I Won't Break is the brutally honest memoir of Derrick Solano, an alternative rock artist who survived a childhood of abandonment, abuse, and identity erasure. Born into chaos and given up at the age of two, Derrick was cast into the foster care system, where he endured years of mistreatment before being adopted by a Mormon family that continued the cycle of abuse, stripping him of his name, culture, and sense of self. The trauma didn't end there-his adopted parents manipulated him into signing away custody of his own son, Caleb, repeating the heartbreak Derrick experienced as a child.
This memoir takes readers through Derrick's descent into alcohol addiction, his struggles with mental health-including a diagnosis of borderline autism, manic depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD-and his fight to reclaim his life. At his lowest, Derrick almost gave in to self-destruction, but with the love of his husband, Anthony, and the rediscovery of music, he found a way to rise.
I Won't Break isn't just a recounting of pain; it's a story of survival. Derrick's music, also titled I Won't Break, serves as the soundtrack to his battle against the forces that tried to destroy him. From losing his son to reclaiming his power through art, Derrick's journey is one of defiance, resilience, and healing.
Written with unfiltered emotion, the book delves into the darkest moments of Derrick's life while offering a powerful message of hope for anyone who has ever felt broken. It's a testament to the strength it takes to survive, the courage to face your past, and the determination to build a future on your own terms. I Won't Break is a declaration that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can always rise again.
