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The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar
From bestselling author Sonora Reyes comes a poignant and searingly honest companion novel to the multi-award-winning The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, following beloved character Cesar Flores as he comes to terms with his sexuality, his new bipolar diagnosis, and more mistakes than he can count.
Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in a last-ditch effort to stay in the closet, he’s come out to Mami, his sister, Yami, and their friends, taken his meds faithfully, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal.
Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts—the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalizations stay buried where he wants them. The louder they become, the more Cesar is once again convinced that he doesn't deserve someone like Jamal—or anyone really.
Cesar can hide a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his “gifted” reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark burn every bridge he has left or, worse—ask for help. But is the mortifying vulnerability of being loved by the people he’s hurt the most a risk he’s willing to take?
Seventeen-year-old Cesar Flores is finally ready to win back his ex-boyfriend. Since breaking up with Jamal in a last-ditch effort to stay in the closet, he’s come out to Mami, his sister, Yami, and their friends, taken his meds faithfully, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to reunite with Jamal.
Everything would be perfect if it weren’t for The Thoughts—the ones that won’t let all his Catholic guilt and internalizations stay buried where he wants them. The louder they become, the more Cesar is once again convinced that he doesn't deserve someone like Jamal—or anyone really.
Cesar can hide a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his “gifted” reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he’s faced with a stark burn every bridge he has left or, worse—ask for help. But is the mortifying vulnerability of being loved by the people he’s hurt the most a risk he’s willing to take?
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First published September 16, 2025
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About the author
Sonora Reyes
7 books1,459 followersBorn and raised in Arizona, Sonora Reyes writes fiction full of queer and Latine characters in a variety of genres, with current projects in both kidlit and adult categories.
Outside of writing, Sonora loves breaking their body and vocal chords by playing with their baby niblings, and dancing/singing karaoke at the same time.
Outside of writing, Sonora loves breaking their body and vocal chords by playing with their baby niblings, and dancing/singing karaoke at the same time.
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April 6, 2026
Don’t let the funky, colourful cover deceive you into thinking it’s a cute queer coming-of-age story with some mental health rep thrown in. The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar might be YA with a considerably young narrative tone, but when it comes to pulling punches? Absolutely not.
Cesar is seventeen, and that should honestly be enough of a problem; being a teenager often isn’t sunshine and roses. But no - he’s struggling to accept his bisexuality because of religious guilt and trauma, and he suffered a mental breakdown that led to him being commissioned for a while. Now, it seems like he’s ready to get back on track, seeing a therapist (reluctantly), obediently taking his meds, and hopefully getting back with Jamal, his best friend and ex-boyfriend whom he still loves.
Until one missed dose.
That leads to the second missed dose.
Because Cesar feels like he should take control of at least something in his life, and he feels fine! That means he doesn’t need any pills, right? They don’t do anything for him anyway.
And so, the spiral starts. And he gets steadily worse without realizing it.
I...don’t quite know how to talk about this book. I have so much to say, yet most of it should probably just stay in my notes. I do NOT have a bipolar disorder, but honestly, if you’re dealing with some kind of mental illness, you might recognize some of the harmful behavioral patterns depicted here. And it’s such an authentic depiction, even while the author made it clear it shouldn’t serve as a blueprint; it’s just one experience. Cesar’s, but also Sonora Reyes’s.
The structure of the book was particularly clever - every chapter was headed by a symptom or a phase, and Cesar’s thoughts and decisions served as an example of its manifestation. And with every chapter, I felt like Cesar took a step down towards his personal rock bottom, making me anxious and dreading what’s to come. Yet I still knew that it needed to be done for him to find the steps leading back up.
Cesar’s journey isn’t pretty or graceful or sanitized in any way. It’s incredibly frustrating, and it’s supposed to be. It depicts perfectly the mental gymnastics your brain is capable of going through to justify every action (or inaction) that leads to self-sabotage and destruction, to the point it makes sense and feels like the only logical thing to do.
How it might seem crazy to push your social support away to a casual observer, but to you, it makes sense. Because when you feel fine, those people and their care serve as a source of comfort and motivation, but then it can change into what feels like the worst kind of suffocating pressure.
On the other hand, my heart also went out to those precious people around Cesar - his mom and sister, best friend (and love) Jamal, friends who expressed concern at every turn. Because a mental illness never affects only the person suffering from it, and I was so damn glad they were still all there at the end of this tunnel.
Cesar’s sister Yami actually has her own book that was written first, but I probably won’t be picking it up simply because I went for this for the mental illness theme. There WAS one character here though, that I would very much like for him to have his own story, and that’s Avery.
And Jamal? I can’t even express how much I adored that precious boy. I don’t want to say Cesar is lucky to have him in his life but...yes, he is. Jamal’s character brought to the table a beautiful autistic rep that felt like a natural part of the story, not just an addition for the sake of it.
While there is a second chance at a relationship, you definitely shouldn't approach this story for romance, just a heads-up.
I do have to say, some parts were getting repetitive, and I wished for a bit more nuanced writing at times. I considered lowering the rating because it didn’t feel like my perfect 5-star read, but...with the way it made me cry a few times and break down sobbing, I simply can’t do that.
So! A very hard and intense and frustrating read, but full of heart, unflinchingly real, and most of all - important. I’m in awe of the author, because putting their own experiences out there is incredibly brave.
Still, be careful with this one. I feel all battered and bruised, and the healing salve the ending provided will take a while to work.
I look around at all the people sacred to me. I know being loved doesn’t mean I’m magically fixed. It doesn’t mean my life will be easy, or that I won’t one day hit another rock bottom and do all of this over again. But there will also be moments like this. There will always be little glimpses of heaven I don’t have to die for.
And that’s enough to keep me going until I find the next one. I even look forward to it.
Cesar is seventeen, and that should honestly be enough of a problem; being a teenager often isn’t sunshine and roses. But no - he’s struggling to accept his bisexuality because of religious guilt and trauma, and he suffered a mental breakdown that led to him being commissioned for a while. Now, it seems like he’s ready to get back on track, seeing a therapist (reluctantly), obediently taking his meds, and hopefully getting back with Jamal, his best friend and ex-boyfriend whom he still loves.
Until one missed dose.
That leads to the second missed dose.
Because Cesar feels like he should take control of at least something in his life, and he feels fine! That means he doesn’t need any pills, right? They don’t do anything for him anyway.
And so, the spiral starts. And he gets steadily worse without realizing it.
I...don’t quite know how to talk about this book. I have so much to say, yet most of it should probably just stay in my notes. I do NOT have a bipolar disorder, but honestly, if you’re dealing with some kind of mental illness, you might recognize some of the harmful behavioral patterns depicted here. And it’s such an authentic depiction, even while the author made it clear it shouldn’t serve as a blueprint; it’s just one experience. Cesar’s, but also Sonora Reyes’s.
The structure of the book was particularly clever - every chapter was headed by a symptom or a phase, and Cesar’s thoughts and decisions served as an example of its manifestation. And with every chapter, I felt like Cesar took a step down towards his personal rock bottom, making me anxious and dreading what’s to come. Yet I still knew that it needed to be done for him to find the steps leading back up.
Cesar’s journey isn’t pretty or graceful or sanitized in any way. It’s incredibly frustrating, and it’s supposed to be. It depicts perfectly the mental gymnastics your brain is capable of going through to justify every action (or inaction) that leads to self-sabotage and destruction, to the point it makes sense and feels like the only logical thing to do.
How it might seem crazy to push your social support away to a casual observer, but to you, it makes sense. Because when you feel fine, those people and their care serve as a source of comfort and motivation, but then it can change into what feels like the worst kind of suffocating pressure.
On the other hand, my heart also went out to those precious people around Cesar - his mom and sister, best friend (and love) Jamal, friends who expressed concern at every turn. Because a mental illness never affects only the person suffering from it, and I was so damn glad they were still all there at the end of this tunnel.
Cesar’s sister Yami actually has her own book that was written first, but I probably won’t be picking it up simply because I went for this for the mental illness theme. There WAS one character here though, that I would very much like for him to have his own story, and that’s Avery.
And Jamal? I can’t even express how much I adored that precious boy. I don’t want to say Cesar is lucky to have him in his life but...yes, he is. Jamal’s character brought to the table a beautiful autistic rep that felt like a natural part of the story, not just an addition for the sake of it.
While there is a second chance at a relationship, you definitely shouldn't approach this story for romance, just a heads-up.
I do have to say, some parts were getting repetitive, and I wished for a bit more nuanced writing at times. I considered lowering the rating because it didn’t feel like my perfect 5-star read, but...with the way it made me cry a few times and break down sobbing, I simply can’t do that.
So! A very hard and intense and frustrating read, but full of heart, unflinchingly real, and most of all - important. I’m in awe of the author, because putting their own experiences out there is incredibly brave.
Still, be careful with this one. I feel all battered and bruised, and the healing salve the ending provided will take a while to work.
I look around at all the people sacred to me. I know being loved doesn’t mean I’m magically fixed. It doesn’t mean my life will be easy, or that I won’t one day hit another rock bottom and do all of this over again. But there will also be moments like this. There will always be little glimpses of heaven I don’t have to die for.
And that’s enough to keep me going until I find the next one. I even look forward to it.
July 6, 2025
I feel kind of silly for not having read Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School yet. But after loving The Luis Ortega Survival Club and now completely falling for The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar, it’s definitely shooting to the top of my TBR.
I choose to live.
I started my last review with “oh Sam,” and I could honestly start this one with “oh Cesar.” Sometimes I read a book that makes me hold my breath the entire time, wanting to scream “NO, NO, NO,” while a stone lodges itself behind my ribs. This was one of those books. It felt so personal and real—and all those chapter names with their subtitles gave me even more chills.
I’m hurting them to hurt myself.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and the deeper I got, the more the tears started to gather behind my eyes. But the book is also hopeful, and I think it’s so important to end a story about mental illness on a hopeful note.
My closet isn’t as loving toward me as Jamal’s. Mine is dark and stuffy, and I feel like I’m locked in.
Cesar’s story is raw and messy and beautiful, and my heart ached so much for him. But also for Jamal—that boy! I love him so, so much. All the side characters felt incredibly real too, and I really hope Sonora Reyes writes a third book in this universe. I’m already rooting for a new couple, with a complicated, messy story of their own.
Thank you, Harper Collins Children’s Books and NetGalley, for this beautiful and so important ARC!
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I choose to live.
I started my last review with “oh Sam,” and I could honestly start this one with “oh Cesar.” Sometimes I read a book that makes me hold my breath the entire time, wanting to scream “NO, NO, NO,” while a stone lodges itself behind my ribs. This was one of those books. It felt so personal and real—and all those chapter names with their subtitles gave me even more chills.
I’m hurting them to hurt myself.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and the deeper I got, the more the tears started to gather behind my eyes. But the book is also hopeful, and I think it’s so important to end a story about mental illness on a hopeful note.
My closet isn’t as loving toward me as Jamal’s. Mine is dark and stuffy, and I feel like I’m locked in.
Cesar’s story is raw and messy and beautiful, and my heart ached so much for him. But also for Jamal—that boy! I love him so, so much. All the side characters felt incredibly real too, and I really hope Sonora Reyes writes a third book in this universe. I’m already rooting for a new couple, with a complicated, messy story of their own.
Thank you, Harper Collins Children’s Books and NetGalley, for this beautiful and so important ARC!
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November 1, 2025
E-ARC generously provided by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
5 stars. Heavy, packed with heart, and examining topics such as mental health, religious trauma, and generational trauma with such care and finesse, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar is Sonora Reyes at their YA Contemporary best.
5 stars. Heavy, packed with heart, and examining topics such as mental health, religious trauma, and generational trauma with such care and finesse, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar is Sonora Reyes at their YA Contemporary best.
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May 4, 2026This really beat me down and gave me the biggest hug right after. Damn.
CW: manic + depressive episodes, hallucinations, religious trauma, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, bullying, violence, absentee/toxic parent, homophobia (including internalized homophobia)
CW: manic + depressive episodes, hallucinations, religious trauma, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, bullying, violence, absentee/toxic parent, homophobia (including internalized homophobia)
July 5, 2025
A bisexual teen has to navigate life, love, mental health and religion while making and dealing with the mistakes that come with adolescence and growing pains.
Book Stats:
📖: 385 pages
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Format: eARC via NetGalley
Series: Standalone
Themes:
💫: Loving yourself
💫: Allowing yourself to be loved
Representation:
🪽: Bipolar main character
🪽: Queer characters
🪽: Honest talks about meds
Tropes:
💗:
🥵: Spice: light
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Cesar is trying his best. Trying to figure out his sexuality, family struggles and dealing with a new bipolar diagnosis. While he makes many mistakes along the way.
General Thoughts:
This novel is extremely emotional and left me feeling a whole range of things for the main character. I felt so much pain and sadness for Cesar as he tried to navigate some difficult circumstances. But there was the underlying thread of hope that was his friends and family to keep his feet on the ground. And while I don't feel like his Family handled everything perfectly, I do feel like they were doing their best just like Cesar was.
I personally have no experience with bipolar disorder, so I cannot speak on whether or not the representation was done well. But it felt realistic and relatable to me regardless due to my own mental health issues. I could relate to being young and confused and scared. While I do have an ADHD diagnosis as well as other disability diagnosis, all of those experiences do share a common theme of having a learning curve. And I felt very endeared and close to Cesar. His character was easy to love and easy to root for.
The side characters were really well done and so important to the reading experience. They were diverse, nuanced and relatable. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. Well, except Nick. 😒 If you know, you know.
I feel like this book was written with the utmost care and consideration. The author did an amazing job of having a honest and realistic experience with the characters while making it digestible for a younger audience. I think this book will save lives to be completely honest.
I hope this author writes more books for me to read!! It was excellent.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a ebook I purchased myself. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Book Stats:
📖: 385 pages
Genre: YA Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Format: eARC via NetGalley
Series: Standalone
Themes:
💫: Loving yourself
💫: Allowing yourself to be loved
Representation:
🪽: Bipolar main character
🪽: Queer characters
🪽: Honest talks about meds
Tropes:
💗:
🥵: Spice: light
Potential Triggers: **check authors page/socials for full list.
Short Synopsis:
Cesar is trying his best. Trying to figure out his sexuality, family struggles and dealing with a new bipolar diagnosis. While he makes many mistakes along the way.
General Thoughts:
This novel is extremely emotional and left me feeling a whole range of things for the main character. I felt so much pain and sadness for Cesar as he tried to navigate some difficult circumstances. But there was the underlying thread of hope that was his friends and family to keep his feet on the ground. And while I don't feel like his Family handled everything perfectly, I do feel like they were doing their best just like Cesar was.
I personally have no experience with bipolar disorder, so I cannot speak on whether or not the representation was done well. But it felt realistic and relatable to me regardless due to my own mental health issues. I could relate to being young and confused and scared. While I do have an ADHD diagnosis as well as other disability diagnosis, all of those experiences do share a common theme of having a learning curve. And I felt very endeared and close to Cesar. His character was easy to love and easy to root for.
The side characters were really well done and so important to the reading experience. They were diverse, nuanced and relatable. There wasn't a bad one in the bunch. Well, except Nick. 😒 If you know, you know.
I feel like this book was written with the utmost care and consideration. The author did an amazing job of having a honest and realistic experience with the characters while making it digestible for a younger audience. I think this book will save lives to be completely honest.
I hope this author writes more books for me to read!! It was excellent.
Disclaimer: I read this book as a ebook I purchased myself. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
April 13, 2025
4.5 stars. I appreciate Sonora Reyes' THE GOLDEN BOY'S GUIDE TO BIPOLAR in a deeply personal way. As a recovering Catholic and gay guy that was diagnosed with bipolar five years ago, this hit differently. I felt seen and understood by Reyes, and I'm just so happy that they are opening up such an important dialogue around mental illness, especially in the YA space. If I'd gotten my diagnosis at 17, I would've been WAY ahead of the game when it came to my own journey with bipolar - the meds, the self-acceptance, and all of the ups and downs that come with the territory. As Cesar discovers, embracing every facet of you is the real blessing, and as a former Catholic and someone who ate shame for breakfast, I also struggled to accept my own sexuality and mental issues for the longest time. Luckily, I've done the work to better myself, and I'm so glad that Cesar did too.
