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What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter
From the comedian and New York Times bestselling author of Idiot, a new essay collection about divorce, dating, and finding the funny even when your life is falling apart.
The world knows comedian and content creator Laura Clery for her hilariously unhinged characters, brutally honest storytelling, and ability to find humor in places most of us wouldn’t dare look. But now, she’s facing a few things even she didn’t see Her seemingly rock-solid relationship crumbling into a very public, very painful divorce (yikes!). Becoming a single parent to two children, one of whom has significant special needs (oof!). Worst of all? She even started dating again (ew!). But instead of pretending like her life couldn’t be better, Laura’s putting it all on the mess, madness, and middle fingers included. And she’s writing her own happy ending this time.
A survivor of addiction, abuse, and even a regrettable flirtation with bangs, Laura reveals how we can break down, rebuild, and still find a way to laugh during life’s worst moments—whether it’s waking up to find your career’s work wiped from the internet, your date begging you to take a magic pill for your boobs, or turning 40 and having your life less together than ever before. Raw, real, and darkly funny, Laura proves that there is always joy to be found even when life serves you its absolute and that what doesn’t kill you really will make you hotter. You might just have to get through a few disasters first.
The world knows comedian and content creator Laura Clery for her hilariously unhinged characters, brutally honest storytelling, and ability to find humor in places most of us wouldn’t dare look. But now, she’s facing a few things even she didn’t see Her seemingly rock-solid relationship crumbling into a very public, very painful divorce (yikes!). Becoming a single parent to two children, one of whom has significant special needs (oof!). Worst of all? She even started dating again (ew!). But instead of pretending like her life couldn’t be better, Laura’s putting it all on the mess, madness, and middle fingers included. And she’s writing her own happy ending this time.
A survivor of addiction, abuse, and even a regrettable flirtation with bangs, Laura reveals how we can break down, rebuild, and still find a way to laugh during life’s worst moments—whether it’s waking up to find your career’s work wiped from the internet, your date begging you to take a magic pill for your boobs, or turning 40 and having your life less together than ever before. Raw, real, and darkly funny, Laura proves that there is always joy to be found even when life serves you its absolute and that what doesn’t kill you really will make you hotter. You might just have to get through a few disasters first.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Laura Clery
3 books848 followersLaura Clery is an actress and comedian best known for posting daily comedy sketches to Facebook and YouTube, where she has a combined seven million followers and upwards of two billion views. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and motley crew of rescue animals.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 18, 2026
If I could rate this book zero stars, I would.
0/10
Do not recommend. All content in this book is publicly and freely available on her multiple social media pages.
Do not waste your time or money reading.
Laura is a volunteer, not a victim. Don’t believe otherwise. This book is proof of that.
0/10
Do not recommend. All content in this book is publicly and freely available on her multiple social media pages.
Do not waste your time or money reading.
Laura is a volunteer, not a victim. Don’t believe otherwise. This book is proof of that.
July 25, 2026
Okay, now that I’ve had time to further digest what I’ve read, here it is.
Laura writes about legitimately embarrassing things that her children have done and horrific situations that they have been in during the dissolution of their parents’ marriage. Their future classmates and potential employers will have access to all of this stuff. She shares their legal names and images online. Their digital footprint is more vast in their single digit ages than that of many adults and it is cemented even further in a widely available memoir.
Laura is just not a strong writer, and she never has been. She has always come across as a conceited individual operating under the guise of self deprecation. I casually enjoyed her previous books at a two or three star, easily digestible level, but the subject matter in this was way too serious to be taken lightly. Her books are the type that you read as filler in between legitimate literature or autobiographies to give your brain a break. Unfortunately in this case, it involved egregious exploitation of minors and not just weak prose and lowbrow humor.
I’d say that I wish I could get my time back, but I honestly feel like I’m bearing witness to child abuse through monetization.
Laura writes about legitimately embarrassing things that her children have done and horrific situations that they have been in during the dissolution of their parents’ marriage. Their future classmates and potential employers will have access to all of this stuff. She shares their legal names and images online. Their digital footprint is more vast in their single digit ages than that of many adults and it is cemented even further in a widely available memoir.
Laura is just not a strong writer, and she never has been. She has always come across as a conceited individual operating under the guise of self deprecation. I casually enjoyed her previous books at a two or three star, easily digestible level, but the subject matter in this was way too serious to be taken lightly. Her books are the type that you read as filler in between legitimate literature or autobiographies to give your brain a break. Unfortunately in this case, it involved egregious exploitation of minors and not just weak prose and lowbrow humor.
I’d say that I wish I could get my time back, but I honestly feel like I’m bearing witness to child abuse through monetization.
July 22, 2026
DNF at 56%. I can't give you a zero, so I give you a one.
