The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp: How to Survive a Fire and a Chaotic Upbringing

by Krystal Evans

When Krystal Evans was 14, the house that she shared with her mother and little sister burned down. Narrowly escaping by breaking a window and jumping out head-first Krystal suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and the unimaginable tragedy of losing her sister. That Evans has written such a warm and disarmingly funny memoir about what led the family to that fatal night, and how they coped with its aftermath, is nothing less than astonishing.

This is a spellbinding story of growing up poor in America, living with a mentally ill mother, and having a wolf for a pet (really). From the indignities of being rejected from a summer camp for burn victims, to putting up with a succession of her mom's increasingly shady friends and partners, Krystal and Katie's childhoods were marked by adult chaos, inappropriate behaviour, and never knowing what the next day would bring.

But, writing with joy, skill and candour, we witness Krystal growing as a person from the ashes of disaster into the confident, funny, and (reasonably) well-hinged adult, mother and comedian that she is today.

At the same time funny, tragic and inspiring, it is the story of a family dangerously close to the edge, and of a girl struggling to make her way into adulthood, once the smoke clears.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extraordinary memoir that is equally tragic and funny. Krystal Evans writes about her turbulent childhood, growing up with a mentally unwell mother and the tragedy of losing her sister in a house fire. She is brutally honest yet her writing is filled with humour and wit.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more enjoyable read than you'd think - if you liked I'm Glad My Mom Died then I'd recommend this

Audiobook is on Spotify atm

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone read this please so that we can talk about how good it is

[Emily Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

Your story is only your story, it's not the full story.

I understand how healing it must feel to write about your struggles. I can only imagine how hard this book must be to read as the mother. I know she is the villain in this story, but I can't help but feel that she is also a victim, in all of this. Is also just a person, trying to do right and survive in a world that is hard to survive in.

Perhaps it's only me that sees it this way. But I know if it were me, reading this book, I'd struggle to get through it.

[Lianne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I’m new to the world of memoirs, but after reading Crying in H Mart by and more recently At I Having Fun Now? by , I saw this and really wanted to read it.

To say Krystal Evan’s has had a lot of trauma in her life is likely an understatement, but if there’s one thing a traumatic childhood can do, it’s make you funnier and honestly the humour that Krystal recounts her stories with really help take the edge off of some really dark and harrowing moments. Don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t take it too far (at least not for me anyway) and you still feel the impact and gravity of the situations she faces, but it’s done in such an effortless way, that it kind of feels like how you’d open up to your best friend on long car drives or hiking up a mountain. This may be niche, but it’s how I like to share my stories with my bestie.

Hottest Girl at Burn Camp takes you through Krystal’s somewhat turbulent childhood, the love and bonding she had with her little sister Katie who she then tragically lost in a house fire and living with that and her mentally ill mother. The brutally honest way that she writes about this, especially the relationship with her mother really made me feel every emotion she put into her writing. A really poignant moment came much later in the book for me as she revisits sites of the life she previously lived with Katie and her mother and I could really feel the raw grief that appeared to carry.

Truly a marvellous read. Extremely thought provoking, and really lets you ask the question, if you never hear or receive a meaningful apology how do you pick yourself up and move on? It seems Krystal’s choice here is to acknowledge that’s likely never coming, so make peace with yourself and live for what you can control.

And a little moment for one of my favourite lines of the book….

“Some people are humorless cunts”

Because yes, yes they are.

Thank you to Octopus Books for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When writer and stand up comic Krystal Evans was just 14, her house burned down. Literally. And the most unimaginable thing happened; her little sister died in the fire. This is Krystal’s story, not just about that horrific event but her life beyond that and her childhood before. Which, let’s just say, was far from average. Moving across states and regularly starting new schools, handling her mentally unstable mother’s repeated bad decisions, living with random temporary houseguests and coping with the aftermath of the fire, both mentally and physically, means that this really is a memoir that will pull at all of your emotions.

The author has somehow managed to write an extraordinary memoir that is filled with unimaginable heartbreak but told in such a way that you’ll find yourself smiling, wincing, crying and laughing.

Written beautifully, told with sincerity and filled with recollections of one of the most chaotic upbringings I’ve ever heard of, The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp is both poignant and powerful. It’s a story of survival, of insanity, of tragedy and of hope. It’s warm, it’s witty and I honestly couldn’t put it down. If you read one memoir this year readers, it needs to be this.

Truly outstanding.

[Chelsea-anne Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written memoir, there is a lot of times where I feel that non-fiction can drag. But this was lovely to read, it felt like having a conversation with the author. Evans is funny and approaches life with a resilient attitude which I admire. We find out about the fire at 14 that she survived all the way to her becoming a stand up comic in Edinburgh. I couldn't put this book down, I know this book has very sensitive topics but Evans has handled these with care and love. I think this is a really strong memoir and I have to comment on the cover which is just sooo gorgeous.