I loved to see the bisexual rep, and I thought that the bipolar rep was quite accurate. Feeling like everyone is walking on eggshells around you. Feeling like you're a burden to everyone, and believing people are secretly resenting you. (The lies our mental illness tells us.) What happens when anger boils up in you, and you just wanna lash out. Not showing up for yourself or not showering. Self-sabotaging because you believe that you don't deserve happiness or peace. It's all painfully true. But let Cesar's story be a hard lesson in what happens when you stop taking your meds. There's a reason why therapy and medication is at the forefront of easing bipolar symptoms, and let's just say that I can tell when I've missed my own dose. Like Cesar says, some brains are mentally stable for free, and some are stable with the help of a pharmacy, and it's nobody's f*cking business!
I hated to see Cesar struggle with accepting self-love and love from others, but I knew it was a part of his journey. I'm glad he had a strong support system around him, and I'm relieved he had authority figures with bipolar like his Abuela to help normalize the experience. It was nice to see that he eventually learned that he can be a brilliant golden boy, AND also struggle with his brain - it doesn't mean he's a head case, he's human. Cesar's story should give every bipolar and or queer person hope for a better life. Things might get dark and heavy, you might feel crazy, but at least you're crazy...and ALIVE. I still think it's absurd how society teaches us to judge those with mental illness, and how religion preaches that God would rather smite us than be our authentic selves. That's certainly not a God I want to ever pray to. There should be no shame about who you are, or discussing important matters like mental illness.
This is an excellent teaching tool in understanding what the bipolar experience can be like for any of the people in your life that are coping with it. A very special thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved to see the bisexual rep, and I thought that the bipolar rep was quite accurate. Feeling like everyone is walking on eggshells around you. Feeling like you're a burden to everyone, and believing people are secretly resenting you. (The lies our mental illness tells us.) What happens when anger boils up in you, and you just wanna lash out. Not showing up for yourself or not showering. Self-sabotaging because you believe that you don't deserve happiness or peace. It's all painfully true. But let Cesar's story be a hard lesson in what happens when you stop taking your meds. There's a reason why therapy and medication is at the forefront of easing bipolar symptoms, and let's just say that I can tell when I've missed my own dose. Like Cesar says, some brains are mentally stable for free, and some are stable with the help of a pharmacy, and it's nobody's f*cking business!
I hated to see Cesar struggle with accepting self-love and love from others, but I knew it was a part of his journey. I'm glad he had a strong support system around him, and I'm relieved he had authority figures with bipolar like his Abuela to help normalize the experience. It was nice to see that he eventually learned that he can be a brilliant golden boy, AND also struggle with his brain - it doesn't mean he's a head case, he's human. Cesar's story should give every bipolar and or queer person hope for a better life. Things might get dark and heavy, you might feel crazy, but at least you're crazy...and ALIVE. I still think it's absurd how society teaches us to judge those with mental illness, and how religion preaches that God would rather smite us than be our authentic selves. That's certainly not a God I want to ever pray to. There should be no shame about who you are, or discussing important matters like mental illness.
This is an excellent teaching tool in understanding what the bipolar experience can be like for any of the people in your life that are coping with it. A very special thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2026
MY FIRST BOOK CRY OF THE YEAR, WE ARE SO BACK. fuck this was rough for me. I LOVE CESAR AND I LOVE YAMI AND I NEVER WANT TO BE AWAY FROM THIS BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FAMILY.
hunterxavery when??
hunterxavery when??
September 26, 2025
*audio reread in September 2025 and oh my god it is *perfect* - Alejandro Antonio Ruiz is a national treasure.*
Follow Cesar Flores as he comes to terms with his sexuality, his new bipolar diagnosis, and more mistakes than he can count.
^from the publisher!
I will read anything that @sonora.reyes writes. After completely falling in love with Lesbiana’s Guide, I was STOKED to know that Cesar was getting his own story. What I did not know was how much his thoughts echoed many of my own.
Cesar had a lot of pressure on his shoulders and as you see him break down in this novel, you understand why. His heart is so big, and he really does believe others would be better off without him. I can so relate to this. Feeling like a burden, like you don’t deserve love, like you have to punish yourself. My heart was aching for him as he self destructed.
As someone who has a very complicated relationship with religion, I get where Cesar was coming from and I loved how Jamal and Abuela explained things.
The chapter titles and headings are incredible, by the way.
I loved getting to see so many characters from the first book and getting to know them even better. This book is a true gem and I cannot wait for everyone to experience the brilliance of it.
September 30, 2025
4.5 stars
The Golden's Boy's Guide to Bipolar is one of those emotional books that really hurts, but in the most healing way possible? It's just so raw, messy, and vulnerable in the most human way possible, and that is exactly why I love it.
While I really enjoyed The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School a few years ago, I was nervous to dive into this companion sequel because I didn't remember all that much. Luckily, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar can easily be read as a standalone, and I just fell right into Cesar's story the moment I read the first page.
And for the love of all that is holy, was this a beautifully bittersweet journey. The title kinda says it all; we follow a (semi-closeted?) bisexual 'golden boy' who is desperately trying to navigate life, love, and religion while he is waging a war in his own mind and making all the mistakes in the world along the way. It's incredible to me how Reyes was able to tackle such heavy subjects as bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, queer repression, generational trauma, and religious guilt/trauma while still infusing the story with so much warmth, hope, and heart at the same time through the strong bonds of community, family, and friendship.
I absolutely loved Cesar as a protagonist, and even though I have different mental health struggles than he does, I still related so deeply to his harrowing experience with bipolar disorder. The way that the book was structured with each chapter representing a different stage in his mental health journey was so powerful to me, and I really appreciated that Reyes didn't shy away from showing the ugliest and most unflattering parts of being mentally ill. And then add to that the beautifully complicated exploration of queerness and religion as we see Cesar struggling so much with his bisexuality and his faith. Like, cue all the emotional turmoil.
Seeing how much support Cesar got (sometimes from the most unexpected people) even though he was pushing everyone away on his downwards spiral really hit me in the feels, especially because he didn't even realise how people cared about him. Also really appreciated that his decision to ultimately choose healing for himself didn't magically repair all the damage he'd done, and I really loved seeing him having to deal with the consequences of his actions without making him out to be the villain of the story.
The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar definitely hurt but then it also really made my heart smile, and I think it is exactly what a good YA contemporary can and should be. Sonora Reyes absolutely wrote their ass off here, and I will be first in line for whatever they put out next. Couldn't recommend this highly enough, especially on audio!
The Golden's Boy's Guide to Bipolar is one of those emotional books that really hurts, but in the most healing way possible? It's just so raw, messy, and vulnerable in the most human way possible, and that is exactly why I love it.
While I really enjoyed The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School a few years ago, I was nervous to dive into this companion sequel because I didn't remember all that much. Luckily, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar can easily be read as a standalone, and I just fell right into Cesar's story the moment I read the first page.
And for the love of all that is holy, was this a beautifully bittersweet journey. The title kinda says it all; we follow a (semi-closeted?) bisexual 'golden boy' who is desperately trying to navigate life, love, and religion while he is waging a war in his own mind and making all the mistakes in the world along the way. It's incredible to me how Reyes was able to tackle such heavy subjects as bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, queer repression, generational trauma, and religious guilt/trauma while still infusing the story with so much warmth, hope, and heart at the same time through the strong bonds of community, family, and friendship.
I absolutely loved Cesar as a protagonist, and even though I have different mental health struggles than he does, I still related so deeply to his harrowing experience with bipolar disorder. The way that the book was structured with each chapter representing a different stage in his mental health journey was so powerful to me, and I really appreciated that Reyes didn't shy away from showing the ugliest and most unflattering parts of being mentally ill. And then add to that the beautifully complicated exploration of queerness and religion as we see Cesar struggling so much with his bisexuality and his faith. Like, cue all the emotional turmoil.
Seeing how much support Cesar got (sometimes from the most unexpected people) even though he was pushing everyone away on his downwards spiral really hit me in the feels, especially because he didn't even realise how people cared about him. Also really appreciated that his decision to ultimately choose healing for himself didn't magically repair all the damage he'd done, and I really loved seeing him having to deal with the consequences of his actions without making him out to be the villain of the story.
The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar definitely hurt but then it also really made my heart smile, and I think it is exactly what a good YA contemporary can and should be. Sonora Reyes absolutely wrote their ass off here, and I will be first in line for whatever they put out next. Couldn't recommend this highly enough, especially on audio!
September 18, 2025
2025 reads: 255/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings: suicidal thoughts & attempt, mental illness (bipolar disorder), homophobia, bullying, underage drinking, religious guilt
cesar flores is ready to win back his ex. since breaking up with jamal in attempt to stay in the closet, he’s come out to his mom, sister, and friends, been consistent with his meds, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to start dating again. he just can’t seem to escape the guilt rooted deeply inside of him. the louder these feelings of guilt become, the more cesar becomes convinced that he’s unworthy of love. a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, and he’s forced to make a choice between burning every bridge he has left and asking for help.
oh man…this was a hard book to read. while i absolutely loved cesar and thought sonora reyes did an excellent job writing his story, i found many aspects of this book to be triggering. please do take the content warnings into consideration before deciding to pick this one up. that said, if you’re in a good place, i would highly recommend this book. it’s such a beautiful exploration of identity, love (platonic, romantic, and familial), and coming of age as a mentally ill person (especially one who’s considered the “golden child”). i loved the side characters, too, and how they all loved cesar so much. this is a book that will stick with me for a long time. i look forward to reading more of the author’s works.
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings: suicidal thoughts & attempt, mental illness (bipolar disorder), homophobia, bullying, underage drinking, religious guilt
cesar flores is ready to win back his ex. since breaking up with jamal in attempt to stay in the closet, he’s come out to his mom, sister, and friends, been consistent with his meds, and gotten his therapist’s blessing to start dating again. he just can’t seem to escape the guilt rooted deeply inside of him. the louder these feelings of guilt become, the more cesar becomes convinced that he’s unworthy of love. a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, and he’s forced to make a choice between burning every bridge he has left and asking for help.
oh man…this was a hard book to read. while i absolutely loved cesar and thought sonora reyes did an excellent job writing his story, i found many aspects of this book to be triggering. please do take the content warnings into consideration before deciding to pick this one up. that said, if you’re in a good place, i would highly recommend this book. it’s such a beautiful exploration of identity, love (platonic, romantic, and familial), and coming of age as a mentally ill person (especially one who’s considered the “golden child”). i loved the side characters, too, and how they all loved cesar so much. this is a book that will stick with me for a long time. i look forward to reading more of the author’s works.
April 29, 2026
When reading The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, what stood out to me the most was the sibling bond between Yami and Cesar. So I was very happy to see Cesar getting his own book!
I absolutely love what Sonido Reyes did with this story. Over the years, I've gotten to read a lot of books portraying conditions like depression and anxiety, which has been so important to me. But there's still a clear lack of portrayal of more complex and more stigmatized mental illnesses, like in this case bipolar. Here, Cesar's story is approached with so much care. The set-up is clearly educational, with symptoms used as chapter headers. But the story never feels preachy and there are no infodumps. Instead, we get a very intimate look into Cesar's brain. We see him struggling and spiraling, we see him being messy, we see him making mistakes. And in the end, we see how much he needs his support system and how they will always be here for him. This message gives the story so much heart.
I absolutely love what Sonido Reyes did with this story. Over the years, I've gotten to read a lot of books portraying conditions like depression and anxiety, which has been so important to me. But there's still a clear lack of portrayal of more complex and more stigmatized mental illnesses, like in this case bipolar. Here, Cesar's story is approached with so much care. The set-up is clearly educational, with symptoms used as chapter headers. But the story never feels preachy and there are no infodumps. Instead, we get a very intimate look into Cesar's brain. We see him struggling and spiraling, we see him being messy, we see him making mistakes. And in the end, we see how much he needs his support system and how they will always be here for him. This message gives the story so much heart.
October 23, 2025
An incredibly readable and important book. The highest of recommendations for those who deserve to feel seen. Extremely helpful and sensitive story to those affected by mental illness and spiritual trauma.
To those who have been told differently-
-not all bible scholars agree that being gay is a sin. You may have been told that “the bible is clear” about homosexuality with the assumption that it is clear it is sinful. This is untrue.
- please do not take my word for it. I am not a bible scholar but I feel a lot of freedom in learning about theology and history from people who have actually been to seminary.
-I recommend the books God and the Gay Christian and Unclobber to learn more.
-During the time that the bible was written, same sex acts were not consensual. They were describing pederasty. Non-consensual sex acts are indeed sinful. By the way; release the Epstein files.
To those who disagree with my review, I’m glad you’re here. You’re using Goodreads because you are reading. I’m genuinely glad. Keep reading.
To those who have been told differently-
-not all bible scholars agree that being gay is a sin. You may have been told that “the bible is clear” about homosexuality with the assumption that it is clear it is sinful. This is untrue.
- please do not take my word for it. I am not a bible scholar but I feel a lot of freedom in learning about theology and history from people who have actually been to seminary.
-I recommend the books God and the Gay Christian and Unclobber to learn more.
-During the time that the bible was written, same sex acts were not consensual. They were describing pederasty. Non-consensual sex acts are indeed sinful. By the way; release the Epstein files.
To those who disagree with my review, I’m glad you’re here. You’re using Goodreads because you are reading. I’m genuinely glad. Keep reading.
May 9, 2026
This is an achingly honest look at mental illness, as teenager Cesar Flores struggles with both his sexuality and his bipolar disorder.
Cesar broke up with his boyfriend, Jamal, fearing that their relationship was going to send him straight to hell. But he keeps coming back to Jamal and the strong feelings the two have for another. Cesar also struggles with intrusive thoughts and deep highs and lows. The pressure he feels from his family to be the "perfect teen" is just too much sometimes.
This is such a well-written story: so beautiful, and so real. You can truly feel Cesar's emotions and problems coming through the pages. It captures how difficult it can be for teens to come out, as well as how hard mental illness can be. We see how tough it is for Cesar to grasp that he has an illness. Even better, the story is happy but realistic.
This is a great book for teens, but my adult self loved it too.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Versify in return for an unbiased review.
Cesar broke up with his boyfriend, Jamal, fearing that their relationship was going to send him straight to hell. But he keeps coming back to Jamal and the strong feelings the two have for another. Cesar also struggles with intrusive thoughts and deep highs and lows. The pressure he feels from his family to be the "perfect teen" is just too much sometimes.
This is such a well-written story: so beautiful, and so real. You can truly feel Cesar's emotions and problems coming through the pages. It captures how difficult it can be for teens to come out, as well as how hard mental illness can be. We see how tough it is for Cesar to grasp that he has an illness. Even better, the story is happy but realistic.
This is a great book for teens, but my adult self loved it too.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Versify in return for an unbiased review.
April 28, 2025
Are we surprised this is an absolute 5 star read?? Well we shouldn’t be because Sonora Reyes literally never misses!
How they are able to create/showcase YA characters while simultaneously transcending a YA story(meaning even as an adult being able to relate heavily) will always be amazing to me.
Cesar’s story is so difficult to read. He is navigating the pressure of being the smart kid who his family/friends don’t have to worry about while coming to terms with the fact that he has bipolar disorder. I felt like his mental illness was depicted so realistically. The manic episodes were especially hard to read due to how accurate they were, but I think that’s why this story was so powerful.
I could heavily relate to all of his faith/religious thoughts and feelings. It was comforting to read about someone else who also feels the way I do about so many things.
FANFUCKINGTASTIC book!
Thank you Netgalley and Harpercollins for the ARC!