Reading this felt like being trapped in a conversation with someone who thinks they're the funniest person in the room while everyone else is desperately seeking an exit.
The writing is so unnecessarily self indulgent and it's like the author is screaming "Look how quirky I am!" on every page without ever giving the reader a reason to care. This could easily have been an honest memoir instead of as an exhausting collection of brain-dead humor and relentless narcissism.
It was supposed to be everything from her childhood and addiction to relationships, social media fame, marriage, motherhood, and the various highs and lows of her life but it reads like a vicious circle of unrelated stories held together by the same joke over and over again: "LoOk hOw cHaoTic My LiFe iS."
The jokes felt like someone explaining why their joke was funny after nobody laughed. Every chapter feels longer than it is because nothing meaningful happens, so much so I felt second-hand embarrassment.
This is one of those rare books that makes you question not only why it was published, but also why you kept turning the pages hoping it would eventually get better. It doesn't. I survived 56% of the book like a fish trying to breathe outside the waters. One of my easiest DNFs this year.
Reading this felt like being trapped in a conversation with someone who thinks they're the funniest person in the room while everyone else is desperately seeking an exit.
The writing is so unnecessarily self indulgent and it's like the author is screaming "Look how quirky I am!" on every page without ever giving the reader a reason to care. This could easily have been an honest memoir instead of as an exhausting collection of brain-dead humor and relentless narcissism.
It was supposed to be everything from her childhood and addiction to relationships, social media fame, marriage, motherhood, and the various highs and lows of her life but it reads like a vicious circle of unrelated stories held together by the same joke over and over again: "LoOk hOw cHaoTic My LiFe iS."
The jokes felt like someone explaining why their joke was funny after nobody laughed. Every chapter feels longer than it is because nothing meaningful happens, so much so I felt second-hand embarrassment.
This is one of those rare books that makes you question not only why it was published, but also why you kept turning the pages hoping it would eventually get better. It doesn't. I survived 56% of the book like a fish trying to breathe outside the waters. One of my easiest DNFs this year.
July 21, 2026
Laura is a beautiful writer, and there were moments in this book that were incredibly moving. However, I found many of her choices throughout the story so confounding that I honestly wanted to throw the book across the room.
I’m also a domestic violence survivor, so I understand firsthand how difficult it is to leave an abusive relationship. But after reading everything Stephen put her and the children through, it was heartbreaking to finish the book and then see Laura welcoming him back into her life on social media. After everything he’s done, I simply cannot understand returning to this cycle—especially knowing it appears to be part of a multigenerational pattern.
One line in the book has stayed with me: when her friend told her, “At this point, you’re a volunteer, not a victim.” That statement felt harsh, but after reading the entire story, I understood why it was said and was saddened to see that, years later, so little seems to have changed.
Laura, if you can’t leave for yourself, please do it for Poppy. Break the generational cycle. Show your daughter what a healthy relationship with healthy boundaries looks like. Show her that she deserves love, safety, and respect—and that people who repeatedly hurt you do not deserve repeated access to your life.
Laura often suggests that drugs were the real problem and that “sober Stephen” is safe. But abuse is about far more than substance use, and countless addicts never abuse their families. Throughout this book, the cycle repeated itself over and over. Trust the pattern, not the promises.
I know many people believe children always need both parents, but I disagree. A father who repeatedly terrorizes their mother is not being a good father. Children are often far better off in a stable single-parent home than growing up witnessing repeated domestic violence. Even if Stephen deserves some level of parenting time, that does not mean Laura should continue allowing him back into her personal life.
I also found myself frustrated by how often Laura seemed to excuse the harmful behavior of people around her—not just Stephen. As a special education teacher, I truly understand how incredibly challenging it can be to raise a child with autism. I have enormous empathy for her situation. However, I couldn’t help but wonder why there seemed to be so little discussion of behavioral supports in the home. In the final chapter, she describes Alfie destroying the house during a meltdown. Is he receiving behavioral therapy? These are incredibly difficult behaviors, but they are often things that can be worked on with the right support.
I was also concerned about some of the conclusions Laura drew regarding Alfie’s communication. She often assigns specific meaning to the phrases he repeats. Many autistic children use echolalia for a wide variety of reasons, and the words they repeat don’t always reflect their actual thoughts or feelings. For example, interpreting “Dad not coming” as proof that Alfie deeply missed Stephen—and using that as evidence Stephen should return to their lives—felt like a leap. Later, Laura says Alfie regressed once visitation resumed. Someone else could just as easily interpret that as evidence he was distressed by Stephen’s return. The truth is, we simply don’t know. Because Alfie cannot fully express himself, we should be careful not to project meaning onto his words.
