What do you think?
Rate this book
First Impressions: Off Screen Conversations with a Bachelor on Race, Family, and Forgiveness
Matt James, the first Black bachelor on ABC’s beloved television show, The Bachelor , shares his views on the controversial topics that defined his season and confronts matters of race, opportunity, and his biracial identity head on. When The Bachelor franchise announced Matt James as the first Black lead, it was celebrated as long-overdue progress on the primetime show. America fell in love with Matt—the Christian, former NFL athlete, and nonprofit CEO—who charmed millions of viewers each week. But the off-screen conversations around the show revealed the realities and inescapable challenges of being Black in America and the depth of racism that still exists.
On the show, Matt could only go so far in sharing his own story with America. In First Impressions , Matt shares his views on controversial topics like race and opportunity that defined his season on The Bachelor. Matt lives at the intersection of these important issues and shares the wisdom his experience has granted him.
Matt describes the joys and difficulties of being the youngest of two Black sons, raised by a single, working-class, white mother in Raleigh, North Carolina. He elaborates on the spiritual closeness and sense of duty he felt for his mother, but also the complex relationships he had with the many male figures in his his prejudiced, Italian grandfather, who had trouble accepting Matt as his own; his father, whose womanizing and petty crime put strain on the family; and his older brother, who was Matt’s protector in youth, but who struggled with the long shadow of their father’s legacy.
Simultaneously inspirational and informative, First Impressions will leave readers with a deeper understanding of the life experiences that prepared Matt for such a divisive moment in television history.
On the show, Matt could only go so far in sharing his own story with America. In First Impressions , Matt shares his views on controversial topics like race and opportunity that defined his season on The Bachelor. Matt lives at the intersection of these important issues and shares the wisdom his experience has granted him.
Matt describes the joys and difficulties of being the youngest of two Black sons, raised by a single, working-class, white mother in Raleigh, North Carolina. He elaborates on the spiritual closeness and sense of duty he felt for his mother, but also the complex relationships he had with the many male figures in his his prejudiced, Italian grandfather, who had trouble accepting Matt as his own; his father, whose womanizing and petty crime put strain on the family; and his older brother, who was Matt’s protector in youth, but who struggled with the long shadow of their father’s legacy.
Simultaneously inspirational and informative, First Impressions will leave readers with a deeper understanding of the life experiences that prepared Matt for such a divisive moment in television history.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published May 3, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 3, 2022
I have to be honest… I got this audio book because I watch the bachelor, I follow Matt and Rachael on Instagram, and their relationship feels more genuine than any other bachelor couple. This is not a behind-the-scenes bachelor tell-all in any way though (nor does it claim to be). Aside from the 30 minute epilogue, he does not talk about Rachael or the drama surrounding his season at all.
This book will stick with me though. His stories growing up were powerful and feel like they should have been highlighted on the show - how he came to be the man he is. He has a very positive perspective, and although the Christianity felt a bit much at times, it is clear that it is genuine and true to him. His stories from ABC food tours - I knew nothing about this and can’t believe it wasn’t mentioned on his season - moved me to tears. I’m glad I read it and feel embarrassed to have been interested for the bachelor intel initially.
This book will stick with me though. His stories growing up were powerful and feel like they should have been highlighted on the show - how he came to be the man he is. He has a very positive perspective, and although the Christianity felt a bit much at times, it is clear that it is genuine and true to him. His stories from ABC food tours - I knew nothing about this and can’t believe it wasn’t mentioned on his season - moved me to tears. I’m glad I read it and feel embarrassed to have been interested for the bachelor intel initially.
September 8, 2023
i am a big fan of matt since his days on the bachelor & now love following his relationship with rachael. selfishly i wish he gave more tea about the bachelor franchise & his relationships etc but i appreciated learning more about his background through his sheer vulnerability.
May 27, 2022
If you watch ABC’s hit show, The Bachelor, then you know who Matt James is. Or do you? It’s interesting to learn how little people know about the first Black lead on the show after watching him each week for an entire season.
In FIRST IMPRESSIONS, Matt reveals what matters most to him, the lessons he’s learned, and what he’s been through (and overcome,) after feeling he’d given much of his story and his power away during filming. He hopes to give a true impression of himself that didn’t come through on the show.
One of the main things I’ve discovered about Matt is that he is a positive person. Much of the book contains his failures, adversities, or struggles, but these are still embraced with acceptance, fortitude, opportunity, purpose, and positivity. I enjoyed learning, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story.”
