Honest, funny, and charming, but at times trying a touch too hard, Adam Rippon’s Beautiful on the Outside is a look at the life of a figure skater and his journey to make it to the Olympics and perhaps fame. It perfectly captures the struggles and the sacrifices his family made for his career and the pain he endured along the way. While elements (and years) were glossed over and others highlighted perhaps for the dramatic flair, this was still an enjoyable read for figure skating fans around the globe.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC. My review is completely my own.

A wonderful insight into a man who I admire greatly. Funny and snarky like the author himself, this book was a treat to read.

I really enjoyed reading this memoir. The book is very well written and is a quick and enjoyable read. Adam recounts his life so far and his journey to the Olympics. It was interesting to read about what happens backstage and all the coaches that helped him along the way. Adam's story will be inspiring to anyone who has a dream to pursue. Enjoy this fun read.

Definitely funny! I laughed so hard at this book. What a character! I guarantee you will laugh out loud at Adam and his antics.

I really enjoyed this book, perfect for biography and auto biography enthusiasts. This book was generously provided to me through NetGalley. Highly Recommended!

Let me start by saying I love a good celebrity memoir and "Beautiful on the Outside" ranks as a favorite. I first heard of Adam Rippon like many did when he competed (and stole the show) in the 2018 Winter Olympics and have followed him since. This books packs so much of his life into the pages with hilarious stories (like, I had to put the book down because I was laughing so hard) and a healthy dose of real-life. If you liked Jonathan Van Ness' Memoir, "Over the Top", I think you'd love this just the same!

Thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A very chatty, gossipy celebrity memoir. I would have hoped for a bit more depth but it was on the light and fluffy side. Would be great for a plane ride.

I have read my share of celebrity memoirs and reviewed a number of them. I do believe this is among the very few I have enjoyed most and rated the highest. It is witty and clever and endearing. It feels honest and open and real. I have already recommended it to others, including persons I care about who are trying to figure out their own life paths.
Adam describes his life from young child, unaware of the stresses and sacrifices his dream put upon his parents, through the challenges of finding the proper coach at the proper time, and dealing with youthful hormonal urges. He comes clean about struggling with claiming independence over his own life and figuring out whom he can trust and believe in. His path was not perfect. His choices were not always the best, but he overcame obstacles, had to decide over and over again that he wanted his chosen path as not only a figure skater but an award winning skater. Sacrifices were made by his family and friends as well as by Adam.
As he reaches his goal, he is honest about needing to make new choices and begin on a new path. I am glad he wrote this book to inspire, not only a new generation, but also, ANYONE who has a dream.
I look forward to watching where life takes him next, knowing that should he stumble. he will recover and figure it out.

A great hilarious read. Loved his stories and humor and I loved the look into his life, Adam has such a great voice that translates so well on the page.

This book is, like its author, laugh-out-loud funny and wildly confident as well as completely authentic. Rippon doesn't shy away from anything and has done a great job translating his personality to the written page. Recommended!

*4.5 Stars
Adam Rippon has such a strong, entertaining voice that he could've been writing about nearly anything, and I would've been captivated. Luckily, the story of his journey to and a little bit past the Olympics is an entertaining ride on its own as well.
This is really a story of hard work and passion and perseverance, but I think this memoir really shines when Adam is talking about his relationships: romantic relationships, friendships, relationships with his coaches, with his family, etc. He has a keen eye for how he has grown from each and an empathy to understand both how each affected him but also how he may have affected them.
I can't wait to see where Adam goes from here, and I think near the end of the book, you can feel his excitement for the future blasting through the page as well.
I highly recommend the audiobook because Adam truly knows how to deliver.

There are times when a book surprises me. "Beautiful on the Outside" 100% did that. While I didn't expect the ebook to be horrible, I absolutely did not expect to love it, either. And yet, like the author itself, this happy, bubbly memoir is difficult to resist.

"Beautiful on the Outside" is the breezy autobiography of skater Adam Rippon, most famously known for his gorgeous skating performances at the Olympics and his superiority over homophobic bigots/idiots. What the book shows us, however, is a caring, grateful, driven, and honest human being, one who is worthy of medals for character as well as for his skating. Rippon gives an honest assessment of his life in skating, admits his own mistakes, and doesn't hesitate to provide his usual laughs along the way.

What's good:
*Rippon's narrative voice sounds quite a lot like Rippon, not a transparently fake ghostwriter. Rippon acknowledges working with a writing coach, so he's transparent in his writing being collaborative, but it is still clearly his own.
*Without intending to do so, Rippon's story is clearly that of a role model. He's grateful for all the help he's given, his work ethic is unstoppable, and his appreciation of his family's sacrifices (particularly his mother) is moving.
*You cannot read this book without smiling. It's impossible.

What's not good:
*I can't think of anything! The book delivers exactly what it ought to, given Rippon's age and life history, and does so beautifully.

Absolutely loved it! It's a gem. It really is. It's not only beautiful, but whimsical and just the kind of read I was looking for. Some parts laugh out loud funny, others just good plain advice. Everything you need in life in a nutshell. 5/5 stars

"Former Olympic figure skater and self-professed America's Sweetheart Adam Rippon shares his underdog journey from beautiful mess to outrageous success in this hilarious, big-hearted memoir.

Your mom probably told you it's what on the inside that counts. Well, then she was never a competitive figure skater. Olympic medalist Adam Rippon has been making it pretty for the judges even when, just below the surface, everything was an absolute mess. From traveling to practices on the Greyhound bus next to ex convicts to being so poor he could only afford to eat the free apples at his gym, Rippon got through the toughest times with a smile on his face, a glint in his eye, and quip ready for anyone listening. Beautiful on the Outside looks at his journey from a homeschooled kid in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to a self-professed American sweetheart on the world stage and all the disasters and self-delusions it took to get him there. Yeah, it may be what's on the inside that counts, but life is so much better when it's beautiful on the outside."

Adam is one of the authors coming to the Wisconsin Book Festival this year and for me is not only it's highlight, but the entire reason there's a festival this year!

I loved this memoir! It was well written that got me from laughing to crying to laughing again on this juicy memoir full of raw honesty. Rippon's journey and passion to becoming an Olympic athlete was detailed so beautifully. Watching the Winter Olympics Figure skating was always a family affair and was never missed. So when this memoir came out, I knew I had to read it. I enjoyed it so much for the fun, humorous, witty and charming read into his life and vulnerabilities. I wouldn't miss this read at all. It is truly a fun read and absolutely relatable.

Read if you: Want a fun, funny, but also sweet memoir about someone who beat the odds..

If you've been a longtime figure skating fan, Adam Rippon is no overnight media sensation. However, that's what he became at the 2018 Winter Games. Not only did his beautiful skating attract new admirers, but his witty personality and outspokenness also endeared him to many.

I knew the basics of Rippon's story--oldest of six children, parental divorce when he was young, a rocky post-juniors skating career, financial struggles in his twenties, coming out in a United States Figure Skating official magazine, a catastrophic injury, and a nervewracking 2018 Nationals--but I definitely didn't know the intimate details of such.. He is remarkably honest (and mature) about the very difficult relationships he has had with his parents (all much better now), which I definitely didn't know about.

This is a chatty, warm, funny, and inspiring memoir. It is not an explosive or bitchy tell-all. He is obviously protective of his loved ones and acquaintances, save for a possessive ex-boyfriend and a mean girl from elementary school (who frankly, both deserve it). . Even if you're not a skating fan or have closely followed his career, Rippon's story is an inspirational one without being too sentimental or hokey.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.