How they are able to create/showcase YA characters while simultaneously transcending a YA story(meaning even as an adult being able to relate heavily) will always be amazing to me.
Cesar’s story is so difficult to read. He is navigating the pressure of being the smart kid who his family/friends don’t have to worry about while coming to terms with the fact that he has bipolar disorder. I felt like his mental illness was depicted so realistically. The manic episodes were especially hard to read due to how accurate they were, but I think that’s why this story was so powerful.
I could heavily relate to all of his faith/religious thoughts and feelings. It was comforting to read about someone else who also feels the way I do about so many things.
FANFUCKINGTASTIC book!
Thank you Netgalley and Harpercollins for the ARC!
October 15, 2025
4.5 star read
I have no words really to explain how this book made me feel. I loved the Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, but I think I love Cesar and his story more. This book broke me and put me back together again, and I think every one should read both of these books by Sonora Reyes.
So many raw and messy emotions that I know others (and myself) have probably felt or been around someone who has felt them. This book in my opinion is heavier than the first one, so I would make sure to read content warnings to make sure you're in the right mental to pick this up. Gosh, I just love this book so much.
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thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review. all thoughts are my own.
I have no words really to explain how this book made me feel. I loved the Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School, but I think I love Cesar and his story more. This book broke me and put me back together again, and I think every one should read both of these books by Sonora Reyes.
So many raw and messy emotions that I know others (and myself) have probably felt or been around someone who has felt them. This book in my opinion is heavier than the first one, so I would make sure to read content warnings to make sure you're in the right mental to pick this up. Gosh, I just love this book so much.
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thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review. all thoughts are my own.
September 22, 2025
WHAT CAN I SAY????? Sonora Reyes is now officially an autobuy author. The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar is every bit as devastating, beautiful, and real as you'd hope it would be. Why I decided to read this while managing my own depressive and manic episodes? LMAO, don’t ask but here I am, being Cesar again.
Fuck, dude. I am Cesar and Cesar is me. The number of times I cried? Actually don’t ask. Ridiculous. I wish I had the words to FULL EXPRESS TO YOU how deeply this book resonated with me, but here I am, absolutely speechless.
Cesar’s self‑sabotage.. thinking he needs to push people away so they won’t feel pain when he’s gone, made me want to DIE because guess what I do when things are just a bit too much? I ghost, why? So people get used to life without me. HAHAHAAHAHAHA AM I UNWELL? Oh 1000%.
A quote that had me put my kindle down and just straight ugly cry for maybe 5 minutes was from Cesar’s therapist (Dr. Lee, you’re a strong one):
"What I mean to say is that life is a lot less painful when you live for the things that make you happy, instead of living to keep someone else from grieving. When you live only to avoid the grief of people you love, you end up shouldering all that grief on your own, mourning yourself while you're still here.”
Respectfully, I did not need that at 4:30 am.. while I’m actively wanting to ghost everyone in my life lol.
And the end… OH THE END when Cesar finally says, “I’m alive.” You have no idea how deeply that lands. I bawled. I ugly cried. I was ripped open.
This is love letter to anyone who’s battled their brains, their heart, their faith, their love. If you’ve ever had internalized shame, if you’ve ever convinced yourself you’re unworthy of care… read it. Read it now.
I can’t recommend this enough.
Update 9/22: nothing has changed. I love this book and yeah I cried lmao
Fuck, dude. I am Cesar and Cesar is me. The number of times I cried? Actually don’t ask. Ridiculous. I wish I had the words to FULL EXPRESS TO YOU how deeply this book resonated with me, but here I am, absolutely speechless.
Cesar’s self‑sabotage.. thinking he needs to push people away so they won’t feel pain when he’s gone, made me want to DIE because guess what I do when things are just a bit too much? I ghost, why? So people get used to life without me. HAHAHAAHAHAHA AM I UNWELL? Oh 1000%.
A quote that had me put my kindle down and just straight ugly cry for maybe 5 minutes was from Cesar’s therapist (Dr. Lee, you’re a strong one):
"What I mean to say is that life is a lot less painful when you live for the things that make you happy, instead of living to keep someone else from grieving. When you live only to avoid the grief of people you love, you end up shouldering all that grief on your own, mourning yourself while you're still here.”
Respectfully, I did not need that at 4:30 am.. while I’m actively wanting to ghost everyone in my life lol.
And the end… OH THE END when Cesar finally says, “I’m alive.” You have no idea how deeply that lands. I bawled. I ugly cried. I was ripped open.
This is love letter to anyone who’s battled their brains, their heart, their faith, their love. If you’ve ever had internalized shame, if you’ve ever convinced yourself you’re unworthy of care… read it. Read it now.
I can’t recommend this enough.
Update 9/22: nothing has changed. I love this book and yeah I cried lmao
October 9, 2025
Realistic in the portrayals of battling a mental illness, while dealing with the regular baggage of being a teenager and the struggles with religious guilt as a queer person, I loved reading this. The writing is indulgent while not being too explanatory, the relationships between the characters were palpable... ugh I'm so in love with them all. Maybe it's how easily I could relate and empathize with Caesar, maybe it's just the relief of seeing a flawed character just get to be, but this was akin to a breath of fresh air. Will be reading the book about his sister soon!
November 11, 2025
absolutely exceptional. this is really a stunning book and it's heavy, like Capital H heavy but wow, is it stunning. I have no notes.
April 26, 2025
Wow. I don't even know if I have words for this one, to be honest. I loved Lesbiana's Guide, so when I saw Cesar was getting his own book I was stoked. Then I saw it was about bipolar and I was even more excited. I've been searching for good queer romance bipolar rep for a long time. And let me tell you, this is wonderful representation.
The forward from Sonora already had me hooked. I love how open and honest they are and you can tell their experience shines through in the story. Cesar is a wonderful character. He's warm, friendly, and kind. He sets others at ease and makes friends easily. But he's also struggling with getting his correct diagnosis, taking his medication, and navigating his mental illness. That makes him irritable, moody, and self destructive. It's all so real and relatable.
Not only is Cesar struggling with mental illness, but his ongoing struggle with bullying continues AND his struggle with his faith and his sexuality. He's got a lot going against him and I feel for him. It hurts to see how much he hates himself because of what his priest and his religion tells him.
I absolutely adored our new characters: his abeula and Moni. They're delightful and they add some levity while also helping him when he needs it most. It's great to see Yami and his mom again, too. I love their love for Cesar, even if it's sometimes flawed in the way they show it. And finally, Jamal. He's so sweet and patient. I love how much he loves Cesar so unconditionally. He really struggles too, because of Cesar and his actions, but he can see there's something more going on there.
I thought the depiction of Cesar's Bipolar disorder was so well done. The descriptions of how he felt during mania and his dark depressive episodes were so relatable and realistic. I spent a lot of time crying over this book, whether it was from feeling so seen, Cesar's struggles, or small things like his Abuela trying to reach out in any way that would work best for him. This was an amazing, amazing story.
Notes: YA, bipolar rep, religion, bullying, self destructive behavior, second chance
The forward from Sonora already had me hooked. I love how open and honest they are and you can tell their experience shines through in the story. Cesar is a wonderful character. He's warm, friendly, and kind. He sets others at ease and makes friends easily. But he's also struggling with getting his correct diagnosis, taking his medication, and navigating his mental illness. That makes him irritable, moody, and self destructive. It's all so real and relatable.
Not only is Cesar struggling with mental illness, but his ongoing struggle with bullying continues AND his struggle with his faith and his sexuality. He's got a lot going against him and I feel for him. It hurts to see how much he hates himself because of what his priest and his religion tells him.
I absolutely adored our new characters: his abeula and Moni. They're delightful and they add some levity while also helping him when he needs it most. It's great to see Yami and his mom again, too. I love their love for Cesar, even if it's sometimes flawed in the way they show it. And finally, Jamal. He's so sweet and patient. I love how much he loves Cesar so unconditionally. He really struggles too, because of Cesar and his actions, but he can see there's something more going on there.
