"An inspiring roadmap to navigating life's challenges with grace, grit, and a refusal to settle for anything less than your worth." –Chelsea Handler, comedian and #1 bestselling author
Beloved actress, designer, and entrepreneur Jennie Garth opens up in this fiercely honest book about pursuing happiness, aging with confidence, and learning to love and prioritize yourself.
Jennie Garth is best known for playing the iconic role of Kelly Taylor in the hit television series “Beverly Hills, 90210.” Now in her 50s, she invites readers into the real story of growing up on screen, facing Hollywood’s impossible beauty standards, and losing—and finding—herself through heartbreak, loss, and the challenge of motherhood. She shares the raw truths of the moments that broke her open and shows the resilience it takes to walk through grief and begin again.
Jennie writes with warmth and candor about learning to quiet the voice that says “not enough,” rediscovering her strength after loss, and daring to take up space, speak her truth, and want more. She opens up about the unglamorous, deeply human moments and finally letting go of the need for perfection and other people’s approval.
Through personal stories, practical advice, and the wisdom earned through her own hard lessons, Jennie lights a path back to self-love and clarity. I Choose Me is for anyone who’s ever felt lost in their roles, struggling to give themselves permission to ask, “What do I want now?” It’s an invitation to honor your own journey, embrace self-care, and believe with compassion that choosing yourself is the bravest, kindest thing you can do.
What an amazing book to end the year on! Thank you to my friends at harlequin trade publishing/ the hive for advanced copy. I was expecting this book to be a memoir going into it but soon realized it’s a bit of a mix between a memoir and self help. I was not sure that the mix would flow well but it did! I especially enjoyed the memoir aspect of it and learning more about her life. I really enjoyed her on What I Like About You and knew her from 90210, but admittedly, did not know much about her outside of that! I am always weary about self help type books but feel very inspired by this book. I found myself self reflecting and taking notes all through this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
Beverly Hills 90210 was such an iconic show for many Gen X's including myself. Kelly Taylor's scene where she stood before the two heartthrobs on the show-good boy, Brandon and bad boy, Dylan and said "I choose me" instead of dating one of them was iconic. I remember being so stunned. Wait..what? She wasn't going to date either of them? She chose herself. It was revolutionary. And I love how "I Choose Me" has become Jennie Garth's personal mantra.
Jennie Garth chronicles her upbringing in central Illinois, her early experience with beauty pageants, and roles in sitcoms that eventually led to her big break, being cast as Kelly Taylor in 90210.
I love how her memoir does not shy away from difficult topics, such as her complicated relationship with Shannen Doherty, her devastation with her divorce from her second husband, Peter Facinelli, her girls' father, and even her grief over the death of Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty.
She also does quite an inventory of personal growth and takes the reader through her struggles with depression, Hollywood beauty standards, parenting, and her quest for passion and purpose.
This serves as both a memoir and a rallying cry for women, especially as they age, to not be afraid to rise up, take space, and claim a second or a third act. Garth herself has helmed several successful podcasts, a QVC fashion line, and conferences for women.
This memoir was both thoroughly entertaining and surprisingly inspirational.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected eproof ARC of 'I Choose Me' by Jennie Garth - expected release date of 04/14/2026
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's really brave when someone puts their life story out to the public, especially when they don't hold back and cover the good, bad, and ugly. This book did have some of that but overall, it was more of a trip down her self help journey than a memoir. Felt that it was a little long and repetitive at times but there definitely were some good takeaways. I appreciated the reflection on Perimenopause (relatable at this stage in my life). I also connected with the 'We'll See' method and hope to implement that way of thinking more, rather than jumping to the thought of an immediate outcome during a challenge waiting, ' we'll see' how it will play out. In relation to that, 'energy flows where attention goes' was also a great, simplistic tip. The path of your thoughts has power, if you're constantly focusing on negative, that's going to overpower the positive in your life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper publishing for allowing me to receive this arc for an honest review.
I absolutely love Jennie Garth this book made me love her so much more 💜 I choose me was the perfect title for this book. It is so powerful!! I really enjoyed how she explained so much it made me connect with her on a whole new level.i cried laughed all the things i have never felt more spoken to by anyone else! I do feel like this was more of a self help book but I am not disappointed. Keep being you! I will be listening to her podcast going forward and watching her growth
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an ALC to review.
I’ve been a fan of Jennie Garth since the 90s, as many Gen X fans have been. When I saw I Choose Me was coming out, I knew I needed to listen. I’ve listened to scattered episodes of her podcast, if the guest is someone I like. I really loved how in this book, Jennie is open about her struggles throughout her career as well as her relationships. I appreciated her approach to advice. I loved learning more about her and will continue to seek out her work.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC of I Choose Me in exchange for a review!