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
In FIRST IMPRESSIONS, Matt reveals what matters most to him, the lessons he’s learned, and what he’s been through (and overcome,) after feeling he’d given much of his story and his power away during filming. He hopes to give a true impression of himself that didn’t come through on the show.
One of the main things I’ve discovered about Matt is that he is a positive person. Much of the book contains his failures, adversities, or struggles, but these are still embraced with acceptance, fortitude, opportunity, purpose, and positivity. I enjoyed learning, as Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story.”
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
May 28, 2022
You know, I didn’t even hate this book even with all the talk about Christianity and pulling yourself up by the bootstraps. It’s clear that Matt James has worked very hard to achieve all that he has, and he seems like a fine person. But on the last page of the epilogue he starts spouting off about how great cryptocurrency is… instantly ruined the book for me lmao.
January 6, 2024
I love Matt James and he will always be my fav bachelor. The franchise did him so dirty.
May 16, 2022
Loved Matt’s story/how he thinks about the world and drives himself and the bachelor behind the scenes
June 28, 2022
A very solid, engaging memoir!
May 28, 2022
I liked this book a lot! I am a big fan of Matt and Rachael and was probably one of the few people that enjoyed his season on the bachelor. This was definitely not a “bachelor book”. Most of the pages detailed his life stories, values, lessons learned, and mindsets gained. The snippet on the bachelor was interesting but felt lacking.
I really enjoyed reading Matt’s perspective on race relations as he grew up and what that looked like for him as it translated to national TV. I learned a lot from him and was grateful for his willingness and vulnerability to share these with the world.
My only complaint is that, understandably, this book is sold as a bachelor book. As someone with a PR degree I know how and why marketing works. But, even the tagline seems like the book would be written about his season exclusively. This leads you to be a little disappointed on the short epilogue about bachelor nation and his reconnection with Rachael.
Overall, I see the things missing to be largely private and intimate to someone’s life, so I get why they were excluded. I am still very glad to have read it. I learned a lot of career advice and have several foodie bucket list spots on my radar as well.
I really enjoyed reading Matt’s perspective on race relations as he grew up and what that looked like for him as it translated to national TV. I learned a lot from him and was grateful for his willingness and vulnerability to share these with the world.
My only complaint is that, understandably, this book is sold as a bachelor book. As someone with a PR degree I know how and why marketing works. But, even the tagline seems like the book would be written about his season exclusively. This leads you to be a little disappointed on the short epilogue about bachelor nation and his reconnection with Rachael.
Overall, I see the things missing to be largely private and intimate to someone’s life, so I get why they were excluded. I am still very glad to have read it. I learned a lot of career advice and have several foodie bucket list spots on my radar as well.
September 14, 2022
5⭐️ if you know me, you know how much i’ve loved matt james ever since his season! i’m so excited to have finally gotten a chance to read his audiobook, and it definitely delivered. he just sounds like SUCH a great guy- i especially loved hearing more about growing up with his mom, abc food tours, and the epilogue with more about the bachelor and his relationship with rachael. i recommend if you watched his season!
March 11, 2024
As a memoir this book is fantastic, as a Bachelor tell-all... it leaves much to be desired. Matt's very vulnerable with the stories he tells and reading this book made me wish we knew more about him when he had been cast as the Bachelor. He only talks about the show in the first chapter and then final 20% of the book, but I was pleasantly surprised with how strong the rest of the book was as well.
July 2, 2022
Shockingly decent
April 12, 2024
It's fun to read Matt's book as we had a connection with him in Raleigh and enjoyed his stint as the Bachelor lead. What he's made of his life is truly amazing and inspiring.
May 5, 2022
We learned so very little about Matt James during his season of the Bachelor. The show spent so much time on the petty drama of a few female contestants and spent very little time helping us get to know Matt James and some of his top 4 contestants. This book is not your typical Bachelor book but an honest and vulnerable look at Matt James' life, his family, his faith and how he became the incredible man he is today. It was no small task being the first black lead of the Bachelor in 20 years and Matt came in never having been on the show as a contestant. The poor guy was thrown to the wolves and ABC did a poor job of showing us the INCREDIBLE and stand up person that he is. Thanks for writing this book Matt, I only wish that we had learned all about you during your season and you could have written this book about your experiences with ABC Food Tours. Is there a second book in you?
May 16, 2022
*audiobook*
July 24, 2022
In First Impressions, Matt James opened up about his personal life story and how he became the first Black Bachelor on the hit reality tv show, The Bachelor after two decades of it being on air. He explained how he led a prayer to God at the start of the first episode and this led to controversies. In the book, he shared how his mother accepted Jesus as her Savior. Most of it was because she saw her coworker life and how joyful she was. He explained how his mother married his dad and how unfaithful he was in their marriage. She stated how she never trashed him in front of her two children. She chose forgiveness towards him and Matt revealed his personal struggle with forgiveness and seeing it as a weakness. He explained how he grew in his own personal faith and how his brother stopped believing later on after he went to prison a few times. In the book, he also opened up about being half white and how people viewed him differently when they learned that his mother was white. He opened up about his experiences growing up and how his own grandfather treated him differently. He also discussed the topic of racism, the wrongful death of George Floyd, and the protests that occurred. In the book, he also shared how he became an NFL athlete and the experiences he faced during that.
I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who enjoyed watching him on the Bachelor. I don’t watch this show personally but I enjoyed reading about his personal life and how he is a Christian trying to assist others through his nonprofit, ABC Food Tours. I loved how in his Bachelor book he focused more on his roots and Christian values. I was deeply touched by his story of his grandfather and how he refused to tell his brother, John and him that he loved them. He also shared how he wouldn’t help John with his math homework and judged him for his grades. Even though he has a degree in chemical engineering. He would show the other grandchildren more love and attention then John and Mark. I also love reading about how all that changed when his grandfather needed help after falling down. This story is a wonderful example of forgiveness and change.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”
I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who enjoyed watching him on the Bachelor. I don’t watch this show personally but I enjoyed reading about his personal life and how he is a Christian trying to assist others through his nonprofit, ABC Food Tours. I loved how in his Bachelor book he focused more on his roots and Christian values. I was deeply touched by his story of his grandfather and how he refused to tell his brother, John and him that he loved them. He also shared how he wouldn’t help John with his math homework and judged him for his grades. Even though he has a degree in chemical engineering. He would show the other grandchildren more love and attention then John and Mark. I also love reading about how all that changed when his grandfather needed help after falling down. This story is a wonderful example of forgiveness and change.
"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”
July 21, 2022
Racist #BLM propaganda that's beneath the intelligence of a fair-minded reader. Those that buy into media misinformation of racial issues might like what's stated here, but it's all a calculated response to change a TV star's image. And if you're looking for details on the making of his season of The Bachelor, forget it--there are only six pages about it.
Matt James claims to be black (with a capital B!) even though he's half white (with a lower case w!). He says he needs to represent his black "community," when in truth his community throughout most of his life has been white. His mom is white, he dated white girls, he lived with white grandparents, went to a mostly-white school, has lots of white best friends--but Matt James wants to represent and be praised by his black "community" all based on his skin color. That is pure racism
There is so much wrong in this book I could go page-by-page through it and challenge all he writes. It's pure PR spin with the purpose of sounding like he is a black community leader, when in truth he is just an embarrassment.
James starts out saying that his book is unique because the producers and host of The Bachelor totally distorted his image and story. Since he claims he had never seen the show before, how does he know that, because every book by every franchise lead says that?! (I know, I've read them all!) In the introduction he says, "This isn't the typical Bachelor book," then in the final chapter says, "I haven't read Bachelor books, but I have assumptions about how they might read." What an ignorant man, and applying that ignorance to his supposedly evolved views on race shows how Matt James simply likes to unfairly stereotype things in neat packages without having any foundation for his opinions.
That also goes for his demeaning opinions on Chris Harrison, who is not directly named in this book but the author claims gave one of the worst interviews in modern history. What false hype that only adds to this being a propaganda piece.
James comes across as much dumber than he did on television, reading too many negative "trolls" online and slamming them with insults (though they have every right to say whatever they want in this First Amendment country, and he should have listened to more of their honest objective feedback). He then claims he should be the only one to have the right to shape his image. He's either naive or stupid to go on a national TV show and think he can control his story. He's also wrong that any of us can control what people think of us, though he seems to try hard to do it and it's not positive.
He even distorts his family history, seemingly unaware that "Italian" isn't a racial category equal to being "black." The guy is mixed race, half white, and for him to continue to call himself black (with that capital b!) is pure fraud, ignoring the majority of his life and experience. He's white in cultural background, half black in DNA, and fails to see than just calling himself his skin color is true racism.
