4.78

5

Dec 26, 2017

Hope

I found Tiffany on FB one night when I couldn't sleep. One of her videos just popped up and I was like who is this chick? Now I am a follower of her site.
My 23 year old daughter is a heroin addict. This book gives me hope that someday she will be clean and sober. With all the death surrounding her lifestyle, words from someone that has chosen sobriety despite the odds gives me HOPE.

3

Jul 02, 2019

High school cheerleader goes to prison after manipulating everyone in her life and stealing from people and we are supposed to be rooting for her. The tone of this book is so "white valley girl" and the way she describes some of the black and brown girls in prison made me want to beat her up too. She seems to think that only those kinds of women end up in prison. She uses her whiteness and charm to get drugs and get out of getting caught and getting people do things for her. I think drug High school cheerleader goes to prison after manipulating everyone in her life and stealing from people and we are supposed to be rooting for her. The tone of this book is so "white valley girl" and the way she describes some of the black and brown girls in prison made me want to beat her up too. She seems to think that only those kinds of women end up in prison. She uses her whiteness and charm to get drugs and get out of getting caught and getting people do things for her. I think drug addiction is real and I don't at all judge her for what she did. I was annoyed by the way she described her trials with no mention of her privilege and the way she used and manipulated a whole bunch of people. She talks like a fun girlfriend telling a cool story, which I think makes the book readable, but I don't think it's the right tone for the subject matter ...more

4

Jul 24, 2019

This book, a real life account of an addict and later on prisoner, reminded me quite a bit of the TV show/book Orange Is the New Black.

The book is in parts about the author’s time in prison – that’s where the Orange is the New Black similarity comes to play, and the other part is about her life as an addict.

Both parts of the novel are incredibly raw. An up-close, sometimes too close, portrait of an addict and what such a person would do for the next high.

The manipulation, the recklessness, and This book, a real life account of an addict and later on prisoner, reminded me quite a bit of the TV show/book Orange Is the New Black.

The book is in parts about the author’s time in prison – that’s where the Orange is the New Black similarity comes to play, and the other part is about her life as an addict.

Both parts of the novel are incredibly raw. An up-close, sometimes too close, portrait of an addict and what such a person would do for the next high.

The manipulation, the recklessness, and stone cold attitude astonished me. This book portraits the sad truth about an addicts mind. An addict ONLY cares about their next fix. Family, friends, boyfriends as well as moral and ethics – everything can become a kind of collateral damage.

I was hooked from the very beginning, I’m not going to lie about it. Some parts were hard to swallow and listen to. For example hearing the author describe her actions in such a cold and brutal way was a bit disconcerting to me. And her willingness to destroy her own life as well as everyone else’s was quite shocking.

On the other hand I applaud the author for being this truthful (I hope it doesn’t turn out to be a work of fiction). The brutal honesty, was refreshing and probably the reason why this book is so hard to put down.

The author narrated this book herself, and even though I had some doubts about it in the beginning, overall she did a fantastic job. She has an incredible way of telling a story. The book didn’t sound like a non-fiction at all. And the plotting was very well done.

____________________________________

Check out our favorite audiobooks
____________________________________ ...more

5

Nov 26, 2017

Literaly the best book I have ever read. I could not put this book down. When I did, I still found myself wondering what was going to happen next. I laughed ans cried. Found myself at a juicy part of the book and was trying to speed read to see what happened. I highly recommend this book. It's not very often I come by a book that has me so hooked...it literally was a better version of "Orange is The New Black" Literaly the best book I have ever read. I could not put this book down. When I did, I still found myself wondering what was going to happen next. I laughed ans cried. Found myself at a juicy part of the book and was trying to speed read to see what happened. I highly recommend this book. It's not very often I come by a book that has me so hooked...it literally was a better version of "Orange is The New Black" ???? ...more

1

Jul 30, 2019

First -- I love Tiffany online. She's hilarious and comes across as 100% genuine. Unfortunately, this might have been one of the most disingenuous books I've read.

It's possible to ignore the poor grammar and continuity errors (changing names of characters within the span of a page, for one?). And I really tried to like it, but the more I read the more I couldn't stand it.

It comes across as completely false humility. Her character would acknowledge that she was terrible and the worst, but that First -- I love Tiffany online. She's hilarious and comes across as 100% genuine. Unfortunately, this might have been one of the most disingenuous books I've read.

It's possible to ignore the poor grammar and continuity errors (changing names of characters within the span of a page, for one?). And I really tried to like it, but the more I read the more I couldn't stand it.