I also felt incredibly sad for Graham ( I think that’s the boyfriend’s name in the book). For him to be there for 3 years and consistently and lovingly care for not just Laura but also the kids and yet then not even be invited to the birthday party is WILD! Stephen has been on drugs for Poppy’s entire life. That means he’s never been reliable, stable, or consistently there for her both physically and mentally. Just because he’s sharing dna with those kids doesn’t mean he’s a father to them. Especially when you add all the extremely abusive things he’s done to their mom!! It’s clear that Graham has been more of a father to those kids than Stephen ever has! Sharing DNA does not automatically make someone a father. Showing up consistently, providing safety, and protecting your children does. Based on everything described in this book, Graham demonstrated those qualities far more than Stephen ever did.
My own father was an alcoholic. My mother divorced him when I was three, and I haven’t seen him since I was seven. Raising three children alone could not have been easy, but I thank her all the time for making that decision. She spared us from growing up in an environment filled with addiction, instability, and trauma. Children do not simply need a father at any cost—they need safe, healthy adults.
Ultimately, this book left me feeling more frustrated than almost any memoir I’ve ever read. Reading page after page of the abuse, manipulation, fear, and chaos Stephen inflicted on this family, only to see Laura publicly celebrating him afterward, was heartbreaking. I desperately want her to break this cycle—not only for herself, but for her children. After everything described in these pages, I cannot ignore the pattern. Stephen belongs in prison, not back in Laura’s life.
I genuinely hope that one day Laura is strong enough to break this cycle and that she and her children finally find the lasting peace, safety, and stability they deserve.
I’m also a domestic violence survivor, so I understand firsthand how difficult it is to leave an abusive relationship. But after reading everything Stephen put her and the children through, it was heartbreaking to finish the book and then see Laura welcoming him back into her life on social media. After everything he’s done, I simply cannot understand returning to this cycle—especially knowing it appears to be part of a multigenerational pattern.
One line in the book has stayed with me: when her friend told her, “At this point, you’re a volunteer, not a victim.” That statement felt harsh, but after reading the entire story, I understood why it was said and was saddened to see that, years later, so little seems to have changed.
Laura, if you can’t leave for yourself, please do it for Poppy. Break the generational cycle. Show your daughter what a healthy relationship with healthy boundaries looks like. Show her that she deserves love, safety, and respect—and that people who repeatedly hurt you do not deserve repeated access to your life.
Laura often suggests that drugs were the real problem and that “sober Stephen” is safe. But abuse is about far more than substance use, and countless addicts never abuse their families. Throughout this book, the cycle repeated itself over and over. Trust the pattern, not the promises.
I know many people believe children always need both parents, but I disagree. A father who repeatedly terrorizes their mother is not being a good father. Children are often far better off in a stable single-parent home than growing up witnessing repeated domestic violence. Even if Stephen deserves some level of parenting time, that does not mean Laura should continue allowing him back into her personal life.
I also found myself frustrated by how often Laura seemed to excuse the harmful behavior of people around her—not just Stephen. As a special education teacher, I truly understand how incredibly challenging it can be to raise a child with autism. I have enormous empathy for her situation. However, I couldn’t help but wonder why there seemed to be so little discussion of behavioral supports in the home. In the final chapter, she describes Alfie destroying the house during a meltdown. Is he receiving behavioral therapy? These are incredibly difficult behaviors, but they are often things that can be worked on with the right support.
I was also concerned about some of the conclusions Laura drew regarding Alfie’s communication. She often assigns specific meaning to the phrases he repeats. Many autistic children use echolalia for a wide variety of reasons, and the words they repeat don’t always reflect their actual thoughts or feelings. For example, interpreting “Dad not coming” as proof that Alfie deeply missed Stephen—and using that as evidence Stephen should return to their lives—felt like a leap. Later, Laura says Alfie regressed once visitation resumed. Someone else could just as easily interpret that as evidence he was distressed by Stephen’s return. The truth is, we simply don’t know. Because Alfie cannot fully express himself, we should be careful not to project meaning onto his words.
I also felt incredibly sad for Graham ( I think that’s the boyfriend’s name in the book). For him to be there for 3 years and consistently and lovingly care for not just Laura but also the kids and yet then not even be invited to the birthday party is WILD! Stephen has been on drugs for Poppy’s entire life. That means he’s never been reliable, stable, or consistently there for her both physically and mentally. Just because he’s sharing dna with those kids doesn’t mean he’s a father to them. Especially when you add all the extremely abusive things he’s done to their mom!! It’s clear that Graham has been more of a father to those kids than Stephen ever has! Sharing DNA does not automatically make someone a father. Showing up consistently, providing safety, and protecting your children does. Based on everything described in this book, Graham demonstrated those qualities far more than Stephen ever did.
My own father was an alcoholic. My mother divorced him when I was three, and I haven’t seen him since I was seven. Raising three children alone could not have been easy, but I thank her all the time for making that decision. She spared us from growing up in an environment filled with addiction, instability, and trauma. Children do not simply need a father at any cost—they need safe, healthy adults.
Ultimately, this book left me feeling more frustrated than almost any memoir I’ve ever read. Reading page after page of the abuse, manipulation, fear, and chaos Stephen inflicted on this family, only to see Laura publicly celebrating him afterward, was heartbreaking. I desperately want her to break this cycle—not only for herself, but for her children. After everything described in these pages, I cannot ignore the pattern. Stephen belongs in prison, not back in Laura’s life.
I genuinely hope that one day Laura is strong enough to break this cycle and that she and her children finally find the lasting peace, safety, and stability they deserve.
July 22, 2026
Just a warning for other readers - this author will drag you on her socials and sicc her cult of followers on you if you post a bad review of her book.
Reviews are for readers, not authors. If Clery can’t handle people not liking her work, she either needs to get thicker skin or stop putting her work out into the world.
Reviews are for readers, not authors. If Clery can’t handle people not liking her work, she either needs to get thicker skin or stop putting her work out into the world.
July 18, 2026
Very poorly written. I also thought she was going to go into information that wasn’t splattered all over Stephen’s social media. She did not.
Instead she writes a novel excusing his behavior, sanitizing his crimes and attempting a completely undeserved redemption.
Disappointed on every level.
Instead she writes a novel excusing his behavior, sanitizing his crimes and attempting a completely undeserved redemption.
Disappointed on every level.
July 22, 2026
Reading reviewers who didn't like your book to troll them for your followers is not cool.
Do better
Do better
![Profile Image for Megan [Jaded AF].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1634561405i/25103878._UY200_CR50,0,200,200_.jpg)
authors-behaving-badly-dnr
July 23, 2026Can authors please stop screenshotting bad reviews from GR and posting them on threads, insta, TikTok etc? 🙄
July 22, 2026
Found out how horrifically this author treats readers (and fans) who criticize her work. There is nothing wrong with personal opinions, these books are FULL of them. Laura wants her personal opinions respected but cannot respect others’. It’s healthy to have criticism, it’s how we grow. However, Laura has proven time and time again that she refuses to grow. Many people are afraid of her due to doxxing that she has perpetrated when someone pisses her off.
July 23, 2026
If I could rate it zero I would.
May 30, 2026
Laura Clery has been through hell and back the past few years. Any fan of hers has witnessed the ups and downs with her ex. Some of the online discourse continues to this day. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Hotter is an inside look of those years from Laura’s point of view. She kept her silence through much of it, so it was very heartbreaking read to see how much her and her children suffered.
This book wasn’t as humorous as her first two books, but I don’t think anyone could make jokes about the material in this book. It was raw, honest, and Laura laid herself bare emotionally. She detailed her struggles, how she overcame them, and how she protected her children. She speaks very factually about her ex husband, never bashing him or judging him. Which is honestly more than he deserved in my opinion, but she has my respect for taking the higher road.
Did she make mistakes? Yes, and she admits to them in this book while also reminding the reader hindsight is 20/20 and she felt she was doing the right thing at the moment. She openly admits that many of her decisions (such as the co-parenting podcast) came from a money making mindset, which is refreshing to see from a social media star. You can tell the events of her life chronicled in this book has changed her outlook on a lot of things, including sharing her children on social media.
I truly don’t know how she managed to not only parent, but keep her sobriety and income through these events. It was good to see her be able to get her side of the story out. I have hope that as she is able to heal more she will continue her advocacy against abuse and domestic violence. I have hope in her next book she will be able to go back to her usual humorous stories, as these horrible events fade into the past.
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book wasn’t as humorous as her first two books, but I don’t think anyone could make jokes about the material in this book. It was raw, honest, and Laura laid herself bare emotionally. She detailed her struggles, how she overcame them, and how she protected her children. She speaks very factually about her ex husband, never bashing him or judging him. Which is honestly more than he deserved in my opinion, but she has my respect for taking the higher road.
Did she make mistakes? Yes, and she admits to them in this book while also reminding the reader hindsight is 20/20 and she felt she was doing the right thing at the moment. She openly admits that many of her decisions (such as the co-parenting podcast) came from a money making mindset, which is refreshing to see from a social media star. You can tell the events of her life chronicled in this book has changed her outlook on a lot of things, including sharing her children on social media.
I truly don’t know how she managed to not only parent, but keep her sobriety and income through these events. It was good to see her be able to get her side of the story out. I have hope that as she is able to heal more she will continue her advocacy against abuse and domestic violence. I have hope in her next book she will be able to go back to her usual humorous stories, as these horrible events fade into the past.
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 22, 2026
0/5
Haven’t read this book but she shared and shamed a négative rêview someone left here on her socials to millions of people online!! So negative
Haven’t read this book but she shared and shamed a négative rêview someone left here on her socials to millions of people online!! So negative
July 22, 2026
The substances may be gone but the behavior sticks, for both parties.
July 25, 2026
Absolute drivel. The only way one could possibly enjoy this is if their brain were completely rotted by social media and reality TV. Not one redeeming quality.
July 23, 2026
PLEASE BEWARE THAT ALL THE GOOD REVIEWS ARE FAKE, all posted by her cult of followers on social media. This book sucks ass!
July 23, 2026
Apparently this book is controversial. But the beauty of memoirs is that it’s the author getting to share their side of the story, and that’s exactly what this is. If it’s more details and behind the scenes of her life than it is a reflection, that’s fine.
As someone who pseudo saw some of the drama over the last few years, I did find it fun (in kinda a gossipy way) to find out want actually happened.
Also heartbreaking that people continue to be in these relationships and not have the privilege to fight, leave, or give grace and forgiveness.
Best work ever? Probably not. Entertaining as a read? Certainly.
As someone who pseudo saw some of the drama over the last few years, I did find it fun (in kinda a gossipy way) to find out want actually happened.
Also heartbreaking that people continue to be in these relationships and not have the privilege to fight, leave, or give grace and forgiveness.
Best work ever? Probably not. Entertaining as a read? Certainly.
July 21, 2026
I have a lot of empathy for anyone who has to endure something this painful, and I truly felt sorrow for what Laura and her family experienced. That said, I was hoping for more reflection on the lessons she learned throughout it all. Much of the book felt focused on airing the details and drama of what happened. If you're interested in that kind of raw, behind-the-scenes memoir, you'll probably enjoy it.
The biggest takeaway for me was that sometimes life is simply about getting through incredibly difficult seasons, and there doesn't always have to be a neat, inspiring message at the end, and that's okay. I just wish the book had been more intentional in exploring that idea and offering a bit more insight into how those experiences shaped her.
The biggest takeaway for me was that sometimes life is simply about getting through incredibly difficult seasons, and there doesn't always have to be a neat, inspiring message at the end, and that's okay. I just wish the book had been more intentional in exploring that idea and offering a bit more insight into how those experiences shaped her.
July 14, 2026
This micro memoir is a story of survival, self discovery, feminine rage and above all, feminine strength. It is deeply honest, incredibly raw and I genuinely think every woman should read it. I demolished it in less than 24 hours.
I’ve read both of Laura’s previous books and have followed her for years, so I was already lightly aware of her ex husband’s public unraveling and how terrifying life became for her in 2025. But hearing Laura tell the story in her own words is something else entirely. As she’s such a brilliant storyteller, I always buy the audiobook because I love hearing her narrate her own work. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Hotter shares some of the darkest moments of her life with incredible honesty, vulnerability and even humour. Laura tells her story without shying away from what she sees as her own mistakes, even when, as a reader, you can see she was simply trying to be compassionate. Throughout the memoir, she comes across as a woman doing her absolute best in the hardest of circumstances.
What makes this book so fascinating is that Laura writes from the perspective of someone whose life was playing out in the public eye, while also letting us see the very human moments behind it all. As both she and her ex were so active on social media, many readers will already know the broad outline of what happened. But reading Laura’s own account of those events and everything that was happening behind closed doors is completely absorbing.
I’ll continue to read and listen to anything Laura writes because she has such a unique way of telling her story, whether she’s writing about the good or the bad. There’s always honesty, humour and warmth in her words. More than anything, this book makes it clear that all Laura wants is peace and a healthy, happy life. The grace she extends to the father of her children, despite everything she has endured, says so much about her strength and character.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs, but especially to anyone going through a difficult season in their own life. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments there can still be hope, resilience and so much strength.
I’ve read both of Laura’s previous books and have followed her for years, so I was already lightly aware of her ex husband’s public unraveling and how terrifying life became for her in 2025. But hearing Laura tell the story in her own words is something else entirely. As she’s such a brilliant storyteller, I always buy the audiobook because I love hearing her narrate her own work. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Hotter shares some of the darkest moments of her life with incredible honesty, vulnerability and even humour. Laura tells her story without shying away from what she sees as her own mistakes, even when, as a reader, you can see she was simply trying to be compassionate. Throughout the memoir, she comes across as a woman doing her absolute best in the hardest of circumstances.