Thanks to Random Things book Tours, the author Krystal Evans and Publisher Octopus Books for my copy of the book. I loved being part of this tour and all opinions are my own.⁠

[Ashlee Schwartz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely leave reviews, but I felt compelled after reading The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp. The author includes real people, yet gets many of the facts completely wrong. It’s frustrating and unfair to see someone’s story misrepresented like this. Beyond that, the book reads as more of a long personal complaint than a meaningful memoir. The writing feels unpolished and self-absorbed, and it never really delivers the insight or empathy you’d expect from a book about recovery and resilience. Overall, I found it disappointing and poorly written.

[Sarah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hottest Girl at Burn Camp is an extraordinary memoir that’s as raw and real as it is uplifting. Krystal Evans turns trauma into triumph, offering a story that’s both heart-wrenching and hilariously honest. A must-read that stays with you long after the final page.

Thanks to Netgalley and Octopus publishing for a review copy.

[Dana Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible memoir about overcoming adversity and not letting the actions of those who rasied you, define who you were destined to become

Thank you Octopus Books for giving me an ARC of this book, my reviews as always are honest and fair.

This isn't a book I would likely have picked up. I'm not a huge non-fiction reader, but THGABC has convinced me to give more love to this genre. The accounts are real and that lingers with you far more than a dozen romantasy novels. The lived experience makes you read on, to find the shimmers and support Krystal as she lives the life she deserves.

Krystal's greatest triumph is her incredible pace, unflinching honesty and writing craft on display in this outstanding book. While I wish there was far more mention of the wolf (I need to know wayyy more!), the accounts of growing up in the states and enduring experiences many children never have to face is raw honesty but never feels over-reaching or over-played. It's perfectly balanced. The growing understanding of a family member's metal illness and how you aren't to blame is a topic which runs through THGABC.

Now more than ever it is so relevant and is perfectly said here: "I couldn't go back and change my past, so I just said sorry to myself and moved on."

Being someone who adores the Ed-Fringe and regularly attends, the final part of the novel has so much nostalgia. The Hive had me squealing, I know those industrial toilets well! The internalised creative plight anyone who has ever performed feels is also incredibly well written and is relatable to anyone who's performed for a handful of people at Fringe. I could have read pages and pages more about the burn camp and would love to see more from that period and place in time.

I think a huge credit to the writing in this book is it's past life as a show. The craft and accounts are well-paced, linger long enough without feeling gratuitous and hit when they are meant to and had me crying HARD at 5pm.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is absolutely shocking what Krystal Evans has survived and not only survived, but survived with her sense of humour intact and ready to share.

This is your warning that there is some very heavy, heart-breaking material in this memoir, including but not limited to child neglect, domestic abuse, mental illness and tragic accidents (not only the fatal fire but more than one car accident). Yet, despite all of the horrific subject matter, this book is just incredibly readable and entertaining.

By turns devastatingly sad, hilariously funny, rawly honest and wryly witty, Krystal takes a lifetime’s worth of trauma and somehow frames it in a way that helps us see the funnier side of life and find the bright spots in the darkness. I can definitely see how this would make for a breathtaking and memorable comedy show!

Both the author and her written self show great strength and resilience alongside that indomitable sense of humour. No matter what is thrown at her, she somehow picks herself up again and again and searches doggedly for the best path through it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves real-life accounts of difficult times, but finds ‘Misery Memoirs’ too bleak and depressing – this one tackles all the rough stuff without getting bogged down by it in the slightest.

And on a personal note, I am so very glad that the author’s career and family dreams are coming true for her now and that her book can end on a happier, hopeful future.

[Becca Scammell · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I couldn't go back and change my past, so I said sorry to myself and moved on."

That's exactly what Krystal did. Building a stable, loving, and supportive family environment for herself and her 2 young sons. Building a flourishing career in stand-up comedy and becoming an author after deciding to document her rough, chaotic, inconsistent, challenging, remarkable, and often heartbreakingly tragic life.

Littered with poverty, violence, grief, mind games, lies, misuse of drugs, drinking, depression, child neglect, and a severely mentally ill mother who would drag Krystal and her sister, Katie across the US woth no real place to call home and the added complications of being alienated from family and support networks. Something that contributed to the tragic night at the age of 14 when Krystal managed to survive a fire at their house, but tragically lost her 6 yr old sister Katie. But despute this, and with the help of her father, his family, and some of her mothers family battling to stay in her life and Krystal's innate sense of survival, courage, strength and humour. She has survived and turned her life into something that others in her position would not have been able to.

