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Sex Saved the Summer: Essays & Confessions
Funny. Messy. Honest.
Across eleven real stories, Joseph Adam Lee explores relationships, childhood, and New York City misadventures through dark humor and sharp self-awareness.
In the opening essay, A Royal Rumble on Fire Island, Lee recounts his accidental starring role in a romantic spiral involving a Ghanaian princess. From there, the chaos housing a bohemian squatter with more confidence than hygiene (The Opulent Squatter), a college prank gone haywire (The Imposter of McIntire Hall), and a surreal family mix-up involving his grandfather, an orange VHS tape, and his own mother (My Mom, the Porn Dealer).
And that’s just scratching the surface.
Across eleven real stories, Joseph Adam Lee explores relationships, childhood, and New York City misadventures through dark humor and sharp self-awareness.
In the opening essay, A Royal Rumble on Fire Island, Lee recounts his accidental starring role in a romantic spiral involving a Ghanaian princess. From there, the chaos housing a bohemian squatter with more confidence than hygiene (The Opulent Squatter), a college prank gone haywire (The Imposter of McIntire Hall), and a surreal family mix-up involving his grandfather, an orange VHS tape, and his own mother (My Mom, the Porn Dealer).
And that’s just scratching the surface.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2026
About the author
Joseph Adam Lee
6 books6 followersJoseph Adam Lee is a Franco-American writer.
Once known for his hellraiser antics, he now writes essays, stories and poetry about work, women, drinking, faith, and what it costs to try to mean something.
Forged by a working-class background, he writes with a voice shaped by excess, mistakes, and the aftermath. His style is conversational, honest, and darkly funny.
He lives and writes in New York City.
Once known for his hellraiser antics, he now writes essays, stories and poetry about work, women, drinking, faith, and what it costs to try to mean something.
Forged by a working-class background, he writes with a voice shaped by excess, mistakes, and the aftermath. His style is conversational, honest, and darkly funny.
He lives and writes in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 10, 2026
"We looked like angels, but behaved like devils."
"Boredom...We're the only species arrogant enough to get high on it."
"Each person simultaneously relied on themselves and on everyone else... for validation, for attention,
for proof they mattered."
Fun, messy, and brutally honest!
This essay collection of confessions by Joseph Adam Lee is a must read if you enjoy reading about others troubles and tribulations, as well as growth.
I live what I find to be a very normal, not-quite adventurous life. This collection had me laughing, in shock and overall amazed how lives are so different from one another's.
"Boredom...We're the only species arrogant enough to get high on it."
"Each person simultaneously relied on themselves and on everyone else... for validation, for attention,
for proof they mattered."
Fun, messy, and brutally honest!
This essay collection of confessions by Joseph Adam Lee is a must read if you enjoy reading about others troubles and tribulations, as well as growth.
I live what I find to be a very normal, not-quite adventurous life. This collection had me laughing, in shock and overall amazed how lives are so different from one another's.
June 10, 2026
The honesty in this book caught me off guard in the best way. I laughed, I cringed, I sat in pause. It made me feel vulnerable and reflective.
Reading it brought back flashes of being young and reckless, the wild nights, the mistakes, the secrets I carry, the version of myself that lived hard and free. There were moments where it felt less like I was reading someone else’s story and more like I was confronting pieces of my own.
Great read. Get your copy!
Reading it brought back flashes of being young and reckless, the wild nights, the mistakes, the secrets I carry, the version of myself that lived hard and free. There were moments where it felt less like I was reading someone else’s story and more like I was confronting pieces of my own.
Great read. Get your copy!
July 31, 2026
This was fun. A perfect short one-sitting read for the summer if you’re looking for something more wild. Some stories grabbed my attention more than others. But it was well written and the stories are relatable. An extremely honest look at young adulthood. And a true “Tales of the City” and otherwise hilarious family stories. I’d like to see what Lee does with a novel. Andre never listen to YouTube when it comes to becoming a writer. There’s always someone who will eat up your trauma.
Thank you to the author who sent me an advance copy. And apologies it took me this long to review it.
Thank you to the author who sent me an advance copy. And apologies it took me this long to review it.