It comes across as completely false humility. Her character would acknowledge that she was terrible and the worst, but that was juxtaposed with an obvious sense of pride about how "outrageous" her addict story is. It was almost comical how she cartoonishly had other characters "gasp" and "jaw drop" and "eyes bulge" at the WILD OUTRAGEOUSNESS of her story, which was... not worthy of any of that. It was pretty run of the mill to be honest. There is no way that she shocks a therapist who is used to dealing with addicts. PLEASE.

She humble brags about being a master manipulator, without even ONCE acknowledging that she may have (perhaps often) been given the benefit of the doubt in the face of extremely obvious clues, because she was young and white and pretty. Even at points that seem like rock bottom, where she "doesn't want to live", felt more like a tantrum and not wanting to suffer the consequences of what happened. There is no meaningful relationship with any of her "best friends" in the book. She uses them to advance her plot just as she used people in real life to progress the Tiffany Show.

I think that the last conversation with the "bad" therapist was most enlightening. (view spoiler)[ Suddenly the doctor closes up and accusing her of spinning this fantasy and not being truthful. Tiffany rages about that and how unfair it is, and I realized that I was beginning to be like this therapist. And she knew it. So she was cutting her readers off at the pass, putting it out there to US that "if you think I'm making stuff up or exaggerating, even if it TOTALLY seems like I am, you are terrible just like this doctor who conveniently is also doing illegal things." Manipulating us into feeling shame about questioning her. But come on...she is conveniently a bunk mate with the pregnant girlfriend of the guy she sold guns to who got caught? She was conveniently on a ridealong when the guy who taught her to shoot up died? It's all trite and made for TV, just like her "turning point" moment with the convenient old man spewing the most generic shit I've ever read about "Don't let your life slip away". (hide spoiler)]

It feels like this whole thing is a manipulation of the readers. Some of it happened, I'm sure. But it feels fake, poorly edited, and just another version of the Tiffany Show that got her in the mess in the first place. ...more

5

Nov 24, 2017

I couldn't put it down!

I saw this book was released today so I purchased it as I follow the author on Facebook and I love watching her videos and only knew a little about her life story but I was always intrigued. I'm not a reader and if I do get a book it better be good because I need to be hooked immediately. I purchased the book this morning and just finished it. So soo good! I couldn't put it down! I had moments of shock and moments where I wanted to cry. I wanted to reach into the book and I couldn't put it down!

I saw this book was released today so I purchased it as I follow the author on Facebook and I love watching her videos and only knew a little about her life story but I was always intrigued. I'm not a reader and if I do get a book it better be good because I need to be hooked immediately. I purchased the book this morning and just finished it. So soo good! I couldn't put it down! I had moments of shock and moments where I wanted to cry. I wanted to reach into the book and hug her. She is truly inspiring. I am so happy her story has a happy ending. I started watched her videos because she always made me laugh and I related to her mommy moments! I am so happy I purchased the book. Thank you for writing it. ...more

1

May 20, 2019

This was possibly the most self-serving memoir I've read. Jenkins literally describes a therapist as telling her she "has a way of talking that makes [her] feel like [she's] in the room next to [Jenkins]". She acts like she's this master manipulator, that EVEN her police officer boyfriend didn't know she was getting high. Ignoring, apparently, the fact that most addicts believe they have everyone fooled, and most families ignore the warning signs.

If you're looking for a memoir of addiction, you This was possibly the most self-serving memoir I've read. Jenkins literally describes a therapist as telling her she "has a way of talking that makes [her] feel like [she's] in the room next to [Jenkins]". She acts like she's this master manipulator, that EVEN her police officer boyfriend didn't know she was getting high. Ignoring, apparently, the fact that most addicts believe they have everyone fooled, and most families ignore the warning signs.

If you're looking for a memoir of addiction, you can do much, much better. ...more

2

Mar 08, 2019

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 1) what sex was the dog?
2) this book was irritating to read bc of the improper grammar (not her slang, the proper way to write a paragraph with dialogue)
3) how can you be an addict and misspell the spelling of the pills?
4) hear the vein pop.
5) you can’t get Hep B from using IV. You catch it by SHARING NEEDLES. I have a hard time believing the SWAT cop said that.
6) I’ve had fucked up therapists but this story is pretty tame, and she was accused of lying. It’s weird, bc I think she’s lying 1) what sex was the dog?
2) this book was irritating to read bc of the improper grammar (not her slang, the proper way to write a paragraph with dialogue)
3) how can you be an addict and misspell the spelling of the pills?
4) hear the vein pop.
5) you can’t get Hep B from using IV. You catch it by SHARING NEEDLES. I have a hard time believing the SWAT cop said that.
6) I’ve had fucked up therapists but this story is pretty tame, and she was accused of lying. It’s weird, bc I think she’s lying about that ????