And the dirty little secret not really addressed is that Matt was treated really well by many generous, caring white people. He spent his entire Covid quarantine with Tyler Cameron's family and friends, who seemed to be the nicest people in his history. Meanwhile many of the black people in his life (his father, brother, and hoodlums his brother hangs out with) are the real bad guys. James comes across as a loser who mooches off the generosity of others in high school, college, and his early career (including a stint working for a liberal media company whose goal was to go after Donald Trump). Odd how he twists the kindness of whites into the mistreatment of blacks when his truth doesn't bear it out.
His life has some interesting sections and he does get into how he dealt with Rachael's photo controversy but the book gives in to the political pressure of #blacklivesmatter liberals that see everything in color, pressuring him to be politically correct. C0-author Cole Brown wrote a book with the subtitle "Finding Blackness in a White World" so what ends up on paper here is some type of agenda-pushing distortion that fails to put Matt's life or career in proper perspective. If he should be mad at anyone, it's those in the black community that continue to push racism and filter everything through distorted racist politics (like slamming Chris Harrison's accurate but poorly stated remarks that got him fired).
Most disappointing is Matt's attempt to use his faith to underscore his leftist radical political beliefs. When the George Floyd #BLM protests rage across America, destroying billions in property, killing dozens, and taking over many government buildings in a situation much worse than the January 6th D.C. riot, James and his little rich kid model friend Tyler Cameron take to the streets to protest. To support it he uses a Bible verse--Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." James writes, "Those words spoke a message of rightness, resilience, and resolve to me." He says that verse was his motivation to march in the streets and be part of the worst rioting damage in U.S. history? Galatians actually says the OPPOSITE of how James takes it, supporting quiet patience, tolerance, and self-control, which was lacking in the Floyd riots.
Instead of going into serious black training as Matt James did, he needed to be freed of the slavery of the #BLM movement and allowed to truly be himself. What's in this book isn't real, it's a constructed version of a guy who got heavily criticized by those of his same skin color and started to become just as racially insensitive and blame-shifting toward whites as others in the black community.
His white mother is the hero of this book, raising two boys without a father, taking them to a black church, encouraging them to reach out to others and be proud of his biracial background. And there are no photos to be found of any of this, which makes sense after reading it because Matt James is really trying to hide the reality of his upbringing, painting a picture in a different color and refusing to show us the truth. In the end of all this it's obvious that this Bachelor is too inexperienced and immature to be writing such a book. I believe what I saw on the screen in his own words and actions more than this politically correct distortion of reality. My impressions of him, first or last, are not positive.
Matt James claims to be black (with a capital B!) even though he's half white (with a lower case w!). He says he needs to represent his black "community," when in truth his community throughout most of his life has been white. His mom is white, he dated white girls, he lived with white grandparents, went to a mostly-white school, has lots of white best friends--but Matt James wants to represent and be praised by his black "community" all based on his skin color. That is pure racism
There is so much wrong in this book I could go page-by-page through it and challenge all he writes. It's pure PR spin with the purpose of sounding like he is a black community leader, when in truth he is just an embarrassment.
James starts out saying that his book is unique because the producers and host of The Bachelor totally distorted his image and story. Since he claims he had never seen the show before, how does he know that, because every book by every franchise lead says that?! (I know, I've read them all!) In the introduction he says, "This isn't the typical Bachelor book," then in the final chapter says, "I haven't read Bachelor books, but I have assumptions about how they might read." What an ignorant man, and applying that ignorance to his supposedly evolved views on race shows how Matt James simply likes to unfairly stereotype things in neat packages without having any foundation for his opinions.
That also goes for his demeaning opinions on Chris Harrison, who is not directly named in this book but the author claims gave one of the worst interviews in modern history. What false hype that only adds to this being a propaganda piece.
James comes across as much dumber than he did on television, reading too many negative "trolls" online and slamming them with insults (though they have every right to say whatever they want in this First Amendment country, and he should have listened to more of their honest objective feedback). He then claims he should be the only one to have the right to shape his image. He's either naive or stupid to go on a national TV show and think he can control his story. He's also wrong that any of us can control what people think of us, though he seems to try hard to do it and it's not positive.
He even distorts his family history, seemingly unaware that "Italian" isn't a racial category equal to being "black." The guy is mixed race, half white, and for him to continue to call himself black (with that capital b!) is pure fraud, ignoring the majority of his life and experience. He's white in cultural background, half black in DNA, and fails to see than just calling himself his skin color is true racism.
And the dirty little secret not really addressed is that Matt was treated really well by many generous, caring white people. He spent his entire Covid quarantine with Tyler Cameron's family and friends, who seemed to be the nicest people in his history. Meanwhile many of the black people in his life (his father, brother, and hoodlums his brother hangs out with) are the real bad guys. James comes across as a loser who mooches off the generosity of others in high school, college, and his early career (including a stint working for a liberal media company whose goal was to go after Donald Trump). Odd how he twists the kindness of whites into the mistreatment of blacks when his truth doesn't bear it out.
His life has some interesting sections and he does get into how he dealt with Rachael's photo controversy but the book gives in to the political pressure of #blacklivesmatter liberals that see everything in color, pressuring him to be politically correct. C0-author Cole Brown wrote a book with the subtitle "Finding Blackness in a White World" so what ends up on paper here is some type of agenda-pushing distortion that fails to put Matt's life or career in proper perspective. If he should be mad at anyone, it's those in the black community that continue to push racism and filter everything through distorted racist politics (like slamming Chris Harrison's accurate but poorly stated remarks that got him fired).
Most disappointing is Matt's attempt to use his faith to underscore his leftist radical political beliefs. When the George Floyd #BLM protests rage across America, destroying billions in property, killing dozens, and taking over many government buildings in a situation much worse than the January 6th D.C. riot, James and his little rich kid model friend Tyler Cameron take to the streets to protest. To support it he uses a Bible verse--Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." James writes, "Those words spoke a message of rightness, resilience, and resolve to me." He says that verse was his motivation to march in the streets and be part of the worst rioting damage in U.S. history? Galatians actually says the OPPOSITE of how James takes it, supporting quiet patience, tolerance, and self-control, which was lacking in the Floyd riots.
Instead of going into serious black training as Matt James did, he needed to be freed of the slavery of the #BLM movement and allowed to truly be himself. What's in this book isn't real, it's a constructed version of a guy who got heavily criticized by those of his same skin color and started to become just as racially insensitive and blame-shifting toward whites as others in the black community.
His white mother is the hero of this book, raising two boys without a father, taking them to a black church, encouraging them to reach out to others and be proud of his biracial background. And there are no photos to be found of any of this, which makes sense after reading it because Matt James is really trying to hide the reality of his upbringing, painting a picture in a different color and refusing to show us the truth. In the end of all this it's obvious that this Bachelor is too inexperienced and immature to be writing such a book. I believe what I saw on the screen in his own words and actions more than this politically correct distortion of reality. My impressions of him, first or last, are not positive.
May 28, 2022
Yes. I followed Matt James on The Bachelor and really was impressed by everything about him - especially his opening prayer at the first cocktail party Yes. I am a NC native and a graduate or NC State. Yes. I was accepted to attend Wake Forest. Yes. I am a retired Human Resource professional and a career coach. Yes. I have already given this book to a new client and recommended it to others.
But none of this factored into how very much I love this book.
Matt seeps grace and depth, humility, mercy, incredible character, authenticity and a work ethic and drive at a level rarely seen. His discernment is amazing. This book tells you how all Matt’s hard and harsh times melded together to shape him and his future.
For anyone feeling stuck anywhere in your life, this is your boost. A voracious reader, I have read one other book in two years while beating cancer. First Impressions broke the cycle and brought reading back. I could not out this book down.
READ THIS BOOK!
Well done, Matt!
But none of this factored into how very much I love this book.
Matt seeps grace and depth, humility, mercy, incredible character, authenticity and a work ethic and drive at a level rarely seen. His discernment is amazing. This book tells you how all Matt’s hard and harsh times melded together to shape him and his future.
For anyone feeling stuck anywhere in your life, this is your boost. A voracious reader, I have read one other book in two years while beating cancer. First Impressions broke the cycle and brought reading back. I could not out this book down.
READ THIS BOOK!
Well done, Matt!
August 2, 2022
Matt James' First Impressions is a much needed look at the complex, gracious, and hardworking man beneath the turtleneck sweater.
Containing funny stories and painful memories alike, this book is full of lessons so impactful I had to pause the recording several times and just...absorb them.
My favorite part was him recounting his experiences in New York, shacking up with some interesting characters and meeting the kids that inspired him to start ABC food tours- a story so moving I was actually *angry* that it was barely mentioned on the show!
If you're a fan of the bachelor, this book is for you. if you're a fan of heartfelt memoirs, this book is for you. If you're a human being who is looking around at your life thinking you'll never make it out of the rut you're in, this book is for you! Matt James' First Impressions is about race, family, and faith, but mostly, it's about the power of knowing your own self worth.
