Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation: How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison

by Mike Sorrentino, Andy Symonds, Lauren Sorrentino (Narrator)

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino gives fans the inside scoop they’ve been begging for with his explosive tell-all.

In this whirlwind of action-packed, unbelievable stories, Mike paints a raw and uncensored picture of his rise to stardom, steep fall, and amazing renaissance, all told with unwavering honesty. Divulging everything from drug-fueled orgies to what really happened behind the scenes of reality television’s most loved and dysfunctional family, Mike’s book reveals all for the first time.

In his familiar, straightforward voice, he hilariously tells of intoxicated run-ins with celebrities like The Rock, Robert Downey Jr., Drake, Jay Leno, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Hasselhoff, Jason Statham, Lil Wayne, Kristin Cavallari, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Alongside the comical moments, he describes more poignant events, such as the frantic searches for opiates to sate excruciating withdrawals, including one such time in Italy, which led to the infamous wall headbutt fight with Ronnie.

No punches are pulled in this unfiltered tale, relating Mike’s darkest thoughts after trying heroin, going to prison, and grieving his wife’s tragic miscarriages. However, like in all true redemption stories, Mike never gave up, and listeners are sure to be inspired by his determination to get clean and sober and become the man he is today. With pure candor and vulnerability, he delivers details on the mindset that got him through those dark times and onto the enlightened, sober path he walks today. Through personal anecdotes and invaluable life lessons, Mike teaches listeners how to overcome obstacles and embrace change. From conquering personal demons to finding redemption, he proves that it’s never too late to turn your life around and make the best of any situation. Get ready for a reality check like no other, and join Mike on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of living your best life.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Book Club, Biography, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

Audible Audio

First published December 19, 2023

About the author

Michael Sorrentino, publicly known by his nickname The Situation, is an American television personality, model and author who appeared on the MTV reality show Jersey Shore starting in 2009.

Reviews

[✨ABookGirl✨memoirs are my jam✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the 2nd of my “24 Memoirs in 2024” and it is favorite so far.

I was in my mid 20’s when Jersey Shore exploded on televisions everywhere. I was not a fan of Mike “The Situation”. I thought he was an arrogant jerk. I was into the first few seasons of Jersey Shore but then my interest faded. I wasn’t even interested in the revival that happened years later with Jersey Shore Family Reunion.

Fast forward to 2019, I’m lying in bed recovering from a root canal infection and I see a Jersey Shore Family Vacation marathon on tv. I think to myself, “What the hell? I have nothing better to do.” I didn’t know if it was the fever from the infection or what, but all of a sudden I saw Mike in this new light. Who is this mature, respectful man I see? Big Daddy Sitch, that’s who.

This memoir made me gasp, laugh, recoil, and cry. But, that’s what any good memoir will do to you. His story is told in an incredibly honest and painful way. As someone who has had family members that struggle with addiction, I could relate to nearly every character in Mike’s story. Feeling sympathy for Mike, wishing throughout the book that he’d get the help he needed. Feeling the frustration from family members as they relive each drug addled episode like the Groundhog Day from hell. Feeling profound disappointment when he was sentenced to prison after turning his life around. And feeling hope when Mike recited one of his many mantras, “Calm seas never made a good sailor”.

If memoirs are your jam, please pick up this book. If you know and have seen Mike since the beginning of Jersey Shore, you will understand him completely after reading this book.

Long Live Big Daddy Sitch.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly any addiction books will get 5* from me - plus watching him in the show from the beginning just makes this so much more amazing

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a huge Jersey Shore fan like me, this is a must read! It was exciting, devastating, and overcoming! Absolute 5 star read! I think it’s time to rewatch Jersey Shore for the millionth time lmao.

[Lauren Czora · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an interesting look behind the scenes of Mike’s addiction during the years he was on the Jersey Shore, and that’s about the only redeeming quality about it. This book very obviously ghost written, and not that well if I’m being honest. Mike’s narration of this book was painful and had absolutely zero cadence. I wouldn’t be surprised if him recording his narration of this book was the first time he ever even read the words on the pages.

Kinda gross hearing him speak so braggadociously about keeping and at one point trying to sell a sex tape of himself with multiple women (who I’m sure wouldn’t have consented to it’s public release) “in case of emergency” to make a quick buck because he was broke. Also super weird to flex about how easy prison was for him?

2 stars.