I have 8.5 years clean. I’m also a RN. I also was administering Chemo before I got clean. In my few years of nursing of starting IVs, I’ve never “heard” a vein pop. You can feel it. But I’ve never heard, in the 20 years of studying addiction/nursing ever heard someone say they heard a vein pop when you hit it with a rig. Then again, I wasn’t an IV user.

The only thing that separates her, which she admits, is she dated a cop.

She has an enormous Ego. She still sees the world as it owes her something. I’m a “white” cheerleader ???? There is something so irritating about her, how she thinks she’s funny when she’s not. I know she would be a person I would avoid at a meeting.

She went through a few tough things during moments like all addicts do, but she never really hit a rock-bottom in terms that she REALIZES what she did was wrong.

I thought once I got thru her drama that she would have something inspiring to say. It’s a LONG book. That never happens. (According to the Bio, she’s known on social media.) That is why I’m scoring this so low. Her personality wants to give one star, but you have to give a person credit for making it 5 years clean. If you are expecting something with substance, you won’t find it here unfortunately.

...more

3

Aug 08, 2018

Came to this book after reading more about the author after spending most of one afternoon laughing out loud at her videos on Facebook ("Juggling the Jenkins"). She could be me/you/our sisters/friends.....dealing with anxiety and cramps and life in general. To find out that she is a recovering drug addict who uses her voice on social media and in real life to support people coping with addiction/incarceration of any sort was surprising. Not the supporting part; I mean, you totally get the Came to this book after reading more about the author after spending most of one afternoon laughing out loud at her videos on Facebook ("Juggling the Jenkins"). She could be me/you/our sisters/friends.....dealing with anxiety and cramps and life in general. To find out that she is a recovering drug addict who uses her voice on social media and in real life to support people coping with addiction/incarceration of any sort was surprising. Not the supporting part; I mean, you totally get the feeling she would be a great shoulder to cry on, someone who would eat popcorn and M&M's with you until you both wanted to puke, then she'd get you to wash your face and soldier on. Nope, it's the felon/recovering addict part that makes you go, YOU? With your nuclear family and nice house and obvious intelligence and wit? Well, yes, of course her. Addiction doesn't play favorites, how many times must one learn that particular lesson? As to this book -- it was easy to read and told part of her story. But I found myself wishing she'd dealt with her teenage years and how/when/why she started using, to give full context. Probably quite selfish of me. ...more

1

Apr 07, 2019

Quit after 80 pages. Poorly written and lacked depth. Baffled by the number of positive reviews.

5

July 26, 2019

I am ashamed to admit that I was one who thought that addicts chose to do drugs, that if they OD'd oh well. They did it to themselves. After reading Tiffany's book, I now get it. They may have chose to start doing drugs but then the drugs take over and they have no choice but to continue. I cried many times reading this book because I finally understood. I am so proud of her for overcoming her demons and speaking out to help others do the same. Her FB posts are so funny and informative. Tiffany, you rock!

0

Oct 09, 2019

I won this via goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.
----

Started good but then lost steam for me *shrugs*

Seems I'm in the minority here. Not a horrible book, just a miss for me.

1

Aug 25, 2018

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A lot of self-aggrandizing without a comparable amount of self-reflection. Even when Jenkins is ostensibly self-critical (which is limited to just calling herself some version of “worthless junkie”), her flaws are always overridden by the insidious actions of the myriad bad actors who surround her. The predatory inmates and the authoritarian C.O.’s (both of whose dialogue is rendered in cringeworthy, racialized “ebonics”), the duplicitous deputies, the enabling friends, the sinister dealers, the A lot of self-aggrandizing without a comparable amount of self-reflection. Even when Jenkins is ostensibly self-critical (which is limited to just calling herself some version of “worthless junkie”), her flaws are always overridden by the insidious actions of the myriad bad actors who surround her. The predatory inmates and the authoritarian C.O.’s (both of whose dialogue is rendered in cringeworthy, racialized “ebonics”), the duplicitous deputies, the enabling friends, the sinister dealers, the doofus boyfriend - they’re all complicit, and somehow come across as more at fault than Jenkins herself. Not only is there no exploration of what was underneath her consistently awful behavior (it’s all chalked up to and excused by her disease), Jenkins also doesn’t appreciate, much less recognize, how her socioeconomic and racial privilege (“I was a cheerleader!” aka “I was a white person!”) enabled her to get off virtually scot-free (and achieve internet-fame-level redemption!) for crimes and behavior that would literally destroy poor people of color. ...more