Celebrity memoirs are a popular staple nowadays, often ghost-written, rarely wading into deeper waters. Occasionally someone will publish something scathing and bridge-burning, but often there are endless surface retellings of history as we know it. Jennie Garth probably had the option to do either. After all, she was on one of the biggest hits of the 90s, practically fueled by rumors of on set drama and hair pulling. She’s also had a long career in show business and has been in many different lanes spanning both genre and tone. I Choose Me could have set the record straight or could have served as an annotated filmography. But I Choose Me offers the atypical option, the third door not often presented: something real, something more. Not only something worth reading, but worth understanding.
Of course it goes without saying Garth touches on many of her different projects from 90210, to What I Like About You, to various reality TV projects. She talks about motherhood, about her marriage and divorce from Peter Facinelli, about various roadblocks and career hurdles. But Garth doesn’t merely tell, she reflects. She scrutinizes her work and life for lessons, an archaeologist of her own experiences. I Choose Me (the book) is certainly a sibling to I Choose Me (the podcast). There are thoughtful musings and anecdotes and deeper exploration of herself as a human being: flaws, strengths and core truths. In this current moment, Garth doesn’t need to relive the past as much as appreciate it, accept it, and grow from it.
There’s no separation of Jennie Garth and Kelly Taylor. They are not the same, but they are tied together forever because of their shared cultural relevance. After a break from each other, Garth largely reconnected with Kelly when she began to live her truth, the “I Choose Me” mantra that changed the story for the better. I Choose Me is a promise, a statement, and as much about self-love as it is about independence. Perhaps Garth is only beginning her most exciting chapter, not only turning the page on public perception and inviting us to know her better, but giving us the tools to take a similar leap of discovery.
Jennie Garth's memoir 'I Choose Me' is an eye-opening, poignant read that was impossible to put down. Readers can expect Jennie to share her ups and downs in hopes of showing people that it's never too late to make a change; you can accomplish anything you want if you put in the work. Her words are healing and hopeful, leaving me with the realization that when you choose yourself, change happens.
As a fan of 90210 and Jennie's, I was thrilled to read this. I didn't expect to feel so inspired and hopeful, and that is the beauty in getting to understand some of our favorite celebrities. Her words detail how perception can be deceiving. The way she carried herself on screen, it was easy assume that she had it all figured out. In reality, she is just like everyone else. We all deal with doubts and insecurities, and just hope that we can push past them for the better. Her struggles with living up to expectations are so easy to relate to, and I think readers will connect with her writing. She is candid about her tough moments to show how she found a way to learn from them. What I thought was great and interesting was that she didn't shy away from her mistakes because she understood that her past could help her become her true self.
She also opens up about her time while filming 90210. She doesn't bash anyone, and you can tell how much respect she has for her castmates and friends. I think fans of the shows will cherish her insights.
It was captivating to see her growth through her experiences. She went from being a normal girl to a celebrity, to a wife, and to a mom. I love that she tells it like it is; she details the struggles in her marriage, how tough motherhood can be, especially when you have a career, and how long it can take to understand yourself.
Above all, I think this is such a beautiful memoir because it is encouraging. Her experiences are able to become lessons for us all. I sometimes feel less than because I might not have it all figured out, but at least this book helped me want to challenge myself to choose me.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy of Jennie Garth’s memoir in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start by saying that I absolutely love Jennie and have always been a huge Kelly Taylor fan, so I was very excited to read this. That said, the book wasn’t quite what I expected. While there are definitely memoir elements and personal stories that I found interesting and insightful, I didn’t realize going in that the book would lean so heavily into a self-help style. I don’t mind that type of book at all, but I think I would have appreciated it more if I had known to expect that tone going in.
Jennie is very open about her struggles, and I appreciated her honesty and vulnerability. It’s clear she has done a lot of personal work and healing, and I’m glad she shares some of the tools and perspectives that helped her along the way. I especially enjoyed the sections where she talked about what she learned in therapy, particularly the concept of the “wheel of life.”
At times, though, the book felt a bit repetitive. Certain phrases and descriptions of people or events appeared multiple times, sometimes almost word-for-word, which pulled me out of the reading experience. The structure also felt a little choppy in places, jumping between topics and moments in time in a way that occasionally made the timeline difficult to follow.