I thought the depiction of Cesar's Bipolar disorder was so well done. The descriptions of how he felt during mania and his dark depressive episodes were so relatable and realistic. I spent a lot of time crying over this book, whether it was from feeling so seen, Cesar's struggles, or small things like his Abuela trying to reach out in any way that would work best for him. This was an amazing, amazing story.
Notes: YA, bipolar rep, religion, bullying, self destructive behavior, second chance
March 15, 2026
PT |
★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Tenho de começar por agradecer à HarperCollins Children's Books e à Netgalley por este ARC
Este não é o meu primeiro livro de Sonora Reyes, já havia lido o Guia Para Lésbicas num Colégio Católico quando ele havia sido publicado em Portugal, e embora tenha gostado do livro, não tinha ficado satisfeita com ele. Mas tenho de dizer que este livro satisfez-me completamente, naquilo que o anterior não o fez.
Para contexto, este livro é uma sequela do Guia Para Lésbicas num Colégio Católico, seguimos o Cesar o irmão da Yami.
Embora não queira comparar os dois livros, é-me impossível não faze-lo. Porque todas as coisas que me incomodaram em relação à historia da Yami, uma delas que acaba por também ter um peso significativo na narrativa, o pai deles, a resolução emocional foi melhor conseguida.
Este livro não é um romance, muito importante de dizer. Sim é um livro queer, com um protagonista bissexual. É um livro sobre - como o titulo indica- a bipolaridade. O Cesar neste livro lida com culpa religiosa por conta da sua sexualidade e por estar apaixonado por o seu melhor amigo, os seus problemas parentais e especialmente como tudo isto é potencializado pela bipolaridade.
O Cesar é um narrador inconfiável, e isso torna a narrativa muito interessante de se acompanhar, traz-nos uma clareza muito interessante sobre o que é ter bipolaridade. Certas atitudes do Cesar irritam muito ao longo do livro, mas gostei muito de ver o seu crescimento pessoal ao longo do livro.
Genuinamente recomendo muito este livro, a todos.
EN|
★ ★ ★ ★ ½
I must start by thanking HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for this ARC
This isn’t my first book by Sonora Reyes; I’d already read The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School when it was published in Portugal, and although I liked the book, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with it. But I have to say that this book has completely satisfied me, in a way the previous one didn’t.
For context, this book is a sequel to The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School; we follow Cesar, Yami’s brother.
Although I don’t want to compare the two books, I find it impossible not to. Because all the things that bothered me about Yami’s story—one of which also ends up carrying significant weight in the narrative, their father—the emotional resolution was better achieved.
It is very important to note that this book is not a romance. It is, however, a queer book, with a bisexual protagonist. It is a book about – as the title suggests – bipolar disorder. In this book, Cesar grapples with religious guilt over his sexuality and for being in love with his best friend, his parental issues, and especially how all of this is exacerbated by his bipolar disorder.
Cesar is an unreliable narrator, and this makes the narrative very interesting to follow; it offers a fascinating insight into what it’s like to have bipolar disorder. Certain aspects of Cesar’s behaviour are quite irritating throughout the book, but I really enjoyed seeing his personal growth as the story unfolds.
I genuinely recommend this book to everyone.
"Eu escolho viver"
★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Tenho de começar por agradecer à HarperCollins Children's Books e à Netgalley por este ARC
Este não é o meu primeiro livro de Sonora Reyes, já havia lido o Guia Para Lésbicas num Colégio Católico quando ele havia sido publicado em Portugal, e embora tenha gostado do livro, não tinha ficado satisfeita com ele. Mas tenho de dizer que este livro satisfez-me completamente, naquilo que o anterior não o fez.
Para contexto, este livro é uma sequela do Guia Para Lésbicas num Colégio Católico, seguimos o Cesar o irmão da Yami.
Embora não queira comparar os dois livros, é-me impossível não faze-lo. Porque todas as coisas que me incomodaram em relação à historia da Yami, uma delas que acaba por também ter um peso significativo na narrativa, o pai deles, a resolução emocional foi melhor conseguida.
Este livro não é um romance, muito importante de dizer. Sim é um livro queer, com um protagonista bissexual. É um livro sobre - como o titulo indica- a bipolaridade. O Cesar neste livro lida com culpa religiosa por conta da sua sexualidade e por estar apaixonado por o seu melhor amigo, os seus problemas parentais e especialmente como tudo isto é potencializado pela bipolaridade.
O Cesar é um narrador inconfiável, e isso torna a narrativa muito interessante de se acompanhar, traz-nos uma clareza muito interessante sobre o que é ter bipolaridade. Certas atitudes do Cesar irritam muito ao longo do livro, mas gostei muito de ver o seu crescimento pessoal ao longo do livro.
Genuinamente recomendo muito este livro, a todos.
EN|
"I choose to live"
★ ★ ★ ★ ½
I must start by thanking HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for this ARC
This isn’t my first book by Sonora Reyes; I’d already read The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School when it was published in Portugal, and although I liked the book, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with it. But I have to say that this book has completely satisfied me, in a way the previous one didn’t.
For context, this book is a sequel to The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School; we follow Cesar, Yami’s brother.
Although I don’t want to compare the two books, I find it impossible not to. Because all the things that bothered me about Yami’s story—one of which also ends up carrying significant weight in the narrative, their father—the emotional resolution was better achieved.
It is very important to note that this book is not a romance. It is, however, a queer book, with a bisexual protagonist. It is a book about – as the title suggests – bipolar disorder. In this book, Cesar grapples with religious guilt over his sexuality and for being in love with his best friend, his parental issues, and especially how all of this is exacerbated by his bipolar disorder.
Cesar is an unreliable narrator, and this makes the narrative very interesting to follow; it offers a fascinating insight into what it’s like to have bipolar disorder. Certain aspects of Cesar’s behaviour are quite irritating throughout the book, but I really enjoyed seeing his personal growth as the story unfolds.
I genuinely recommend this book to everyone.
October 1, 2025
I cannot begin to describe how much this book means to me. This book felt so real in the best and sometimes the worst of ways, but I LOVED how raw and vulnerable the characters are in this book. How true it is to living day to day life being mentally ill, not always being your best self, learning to love and forgive yourself, learning that people do care even when you’ve hurt them and that it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or undeserving of love. I want to hug this book to my chest forever, I love it so much. To anyone suffering from any mental illness, but especially a mood disorder, I see you, I believe you, and you are worthy of every good thing this life has to offer including love. ❤️
October 29, 2025
one of my all time favorite ya books is the first book in this series and this was equally as amazing, just as i expected it to be. i love seeing mental health representation in romance books, especially ones for younger audiences! i adored seeing an older queer couple and seeing little parts of bo and yami’s healthy relationship. i appreciated the work that had to go into jamal and cesar’s relationship and that progress didn’t happen overnight. they both worked on themselves and waited till they were ready to be in a relationship that was kind to both of them. i thought they had a really healthy relationship without codependency where they didn’t ask each other to sacrifice any boundaries
April 7, 2026
5 stars ⭐️
“I sure hope we get a book about Cesar and Jamal!” I said with joys. I was then shot 57 times.
“I sure hope we get a book about Cesar and Jamal!” I said with joys. I was then shot 57 times.
