Book Review: Naturally Tan by Tan France

The lowdown from Goodreads

Publication Date June 4th, 2019

In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France, star of Netflix’s smash-hit QUEER EYE, tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humor, and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional Muslim family, as one of the few people of color in Doncaster, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and how he finally came out to his family at the age of 34, revealing that he was happily married to the love of his life–a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City.

In Tan’s own words, “The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.”

Book Review: Naturally Tan by Tan France

Tan France stole my heart as soon as I saw him on Queer Eye. As soon as I heard about his book deal, I put his memoir on my list. There is something about Tan that is so captivating & entertaining. He’s open & vulnerable but he always leaves me wanting a little bit more time with him.

The Lowdown on the Audio

I’m so grateful Macmillan Audio sent me the audio of Naturally Tan. First, I love love love when an author reads his/her own memoir. I mean they wrote the words, so I love to hear the intonation & phrasing in their own voice. Tan is not different. It doesn’t hurt that his accent is brilliant. His narration makes the book all the more enjoyable for me.

Funny enough, my student was in the car with me for the majority of this audiobook. He has no idea who Tan France is or what he does. Despite this, he thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook!

Give Us Tan

I thought I was the only one wild about Tan. Everyone was freaking about JVN & Karamo & I’m over here thinking the guy with salt and pepper hair talking about French Tuck shirts is so intriguing! Truthfully, all of the guys on Queer Eye are wonderful. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. They spread such love, acceptance, inclusion & positivity. Naturally Tan takes on a similar tone. Tan gives us a history of his audition process for the show. Readers also hear more about his true connection with the guys.

I loved hearing about Tan’s childhood and what brought his to America & how he found his way to fashion. I had no idea he was such a successful fashion designer before Queer Eye. Hearing more about his business dealings, his own personal style & his marriage is what I’m here for. Anytime I listen to a memoir, I want cute anecdotes & some real and raw history. Naturally Tan delivers on both.

THE VERDICT

I am Really Into This book! This is a wonderful memoir for any fashionista, any Queer Eye fan & anyone who loves pop culture. Tan France is very true to himself. While Tan is such a fashion inspiration, & I love most of his advice there is one thing bothering me. I have to tell you something, Tan. I’m keeping my bangs. I have a very large forehead, thin eyebrows & deep-set eyes.

Special thanks to Tan France, St. Martin’s Press & Macmillan Audio for providing our free copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Let’s connect over books! Check out all of our review on Goodreads.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TAN FRANCE

TAN FRANCE has been a successful fashion designer behind-the-scenes for over 15 years, and now steps into the spotlight as the star of Emmy-winning makeover hit, and Netflix re-boot, “Queer Eye”. Surrounded by an all new cast, France is the witty wardrobe wiz leading the charge in the fashion department and is ready to make America fabulous again one makeover at a time. This experience is so much more than just new clothes to the British born fashion advisor however, it’s about real-life issues, changes and acceptance on all sides.

The epitome of style and class, Tan is the creative mind behind successful brands including the popular ladies clothing lines Kingdom & State and Rachel Parcell, Inc. Prior to his personal success as a designer, he spent his summers working in his grandfather’s denim factory while he secretly enrolled in fashion college in preparation to start a new chapter as a fabulous design star.