June 11, 2026
Funny • Chaotic • Honest
This collection of personal essays is funny, messy, and surprisingly relatable. Through a series of real-life stories, Joseph Adam Lee reflects on relationships, childhood, and life in New York City with plenty of self-deprecating humor and sharp observations. From bizarre dating experiences to unforgettable family moments, each essay brings its own brand of chaos.
What I enjoyed most was the author's willingness to laugh at himself. The stories are often outrageous, but they never feel exaggerated for the sake of shock value. Instead, they capture those strange, awkward, and memorable moments that make life interesting. The essays are quick to read, entertaining, and packed with personality.
🌟 Rating: 4/5
Would recommend to: Readers who enjoy humorous memoirs, personal essays, New York City stories, and authors who aren't afraid to share their most embarrassing moments. 🗽📖✨
This collection of personal essays is funny, messy, and surprisingly relatable. Through a series of real-life stories, Joseph Adam Lee reflects on relationships, childhood, and life in New York City with plenty of self-deprecating humor and sharp observations. From bizarre dating experiences to unforgettable family moments, each essay brings its own brand of chaos.
What I enjoyed most was the author's willingness to laugh at himself. The stories are often outrageous, but they never feel exaggerated for the sake of shock value. Instead, they capture those strange, awkward, and memorable moments that make life interesting. The essays are quick to read, entertaining, and packed with personality.
🌟 Rating: 4/5
Would recommend to: Readers who enjoy humorous memoirs, personal essays, New York City stories, and authors who aren't afraid to share their most embarrassing moments. 🗽📖✨
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July 16, 2026This book was a trip and a half.
It may take place in several cities, all of them far from where I spent my 'wild years,' but the nostalgia hit just the same reading these. I found myself reliving so many of my own stories.
The characters were all entertaining in their own ways but the author himself was, naturally, the main character of them all. I found myself not only laughing and nodding to many of his antics but more than a few times shaking my head at him as well. But really that's part of what there is to love about a book like this. Not agreeing with everything the person said or did, thinks or wants.
It's a book about adventure, about choices and growing up, about mistakes and community in all its forms. It's a book about the city, about youth, and about so many parts of the human experience.
It may take place in several cities, all of them far from where I spent my 'wild years,' but the nostalgia hit just the same reading these. I found myself reliving so many of my own stories.
The characters were all entertaining in their own ways but the author himself was, naturally, the main character of them all. I found myself not only laughing and nodding to many of his antics but more than a few times shaking my head at him as well. But really that's part of what there is to love about a book like this. Not agreeing with everything the person said or did, thinks or wants.
It's a book about adventure, about choices and growing up, about mistakes and community in all its forms. It's a book about the city, about youth, and about so many parts of the human experience.
July 7, 2026
So this dude just showed up in my feed. He said he wrote a book and had it published. Asked if anyone wanted one. I slipped into his DR's and said sure how much. He said free give me your address. I am so glad I did. This book was so fun. His description of every moment was perfect. It was like I met some random guy at a bar, we got drunk, and went and had a late night pizza together while he told me hilarious stories. It brought back memories of ridiculous things inwould get into when I was younger. Such an amazing light and easy summer read. When I started a story, I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. I had to know what happened. Thanks for an awesome read
June 9, 2026
This was a very fun book! easy to read, perfect
for summer... or any day when you are just chilling and want something entertaining to read, you will laugh and have fun. I will definitely recommend it to everyone! get a coffee, a beer or a kombucha and get lost in this pages.
for summer... or any day when you are just chilling and want something entertaining to read, you will laugh and have fun. I will definitely recommend it to everyone! get a coffee, a beer or a kombucha and get lost in this pages.
June 10, 2026
This is a must have book for your beach bag this summer! It is a rare book that really make you laugh out loud while simultaneously striking a profound and vulnerable chord within. Joseph Adam Lee establishes himself as a captivating and essential modern voice. Bravo!
June 10, 2026
I loved this book. Just quick, well written, funny stories I feel like we have all experienced (well maybe not all of them). Must read!
June 10, 2026
A transplant to NYC struggles with imposter syndrome through a series of essays detailing specific important and often ridiculous moments throughout his life. Very fun and quick summer read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews