After I turned 25, I found myself wanting to know more about how people started their careers. Whether it was acting, writing, owning a business, or making a brand, I wanted to understand the entire process from start to finish. This book satiated that.

My book club picked this book for our monthly read, and I finished it in one fucking day. This is an amazing read. Jennette McCurdy is an extremely talented writer. Her wording is easy to read, and her descriptive imagery is astounding. Her narration for her audiobook was great as well.

This book is fucked. Not in a bad way. I cannot believe how open and honest McCurdy is while describing her start in acting that was stemmed from abuse from her own mother. This book is eye opening to say the least. The accounts of abuse are certainly shocking. I think since she’s a public figure, it is hard to imagine someone like a Nickelodeon star being brought up in such a manner. Her life might be more relatable to you than you think.

I think most people assume actors come from well-off families that were constantly encouraged to act by their parents because that was the actors’ dream. But in Jennette’s case, it was polar opposite. I won’t spoil anything but what if I told you Jennette didn’t want to act? She despised acting. It was an industry her abusive mother forced her into by using guilt. Guilt, in my opinion, is the most common form of abuse spread throughout a variety of people.

This book is a journey of Jennette’s life. From childhood to adult hood and before and after the passing of her mother. You’ll get to see a firsthand account of a fight for one’s self-worth, comfort, and love. Also, the dark humor in this book is insane.

I’d read anything else she decides to write. Get your hands on a copy or check out Spotify for a free audiobook version.