Blue Eyes Brown: A Memoir

by Michelle Marez

Michelle Marez was raised in Pueblo, a culturally diverse town in Southern Colorado. She is half Slavic and half Hispanic. With both cultures having deep roots that rarely cross over, she felt that she never truly belonged to anyone.

Michelle's story is about navigating many identities while keeping painful secrets. The identities were like costumes, worn one over the next. These costumes became so heavy and itchy that she finally took them all off and exposed her true self. It took a devastating discovery to begin the painful work that leads her to love, belonging, freedom, and happiness.

This is her journey.

259 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2021

Reviews

[Edie Berggren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story BUT I was so annoyed with the use of “!” Like this is NOT a text message and she would just say at random times like “god bless her!!” Like ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Eyes Brown is an intriguing memoir written by the author Michelle Marez. This is the story of Michelle who was born in Pueblo, Colorado in 1972. She is half Slavic and half Hispanic. She has no memory of her parents being married or living together. Therefore, Michelle didn't feel like having an ideal family. Michelle lived with her grandparents for an initial couple of years. Michelle's mom married Chris, her third husband. By living with different family members and at different places, Michelle started feeling confused. It is important to have a sense of belonging in life. That is what Michelle also wanted.

She has shared about her mom who acted differently inside and outside the house. Michelle spent most of her time at her mother's place or her grandparents'. She loved being with her Grandma and Grandpa Garza. When Chris moved out, Michelle felt broken, disconnected, etc. As Michelle was in different grade years, she moved a lot, also learnt about her dad being in prison. Read this story to know what all secrets and mysteries Michelle came across in her life.

I really appreciate the author for sharing about her journey with us. Language used in the book is lucid so I was able to understand it easily. Cover photo looks nice. This story is an insightful read. Also, this book is an inspiration to many people who are having difficult times in their life. It will inspire them to come out of their moments of pain. Pace of the story is fast and I didn't feel bored anytime while reading it. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts.

[Melisa Maes-Johnson]

This memoir is both devastating and inspirational especially the latter. It is an amazingly intriguing and beautiful read. Michelle Marez leaves her heart out there for you to see and exposes her all. Her life story will leave the reader in disbelief and begs to ask, "How does someone come out the other side of this?" Marez does so and leaves a powerful, resonating message, "Human will and power can triumph even in the darkest of times/places." This book can surely inspire other struggling young women and men to know that you can succeed even when the road is winding, twisted, foggy, unclear and treacherous. Sometimes, the only way out is through, especially if life doesn't give you many choices. Marez captures this journey with beautiful and heart rending detail.

[Janet Gorden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw and real account of what goes on behind closed doors, the struggle to move passed the past, and a deeply honest depiction of her own demons. I just want to thank this writer for putting her inside self out there for her readers to relate to.

[Pat Behring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue eyes brown

I really felt the pain in this woman’s life. So happy that she called on God for help. Very well written and I will recommend it to others.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the honor of meeting the author. She did a good job writing about a difficult subject.