5

Jan 09, 2018

An inside look of the turmoil of addiction. This book helped me better understand what my family and friends battling addiction go through. It helps you understand reasoning and ways of thinking while in the grips of addiction. I do think this will be a hard read for recovering addicts as drug use is talked about quite often, how its used, how it feels.. that type of thing. I'm still in shock this is about the same girl making those relatable, hilarious videos on Facebook. High Achiever is the An inside look of the turmoil of addiction. This book helped me better understand what my family and friends battling addiction go through. It helps you understand reasoning and ways of thinking while in the grips of addiction. I do think this will be a hard read for recovering addicts as drug use is talked about quite often, how its used, how it feels.. that type of thing. I'm still in shock this is about the same girl making those relatable, hilarious videos on Facebook. High Achiever is the proof so many are looking for that you can overcome this. Tiffany Jenkins is hope. ...more

5

July 11, 2019

Absolutly Amazing! I literally could not stop reading this. I read this in 2 sittings. This is probably the most inspiring and true story I have ever read about addiction and recovery. Tiffany is an amazing person and I truly appreciate the time she spends sharing her life with the world. If you are...Full Review

1

Aug 13, 2019

One of the worst books I've read in a while. The way that it is written is not conducive for a reader's experience, it is written for tv producers to find and say "This is going to make a good tv show!" But Orange is the New Black already exists so there is no need for this (we also all hate Piper Chapmen so we don't need another white lady goes to jail to hate). I thought I would get the story of a woman going through detox, instead, it's a tale of white privilege and the author almost seems One of the worst books I've read in a while. The way that it is written is not conducive for a reader's experience, it is written for tv producers to find and say "This is going to make a good tv show!" But Orange is the New Black already exists so there is no need for this (we also all hate Piper Chapmen so we don't need another white lady goes to jail to hate). I thought I would get the story of a woman going through detox, instead, it's a tale of white privilege and the author almost seems pleased with how people are enamored with her story. This true story reads like fiction written by a college freshman taking an intro to writing class.

Save yourself and find something else to read. ...more

5

Nov 25, 2017

Amazing!!

A must read for everyone. It really makes you see things through the eyes of an addict. Nothing is off limits. Open, honest, real, blunt, eye-opening, amazing.

2

Aug 25, 2018

I couldn't finish this book...I was hoping for something that gave a bit more insight into the author's state of mind, and I couldn't help but feel that this was disingenuous, and written "for a reader" rather than as an honest account.

4

Sep 29, 2019

#partner | REVIEW MATH
.
Writing/Craft: 2
.
Intensity of reading experience: 5
.
Importance of topic: 5
.
My feelings about building empathy regarding addiction: 5
.
OVERALL: 4
.
I can’t express strongly enough my desire for non-addicts to take the time to try to understand what drives addiction. I firmly believe our only way out of our current societal crisis is building understanding and empathy so we can HELP. We need to help addicts recover, we need to love their children and we need to build a world #partner | REVIEW MATH
.
Writing/Craft: 2
.
Intensity of reading experience: 5
.
Importance of topic: 5
.
My feelings about building empathy regarding addiction: 5
.
OVERALL: 4
.
I can’t express strongly enough my desire for non-addicts to take the time to try to understand what drives addiction. I firmly believe our only way out of our current societal crisis is building understanding and empathy so we can HELP. We need to help addicts recover, we need to love their children and we need to build a world former addicts can thrive in. Should you read this? Yes. Will you think it’s the best book ever? No. But it’s one piece of the understanding puzzle and that’s enough to make me recommend it.
.
DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy from @randomhouse #prhpartner ...more

1

Jul 04, 2018

I rarely give a negative or bad review but The book was about 250 pages to long. It constantly repeated itself and had no umph to it at all. I forced myself to finish it thinking something HAD to climax somewhere in there..... no luck.

5

Nov 26, 2017

An amazing story and a great read!

Such an amazing inspiring book! Once I started reading I could not put it down, I highly recommend reading this book!

5

April 19, 2019

I am ashamed to admit that I was one who thought that addicts chose to do drugs, that if they OD'd oh well. They did it to themselves. After reading Tiffany's book, I now get it. They may have chose to start doing drugs but then the drugs take over and they have no choice but to continue. I cried ma...Full Review

5

October 1, 2019

Absolutly Amazing! I literally could not stop reading this. I read this in 2 sittings. This is probably the most inspiring and true story I have ever read about addiction and recovery. Tiffany is an amazing person and I truly appreciate the time she spends sharing her life with the world. If you are unsure about this book, let me tell you, you won't regret it. ❤????

5

Jul 20, 2019

This was so good. Amazing journey through addiction to to recovery!

5

Aug 10, 2019

As a sibling of a brother with an addiction - this book really hit home for me at certain points. My brother put us through a lot of the things that Tiffany put Her boyfriend and family through and hearing it from her POV was very interesting. Addiction is such a bitch and it’s incredible to read her journey and how she made it out on the other side.

This book gave me hope for my brother.