The Hottest Girl At Burn Camp is a beautifully written, compelling, perfectly paced, honest, raw, remarkable, relatable, heartbreaking, heartwarming, thought-provoking, humorous, and wholly inspiring story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

If you choose to read a memoir this year. Let this one be it.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krystal Evans is a stand-up comedian so it's comforting to know that it all turns out ok in the end for her as her memoir is completely heart wrenching. I wanted to reach into the book and give young Krystal a big hug as her family suffered such a devastating tragedy.

When I was reading this true story, I really wished it had been fiction as it broke my heart when Krystal lost her little sister Katie in the fire that destroyed their home. It must have been very cathartic for Krystal to write this book and I was in tears at the end as her story really got to me. It will be heartening for Krystal to know that Katie's memory will live on in the hearts of every reader who picks up this book.

It's often difficult to read Krystal's story but she makes it as lighthearted as she possibly can with a sprinkling of humour here and there. It's not a funny story by any means but it is written in such an entertaining way that it is very easy to read.

Heartbreaking and inspirational, The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp is an emotional and powerful true story that will stay with me long after I turned the final page.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Krystal Evans had a rough and inconsistent childhood, moving to different parts of America frequently, a mentally unwell mum and missing a great deal of her schooling. The only positive role models in a home life of negativity and chaos were her Grandma Sharon and Aunt Kelley. Krystal was like a mum to her younger sister Katie who tragically died aged six in a house fire. Dealing with this grief and loss, burns, depression and her mum’s rollercoaster from mania to comatose, Krystal battled on. Despite all of this tragedy I was hooked on this book from the very start because Krystal tells her story with the honesty and humour that she conveys in her stage comedy. What she has experienced is more than most could have coped with but she has and now she has written about it in this very inspirational book. What a remarkable woman and a remarkable story.

[Kate S · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always tricky rating memoirs—this is someone’s real life, their trauma, their truth—but I flew through this in one sitting and felt every word.

Krystal Evans writes with brutal honesty and sharp wit. Her storytelling is powerful without being preachy, raw without being overwhelming, and surprisingly funny in all the right places. The balance between pain, resilience, and humour is what makes this memoir stand out.

Even when the subject matter is heavy, there’s a clear voice of strength and self-awareness that makes it impossible not to connect with her. I kept highlighting lines and nodding along like I was listening to a friend tell me their story.

This is a memoir that will stick with me. It’s messy, real, beautifully written—and so worth the read.

If you’re into raw, heartfelt stories told with bite and bravery, this one’s for you.

[em]

A perfect mix of emotion and comedy, this was a brave and deeply personal book. Evans tells us in excruciating detail about her childhood, her unwell mother and the first that changed her life. I appreciate how blunt she was when talking about things, she holds her mother accountable for her actions and discusses her grief that she still has for her sister. I thought this book was going to be very serious and I was happily surprised with the humour and sarcasm. Evans balances the heavy emotions with jokes really well, I never once felt that her recount was tone deaf or insensitive. This was truly an entertaining read and one I’m glad to have read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #TheHottestGirlAtBurnCamp #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp’ tells a tragic, yet comedic true story of survival after childhood trauma, as told by American stand-up comic Krystal Evans. Krystal was a child of divorce, raised by a mentally ill mother, and survived a house fire in which her younger sister sadly died. That’s a lot for anyone to cope with, and Krystal is a good example of how story telling (and humour) can help to heal from trauma.
Memoirs are always hard to rate and review, as these are people’s real lives. Saying that, this is very well written and quick and easy to read. I didn’t end up laughing as much I hoped I would, though. Overall a memorable and unique memoir that I would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for the Advanced digital copy. ‘The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp’ was published in the UK 19th June 2025.

[Alanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m honestly not even sure how to begin to review this book. As it’s a memoir/biography type book it’s hard to want to “rate” it. This book was so interesting and so well written. I honestly applaud Krystal for wanting to let the world in on what she went through with her mum and what happened to her sister. There were so many ups and downs in this book and it had lots of positives after coming from so many negatives.
A lot of what happened in this book seemed so far fetched and it’s honestly crazy how many people could have stepped in but felt they couldn’t/didnt want to “upset” the mother even though she was in charge of 2 children when she clearly shouldn’t have been responsible for even herself. What aFantastic book.

[Claire Booksnink · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you rate a memoir of this calibre and someone's actual life, this book was so well written but my goodness what a time and a life Krystal went through.

Krystal had a very turbulent life mainly living with her mother and christ she went through so much that most children don't it was wonderful to see her come out on the other side in the way that she did.

Huge thanks to Random Things Tours and Octopus Books for sending me a finished copy.
My final rating for this was...check out my review coming up on Instagram -Booksnink for more thoughts and more information on this memoir. My review day is 2nd July

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

💭 #QOTD What's your favourite memoir?

Title: The Hottest Girl at Burns Camp
Author: Krystal Evans
Pages: 299
Rating: 3/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷

This was a memoir that caught my interest. Most of you know, that I rarely enjoy them.

Krystal's light hearted outlook in life is too be recommended. I can't even imagine what she's gone through. Enjoyed is the wrong word, but I found myself wanting to see how she worked through her past trauma and issues with her mother's relationship and it was nice to read what happened after.

I definitely want to watch the comedy show now that this is also about, as I'm curious to see how she put it together.

Krystal is a positive and inspiring storyteller. She offers hope, with humour and empathy.

You'll love this book if you like;
- trauma memoir
- upbringing
- books like a child called it or running with scissors
- books under 300 pages
- humour/ laughing through trauma

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while to settle in with this book knowing nothing about the author but knowing that the subject matter was going to be difficult. Krystal Evans handled her story beautifully, with honesty and fury and of course, humour. Given her childhood education, it's a miracle she was articulate enough to get this story down. I found myself weeping in places too. Overall, this is a memoir worth reading if you're in the mood for childhood trauma, bad mothering, overcoming adversity and what it's like to move to Scotland to take up comedy.

[Char Mullarkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been so excited to post this review because I just loved this book. It had me feeling anger, sadness, and at other times had me laughing!

It is a beautifully written memoir, that tackles some really harrowing moments but the comedic elements make it an enjoyable read. I’d highly recommend this one!

Thank you so much to @randomthingstours @krystalevanscomedy @octopus_books_ for my gifted copy. 🩷

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe the hype.

First off, the title. Absolutely inspired.

Although what Krystal went through is some of the most traumatic shit anyone would have to deal with, the book didn’t feel dark or mawkish. Her story is told with real humour, honesty and lightness that made it so compulsively readable I forgot to feed the dog. Twice.

Yes, you might cry several times. But you’ll be better for it. And, like me, you might find much more to relate to in the pages that you’d imagine.

Thank you to Octopus publishing for the E- Arc.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️ Blurb -
When Krystal Evans was 14, the house that she shared with her mother and little sister burned down. Narrowly escaping by breaking a window and jumping out head-first Krystal suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and the unimaginable tragedy of losing her sister. That Evans has written such a warm and disarmingly funny memoir about what led the family to that fatal night, and how they coped with its aftermath, is nothing less than astonishing.
This is a spellbinding story of growing up poor in America, living with a mentally ill mother, and having a wolf for a pet (really). From the indignities of being rejected from a summer camp for burn victims, to putting up with a succession of her mom's increasingly shady friends and partners, Krystal and Katie's childhoods were marked by adult chaos, inappropriate behaviour, and never knowing what the next day would bring.
But, writing with joy, skill and candour, we witness Krystal growing as a person from the ashes of disaster into the confident, funny, and (reasonably) well-hinged adult, mother and comedian that she is today.
At the same time, funny, tragic and inspiring, it is the story of a family dangerously close to the edge, and of a girl struggling to make her way into adulthood, once the smoke clears.
🩷 Review -
This book was so good. I don't always read memoirs but I'm so glad that I gave this book a chance. I found it both funny and heartbreaking and it was beautifully written. Also the pacing was just right. Even though there were some sensitive subjects, they were handled with care. This book was such a joy to read, that I can't recommend it enough. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the author and publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bella Fitzpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew, this author has been through a lot and it’s very brave of her to speak about it on stage and now via this book. I always appreciate that type of honesty. For me the book lacked a level of self awareness in order to be insightful, and it wasn’t funny enough to be enjoyable to read. The writing is fine. The story is heartbreaking and compelling. But overall it was just ok as a book.

[maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny and attacked all of it head on, which honestly it couldn't have skirted around them. slight pacing issue with each chapter seeming to come to an abrupt halt before moving on to something different, making it a kinda staccato consumption experience. insane content, ane genuinely devastating at time.

[Hannah Louise Catherall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly great memoir, equal parts funny and tragic. I hadn’t personally watched much of Krystal online previously but I’ll definitely be going back and seeing her routines. Krystal is brutally honest throughout this book but still gives the writing a great sense of humour so you feel light whilst reading the heavy topics.

[Tracey Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The hottest girl at burn camp is an incredible and detailed memoir full of raw honest emotion with the added humour thrown in.

The author has written in great detail about her tragic childhood, struggling with her upbringing with her mother suffering with her mental health and also losing her sister in a fire.

This was an incredible read that will have you going through every emotion as you read. while this is mostly a story about tragic events, there is a powerful message of hope that comes across within the storyline.

An outstanding and enjoyable read that I would highly recommend.

[CeeceeBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book of the year. Raw, funny, heartbreaking and so many perfect descriptions of growing up in chaos and trying to navigate life with ‘normal people’. I can’t put into words how much I loved this book.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was incredible, I have never read something that I related too as much as this story. I loved the honestly, the rawness of the events, but still the love and compassion that poured out of Krystal. Loved it, would recommend to anyone!!! I think my best read of 2025!