November 9, 2025
i’ve been procrastinating this review because i knew it would bring everything this book made me feel to the surface and it was a lot.
so this is why it hit close to home. cesar, a bisexual (me!) man, with a bipolar disorder (me!) with religious guilt (me!!!) with mental health issues, refusing therapy and medication as a form of self sabotage (me!!!!!)
it was so heartbreaking to read about him, about how bad it got when he had manic episodes and also his depressive ones were so profound and dark, i wanted to hug him and protect him. i understood him in such a level that shook me to my core. because even though i’m in the lower spectrum of bipolarity and haven’t had manic episodes i still could so clearly see myself in him.
it hurt me how much he hated himself for being bi and for thinking that god would never accept him, that he had to change himself so he could be saved. i hate that a priest plastered this belief so deep in his self that he couldn’t see past it. to the point he broke up with his boyfriend, which by the way, is the sweetest most precious human ever, to “be saved and forgiven.”
even though i’m not religious anymore, i grew up in a highly religious household and it was drilled into me since i was a child that being lgbtq was a sin. which was the main reason it took me so long to be at peace with my sexuality, and due to religion i still haven’t come out to my parents because i feel like they would reject me. just like cesar’s dad did. but i also think about his mom and how loving she is, how unconditional and understanding she was. she loved both yami and cesar with all her heart.
the support system cesar had was so touching, even though he felt he didn’t deserve anything from them, and kept pushing them away so it would be easier when he was gone, cause he was just so exhausted and wanted it to end, to stop being a burden. i understood him. i understood why he stopped taking his medicine, because he felt he could do it alone, he was “feeling well” so what was the point but it got so bad he had a manic episode and had to be hospitalized, he got kicked out of school, beaten up, hurt yami, his mom and jamal so deeply and still, i couldn’t blame him, i couldn’t be frustrated with him, i couldn’t be mad because i know what it’s like and i also felt like one of them, i also wanted to protect him from himself i wanted him to feel at least a bit better, for everything to be bearable.
i loved the bipolar representation from his grandma’s side, how you could see how, when undiagnosed and untreated, it can ruin every important relationship in your life, alienate you from everyone. it was so sweet how she also found peace, could reconnect with her daughter and best friend (then turned lover which was so so sweet).
i’m so glad that it didn’t finish in a tight little bow. i was so happy that cesar finally accepted help, finally understood that he was worthy of being loved and being someone to be cared for but also know that he had a long path coming, that he continued to go to therapy and started once again taking his medication, that he could have deep conversations with his loved ones about how he’s felt.
my god i loved jamal so much. so so much, he was unconditional, he was so deeply in love with cesar and he was so patient and kind. it made me feel hopeful that there are other jamals out there in the world.
so yes. this book touched me in way i cannot describe. cesar, i will love you and hold you dearly forever, i will continue seeing myself in you. i’m so thankful to sonora for writing this beautiful story, i’m so thankful i got to read it, i’m thankful there’s literature out there that can touch you this deeply.
i’ve been crying while writing this review because it revived how i felt once again and oh my god while reading the book i couldn’t control myself, i don’t think i’ve ever cried so hard for a character, i couldn’t breathe, i seriously think i had a panic attack because it was so overwhelming and hard to process. but truly, i’m so thankful for this story, one of my favorite reads of all time.
so this is why it hit close to home. cesar, a bisexual (me!) man, with a bipolar disorder (me!) with religious guilt (me!!!) with mental health issues, refusing therapy and medication as a form of self sabotage (me!!!!!)
it was so heartbreaking to read about him, about how bad it got when he had manic episodes and also his depressive ones were so profound and dark, i wanted to hug him and protect him. i understood him in such a level that shook me to my core. because even though i’m in the lower spectrum of bipolarity and haven’t had manic episodes i still could so clearly see myself in him.
it hurt me how much he hated himself for being bi and for thinking that god would never accept him, that he had to change himself so he could be saved. i hate that a priest plastered this belief so deep in his self that he couldn’t see past it. to the point he broke up with his boyfriend, which by the way, is the sweetest most precious human ever, to “be saved and forgiven.”
even though i’m not religious anymore, i grew up in a highly religious household and it was drilled into me since i was a child that being lgbtq was a sin. which was the main reason it took me so long to be at peace with my sexuality, and due to religion i still haven’t come out to my parents because i feel like they would reject me. just like cesar’s dad did. but i also think about his mom and how loving she is, how unconditional and understanding she was. she loved both yami and cesar with all her heart.
the support system cesar had was so touching, even though he felt he didn’t deserve anything from them, and kept pushing them away so it would be easier when he was gone, cause he was just so exhausted and wanted it to end, to stop being a burden. i understood him. i understood why he stopped taking his medicine, because he felt he could do it alone, he was “feeling well” so what was the point but it got so bad he had a manic episode and had to be hospitalized, he got kicked out of school, beaten up, hurt yami, his mom and jamal so deeply and still, i couldn’t blame him, i couldn’t be frustrated with him, i couldn’t be mad because i know what it’s like and i also felt like one of them, i also wanted to protect him from himself i wanted him to feel at least a bit better, for everything to be bearable.
i loved the bipolar representation from his grandma’s side, how you could see how, when undiagnosed and untreated, it can ruin every important relationship in your life, alienate you from everyone. it was so sweet how she also found peace, could reconnect with her daughter and best friend (then turned lover which was so so sweet).
i’m so glad that it didn’t finish in a tight little bow. i was so happy that cesar finally accepted help, finally understood that he was worthy of being loved and being someone to be cared for but also know that he had a long path coming, that he continued to go to therapy and started once again taking his medication, that he could have deep conversations with his loved ones about how he’s felt.
my god i loved jamal so much. so so much, he was unconditional, he was so deeply in love with cesar and he was so patient and kind. it made me feel hopeful that there are other jamals out there in the world.
so yes. this book touched me in way i cannot describe. cesar, i will love you and hold you dearly forever, i will continue seeing myself in you. i’m so thankful to sonora for writing this beautiful story, i’m so thankful i got to read it, i’m thankful there’s literature out there that can touch you this deeply.
i’ve been crying while writing this review because it revived how i felt once again and oh my god while reading the book i couldn’t control myself, i don’t think i’ve ever cried so hard for a character, i couldn’t breathe, i seriously think i had a panic attack because it was so overwhelming and hard to process. but truly, i’m so thankful for this story, one of my favorite reads of all time.
October 2, 2025
HELL YES!!
Bi (Bipolar & Bisexual) rep in a Mexican MMC, this book already means the world to me.
Thank you to HarperCollins Childrens and Netgalley for the e-arc of this book!
Latine mental health novels are rare to come by especially under YA.
The Latine community carries so many misconceptions of mental health especially revolving around men. Mental health is quickly villianed and shamed upon due to the fear and misunderstanding of mental illness. It feels amazing to see stories like Cesar's to be published.
Sonora Reyes wrote this novel with so much love, their dedication to Cesar's story is felt in every word and it truly is such a great book.
Mental health journey's aren't liner especially with a Bipolar diagnosis, I appreciated how Sonora acknowledged this and didn't write a strictly bias "positive" perspective of a Mexican Queer boy's journey with his mental health and spiritual beliefs. There are up moments but there are also down moments and despite the misconceptions of these episodes, they are so incredibly important to talk about.
The side characters all have wonderful arcs as well, Seeing Yami and Bo as a couple from an outsiders perspective brought me so much joy.
The romance of this book is so bittersweet, you feel for both Jamal and Cesar. They're both queer boys navigating their sexualites and also trying to stay afloat. You cannot help but wish them the best.
Much love for Abuela, her story arc was so emotional and I just wanted to hold her tight.
Some readers may find the contents of the book triggering, I suggest looking at the TW list before picking this book up.
I related to so many aspects of this book especially given my own diagnosis of Bipolar disorder as well. The fear of being on medication, conflict with spirituality as a queer individual, the constant state of panic and pressure of performing. The storytelling is honest, raw, and genuine.
I know deep down from the bottom of my heart that many will feel represented on page by this book, and it's truly an honor to read this.
Sonora Reyes is an author that I personally look up to, their stories and their passion towards Latine representation in YA books is truly amazing.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Latine Friends, if you haven't jumped on the Sonora Reyes train let this be your sign to do so!!
EVERYONE, THIS IS A MUST READ!
Bi (Bipolar & Bisexual) rep in a Mexican MMC, this book already means the world to me.
Thank you to HarperCollins Childrens and Netgalley for the e-arc of this book!
Latine mental health novels are rare to come by especially under YA.
The Latine community carries so many misconceptions of mental health especially revolving around men. Mental health is quickly villianed and shamed upon due to the fear and misunderstanding of mental illness. It feels amazing to see stories like Cesar's to be published.
Sonora Reyes wrote this novel with so much love, their dedication to Cesar's story is felt in every word and it truly is such a great book.
Mental health journey's aren't liner especially with a Bipolar diagnosis, I appreciated how Sonora acknowledged this and didn't write a strictly bias "positive" perspective of a Mexican Queer boy's journey with his mental health and spiritual beliefs. There are up moments but there are also down moments and despite the misconceptions of these episodes, they are so incredibly important to talk about.