What makes this book so fascinating is that Laura writes from the perspective of someone whose life was playing out in the public eye, while also letting us see the very human moments behind it all. As both she and her ex were so active on social media, many readers will already know the broad outline of what happened. But reading Laura’s own account of those events and everything that was happening behind closed doors is completely absorbing.
I’ll continue to read and listen to anything Laura writes because she has such a unique way of telling her story, whether she’s writing about the good or the bad. There’s always honesty, humour and warmth in her words. More than anything, this book makes it clear that all Laura wants is peace and a healthy, happy life. The grace she extends to the father of her children, despite everything she has endured, says so much about her strength and character.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs, but especially to anyone going through a difficult season in their own life. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments there can still be hope, resilience and so much strength.
July 26, 2026
Influencers are fcuking weird.
July 18, 2026
I’m actually sobbing writing this, I don’t ever really write full blown reviews… just give my stars and continue on. But I could not adore Laura and her writing more. I sobbed and ugly-cried in many chapters. I laughed out loud in public in others. Thank you for sharing your story. Your writing is hilarious, moving, deep, so relatable, and such a gift to other single moms. ♥️ fucking 10/10
Did Not Finish
July 25, 2026I have a strict rule against finishing books written by authors who like to harass and embarrass reviewers for the crime of simply not liking their book.
July 27, 2026
I recommend this book to anyone who has navigated a separation from a partner with whom you have a child with. I recommend it to anyone who knows the struggle of addiction- I recommend it to a parent of a child with special needs. I recommend it to any woman going through a tough time.
July 27, 2026
The gimmicky cover belies the gravity of this heavy memoir. Laura is a fantastic, witty writer and tells her story in a way only she can. She reminds us that what we see online can be in direct contrast to what is happening in someone's real life. And that intimate partner violence can happen to anyone, at any time, and women are still not believed.
July 27, 2026
As someone who has survived marrying, having a baby with and divorcing an abusive narcissist—this book made me feel seen. I can’t even recall how many clips I took from the audio book. It’s real and raw and i commend her ability to describe these thoughts and experiences.. because most people that have lived through this *can’t* find the WORDS much less the COURAGE to share a story like this. I’m totally neutral to the author, solid 5/5 stars.
July 30, 2026
I enjoy listening to her books because her delivery and voices are so good!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're already a fan of comedian and New York Times bestselling author Laura Clery, then you likely already know what to expect from the author of "Idiot."
As a Clery newbie, I'll admit it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of a writer whose latest essay collection, "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter," has an awful lot to do with not getting killed, very little to do with getting hotter, and almost nothing to do with a cover photo that implies a literary tone that simply never exists throughout the pages of an otherwise darkly humorous, ridiculously unhinged, and also achingly vulnerable collection.
Noting my confusion early on, I opted to look up Clery for myself to aid in my understanding of this world created in "Hotter" in which Clery sees her seemingly rock-solid relationship publicly crumble (though from the outset is actually never seems that rock-solid), struggle with the early days of being a single parent to two young children including one with autism (NOTE: Can we retire the phrase "special needs" please? It's old and ableist.), and flirt with both dating again and a system that doesn't always seem to care about dangerous exes, endangered kids, or any other of life's major disruptions.
Despite my reservations with how "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is marketed, rest assured that Clery's writing is an entertaining landscape of breaking down, rising up, laughing along the way, and figuring out how to find joy amidst it all.
"What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is a frequently funny collection of essays, though it's worth noting that Clery doesn't hold back on the very real fears contained within what I would call domestic violence (which is never actually stated) and even the very real dangers of living your life as a content creator when your life is that content.
There's some scary stuff here.
Fortunately, Clery has a natural gift for portraying that scary stuff in a way that isn't quite as scary for the reader.
What's even more refreshing is that Clery portrays herself realistically. Clery captures her own history with addiction, her imperfections with parenting, her difficulty in leaving a relationship that is clearly unhealthy for all involved, and in a weird way even illustrates how an unhealthy cycle becomes an unhealthy cycle.
"What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is a reclaiming of sorts, Clery's perseverance on full display and her determination to live a good life admirable, inspirational, funny, and hard-fought.
While there are times that Clery's writing is downright harrowing, in the end Clary wins us over with a relentless spirit that radiates throughout and for those who've been knocked down and gotten back up again "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is an essay collection that will resonate, inform, and inspire.
As a Clery newbie, I'll admit it took me a bit to get into the rhythm of a writer whose latest essay collection, "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter," has an awful lot to do with not getting killed, very little to do with getting hotter, and almost nothing to do with a cover photo that implies a literary tone that simply never exists throughout the pages of an otherwise darkly humorous, ridiculously unhinged, and also achingly vulnerable collection.
