Book Review: Even Strong Girls Cry

Reviewed by Jaylynn Korrell

An inspiring & lively memoir about a woman who took back the reins of her life to find her own kind of freedom

While some of us were unknowingly enjoying our last few days of freedom in early March of 2020, others were getting the worst news of their lives. 

With a young daughter to take care of and a newfound freedom she was ready to explore, Jennifer Belcastro was hit with an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. When COVID hit, all hell broke lose, but, unlike some, Jennifer used it as an opportunity to fight for her life with force. 

Even Strong Girls Cry is an emotionaljourney through a cancer diagnosis, the early days of COVID in America, and even the politics that altered how she’d live her life moving forward. I won’t give away all the juicy details explaining the sensational subtitle—How My Solo War Against Cancer, Covid, and Political Corruption Actually Saved My Life—but I will say you’re in for a doozy with this book.

The titular “Strong Girl” is exactly how I’d describe Belcastro in this memoir, for a variety of reasons. As a woman in her mid-forties, she has lived an impressively active life, even after her cancer diagnosis. It is in the early days of that diagnosis that she completes her certification to become an official personal trainer, contributing her newfound love of working out to getting in the best shape of her life. 

But it’s her mental strength that will impress readers the most. Belcastro takes on the role of health advocate when faced with doctors and political interferences that attempt to block her from getting the surgery that will likely save her life. I most admired Belcastro’s determination to keep pushing on to find a solution for her situation when so many “important” people were slamming the door in her face. When the easier choice would be to let these people assert their control over her life, she took a stand. She has herself to thank for that outcome. Women everywhere will gain inspiration from this personal journey. 

In addition to the compelling story outlined in the subtitle, this book includes some background scenes from the past that ended up being some of my favorite scenes of the memoir. Fresh out of college, Jennifer makes some downright impulsive life choices that add color to her life and provide examples of how the universe really can work in your favor. Having all of these puzzle pieces to fill in the gaps of what made the woman we’re reading about today helps to better paint the picture of Belcastro. There’s always a clear image of the woman we see in the present thanks to these illuminating, interesting backstories. 

I loved how willing Jennifer was to change her environment with little to no plan on what will happen next. In one scene, she shows up to San Francisco with no job and no housing arrangement, and yet she still manages to pull it all together. In another, she agrees to go to college in a town she’s never been to only to find out that it neighbors a few potent slaughterhouses. She leads a colorful life and finds herself in some eye-opening situations, some that will make you giggle and some that will make you gasp.

The political components of this book, much like the time period that it takes place in, could cause some division amongst readers. Politics plays a part in this book for a reason though, and understanding the need for other people’s opinions is part of that point. 

Even Strong Girls Cry is an eye-opening & insightful memoir that will make readers second guess the things they’re willing to accept. The universe works, but Belcastro might work a bit harder. And she’s got a story to tell. 

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