Overall, there were parts of the book I really enjoyed, and I appreciated Jennie’s openness about her personal journey. That said, I found myself wishing there had been more discussion of her acting career and behind-the-scenes experiences, in addition to the focus on her marriages and motherhood.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to! I grew up watching 90210 on Wednesday nights, and became an expert during 5pm daily syndication. When I met my husband, also a huge fan, we embarked on a full rewatch as well.
For us fans, Jennie provides some good info that I didn’t know before. I loved hearing all of that but even more, I loved learning about how she was feeling during that time — and others to follow — as well as the effect the show had on her life.
Jennie Garth is honest and vulnerable in this memoir, and doesn’t shy away from her mistakes, learning opportunities, and stunted growth at age 18 when she became famous. Reading about her struggles with self esteem made me understand the rumors I’ve heard for so long about her not being friendly or welcoming to other women who joined the 90210 cast. I won’t say more, but if you read this you’ll understand.
This was not just a memoir but also a self help book which I didn’t realize. Some of her advice was good but I would have preferred a shorter memoir without that part. I think she could have woven in her directive on choosing oneself without all of that, but it flowed well with the story and it seems she really did take the time to work on herself using the methods she shares. I particularly enjoyed her chapter on aging and found it helpful.
Most of all, I appreciate her honesty. You’d think someone like Jennie Garth — beautiful and famous — would not have the self esteem struggles that plagued her entire life, but she did and she was extremely honest about it throughout.
3.5 stars.
Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for an advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you cannot tell from the title, a mix of memoir and self-help is what you will find here. I was drawn to read because 90210 and Jennie Garth are part of my growing-up years. Topics touched upon in the book range from Addiction, Aging Relationships, Hollywood, Marriage, Motherhood, and Podcasts. Jennie certainly tries to cover it all. It worked for a bit, although there were some parts that were quite repetitive.
I believe what I enjoyed the most were the discussions on Jennie's reflections on her time on 90210 and her love for the original cast. She speaks about the passing of both Shannen Doherty and Luke Perry and how she has drifted apart from her friendship with former costar, Tiffani Thiessen. There's no malicious writing or sugary gossip to be found here; it's all pure reflection and what Jennie learned from those experiences.
As I was reading, I could tell that it was a very cathartic experience for the author to get it all down on paper. At times, such as when journal entries written by Garth are injected into the book, I did feel that I was prying into things that were none of my business. But they were part of the acceptance of what she had gone through and how she came out on the better side of it.
All in all, a good read. Look for it as it hits stores on April 14th, 2026.
Expected Publication Date 14/04/26 Goodreads Review Date 23/03/26
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.
3 stars
Well… you know that old saying that you should never meet your heroes? I think that also goes for celebrities that were a big part of your formative teenage years. I now know more than I wanted to know about Jennie Garth and her struggles as an adult. I didn’t know that she has a podcast by the same name as this book; perhaps if I’d listened to that, I would already know some of the details that are in the book.
But, having said that, this book is not all memoir. In fact, I’d say it’s at least half, if not more, a self-help book. I’m not a fan of self-help, but if that’s your thing, then maybe you would enjoy those parts of the book. These sections are fairly well-written; in fact, I would guess they were ghost-written, or something similar. The memoir parts are obviously written by Jennie and honestly, they are not written well. They are repetitive - sometimes even the same thought or sentence is repeated at the end of one paragraph and slightly re-worded at the beginning of the next one. There is also some confusing vagueness in her telling stories of her past husbands, always using “my ex” or “my ex husband” when there are two of them, and then her current husband, who is sometimes mixed in to past stories.
All in all, I felt it was too long - we pretty much had the whole story by the 48% mark. The best parts were the self-help parts, even though I’m not a fan of that.
I requested the opportunity to read this book expecting it to be a memoir of Jennie Garth’s life. While she does share some stories about her upbringing and rise in Hollywood, I found it to have more of a self-help book vibe… sharing the wisdom of her experiences as a woman always trying to learn and grow. Admittedly I often struggle with non-fiction self-help books… my attention often wanders and I struggle to stay engaged. Doesn’t stop me from buying the books though - hoping they’ll improve my life from sitting on my shelves? Ha!
This book was a surprise in the best way though, so much of it resonated with where I am in life right now. As a woman in my 40s with a son who is now an adult, I have felt a little lost as to what is next for me in life. Perimenopause has been sending my emotions into a tailspin. Jennie’s advice and experiences as she made her way through this stage of life is truly helpful and has given me so much to think about. I appreciate how vulnerable she was admitting she’s a human that makes mistakes but what is important is how we learn from them and move forward.
A sincere thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy.
Jennie Garth was such a part of my college years with 90210!
Listening to this painted a picture of the struggles she has faced in her adult life. IT seems that we think celebrity shields people from life's challenges but this memoir reminds us that it does not. Sometimes it can amplify them due to the public stage the person is thrust upon.
She narrated the story well. I had hoped there would be more around her time on the shows/movies she has been in and her experiences within the industry. This was more about her growth through substance abuse, divorce, remarriage and raising children. I appreciated what she shared that she had learned in therapy. We are all just doing our best and unlearning the lies that we've told ourselves that limit how we show up in relationships, jobs, etc.
Although not what I was expecting, fans of Jennie and her journey will enjoy hearing where she's at in life and the wisdom she shares.
Thank you to Net GAlley and the publisher for this ARC Audiobook!
I don't usually read self-help books. When I got the galley for this, I thought it was more of a memoir. With that being said, my favorite parts of the book were when Jennie Garth did discuss her personal life - her career, family, relationships. While I feel that a lot of what she suggests comes easily for those who may have means for wellness retreats and regular therapy sessions, there were parts that stood out to me as strategies to try. I particularly liked the "we'll see" chapter. As someone who always tries to have a solution to a problem immediately, saying "we'll see" allows you time to think things through and make the best choice. I also really appreciated that she spent the time talking about perimenopause. While I do feel like this is a topic that is becoming discussed more, it still feels like there is a lot of unnecessary taboo around it. A lot of what she said felt incredibly relatable.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love a good celebrity memoir and Jennie Garth hit all the good notes, an easy to read coverage of her life, some easy gossip and insight into some of her more popular moments (there was significantly more 90210 coverage than I expected) and sharing her life now. Her spiritual journey wasn’t surprising but I enjoyed how she shared the Buddhist type practices that are supporting her without being preachy or without the book reading too much like a self-help book. There are moments when it gets a bit close to too much of a self-help book but I read it more as sharing an experience than forcing it on anyone. If you’re looking for something salacious, this won’t be the one for you- while there are some light touches on self destructive behaviors, it doesn’t deep dive into any Hollywood scandals or stories we wouldn’t have heard. I Choose Me is due to be published April 14, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review. 3.5 stars
Harlequin Trade Publishing provided an early galley for review.
I watched 90210 when it debuted, so I got to see her early career unfold. If fans are looking to her book to be a behind-the-scenes tell-all, you will be a bit let down (her 2014 memoir might be a better source for that). What she is doing here is talking about her life, mostly away from the cameras and lights. She lets readers into the difficult times she endured and the strategies and resources she used to cope with them.
Her writing is very straight-forward, honest and thoughtful. Unlike some celebrity authored books I have read, she is will to put very personal details out there for the readers. She is not focusing on image or spin; she is focusing on explaining things she went through in hopes that perhaps others might benefit if they are experiencing the same things.
As a longtime fan of Beverly Hills, 90210, this book immediately caught my attention—it's still one of my comfort shows. I expected more of a traditional memoir, but I ended up really appreciating the blend of personal stories and self-reflection. I especially connected with the stage of life Jennie Garth is in now. Her honesty about menopause and the challenges women face during this time felt validating and refreshing. She shares her struggles and growth with vulnerability, reflecting on her life as an actress, wife, mother, and friend.
The book felt like a genuine glimpse into who she is, and it actually made me want to listen to her podcast. I also appreciated how thoughtfully she wrote about other well-known people in her life. Overall, it felt honest, reflective, and relatable.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!
I was so excited to see what I thought would be Jennie Garth's memoir available to request, and even more thrilled when I received notification that I was approved for it. While I did enjoy the parts about her life, both before fame, during the 90210 years, and her relationships with other cast members, that only comprised maybe 25% of the book. The vast majority of the book is essentially about what she learned through many years of therapy, and how she has learned to apply it to her life, and how you can too. It comes off a bit preachy, and isn't at all what I expected from a memoir. I grew up watching 90210 so it hurts to only rate this 3*. I wish we would have learned more about Jennie and her life and less about her lessons from therapy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this eALC in exchange for my honest review.
This felt like a book that will resonate most with readers who already care about Jennie Garth and her story. Like the Chris Appleton book I read recently, it leans heavily into self help, with personal moments woven in rather than a full memoir arc. I appreciated learning more about her life beyond the screen, and the Arizona connection was a genuine and unexpected highlight that made parts of the book feel more grounded. While the reflections are thoughtful, much of the guidance will feel familiar if you read widely in this genre. Fans of Jennie Garth will likely find this meaningful. For others, it may come down to timing and how much self help you are craving.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!
Synopsis: Jennie Garth rose to fame as a teen in her role as Kelly Taylor in Beverly Hills 90210 in the early 1990s. In this book, she talks about her life, struggles and how she has managed to cope and persevered.