Noting my confusion early on, I opted to look up Clery for myself to aid in my understanding of this world created in "Hotter" in which Clery sees her seemingly rock-solid relationship publicly crumble (though from the outset is actually never seems that rock-solid), struggle with the early days of being a single parent to two young children including one with autism (NOTE: Can we retire the phrase "special needs" please? It's old and ableist.), and flirt with both dating again and a system that doesn't always seem to care about dangerous exes, endangered kids, or any other of life's major disruptions.
Despite my reservations with how "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is marketed, rest assured that Clery's writing is an entertaining landscape of breaking down, rising up, laughing along the way, and figuring out how to find joy amidst it all.
"What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is a frequently funny collection of essays, though it's worth noting that Clery doesn't hold back on the very real fears contained within what I would call domestic violence (which is never actually stated) and even the very real dangers of living your life as a content creator when your life is that content.
There's some scary stuff here.
Fortunately, Clery has a natural gift for portraying that scary stuff in a way that isn't quite as scary for the reader.
What's even more refreshing is that Clery portrays herself realistically. Clery captures her own history with addiction, her imperfections with parenting, her difficulty in leaving a relationship that is clearly unhealthy for all involved, and in a weird way even illustrates how an unhealthy cycle becomes an unhealthy cycle.
"What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is a reclaiming of sorts, Clery's perseverance on full display and her determination to live a good life admirable, inspirational, funny, and hard-fought.
While there are times that Clery's writing is downright harrowing, in the end Clary wins us over with a relentless spirit that radiates throughout and for those who've been knocked down and gotten back up again "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter" is an essay collection that will resonate, inform, and inspire.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've been following Laura for a while and have also read her other two books (I do wish she kept the "idiot" theme in the third book, too). Laura went through a very public divorce the past few years, and for a while I was following it, but it got frustrating so I stepped away for a while. So it's good to have a book here that recaps what I missed.
I figured this book would feature a lot of Stephen in it, but wow he's in practically the whole thing. If you're looking for a recap of the last three years of their separation, this book delivers. Which I admire, because some books (like Rachel Hollis's book) just use it as a clickbait way to sell more books, but don't actually divulge anything. And Laura has plenty to divulge.
Laura doesn't hold anything back and she's been through a lot. There were times I had to put the book down because it got too much. And I am not a mother nor do I have close relationships with addicts. If you are one of both of those things, this book may be even harder for you.
I'm glad Laura got through it, but I feel like the book could have used another 6 months before coming out. I'm sure this is the publisher trying to capitalize on the moment, but I want to hear more about how Laura made it out the other side. We got a nice wrap-up chapter at the end, but I don't feel like it gave any comfort, especially for folks who may be on a similar journey.
I'm sure the book was cathartic for Laura to write. And I think her devoted fans will eat it up. But if you're just a casual fan, understand that this tone is very different from her last books. This is definitely more drama than humor.
I figured this book would feature a lot of Stephen in it, but wow he's in practically the whole thing. If you're looking for a recap of the last three years of their separation, this book delivers. Which I admire, because some books (like Rachel Hollis's book) just use it as a clickbait way to sell more books, but don't actually divulge anything. And Laura has plenty to divulge.
Laura doesn't hold anything back and she's been through a lot. There were times I had to put the book down because it got too much. And I am not a mother nor do I have close relationships with addicts. If you are one of both of those things, this book may be even harder for you.
I'm glad Laura got through it, but I feel like the book could have used another 6 months before coming out. I'm sure this is the publisher trying to capitalize on the moment, but I want to hear more about how Laura made it out the other side. We got a nice wrap-up chapter at the end, but I don't feel like it gave any comfort, especially for folks who may be on a similar journey.
I'm sure the book was cathartic for Laura to write. And I think her devoted fans will eat it up. But if you're just a casual fan, understand that this tone is very different from her last books. This is definitely more drama than humor.
July 16, 2026
This was such a different read for me, and honestly, I’m so thankful I was gifted a copy from @gallerybooks. This book completely changed the way I look at life's hardest moments. It reminded me that no matter what happens, even when it feels impossible, you can survive it.
I went in expecting something funny (because, COME ON...it's Laura Clery), but I came away with so much more. What I loved most was the reminder that when life knocks you down, it can feel like the end of the world in the moment...but it isn't. This book is messy, vulnerable, funny, painful, hopeful, and incredibly human.
Laura shares her journey with a level of honesty that made me laugh one minute and reflect on my own life the next. The themes of self-discovery, healing, and learning to keep moving forward through every emotion really stayed with me long after I finished.
If you're looking for a polished, perfect story, this isn't that. If you're looking for a heartfelt reminder that growth often comes from the hardest seasons of life...and that you're not alone while going through them, this book is absolutely worth reading.
This was one of my most unexpected reads of the year and, without a doubt, one of my favorites.