[Jacki Sawyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a self proclaimed addiction memoir enthusiast, and avid jersey shore viewer I can’t help but think I just expected… more? The first half of the book was him being an unlikable narcissist describing how he got away with everything because of his “charisma and abs” (maybe that was intentional to show transformation but all it made me do was seriously consider DNFing)

His “crazy “antics lacked detail (likely because he didn’t remember them, but that doesn’t make for a very good book), and he barely spoke of his classmates other than to say that they were “close “but they came off in the book as very surface level. We barely got any glimpse behind the curtain other than “did you bring the girls?” When he was talking to the Unit. Overall, it felt very rushed and like a money grab.

I really wanted to be on board for his comeback story, and I am, but this just does not live up to a well written celebrity and/or addiction memoir.

[Sarah Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

“God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers” - Big Daddy Sitch 🫡

Highly entertaining audiobook.

[Creya Casale | cc.shelflove · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I definitely need to rewatch some Jersey Shore episodes. The Situation did not leave anything off the table in his memoir. He attended rehab before he was ever famous, and his opiate addiction only continued to spiral once the money started rolling in. There were a few passages written by people in Mike’s life, which I thought was a nice touch. What’s more, he did not bad-mouth anybody and took 100% ownership for his actions… unlike some other celebrity memoirs I’ve read (cough, Britney). Thanks for sharing your authentic story, Mike. Now time to GTL.

[Margot Leibowitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Audiobook)

This was of course a masterpiece but also very bad

[sofiaaa :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was not what i expected. i thought this would mainly be about the early years of jersey shore, and reliving that whole experience, but this focused on mike’s struggles with addiction and his recovery process during all that time. he’s had a lot of growth and reading this book made me have so much more respect for him. if you’re a fan of jersey shore, or reality tv in general, you should read this.

[Tara Gaffney · Rating 4 out of 5]

u love to a see a bitch from Monmouth county winning

[liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

iconic. Gobbled up in one day.
My main takeaway from this is that mindset and self-concept are everything. Mike created everything he ever wanted (or THOUGHT he wanted). Then, he was pushed to the point of rock bottom (aka transformation’s favorite place) to create the reality of what his higher self ACTUALLY desired. It is authentic and honest, which is all you can ask of a memoir. The helper-writer did a great job of making it sound like him lol. THE COMEBACK IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THE SETBACK, BABY

Edit- to provide some more context, my entire family and I were obsessed with watching Jersey Shore from the very beginning when it first aired. As fellow tri-state area italian-americans / drama fiends we loved everything about the show and the cast. (I still to this day have dreams where some of the characters are just a part of my life).
Little me always thought Mike was the worst. I didn’t know he was drugged up at the time but I intuitively knew he was abducted by some kind of darkness, hence why I thought he was the worst. It’s my favorite type of success story to see someone fuck up so much, only to be able to turn it around. All the haters gona hate, but I admire a good person even more who has once been “bad”, more-so even than a good person who has naturally always acted “good”. So happy for Mike and his lovely family.

[chloe w. 🧸🫧🪩📖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up

— i shouldn’t have been but i totally watched Jersey Shore growing up so i knew immediately that i’d be reading this! i definitely always saw Mike as the “villain” in the show just as MTV wanted. i honestly had no clue he was an addict throughout the entirety of the show until the JS Family Vacation reboot came out.
— it was interesting of course, but also really heartbreaking reading his recounts of what was really going on behind the cameras. it truly shows that you don’t know what people are going through.
— although you can tell where certain parts were edited, it still felt like he was telling me his story directly. the photos halfway through were a nice touch & so were the excerpts from his mom, Lauren, Vinny, etc! i honestly applaud him for being vulnerable enough to share his story & for his ongoing recovery! i highly recommend, especially if you are a fan of Jersey Shore 🫶🏾

[Colleen Giuffrida · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to rate a book that someone puts their entire life and struggles into. Good on him for putting it all out for the world to see. Obviously I was a huge Jersey Shore fan, so I had to read Mike’s book, but all it was, was sex, drugs, jersey shore, rehab, repeat (for the first half of the book). The struggles he has gone through, I wouldn’t want to ever come near, and I’m glad he got his life in order, but you can only read about checking into rehab so many times. I’m hopeful that this can help anyone who is struggling, and give them the motivation to get the help they need.

[Elizabeth Pecoraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not good writing and he’s a little delu-lu but the story itself was so interesting, I was locked in. Good for him, seriously. He really turned his life around

[Iz Beninate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found The Situation to be very vulnerable and reflective as he told a really wild ride - GTL forever. Lowkey had me emotional sometimes but in a very uplifting way 🫶🏻

[Kristen Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ WOW, WOW, WOW

[Kara Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to Mike narrate this is absurd and hysterical lol

[Brie · Rating 5 out of 5]

so vulnerable and inspirational!!!
JERSEY SHORE FOREVER!
the comeback is always better than the setback

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this read. I never thought the situation would become a role model but this book is a great story of addiction and the power to overcome it. Heavy but also lighthearted. Highly recommend especially for OG jersey shore fans

[Tan Markovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this.

[Paige Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big Jersey Shore/ Family Vacation fan (lol) I loved this. It was interesting learning some behind the scenes stuff about the show but I swear my jaw was on the floor reading about how bad Mikes addiction really was and how far he would go to continue using (insaneeee amounts of prescription drugs or really anything he could get his hands on) while filming.
His recovery journey is truly inspiring, and although I got to watch a lot of it through JS Family Vacation, it’s always nice to read a book with a happy ending!!
A really easy read, with some deep topics mixed with hilarious Jersey Shore stories.

[Bitchin’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

GTL FOREVER!!! This is one of the best celebrity memoirs I’ve ever read. Mike was so open and honest I kept having to put the book down and tell my friends the insane stories he was telling! I love when memoirs are open and honest and feel real like you’re sitting down and hanging out with the author rather than a year by year breakdown of their life. This is exactly what this felt like. The open take Mike took while writing this book, paired with his unmatched personality made this book so fun. At the end of the day, Mike lived a big crazy life, but has such respect for family, his wife, and his kids. You just can’t help but love him!!!

Overall, if you were even a casual fan of Jersey Shore this is 100% worth picking up!!!!

[Shyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok this was the surprisingly inspirational, entertaining book I didn't know I needed! Mike's story is truly wild and his bravery to be this raw is equally wild. I mean the guy knows how to stay relevant that's for sure and he also genuinely seems like he has grown and wants to share his story to help others. It's actually very cool to have witnessed all this on jersey shore and now getting the inside story of what was happening with him off screen. Can't believe The Situation's story is going to become one of my top recs for the year LOL

[Jaclyn Gruenbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having never watched a single episode of Jersey Shore, I picked this up for a few reasons 1) I enjoy memoirs 2) it was very highly rated 3) I grew up in the same hometown as Mike and thought I’d get a kick out of it. Which I did.

I actually really enjoyed this book. It’s a quick read and one that is both incredibly sad, moving and happy all at the same time. For someone who has really hit rock bottom (multiple times), his positivity and ability to turn it all around is incredibly inspiring.

[Kylee Mojica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having watched Jersey Shore, I always knew Mike was into himself, even so, his cockiness is a little much in the book. It was an interesting book to hear all of his journeys and how he became sober. He definitely thinks the show is nothing without him and kind of downplays his cast mates which I don’t agree with. It was nice how there were small passages from his family/friends.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as much Jersey Shore content as expected but Mike went deep into the throes of his prescription opiate abuse and the lengths his addiction made him go to in order to cop his next score and maintain his supply while filming.

After all BDS hasn't come this far just to come this far.

[Kaitlin Dosman · Rating 4 out of 5]

*listened to as an audiobook* As a fan of Jersey Shore, I loved reading this and hearing Mike’s life story! His life is definitely not what I expected and I respect the choices he’s made to turn a new leaf for himself, his family and name. Also, fun to listen to as he narrates the book himself!

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - the typos killed me, very entertaining, not a fan of the I’m my own superhero mentality, inspiring comeback story

[EV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I know it sounds egregious to give this book four stars but you guys it was so good 😭

[Bella Boom-Haupt · Rating 5 out of 5]

was expecting some hot juicy jersey shore goss 💋 but what i got was even better. A funny and often moving memoir about fame, addiction and imprisonment by hands-down one of the most iconic reality stars of all time. they should call him mike “the inspiration” ❤️ here are some of the quotes that made me laugh out loud:

“If Shakespeare had been a reality star, he would have written this book”💯💯 BARS

“I wasn’t modeling anymore because HONESTLY the photographers were just trying to BANG ME at every casting call!”

“Maybe Ronnie was a diversity hire “

“When a camera crew is following you, everything gets turned up a notch- YOLO!”

“it was a life of sex, drugs, and selfies😏”

This book was just the right amount of unhinged and also Mike is highkey cocky (if you watched jersey shore you already knew this) but also why did i cry???? like The Situation loves his wife so much it actually had me crying on the metro. anyways … y’all better listen to the audiobook version bc it’s narrated by him (his wife and Vinnie all have cameos lololol). didn’t expect this to be so heartwarming so i’m giving it a 4.5/5 rounded up