Thoughts: I was a little let down by this book. I thought I was going to be more autobiographical. I was originally excited about hearing about her life, her rise to fame, her cast mates, her life since 90210 etc. It felt way more like a self help book with examples from her life thrown in along the way. Personally I am not a big self help book fan, but for whose who are and grew up watching 90210, this is the book for you!
Thank you to Jennie Garth, HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advanced ARC e-book!
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and Jennie Garth for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggle rating memoirs. I must say that I enjoyed Jennie narrating this herself.
I was more of a passive 90210 watcher so I wasn’t a big fan but was interested in reading about her life.
Her experience on the show, her relationships and motherhood were very interesting. That was only a small part of the book. The rest of it covered what she’s learned in therapy, from her experiences and essentially a self help book.
While it was interesting and could be insightful, it wasn’t what I was expecting (the description now is more clear in hindsight but going into it, that wasn’t my understanding).
Growing up I watched 90210. It was always a show that was on in the background because my mom loved it and watched it. I grew up with it and when I was old enough I watched it all the way through. Jennie Garth has always been someone we’ve loved. Getting to read an arc copy of her book has been amazing. To see into her life and just everything about her was incredible. I expected it to be completely a memoir but I loved that it was also partly a self help book. I think it is really relatable. I loved this book so much and I am honored to have been able to read it. Everyone needs to read this book.
As someone who grew up watching Beverly Hills, 90210, I’ve always been a huge fan of Jennie Garth and her character Kelly Taylor, so I was excited to pick this one up.
I was expecting more of a traditional memoir with stories about her rise to fame, behind the scenes moments from 90210, and reflections on her acting career. While there are some personal stories, the book often felt vague and a bit scattered.
It leans heavily into self help. If you enjoy self help with personal stories sprinkled in, this might work for you. But if you are hoping for a deeper behind the scenes 90210 memoir, you may find yourself wanting a little more.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of I Choose Me by Jennie Garth. I’ve been a fan of Jennie’s since the 90’s and of course saw the iconic 90210 episode that the book title is from. This book felt like part memoir part self help. I loved how honest Jennie was even when it wasn’t pretty. I found her to be so relatable. I also enjoyed the nostalgia when she talked about her past shows and cast mates. At times the book was repetitive and seemed to bounce around in time a bit. I will happily read any other books Jennie writes. 4⭐️
Raise your hand if Kelly was your favorite character on 90210? 🙋♀️
Jennie’s memoir is an honest, raw, inspiring recounting of events, struggles, and lessons in her life. She shares tips and tricks, as well as insight into her own life, on topics such as motherhood, mental health, marriage, business ventures, friendship, menopause, and so much more.
This is such a relatable book to read as a woman, wife, and mother.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC of this book, which releases April 14, 2026!
If you’re expecting a juicy 90210 tell-all, this isn’t that kind of book. Instead, I Choose Me leans more toward a self-help and reflection journey. Jennie shares her experiences with divorce, navigating perimenopause, and learning to prioritize self-care and personal growth. It’s honest and vulnerable, focusing less on Hollywood stories and more on the process of choosing yourself and rebuilding during life’s challenging transitions.
Thank you Jennie Garth & Sourcebooks for the advanced copy of I Choose Me.
I have been a Jennie fan since the beginning of 90210. I have watched everything she has done, so I was very excited for this book as an in into her personal life during those times. Unfortunately it wasn't what I was expecting. While there are personal stories throughout different phases of her life I felt like this book leaned much more heavily into self help and how to implement the techniques that worked for her. While I appreciate self help books, that is not what I was expecting to read here. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced listener copy.
Jennie Garth goes very deep and honest in this read documenting her relationship journeys and internal growth over the years. She shares the heartbreaks, challenges of dating, motherhood and how to cope with change. At times it was not easy and she was very hard on herself. However, throughout the read she shares advice and wisdom from what she personally learned from her many experiences.
I was a 90210 die hard fan and Kelly was my favorite. I enjoyed learning more in depth about the friendships and inner workings of that show. Even though it was a big part of Jennie's late teens and twenties, this book was much more about life in general, being a woman who juggles her various roles in life, and learning how to love yourself first and the most.
I love listening to celebrities narrate their memoirs! I was a teenager during the 90210 years and was excited for the trip down memory lane. I Choose Me was more woo woo self-help than autobiography at times but I still enjoyed listening. I appreciated Jennie’s honesty and the self-reflections she shared with us. *Thanks to Park Row, Harlequin Audio & NetGalley for the free copies