Have you ever read a book that showed up exactly when you needed it? I'd love to hear what it was.
I went in expecting something funny (because, COME ON...it's Laura Clery), but I came away with so much more. What I loved most was the reminder that when life knocks you down, it can feel like the end of the world in the moment...but it isn't. This book is messy, vulnerable, funny, painful, hopeful, and incredibly human.
Laura shares her journey with a level of honesty that made me laugh one minute and reflect on my own life the next. The themes of self-discovery, healing, and learning to keep moving forward through every emotion really stayed with me long after I finished.
If you're looking for a polished, perfect story, this isn't that. If you're looking for a heartfelt reminder that growth often comes from the hardest seasons of life...and that you're not alone while going through them, this book is absolutely worth reading.
This was one of my most unexpected reads of the year and, without a doubt, one of my favorites.
Have you ever read a book that showed up exactly when you needed it? I'd love to hear what it was.
July 26, 2026
Thank you Gallery for my gifted copy!
As I age alongside Laura Clery, she just becomes more and more relatable. I have experienced a similar timeline with her. Both Midwesterners. Kids the same years; my first is autistic, my second is not. Her narrative is a reminder that I am normal, and that involved motherhood is a struggle regardless of who you are. It’s refreshing.
Despite her struggles, her strength helped me find my own. And isn’t what books like this are for? Sure, she is a famous comedian, but she is also wise, present, engaged, perfectly imperfect, real, human. Her books definitely make you feel like you know her.
And yet.
After following her content for years, I did not realize the depth of how awful things had gotten for her. It breaks my heart to think of her making us laugh as she struggled behind closed doors, only for it to be brought brutally into the light. To see her character, her motherhood, shredded in front of millions is so familiar to what it means to be a woman in this world. When most would have caved, she didn’t. And all while staying sober. That is a damn inspiration.
I cannot wait for her next book to see how we’ve grown parallel to each other. Maybe, like developmental stages in early childhood, we all never really stop developing. We all go through stages in our 20s, 30s, 40s. And I’m excited to see what her - and my - 40s bring.
As I age alongside Laura Clery, she just becomes more and more relatable. I have experienced a similar timeline with her. Both Midwesterners. Kids the same years; my first is autistic, my second is not. Her narrative is a reminder that I am normal, and that involved motherhood is a struggle regardless of who you are. It’s refreshing.
Despite her struggles, her strength helped me find my own. And isn’t what books like this are for? Sure, she is a famous comedian, but she is also wise, present, engaged, perfectly imperfect, real, human. Her books definitely make you feel like you know her.
And yet.
After following her content for years, I did not realize the depth of how awful things had gotten for her. It breaks my heart to think of her making us laugh as she struggled behind closed doors, only for it to be brought brutally into the light. To see her character, her motherhood, shredded in front of millions is so familiar to what it means to be a woman in this world. When most would have caved, she didn’t. And all while staying sober. That is a damn inspiration.
I cannot wait for her next book to see how we’ve grown parallel to each other. Maybe, like developmental stages in early childhood, we all never really stop developing. We all go through stages in our 20s, 30s, 40s. And I’m excited to see what her - and my - 40s bring.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve followed Laura Clery for years, so I was especially interested in reading this memoir after watching parts of her life unfold online. While I enjoyed her first memoir, this one filled in a lot of the gaps surrounding her highly publicized divorce and the events that led up to it.
Laura’s trademark humor is still very much present, even when she’s discussing some incredibly difficult and painful experiences. She has a way of finding levity in situations that might otherwise feel overwhelming, which makes for a compelling and highly readable memoir.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I “enjoyed” every part of the story because much of it is messy, heartbreaking, and frustrating, but I was invested from beginning to end. As someone who had followed pieces of the story through social media, I appreciated getting the full context and hearing Laura’s perspective on everything that happened behind the scenes.
Overall, this was an honest, vulnerable, and often funny look at navigating divorce, motherhood, sobriety, and personal growth while living much of your life in the public eye. Fans of Laura Clery’s content will likely find this memoir especially insightful.
Laura’s trademark humor is still very much present, even when she’s discussing some incredibly difficult and painful experiences. She has a way of finding levity in situations that might otherwise feel overwhelming, which makes for a compelling and highly readable memoir.
I wouldn’t necessarily say I “enjoyed” every part of the story because much of it is messy, heartbreaking, and frustrating, but I was invested from beginning to end. As someone who had followed pieces of the story through social media, I appreciated getting the full context and hearing Laura’s perspective on everything that happened behind the scenes.
Overall, this was an honest, vulnerable, and often funny look at navigating divorce, motherhood, sobriety, and personal growth while living much of your life in the public eye. Fans of Laura Clery’s content will likely find this memoir especially insightful.
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