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Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way
Outrageous, captivating, and unafraid to tell it like it is, Nene Leakes shares her wild journey from a scandalous past to the pinnacle of reality television stardom. Lauded by her fans for her refreshing honesty, infectiously genuine style, and clever sense of humor, Nene is an empowered, self-made woman who has not forgotten where she came from and knows exactly where she wants to go. In this straight-talking and provocative memoir Nene charts her journey from family black sheep to single mother to making good and realizing her dreams. With her charm and bold, self-possessed voice, Nene tackles her painful childhood; the abuse she suffered at the hands of a violent boyfriend; her struggle to support her firstborn son; and her path to true love, self-acceptance, and pride. In Never Make the Same Mistake Twice, Nene dishes on her cast mates; takes on the rumors about her past; and shares hard-earned and inspiring life lessons in her fierce, no-nonsense, and irreverent style.
256 pages, ebook
First published July 27, 2009
13 people are currently reading
523 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 15, 2010
I try to be partial and fair with a book; I like it or I don't. This book left me in between; When I first sat down to read it a few months back, I wasn't feeling the sister no way no how. But as I got a copy again(Citi Trends is a great resource for books at REAL LOW prices Hint)I really had to revise my opinion; For one, we ALL want our shot at the big time. For her, this is it; how long depends on how things go with the series or how she keeps up in the spotlight; But sitting down reading this lady's story read sort of like a cross between look at me, or feel for me. I read of how she was taught to believe one man was her father and come to find out that it's another man. The one woman who could make this right has been dead for over twenty years now and there is no telling on this one; On that I really feel for her. I feel that God knew that and gave her the type of husband she has now to help her deal with that. She is really blessed in that department because she could have gotten with someone who don't have time for her or to deal with things and that could have went funky. I'm not mad because she stripped for a living. She had a child. I also understand her need to be known; Everyone wants to put a mark in this world one way or the other. Interesting read. She also tells it like it is with two of her costars. so get it.
September 9, 2009
This is a very good book! I personally enjoyed it, because "NeNe", the author, is my cousin and I have learned so many things about her i would've never imagined. In her book she is REAL and straight to the point about things that were going on throughout her life. This book can get very touching at times when she tells about some of the tragic relationships of her past, which really makes you think about decision you should make in life. If I had to rate this book on a scale from one to ten, I would rate it between an eight and a nine because it was "Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way." -NeNe Leakes.
June 2, 2010
I enjoyed Nene Leakes on the first season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta - her behavior on the second season was less pleasant. I thought she became an actress rather than an authentic person that "tells it like it is". I still like her, she just turned up the volume to a border-line obnoxious.
As for the book, it read extremely fast and was written with Nene's vernacular. I think the writing style could have been elevated to a higher level. I get she is "real", but if you are going to pay for a ghost author, they should help you write to a higher level.
I did enjoy her dishing and sassing on the other "bitches" on the show and how stuff went down. I'm tragically addicted to the entire Housewives franchise, eating up everything. I even downloaded Kim's single (and the remix). However, I draw the line at the LuAnn's new single. Nene's book was a guilty pleasure, but like the show, I won't look forward to reruns.
As for the book, it read extremely fast and was written with Nene's vernacular. I think the writing style could have been elevated to a higher level. I get she is "real", but if you are going to pay for a ghost author, they should help you write to a higher level.
I did enjoy her dishing and sassing on the other "bitches" on the show and how stuff went down. I'm tragically addicted to the entire Housewives franchise, eating up everything. I even downloaded Kim's single (and the remix). However, I draw the line at the LuAnn's new single. Nene's book was a guilty pleasure, but like the show, I won't look forward to reruns.
September 22, 2009
Outrageous, captivating, and unafraid to tell it like it is, Nene Leakes shares her wild journey from a scandalous past to the pinnacle of reality television stardom. Lauded by her fans for her refreshing honesty, infectiously genuine style, and clever sense of humor, Nene is an empowered, self-made woman who has not forgotten where she came from and knows exactly where she wants to go.
In this straight-talking and provocative memoir Nene charts her journey from family black sheep to single mother to making good and realizing her dreams. With her charm and bold, self-possessed voice, Nene tackles her painful childhood; the abuse she suffered at the hands of a violent boyfriend; her struggle to support her firstborn son; and her path to true love, self-acceptance, and pride.
In Never Make the Same Mistake Twice, Nene dishes on her cast mates; takes on the rumors about her past; and shares hard-earned and inspiring life lessons in her fierce, no-nonsense, and irreverent style.
****Rate 4/5 Love this book. My guilty pleasure is the Real Housewives and my favorite character on the Atlanta show is Nene. In this book she talks and thinks just like she does on the show.
In this straight-talking and provocative memoir Nene charts her journey from family black sheep to single mother to making good and realizing her dreams. With her charm and bold, self-possessed voice, Nene tackles her painful childhood; the abuse she suffered at the hands of a violent boyfriend; her struggle to support her firstborn son; and her path to true love, self-acceptance, and pride.
In Never Make the Same Mistake Twice, Nene dishes on her cast mates; takes on the rumors about her past; and shares hard-earned and inspiring life lessons in her fierce, no-nonsense, and irreverent style.
****Rate 4/5 Love this book. My guilty pleasure is the Real Housewives and my favorite character on the Atlanta show is Nene. In this book she talks and thinks just like she does on the show.
June 26, 2011
This autobiography was like reading a conversation with a girlfriend. It was easy and funny and you could hear her voice saying all the words.
Though it's a few years old, and I know that her life has changed since she wrote this, it was still a neat look into a life that rose out of many struggles.
This book read quickly, and though there were no earth shattering pieces of advice, I hope that she does write the follow up.
Though it's a few years old, and I know that her life has changed since she wrote this, it was still a neat look into a life that rose out of many struggles.
This book read quickly, and though there were no earth shattering pieces of advice, I hope that she does write the follow up.
September 3, 2009
Very entertaining and quick read! NeNe is super confident and I love that she tells it like it is (even when she is out of line).
Merged review:
A serious but fun read. We can all learn alot from Nene!
Merged review:
A serious but fun read. We can all learn alot from Nene!
February 10, 2011
Not a bad book at all! At times, it was a heart-to-heart and then she'd release the hounds!
Overall, the stories explain her attitude and what she's learned from life. I wouldn't be surprised if this is NOT her last book.
Overall, the stories explain her attitude and what she's learned from life. I wouldn't be surprised if this is NOT her last book.
July 3, 2011
I just had to read this book because Nene is such a character. I kind of knew everything about her life anyway so I just have to give it two stars. She is my favorite Atlanta housewife because she makes it entertaining.
February 12, 2012
I went into reading this book thinking about all of the fluff and self bravado that would fill it - but there was so much more to it. Nene didn't disappoint in the 'keeping it real' arena and was so open about her past and life. Quick read and really kept my attention...
October 4, 2012
This book solidified the fact that Nene stands for everything I abhor. From the languauge affectation to the "I Gets Mine" attitude. There is nothing redeeming in her story. I would be embarrassed to tell it.
August 27, 2009
I feel a little guilty for reading this, but I love the Real Housewives of Atlanta. I was glad the book told a little about what goes on behind the scenes.
January 15, 2010
I liked this book but I did find she was very repetitive in some of her writing. For a first book I thought it was well written. Nene has been my favorite housewife since the show came on the air.
March 30, 2010
I'm a TOTAL fan of Real Housewives, and NeNe actually pulled through to bring out her same ghetto humor in her book in suprisingly good writing.
October 8, 2011
It was a okay read...
September 8, 2012
Good book. Helps me to look at her in a different light.
October 7, 2012
Mildly entertaining, but mostly a watered-down version of what is already known from watching her show.
August 8, 2013
It was alright... nothing to stocking. It was a fast read. Would have liked to learn a lot more about her.
August 17, 2014
This might be the worst book I've ever read, not that I had high expectations. The ghostwriter tries to capture Nene's voice (which is usually hilarious) and fails miserably.
August 24, 2014
I live me some nene!
December 14, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! It was written as if Nene was actually talking to you. I've learnt so much about her in these 229 pages. I love Nene even more ❤️
March 26, 2016
It reads as if she is talking to you and that makes her story a little more real. Good Book
June 15, 2023
Terrible writing. The attitude is more fun on tv then in type.
April 30, 2025
the mark of a good memoir is if your brain automatically reads it in their voice
obSESSED with nene dedicating a chapter each to drag kim and sharee
8/10
nene u will never not be iconic
obSESSED with nene dedicating a chapter each to drag kim and sharee
8/10
nene u will never not be iconic
June 25, 2014
Nene Leakes is without a doubt one of the more boisterous characters on Bravo TV’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” and even in print she comes across larger than life. “Never Make the Same Mistake Twice” Nene’s memoir, is brutally honest and really comes across in the same voice the Nene we see on TV.
A fan of all of Bravo’s “Housewives” series, I was excited to get to know Nene more as a real person. I think she’s a dynamic character and she certainly doesn’t hold back. This book definitely reveals there is more to her than just the wealthy outspoken Atlanta housewife shown on TV.
From Nene’s childhood when her single mother had her and her older brother out of wedlock, then promptly handed them over to her married, childless sister to raise, to not being sure if her current relationship with her husband will work out or not, Leakes shows she has nothing to hide.
Nene believes she got a better childhood being raised by her aunt than her mother could offer, yet she laments there was no love in her aunt’s household. While she had every material thing she could need, she always wanted more. She also craved the guidance and love a real mother would offer. She really is bitter about the second family her mother started when she married and had more children, yet never offered to take Nene and her brother back in and raise them.
Nene’s first real relationship produced her first son, Bryson. Nene’s then-boyfriend got her pregnant the first time they ever were together, then right before Nene gave birth, she found out he had another girl pregnant too. That girl dropped her baby off on the father’s doorstep and never looked back. So, Nene raised her baby and the other girl’s baby with the father of the two and his mother. However, nothing Nene did was good enough and often resulted in beatings that he would dole out right in front of his mother.
After many years Nene got smart and ran away to live with a girlfriend of hers, taking Bryson with her. However, she found it difficult to have enough money to send Bryson to private school and keep them both in the lifestyle she believed they deserved.
Along came a lucrative job at a strip club. Nene goes into tawdry detail about her many years working as a stripper. Much more detail and more pages than she really needed to. Sounded like defensive writing at times.
And then she met her current husband, Gregg, who offered her a lifestyle where she wouldn’t have to strip for her money and she could be queen of his palace. Reluctantly she accepted his offer, and they eventually had a son together, Brentt,
Which leads us to present day, Nene as the star of Bravo TV. She claims she always knew she would be a star, yet seems to overstate her stardom just a tad. An entertaining read, yet the wisdom she offers at the end about which pitfalls in life to avoid seems redundant and unnecessary.
A fan of all of Bravo’s “Housewives” series, I was excited to get to know Nene more as a real person. I think she’s a dynamic character and she certainly doesn’t hold back. This book definitely reveals there is more to her than just the wealthy outspoken Atlanta housewife shown on TV.
From Nene’s childhood when her single mother had her and her older brother out of wedlock, then promptly handed them over to her married, childless sister to raise, to not being sure if her current relationship with her husband will work out or not, Leakes shows she has nothing to hide.
Nene believes she got a better childhood being raised by her aunt than her mother could offer, yet she laments there was no love in her aunt’s household. While she had every material thing she could need, she always wanted more. She also craved the guidance and love a real mother would offer. She really is bitter about the second family her mother started when she married and had more children, yet never offered to take Nene and her brother back in and raise them.
Nene’s first real relationship produced her first son, Bryson. Nene’s then-boyfriend got her pregnant the first time they ever were together, then right before Nene gave birth, she found out he had another girl pregnant too. That girl dropped her baby off on the father’s doorstep and never looked back. So, Nene raised her baby and the other girl’s baby with the father of the two and his mother. However, nothing Nene did was good enough and often resulted in beatings that he would dole out right in front of his mother.
After many years Nene got smart and ran away to live with a girlfriend of hers, taking Bryson with her. However, she found it difficult to have enough money to send Bryson to private school and keep them both in the lifestyle she believed they deserved.
Along came a lucrative job at a strip club. Nene goes into tawdry detail about her many years working as a stripper. Much more detail and more pages than she really needed to. Sounded like defensive writing at times.
And then she met her current husband, Gregg, who offered her a lifestyle where she wouldn’t have to strip for her money and she could be queen of his palace. Reluctantly she accepted his offer, and they eventually had a son together, Brentt,
Which leads us to present day, Nene as the star of Bravo TV. She claims she always knew she would be a star, yet seems to overstate her stardom just a tad. An entertaining read, yet the wisdom she offers at the end about which pitfalls in life to avoid seems redundant and unnecessary.
Want to read
August 31, 2009Seriously! I kind of really want to read this and almost bought it but it was only in hard cover and I couldn't justify that!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews