone who’s lately been struggling to find a great book this one came at a perfect time.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a wonderful job at weaving together Mia’s own journey while amplifying the stories and experiences of women and gender non conforming humans that are often overlooked.
This book felt inspiring, heartbreaking and hopeful all at once. I look forward to sharing this beautiful book with others.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia’s joyful and sometimes bumpy journey had me captivated by her personal stories and her decision to explore what’s out there when you need some time to yourself. Her skillful story telling had me laughing and asking my own questions of what I can do to be more present, connect with others and stand up for what I believe. A great read!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about the author’s process of self discovery, that is enriched during her cathartic journey of interviewing exceptional women living and working in unique roles across the country.

Illuminating and heart warming, a must read for the dreamers and warriors amongst us.

[Devin OSullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author weaves the story of shedding an old life in search of growth and leans on a community of women she meets on a road trip across the country. Her story feels triumphant and soft - like falling in love for the second time. I want every woman I’ve ever met to read this story.

[Jamie Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure! It's part van ride across the country, part self discovery, and part exploration of cool people defying social norms. It's an easy read that shines a light on vulnerability in a way that makes you want to be friends with Mia. I can't recommend it enough.

[Jeremy Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read! So many great life lessons intertwined with Mia’s own journey. I loved Ava’s reminder that play and creativity shouldn’t just be seen as an extra thing or a luxury, but rather something to always live by.