The side characters all have wonderful arcs as well, Seeing Yami and Bo as a couple from an outsiders perspective brought me so much joy.
The romance of this book is so bittersweet, you feel for both Jamal and Cesar. They're both queer boys navigating their sexualites and also trying to stay afloat. You cannot help but wish them the best.
Much love for Abuela, her story arc was so emotional and I just wanted to hold her tight.
Some readers may find the contents of the book triggering, I suggest looking at the TW list before picking this book up.
I related to so many aspects of this book especially given my own diagnosis of Bipolar disorder as well. The fear of being on medication, conflict with spirituality as a queer individual, the constant state of panic and pressure of performing. The storytelling is honest, raw, and genuine.
I know deep down from the bottom of my heart that many will feel represented on page by this book, and it's truly an honor to read this.
Sonora Reyes is an author that I personally look up to, their stories and their passion towards Latine representation in YA books is truly amazing.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Latine Friends, if you haven't jumped on the Sonora Reyes train let this be your sign to do so!!
EVERYONE, THIS IS A MUST READ!
May 14, 2025
4.75
thank you to netgaley and the publisher for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. i just want to start this by saying im not bipolar and i don’t know anyone super close to me who is bipolar so im not going to be commenting on the accuracy of the portrayal of a bipolar person. that being said as someone who has studied bipolar as a psych student the symptoms and portrayal of manic episodes and the depressive fallout was very realistic in my opinion. i think each chapter being labeled a different symptom throughout the novel was very interesting as shows the very wide scope of symptoms those with bipolar and other similar disorders face. seeing how it effected Caesar and those around him was heartbreaking. seeing caesar’s inner thoughts while in manic episode was really scary i kept wanting to reach thru the pages and tell him to go talk to someone. i think this book is helpful to read for anyone who knows someone with bipolar to see what they ar going thru. caesar is not a perfect character and he is never at any point portrayed as perfect. we know he’s flaws he knows he’s flawed but just like the people around him we love him anyway. this book is so so good and i highly recommend it. it also has a romance subplot but it isn’t the main focus and doesn’t portray the relationship as healing him from his illness. this review is super discombobulated and i might rewrite it but im really tired lmaooooo. all that being said please please please go pick this book up in the fall!!!
thank you to netgaley and the publisher for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. i just want to start this by saying im not bipolar and i don’t know anyone super close to me who is bipolar so im not going to be commenting on the accuracy of the portrayal of a bipolar person. that being said as someone who has studied bipolar as a psych student the symptoms and portrayal of manic episodes and the depressive fallout was very realistic in my opinion. i think each chapter being labeled a different symptom throughout the novel was very interesting as shows the very wide scope of symptoms those with bipolar and other similar disorders face. seeing how it effected Caesar and those around him was heartbreaking. seeing caesar’s inner thoughts while in manic episode was really scary i kept wanting to reach thru the pages and tell him to go talk to someone. i think this book is helpful to read for anyone who knows someone with bipolar to see what they ar going thru. caesar is not a perfect character and he is never at any point portrayed as perfect. we know he’s flaws he knows he’s flawed but just like the people around him we love him anyway. this book is so so good and i highly recommend it. it also has a romance subplot but it isn’t the main focus and doesn’t portray the relationship as healing him from his illness. this review is super discombobulated and i might rewrite it but im really tired lmaooooo. all that being said please please please go pick this book up in the fall!!!
May 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's for the ARC!
Sonora Reyes writes such incredible books, and I think this one is probably my favorite book of theirs after lesbiana's guide. I loved getting Caesar's story and perspective. The bipolar representation felt very authentic and I really appreciated that aspect of the story. As someone without bipolar, this book helped me to understand my loved ones a little more. Though Caesar's spiraling was difficult to read at times, but that is part of what makes this book so necessary. Very few authors are able to write books of young adults that can transcend the YA scene and bring comfort and understanding to adults as well, and Sonora Reyes is one of those authors.
Caesar and Yami's stories felt pretty wrapped up after this book, but I'm curious if we'll ever see another companion to this series; featuring Moni perhaps?
Sonora Reyes writes such incredible books, and I think this one is probably my favorite book of theirs after lesbiana's guide. I loved getting Caesar's story and perspective. The bipolar representation felt very authentic and I really appreciated that aspect of the story. As someone without bipolar, this book helped me to understand my loved ones a little more. Though Caesar's spiraling was difficult to read at times, but that is part of what makes this book so necessary. Very few authors are able to write books of young adults that can transcend the YA scene and bring comfort and understanding to adults as well, and Sonora Reyes is one of those authors.
Caesar and Yami's stories felt pretty wrapped up after this book, but I'm curious if we'll ever see another companion to this series; featuring Moni perhaps?
September 14, 2025
In this companion novel to #TheLesbianasGuideToCatholicSchool, we follow Yami’s brother Cesar in the year after the events in the first book. Cesar receives a diagnosis of bipolar, and struggles to reconcile both the diagnosis and his bisexuality with The Thoughts that tell him he doesn’t deserve love from anyone. He starts to question his diagnosis and his meds, and The Thoughts only increase as he enters a manic episode. How many people can Cesar push away before he lets the Catholic guilt win?
I was a BIG fan of Sonora Reyes’s The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, and was super excited to learn more about Yami’s story and her family. I’ll start by saying that this book was definitely in the same arena, but in many respects felt totally different from Yami’s story. Both deal with hiding a queer identity, but Cesar’s story has far more religious overtones and deep mental health roots. It’s darker than Yami’s story, but in a way that felt authentic to one person’s experience with bipolar; and in a way that you may not always be rooting for Cesar as he cycles between mania and depression and alienates everyone trying to help him. It’s still a YA novel at the end of the day, but Sonora Reyes did a stellar job at handling the gravity of Cesar’s diagnosis and experience with the care it deserves. I’ll definitely recommend this book, along with The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, to anyone interested in queer, Latine, or mental health rep!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Harper Collins for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
•
Read this book if you like reading about:
🧠addressing mental health stigma
💔overcoming religious trauma
✨ the intersectionality of queer, Latine, and disability identities
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
I was a BIG fan of Sonora Reyes’s The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, and was super excited to learn more about Yami’s story and her family. I’ll start by saying that this book was definitely in the same arena, but in many respects felt totally different from Yami’s story. Both deal with hiding a queer identity, but Cesar’s story has far more religious overtones and deep mental health roots. It’s darker than Yami’s story, but in a way that felt authentic to one person’s experience with bipolar; and in a way that you may not always be rooting for Cesar as he cycles between mania and depression and alienates everyone trying to help him. It’s still a YA novel at the end of the day, but Sonora Reyes did a stellar job at handling the gravity of Cesar’s diagnosis and experience with the care it deserves. I’ll definitely recommend this book, along with The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School, to anyone interested in queer, Latine, or mental health rep!
Reviewed as part of #ARC from #NetGalley. Many thanks to Harper Collins for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
•
Read this book if you like reading about:
🧠addressing mental health stigma
💔overcoming religious trauma
✨ the intersectionality of queer, Latine, and disability identities
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
April 13, 2026
Please check tw before reading. This story deals with a lot and can be a bit draining.
I'm not quite sure how I want to rate this story.
On one hand, it's soooo accurate for how someone going through the cycles could react and them spiraling if they decide to just get off their meds cold turkey.
But on the other hand, it really was just a lot and while I didn't dislike any of the characters I'm just ambivalent.
The characters all had good personal growth! They all grew and learned how to communicate better and apologize for mistakes.
I'm not quite sure how I want to rate this story.
On one hand, it's soooo accurate for how someone going through the cycles could react and them spiraling if they decide to just get off their meds cold turkey.
But on the other hand, it really was just a lot and while I didn't dislike any of the characters I'm just ambivalent.
The characters all had good personal growth! They all grew and learned how to communicate better and apologize for mistakes.
September 17, 2025
I knew this would be 5 stars before I even started it. Perfect!
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