Containing funny stories and painful memories alike, this book is full of lessons so impactful I had to pause the recording several times and just...absorb them.
My favorite part was him recounting his experiences in New York, shacking up with some interesting characters and meeting the kids that inspired him to start ABC food tours- a story so moving I was actually *angry* that it was barely mentioned on the show!
If you're a fan of the bachelor, this book is for you. if you're a fan of heartfelt memoirs, this book is for you. If you're a human being who is looking around at your life thinking you'll never make it out of the rut you're in, this book is for you! Matt James' First Impressions is about race, family, and faith, but mostly, it's about the power of knowing your own self worth.
June 1, 2022
I always love getting a better idea of who the people you see on TV really are. I don't remember much about Matt's season on the Bachelor, but the honest and hard-hitting stories and quotes that came out of this book were so inspiring and spoke to the hardships so many people in this country face every day. Matt is really using his platform to make a difference in the lives of those around him, and I enjoyed getting a more inside scoop that was less about his experience on the Bachelor and more about who he is as a person
June 8, 2022
I listened to this on Audible, and it was really good! Matt James’ story is interesting, surprising, and really well told. I loved his story to success, how he overcame hardships, and how he was able to identify what he wanted for himself at such a young age. The book touches just a little on his journey as the bachelor, and I really like how he focused on how he set and met goals for himself throughout his life. He also seems like he’s really good at building relationships!
December 31, 2022
I didn't watch Matt's season of the Bachelor, but I have some sort of obsession with reading every Bachelor-related memoir, so here we are.
I am shocked at how much I enjoyed this. The emphasis on forgiveness especially was so beautifully done, and this was just a really inspiring read.
Side note, though - I am truly shocked that Matt is so close to Tyler, because when I read Tyler's memoir he came across as everything Matt isn't. Guess there must be more to Tyler than meets the eye.
I am shocked at how much I enjoyed this. The emphasis on forgiveness especially was so beautifully done, and this was just a really inspiring read.
Side note, though - I am truly shocked that Matt is so close to Tyler, because when I read Tyler's memoir he came across as everything Matt isn't. Guess there must be more to Tyler than meets the eye.
June 26, 2022
This is a great read for those who enjoy the Bachelor franchise! I really enjoyed hearing about Matt’s experience growing up biracial and the struggles he faced to become successful. It was very insightful and heartfelt. I enjoyed the audiobook version as well as it was read by the author. Thank you Hachette audio for the gifted copy!
December 10, 2022
2.8 - I read all the bachelor books so I figured I should give Matt's a read... it was good. I liked learning about his past because I feel like they didn't talk about that on the show. I loved learning more about ABC Food Tours, I knew he was a founder but didn't know much about the organization so that was insightful! All in all this was a fine book
February 7, 2025
I really like this book probably because I was never really a Bachelor fan but only started watching with Matt’s season because he was biracial (like me), from Raleigh (like me) and went to Sanderson (which all of my kids graduated from). I liked being able to relate to what he was talking about. I loved learning about how he persevered through all he did to get to where he is.
May 30, 2022
Great book. Fast read. Shows so many things about Matt that we didn’t get to see in the Bachelor that were crucial to who he is and they passed over opportunities to show us this in the show in order to include petty drama. So glad he wrote it.
September 28, 2022
I really enjoyed hearing Matt's life story...the one before The Bachelor. It was refreshing & inspiring. It's a shame that we didn't learn more about all he overcame on air. I'm grateful he was vulnerable & shared it in this autobiography.
January 11, 2023
I got this book from the library because I wanted to know more about The Bachelor, but this book really is about Matt James and what shaped him as a man. I got to know the man behind The Bachelor and he seems like a very kind, caring man. I enjoyed getting to know his back story.
September 24, 2023
Overall, I enjoyed this. It wasn’t the best writing and I simultaneously thought it needed to be shorter and longer (ie. expand on some stuff, cut down on all the tedious football detail). But I came out of the book liking and understanding him more than I did on his season.
May 30, 2022
Great Read
Absolutely impressive; Always have love in your heart for others and God will do you right. Love this book, a good 👍 read.
Absolutely impressive; Always have love in your heart for others and God will do you right. Love this book, a good 👍 read.
June 14, 2022
I did this as an audiobook and enjoyed it! I was taking a break from the bachelor franchise but she back BABY
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews