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Cake Eater
For fans of raw celebrity memoirs, Bravo Summer House star Carl Radke gives readers a look into his unfiltered journey of recovery, resilience and transformation.
Sober Carl Isn’t Fun—Or Is He?
Carl Radke’s path from reality TV’s party-loving star to a life centered around recovery has been anything but straightforward. Famous for his role on Summer House, Carl’s journey in the spotlight has forced him to confront personal battles under public scrutiny. Beyond the cameras, he’s faced struggles with addiction, the weight of toxic masculinity, the heartbreaking loss of his brother, and a quest to find real joy in a world that equates fun with alcohol.
In this candid memoir, Carl opens up about a side of his life few have seen. With unfiltered honesty, he takes readers through the highs and lows, from career shifts and family dynamics to finding peace in his recovery. Each chapter dives into the hard-earned lessons he’s gathered, proving that life can be fulfilling—even without a drink. His story shows that fun and authenticity aren’t only compatible with sobriety; they can thrive because of it.
Whether processing grief, navigating sober relationships, or confronting the public’s perceptions, Carl’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and self-discovery. Through vulnerability and humor, Carl redefines “fun,” reminding readers that the most meaningful transformations come from within. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking the courage to redefine their own path.
“In Cake Eater, Carl Radke invites us into a deeply personal journey through loss, growth, and finding hope again. It’s an honest, heartfelt reminder that healing takes time and self-compassion, but it’s within reach.”
-Lori Gottlieb, Bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk To Someone and New York Times "Ask The Therapist" columnist
Sober Carl Isn’t Fun—Or Is He?
Carl Radke’s path from reality TV’s party-loving star to a life centered around recovery has been anything but straightforward. Famous for his role on Summer House, Carl’s journey in the spotlight has forced him to confront personal battles under public scrutiny. Beyond the cameras, he’s faced struggles with addiction, the weight of toxic masculinity, the heartbreaking loss of his brother, and a quest to find real joy in a world that equates fun with alcohol.
In this candid memoir, Carl opens up about a side of his life few have seen. With unfiltered honesty, he takes readers through the highs and lows, from career shifts and family dynamics to finding peace in his recovery. Each chapter dives into the hard-earned lessons he’s gathered, proving that life can be fulfilling—even without a drink. His story shows that fun and authenticity aren’t only compatible with sobriety; they can thrive because of it.
Whether processing grief, navigating sober relationships, or confronting the public’s perceptions, Carl’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and self-discovery. Through vulnerability and humor, Carl redefines “fun,” reminding readers that the most meaningful transformations come from within. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking the courage to redefine their own path.
“In Cake Eater, Carl Radke invites us into a deeply personal journey through loss, growth, and finding hope again. It’s an honest, heartfelt reminder that healing takes time and self-compassion, but it’s within reach.”
-Lori Gottlieb, Bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk To Someone and New York Times "Ask The Therapist" columnist
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2025
242 people are currently reading
1086 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
the only thing that comes close to rivaling my love of reading is, unfortunately, my love of bravo's summer house
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(review to come)
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(review to come)
November 8, 2025
As a Summer House fan, I was excited to read this one! Carl has always been open about his addiction, and Cake Eater gives an intimate look into his sobriety journey. The writing is pretty simple, and it feels more like he’s telling his story than trying to make it an immersive read.
Overall, it's a quick and heartfelt read for fans who've followed his journey on the show.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for the arc! All opinions are my own.
Overall, it's a quick and heartfelt read for fans who've followed his journey on the show.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for the arc! All opinions are my own.
December 2, 2025
First thing: I fully appreciate how difficult it is to write a memoir, especially a memoir about addiction and eventual sobriety. Props to Radke for even attempting this type of feat.
He really does lay himself bare, so to speak, communicating frankly about his mental health struggles and his family trauma, and how that all led to the bad decisions he made whilst in the throes of addiction. He takes accountability and shows introspection and growth.
Unfortunately, he's just not a good storyteller. And that's fine! He has an interesting enough story to tell, but he doesn't have the skill to deliver it in a way that isn't mind-numbingly repetitive and inarticulate. There's enough material for a full-length memoir, but Radke's inability to wordsmith means that he will often begin a new chapter by rehashing the previous one. If I had a dime for every time the word "stuff" appeared, I'd be able to buy enough LoverBoy to supply a summer of parties.
I don't know if this is entirely true or intentional, but the way it's written, it sounds like Radke's big, rock-bottom, turning-point moment occurred while watching the January 6th insurrection. Which is weird, and kind of funny.
As for the Bravo of it all, I've watched Summer House enough to know what liberties he's taken with the reality we're shown on the show (where we get multiple perspectives, not just his own), so hearing his take on his separation from not just LoverBoy but Lindsay was an interesting spin, to say the least. His hard sell of Soft Bar in the final chapters was just as sweaty as it was on TV.
He really does lay himself bare, so to speak, communicating frankly about his mental health struggles and his family trauma, and how that all led to the bad decisions he made whilst in the throes of addiction. He takes accountability and shows introspection and growth.
Unfortunately, he's just not a good storyteller. And that's fine! He has an interesting enough story to tell, but he doesn't have the skill to deliver it in a way that isn't mind-numbingly repetitive and inarticulate. There's enough material for a full-length memoir, but Radke's inability to wordsmith means that he will often begin a new chapter by rehashing the previous one. If I had a dime for every time the word "stuff" appeared, I'd be able to buy enough LoverBoy to supply a summer of parties.
I don't know if this is entirely true or intentional, but the way it's written, it sounds like Radke's big, rock-bottom, turning-point moment occurred while watching the January 6th insurrection. Which is weird, and kind of funny.
As for the Bravo of it all, I've watched Summer House enough to know what liberties he's taken with the reality we're shown on the show (where we get multiple perspectives, not just his own), so hearing his take on his separation from not just LoverBoy but Lindsay was an interesting spin, to say the least. His hard sell of Soft Bar in the final chapters was just as sweaty as it was on TV.
March 22, 2025
So ready for this book🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️
January 2, 2026
Pleasantly surprised! Carl made no excuses for behavior as some memoirs like this do, he was raw and honest. Also this is a great book to start the new year with especially me trying to do dry (or at least damp!) January!
January 4, 2026
Big fan of Carl and am proud of his recovery. He is not a writer.
January 7, 2026
this is kind of one long college application essay and that makes sense because he got a full ride scholarship based on an essay. he also never even explains the title, which i know from mighty ducks / edina, MN. i wish he dramatized a few more scenes instead of just broad statements like “there were hard days” etc. but i am happy for carl’s journey and he does spill some good tea.
January 8, 2026
My heart belongs to Carl ❤️ (Arvidson, my spouse, but I also love Radke) I am giving this book 5 stars bc it takes courage to share your story and bc I just love him. So proud of him!!! And also Carl and I FaceTimed once so we’re very good friends and I don’t think he would want me to give less than five stars
January 7, 2026
As a fan of Bravo and memoirs, 5 stars! Honest & vulnerable. I’ve loved watching Carl’s personal growth journey on the screen and hearing his story on the pages brought even more vulnerability.
January 7, 2026
I listened to the audiobook which Carl narrated.
I was actually really pleasantly surprised by this book, and it made me soften up towards Carl a lot. As someone with a parent in recovery who has been sober 30+ years, it really touched me hearing Carl talk about lessons that I have heard from my dad my whole life. It seems like he has really worked the program and that makes me happy and hopeful for him.
Hearing about some of the behind the scenes definitely made me look at his behaviors on Summer House in a different light and also made me appreciate his growth over the years, especially since getting sober. My dad has always told me that a big part of getting sober is finding peace with *yourself* first and it’s cool to get to watch Carl gain confidence and fulfillment as he progresses in recovery.
There were also some surprises in this book and I learned a few new things about Carl, including that he was a PA on Criminal Minds?!
My criticism is that the book felt very repetitive at times.
I was actually really pleasantly surprised by this book, and it made me soften up towards Carl a lot. As someone with a parent in recovery who has been sober 30+ years, it really touched me hearing Carl talk about lessons that I have heard from my dad my whole life. It seems like he has really worked the program and that makes me happy and hopeful for him.
Hearing about some of the behind the scenes definitely made me look at his behaviors on Summer House in a different light and also made me appreciate his growth over the years, especially since getting sober. My dad has always told me that a big part of getting sober is finding peace with *yourself* first and it’s cool to get to watch Carl gain confidence and fulfillment as he progresses in recovery.
There were also some surprises in this book and I learned a few new things about Carl, including that he was a PA on Criminal Minds?!
My criticism is that the book felt very repetitive at times.
January 6, 2026
As a recovered alcoholic, I found Carl’s depiction of his addiction/recovery journey extremely guttural, raw and impactful. He expressed his grief and shame in such a heart-wrenchingly beautiful way. It was refreshing to hear a relatively famous straight white male get so vulnerable! Lol
My only two notes are that the last couple of chapters were rather redundant and I don’t believe it was necessary to refer to his recovery program specifically by name. Overall I loved it though and I’ll definitely be adding it to the list of books I recommend to newly sober folks!
My only two notes are that the last couple of chapters were rather redundant and I don’t believe it was necessary to refer to his recovery program specifically by name. Overall I loved it though and I’ll definitely be adding it to the list of books I recommend to newly sober folks!
January 8, 2026
Rating a memoir feels dumb because it’s someone’s actual story and life but I’m giving it 4 stars because I desperately wanted more about Summer House and his relationship ship with Lindsay because both of those things were a HUGE part of his life and recovery. Also SOMEONE needs to really start calling out Lindsay Hubbard for the gross narcissist she is and stick to it. Stop enabling people like her. I understand he wants to take the high road and I’m sure he’s done his fair share of roasting in real life, but still.
January 4, 2026
It’s very obvious Carl has done a lot of therapy and self reflection. This book is very honest and open and I appreciate that. From a literary standpoint, I found a lot of it repetitive he would bring up a topic like the Stephen debacle, and then say “more about that later” instead of just bringing it up later. It also felt like he tried adding a lot of foreshadowing saying how his partying was obviously a sign of something coming etc instead of unfolding the story and later talking about how his past gave all of the indications of addiction. There were also a few too many “you know?”s thrown in.
Overall it was an easy read and very informative. Well done for getting sober.
Overall it was an easy read and very informative. Well done for getting sober.
January 5, 2026
Audiobook: I’ve watched summer house from the beginning and have seen Carl’s full story unfold on tv, but his book shows us behind the scenes. I can’t imagine having all his struggles and being on reality tv while going through it- I really respect him and his journey. I don’t know him, but I’m so proud of all he’s accomplished and how he’s turned his life around.
January 8, 2026
⭐️3.5⭐️ over the years of watching summer house, i haven’t been the biggest carl fan, but listening to his sobriety journey has given me so much more respect for him. looking forward to seeing his journey continue!
January 5, 2026
A very boring book but happy for you Carl ❤️
January 6, 2026
3.5 stars! I’m a fan of summer house & was interesting to hear more about his story.
January 7, 2026
Rather repetitive but we love Carl lol
January 7, 2026
Incredibly repetitive. Severely needs an editor to step in. But love Carl and his story is very moving.
January 8, 2026
I don’t think it was particularly well written but you know what? Good for him. I love Carl, always have, always will. I’m proud of the work he’s done, and this was a very inspirational book. It’s repetitive, meandering, but heartfelt, and that’s what’s most important.
January 5, 2026
3.5 stars. Definitely some toughie toenail moments, but proud of Carl for his journey and honesty. I was reading an ARC and there were some repetitive moments that I hope were maybe edited?
December 31, 2025
Of course I needed to close out 2025 with some summer house content. I’m happy for Carl and think season 10 of summer house will be electric. Also need to go to softbar.
January 5, 2026
I am so happy that Carl told his story and for all that he is doing and has done for the sober community. I devoured this book in a single day. It is perfectly paced and digestible in a way that makes it hard to put down.
As a non-drinker myself, it is always inspiring to hear others journey to the other side of addiction. What I really admired about his story is that he is incredibly intentional in how he frames his own path as well as the steps that helped *him* on his individual journey. Carl makes it clear that there is not one road to saving your life. He never preaches AA or says that it is the only way to sobriety. He even mentions that his bar doesn't just exist for sober people. ALL are welcome.
There are varying degrees to alcohol usage and not everyone needs to be sober. I really liked that he made that point and never once bashes other people for their own paths - including the Summer House. One of the hardest truths about addiction for some is the realization that other people don't struggle in the same way as they do - even if they party the same amount.
Carl also mentioned that Soft Bar doesn't use the term 'mocktails' - he is not living in a space of 'mocking' alcohol or lusting after what it was in his life anymore. He is living intentionally, freely, and in his own truth. It may seem small, but it is little details like this that I found really fascinating. What a beautiful sentiment! Nothing is being mocked - this is simply different.
With each chapter is is so apparent that he has taken accountability for his past and doesn't shy away from any detail. Summer House fans will be happy to hear behind the scenes info and what it is like having your life filmed - especially on the worst day of your life during the Covid pandemic. It is surreal to hear what he was going through during the period of time before he got sober, and his honesty is inspiring. The loss of his brother is something no one should have to endure at such a young age, and it is profoundly moving to hear him speak of what that horrific tragedy taught him about empathy. He shares things he only learned about his brother after he passed, and once again his honesty and vulnerability will no doubt help others who may be going through a similar situation and still have time. The lesson that comes from realizing people only share parts of themselves with us, even family. Life is nuanced and gray and vibrant, and his appreciation for those things today helped my own perspective,
Carl didn't write this book to save face or finally tell his side of the story in a self centered way to make excuses for the past - something a lot of memoirs tend to do. He seems to have told his story to make it easier for others to find their own way towards self discovery and redemption.
He said something that really stood out to me about being sober - 'some days you sprint, some days you crawl, but you are always working towards the same goal one day at a time' It stopped me in my tracks on my hike because it is just SO very true.
Carl's vulnerability and bravery is something not a lot of people are able to do on the worlds biggest stage. I hope he continues to write, to live his truth, and know that he is doing more for sobriety culture than he will ever know.
Well done, Mr. Radke. No one path, just progress
As a non-drinker myself, it is always inspiring to hear others journey to the other side of addiction. What I really admired about his story is that he is incredibly intentional in how he frames his own path as well as the steps that helped *him* on his individual journey. Carl makes it clear that there is not one road to saving your life. He never preaches AA or says that it is the only way to sobriety. He even mentions that his bar doesn't just exist for sober people. ALL are welcome.
There are varying degrees to alcohol usage and not everyone needs to be sober. I really liked that he made that point and never once bashes other people for their own paths - including the Summer House. One of the hardest truths about addiction for some is the realization that other people don't struggle in the same way as they do - even if they party the same amount.
Carl also mentioned that Soft Bar doesn't use the term 'mocktails' - he is not living in a space of 'mocking' alcohol or lusting after what it was in his life anymore. He is living intentionally, freely, and in his own truth. It may seem small, but it is little details like this that I found really fascinating. What a beautiful sentiment! Nothing is being mocked - this is simply different.
With each chapter is is so apparent that he has taken accountability for his past and doesn't shy away from any detail. Summer House fans will be happy to hear behind the scenes info and what it is like having your life filmed - especially on the worst day of your life during the Covid pandemic. It is surreal to hear what he was going through during the period of time before he got sober, and his honesty is inspiring. The loss of his brother is something no one should have to endure at such a young age, and it is profoundly moving to hear him speak of what that horrific tragedy taught him about empathy. He shares things he only learned about his brother after he passed, and once again his honesty and vulnerability will no doubt help others who may be going through a similar situation and still have time. The lesson that comes from realizing people only share parts of themselves with us, even family. Life is nuanced and gray and vibrant, and his appreciation for those things today helped my own perspective,
Carl didn't write this book to save face or finally tell his side of the story in a self centered way to make excuses for the past - something a lot of memoirs tend to do. He seems to have told his story to make it easier for others to find their own way towards self discovery and redemption.
He said something that really stood out to me about being sober - 'some days you sprint, some days you crawl, but you are always working towards the same goal one day at a time' It stopped me in my tracks on my hike because it is just SO very true.
Carl's vulnerability and bravery is something not a lot of people are able to do on the worlds biggest stage. I hope he continues to write, to live his truth, and know that he is doing more for sobriety culture than he will ever know.
Well done, Mr. Radke. No one path, just progress
January 4, 2026
📚Cake Eater
✍🏻Carl Radke
Blurb::
For fans of raw celebrity memoirs, Bravo Summer House star Carl Radke gives listeners a look into his unfiltered journey of recovery, resilience and transformation.
Sober Carl isn’t fun—or is he?
Carl Radke’s path from reality TV’s party-loving star to a life centered around recovery has been anything but straightforward. Famous for his role on Summer House, Carl’s journey in the spotlight has forced him to confront personal battles under public scrutiny. Beyond the cameras, he’s faced struggles with addiction, the weight of toxic masculinity, the heartbreaking loss of his brother and a quest to find real joy in a world that equates fun with alcohol.
In this candid memoir, Carl opens up about a side of his life few have seen. With unfiltered honesty, he takes listeners through the highs and lows, from career shifts and family dynamics to finding peace in his recovery. Each chapter dives into the hard-earned lessons he’s gathered, proving that life can be fulfilling—even without a drink. His story shows that fun and authenticity aren’t only compatible with sobriety; they can thrive because of it.
Whether processing grief, navigating sober relationships or confronting the public’s perceptions, Carl’s journey is one of resilience, growth and self-discovery. Through vulnerability and humor, Carl redefines “fun,” reminding listeners that the most meaningful transformations come from within. This memoir is a must-hear for anyone seeking the
My Thoughts:
It's I fan of Summer House on Bravo so I was so curious about Carl’s life and what he would have to say. Carl’s sobriety is remarkable. To not only get sober but STAY sober on a television show that is literally all about partying (while going through an incredibly public breakup) is incredible and beyond inspirational. I think anyone dealing with addiction, especially young men, will find a lot to love here. d Cake Eater gives an intimate look into his sobriety journey. Living a double life and pretending to be okay when you aren’t Very relatable if you have ever found yourself going down the slippery slope of addiction of any kind and the process to recovery. I am very proud of Carl Radke going through so man struggles and additions On reality Rv show "Summer Summer shows Carl Public live. Heartfealk show and book. I've been a clip of as show with thousands of people. I truly enjoyed read this book.
Thanks NetGalley, Rising Action Publisher and Author Carl Radke for the advanced copy of " Cake Eater" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#RisingActionPublisher
#CakeEater
#CarlRadke
#SummerHouse
#RealityTV
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Carl Radke
Blurb::
For fans of raw celebrity memoirs, Bravo Summer House star Carl Radke gives listeners a look into his unfiltered journey of recovery, resilience and transformation.
Sober Carl isn’t fun—or is he?
Carl Radke’s path from reality TV’s party-loving star to a life centered around recovery has been anything but straightforward. Famous for his role on Summer House, Carl’s journey in the spotlight has forced him to confront personal battles under public scrutiny. Beyond the cameras, he’s faced struggles with addiction, the weight of toxic masculinity, the heartbreaking loss of his brother and a quest to find real joy in a world that equates fun with alcohol.
In this candid memoir, Carl opens up about a side of his life few have seen. With unfiltered honesty, he takes listeners through the highs and lows, from career shifts and family dynamics to finding peace in his recovery. Each chapter dives into the hard-earned lessons he’s gathered, proving that life can be fulfilling—even without a drink. His story shows that fun and authenticity aren’t only compatible with sobriety; they can thrive because of it.
Whether processing grief, navigating sober relationships or confronting the public’s perceptions, Carl’s journey is one of resilience, growth and self-discovery. Through vulnerability and humor, Carl redefines “fun,” reminding listeners that the most meaningful transformations come from within. This memoir is a must-hear for anyone seeking the
My Thoughts:
It's I fan of Summer House on Bravo so I was so curious about Carl’s life and what he would have to say. Carl’s sobriety is remarkable. To not only get sober but STAY sober on a television show that is literally all about partying (while going through an incredibly public breakup) is incredible and beyond inspirational. I think anyone dealing with addiction, especially young men, will find a lot to love here. d Cake Eater gives an intimate look into his sobriety journey. Living a double life and pretending to be okay when you aren’t Very relatable if you have ever found yourself going down the slippery slope of addiction of any kind and the process to recovery. I am very proud of Carl Radke going through so man struggles and additions On reality Rv show "Summer Summer shows Carl Public live. Heartfealk show and book. I've been a clip of as show with thousands of people. I truly enjoyed read this book.
Thanks NetGalley, Rising Action Publisher and Author Carl Radke for the advanced copy of " Cake Eater" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#RisingActionPublisher
#CakeEater
#CarlRadke
#SummerHouse
#RealityTV
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 3, 2026
I’m proud of anyone who has the guts to put their story out in a memoir— for anyone who’s merely tried to keep a journal or even be honest with a therapist, that takes chutzpah.
Most people won’t experience the loss of a sibling while filming a wildly popular TV show or have our deepest secrets exposed without consent to that same audience. Regardless of the extraordinary circumstance, Carls story has many relatable experiences: intense pressure to fit in, be successful and project an image that you believe serves you best. The opioid epidemic. Realizing our parents are imperfect humans (and that the addiction gene is real). Living a double life and pretending to be okay when you aren’t. Being an outsider among the extremely privileged. Holding yourself to an impossible standard. The list goes on.
Despite seeing it play out on TV, it’s a warm feeling to confirm how many people were there to look out for him, especially Summer House producers. Assuming most readers keep up with the zeitgeist, we’re hopefully in a period of increasing accountability and moral responsibility shifted to the networks versus leaving participants floundering with newly found celebrity—fairness despite the power imbalance.
I’m proud to see Carl healthy and comfortable in his own skin after putting in the work and finding a higher purpose. It also serves as a reminder that recovery and sobriety looks different to everyone, and there’s no one way to accomplish that. I’ll disclose that I know the author from before TV times, so I’m biased, but I definitely would have left my review blank if I felt differently.
Most people won’t experience the loss of a sibling while filming a wildly popular TV show or have our deepest secrets exposed without consent to that same audience. Regardless of the extraordinary circumstance, Carls story has many relatable experiences: intense pressure to fit in, be successful and project an image that you believe serves you best. The opioid epidemic. Realizing our parents are imperfect humans (and that the addiction gene is real). Living a double life and pretending to be okay when you aren’t. Being an outsider among the extremely privileged. Holding yourself to an impossible standard. The list goes on.
Despite seeing it play out on TV, it’s a warm feeling to confirm how many people were there to look out for him, especially Summer House producers. Assuming most readers keep up with the zeitgeist, we’re hopefully in a period of increasing accountability and moral responsibility shifted to the networks versus leaving participants floundering with newly found celebrity—fairness despite the power imbalance.
I’m proud to see Carl healthy and comfortable in his own skin after putting in the work and finding a higher purpose. It also serves as a reminder that recovery and sobriety looks different to everyone, and there’s no one way to accomplish that. I’ll disclose that I know the author from before TV times, so I’m biased, but I definitely would have left my review blank if I felt differently.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Let me start by saying that I have been a fan of Carl for years and I love a heartfelt memoir. I think the topics discussed are very deep and I am so proud of him for sharing his story. As a reader though, I have to admit that this is not a good book. It just plainly is not written well- the language is very repetitive and the order of chapters often does not make sense in terms of the timing of Carl's life.
There are a few great moments where Carl is very vulnerable and it feels very intimate to the reader. However, the majority of the points that he tries to make, he states them over and over-sometimes using the exact same verbiage as before. Multiple times, I had to question if I imagined reading the same passage twice but it turns out that it just was written twice in two different places.
This book is short, less than 200 pages, but honestly it felt so much longer because it was so cyclical. I am so, so proud of Carl for sharing his story, I just wish the book was better edited and likely shortened by 5o pages so that each memory is mentioned once and then the story progresses.
There are a few great moments where Carl is very vulnerable and it feels very intimate to the reader. However, the majority of the points that he tries to make, he states them over and over-sometimes using the exact same verbiage as before. Multiple times, I had to question if I imagined reading the same passage twice but it turns out that it just was written twice in two different places.
This book is short, less than 200 pages, but honestly it felt so much longer because it was so cyclical. I am so, so proud of Carl for sharing his story, I just wish the book was better edited and likely shortened by 5o pages so that each memory is mentioned once and then the story progresses.
January 3, 2026
I’m a huge Summer House fan, so I was really excited to read this and appreciate Carl’s honesty with the journey, especially with acknowledging how his addiction led to bad behavior etc., and his insights into recovery and life beyond boozing. I quit drinking in 2023 and a lot of the stuff he shared on Summer House helped me with that choice. I do wish he offered a bit more critical view on Bravo/reality TV but i get why he didn’t. The last bit felt a bit like a commercial/set up for Soft Bar/the podcast but that’s also how these things are so can’t really fault him. The Stephen story was particularly heartbreaking and made me think differently about how I reacted to that being shared when it first came out and I feel badly for contributing to speculations around his sexuality. That said I’m glad that him and Stephen discussed it and they’ve both found recovery.
January 7, 2026
I've been a huge fan of Bravo's Summer House since 2018. I knew this book was going to hit me right in the feels after I lost my friend to addiction this last year. (Perhaps that's why I'm rating this much higher than I typically would a memoir.) Carl gives his perspective and story of battling addiction and grief. This was a quick read but I did have to put it down to really process everything (especially chapter 11.) Carl is honest and didn't mask his rock bottom as I've seen in other memoirs. He was authentic to himself. I appreciate that it wasn't a tell-all about his breakup with his ex, Lindsey. I wish I didn't live on the other side of the country so I could enjoy his new venture of Soft Bar. I appreciate the work for what it was and appreciate his honesty. I believe him, and that's all I ask with this genre. Great job, Carl.
January 8, 2026
I am a huge Summer House fan so I was immediately intrigued by Carl writing a memoir. Anyone who watches the show knows he has had quite the story arch… I really enjoyed learning how he became both “party Carl” and “sober Carl,” as it explained a lot of his behaviors on the show. You can tell this memoir was a very introspective practice for him and he continuously holds himself accountable throughout.
However, I struggled with the structure here a bit. It was chronological but also not? As the chapters were organized by theme but also going through his life events in order which led me to confusion at times as he’d flash back and forth. Additionally, it felt like each chapter ended the same with his reflection on how those events tied back to his addiction and/or sobriety. Which I understand to an extent but I feel it was already implicitly applied given the theme of the book.
However, I struggled with the structure here a bit. It was chronological but also not? As the chapters were organized by theme but also going through his life events in order which led me to confusion at times as he’d flash back and forth. Additionally, it felt like each chapter ended the same with his reflection on how those events tied back to his addiction and/or sobriety. Which I understand to an extent but I feel it was already implicitly applied given the theme of the book.
January 7, 2026
As a long time summer house fan I was definitely intrigued to learn more about carls past. There are certain parts that are super interesting and sad, and it was a good way to get a closer look into Carl. It does feel a little rushed and like some things were quickly skated over. It was also VERY repetitive. It reads more like the habits of a high school essay (a good one) than a memoir. I did enjoy this as a bravo fan, but by the end it felt a little pushy with his business and trying to prove to people that he’s doing the best ever. Idk something is a little off. Overall I did enjoy the book and do recommend if you’re a Summer House / Bravo fan. I don’t believe non fans would enjoy. Also I hate the title I’m sorry.
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