*Takes a deep breath.*

This memoir was a lot of things, and a lot to process. I have seen/read about fifty reviews on this book and went into it with completely mixed feelings. 

Am I glad I read it? Absolutely. 

Is it the best memoir I've ever read? Absolutely not. 

Jennette McCurdy is a classic example of a child-star that had a really, really terrible life. We (as in those of us who are not in the spotlight or famous) tend to have an opinion that anyone who is famous has a really cushy life that is all rainbows and butterflies. I remember growing up, watching iCarly, and wishing that I could have the life that these child actors and actresses have. "They must have everything they want." "I wish I could have their life." 

Let me tell ya..after reading this? Not so much. I'll take my own childhood trauma and religious gaslighting over what she experienced any day. This memoir puts it all into a much different perspective and one that really brought me back to Earth when it comes to celebrities. Outside of whatever personality you're seeing them portray, on screen, behind the music, or even on Twitter/Instagram; they're just the same as all of us. Humans with a past, which is sometimes not good, regardless of how great it appears. 

I truly feel bad for what she experienced and I'm glad that now as an adult she's processing some of that trauma and abuse and working towards creating a better life for herself. But, I will be *slightly* judgmental here for a moment and say that I don't think writing a memoir and pushing it off as "comedy" is necessarily the best way to deal with your trauma..therapy is probably the better way to go. For anyone. 

So, four-stars because I can't ever truly give a memoir a bad rating..I mean..who am I to "star-rate" someone's life; but only four and not five because the whole idea and principle to me is sort of cringy.

But, also..I'm kinda glad her Mom Died, too.