And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress

by Sophia Bush

Sophia Bush has always understood the power of stories.

She’s seen it in the connection millions around the world have had to the women she’s played on-screen―including Drs. Sam Griffith on Good Sam and Cass Beckman on Grey’s Anatomy, Erin Lindsay on Chicago P.D., and, of course, the iconic, beloved Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill―and in activism, where exposing truths about inequality and power has opened eyes, forced change, and made her a symbol of fearlessness. She’s also seen it in her personal life, when her experiences and opinions have been distorted to drive clicks and create drama.

Stories are powerful. And now, in And I Will Tell You Mine, these will be shared by the woman they belong to: Sophia herself.

With unflinching honesty, she opens up about her bohemian childhood in Los Angeles and the unexpected road from journalism student to actor; the life-changing decade of One Tree Hill, where she navigated relationships on- and off-screen and fought for her character’s integrity; the realities of marriage and divorce in the spotlight; and her years in Chicago, where a dream job forced her into two lives–a badge-wearing protector in one, and a woman in need of protecting in the other. She also offers a side of herself that’s not often seen: the curious, human, laugh-out-loud-funny Sophia, who boldly defies demands that she stay in her lane instead of pursuing activism; hops on a last-minute flight to attend a dance party at the White House; gathers community and finds chosen family in unexpected places (including a cruise); and makes the most of vacations gone horribly, hilariously wrong.

Beautifully written, and at turns both personal and universal, And I Will Tell You Mine is Sophia’s unforgettable journey through becoming, un-becoming, and becoming again; embracing the light when the world feels overwhelmingly dark; and finally, joyously, coming home to your truest self.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Biography, Queer, Autobiography

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2026

About the author

Sophia Bush is an acclaimed actress, producer, activist, entrepreneur, and investor. She is a member of the Directors Guild of America and has starred in an impressive range of television and film projects including John Tucker Must Die, Incredibles 2, the CW’s hit series One Tree Hill, and Dick Wolf’s NBC hit series Chicago P.D. Bush also starred in and served as a producer on the television series Good Sam, for CBS. Most recently, she joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy as the recurring role of Dr. Cass Beckman. She will soon be seen in Hulu’s new television series, Count My Lies. Since 2019, she has been the host of the popular podcast Work in Progress with Sophia Bush. She was a co-host of Drama Queens alongside Hilarie Burton Morgan, Robert Buckley, and Bethany Joy Lenz from 2021-2025.

Beyond entertainment, Sophia is a dedicated activist and philanthropist, with a large focus on female empowerment causes. She is a General Partner and investor in Union Heritage Ventures, a majority African American and women-owned venture capital firm, and is an advisor for Fashionkind and the First Women’s Bank. Sophia co-founded and sits on the board for I am a voter®, and is a part-owner of Angel City FC. And I Will Tell You Mine is her first book.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the is the best book I have read this year and I have read many!
I have loved Sophia Bush as Brook Davis (and was very late to that party) and have followed her career on and off. I have read a couple of things she has published, listen to her podcast and as a result I had high expectations … and she delivered!
I love how she took a deep and honest approach to so many aspects of her life, that have been in the spotlight and have been far away from it. She talks about successes, failures, healing and growing, love and friendship, womanhood and community. And what I loved most, is that she didn’t point a finger at others without talking about her part and especially what she learned from all of that.
I cried for the first time in the introduction and it kept happening because all/many of her stories are so relatable. And I could have read this book in one sitting but at the same time I felt like sitting with it and wishing to learn more, read more and spend more time with her stories.

[Tabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just cemented the love and respect that I have for Sophia Bush.

[Caleigh McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah I knew I would absolutely adore this one because well, it’s Sophia Bush. Not only did she raise me as Brooke Davis, was one of my gay awakenings in John Tucker Must Die , and amazed me (and made me fall harder for her) by being such an iconic badass as Erin in Chicago P.D. , but Sophia is the type of person whose story I always wanted to hear.

I didn’t want to hear her story just to get the “tea” on headlines people constantly ask her about yet conveniently never ask the guilty men who did the horrible things or rumors and speculations online, I wanted to just hear about her and her personal journey throughout life both with acting, activism, and all aspects.

Big tip here, definitely listen to the audiobook too for immersive reading because my god I could listen to her talk for hours.

But anyways, so many stories she shared and milestones and hard times touched me in ways that genuinely had me crying at multiple points. It’s crazy that I felt myself relating and seeing myself through moments of someone’s life who has a completely different life than I do. But I did. The mental health journey, the lessons learned, the heartbreak, the taking steps forward then feeling shoved back again, the deep and utter love for women and community, fighting for what you believe in, learning to accept parts of yourself you never had out of fear of rejection. All of it.

This memoir was raw, honest, vulnerable, and beautiful. Sophia has such a breathtaking way with words and UGH I am so happy for her😭

[Abby Farris · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

For so many of us, Sophia Bush has been a familiar presence on our screens for years. From One Tree Hill, a show that helped define the early 2000s, to Chicago P.D. and more recently Grey's Anatomy, we've watched her portray so many different characters. But what I loved about And I Will Tell You Mine is that Sophia reminds us she is so much more than the roles we've come to know and love.

Spanning her childhood through her career, relationships, and life as it stands today, this memoir certainly touches on the experiences and productions fans will be curious about. But those stories aren't the center of it all. Instead, Sophia offers something much more personal: the opportunity to understand the woman behind those experiences.

One of the things I appreciated most was the honesty and grace with which she approached her story. This never felt like an opportunity to bash others or rewrite history in her favor. Instead, she was intentional about owning the parts of the story that belonged to her, acknowledging her experiences while respecting that others may have their own perspectives. There is tremendous maturity in recognizing that multiple truths can coexist.

I also appreciated that she didn't shy away from the long-term impact of trauma, particularly the ways our bodies can carry experiences long after we've tried to move forward. As someone who works in the mental health field, I found her reflections on healing especially meaningful. There is a beautiful understanding throughout this memoir that healing can be both painful and freeing, that grief and growth can exist together, and that two seemingly contradictory feelings can both be true. Her language reflects a great deal of introspection and personal work, and I appreciated that vulnerability.

I've also long admired Sophia's heart for advocacy. I believe that when someone has a platform, power, and privilege, how they choose to show up with those things matters. What I appreciate about Sophia is that her advocacy doesn't feel like something included in a memoir to earn a gold star. Her actions over time have demonstrated a willingness to show up, speak out, and use her influence for something beyond herself.

I listened to the audiobook, and I absolutely loved hearing Sophia narrate her own story. I've always loved her voice, and having her tell these experiences herself added another layer of intimacy. My only frustration was that some of the audio editing made her voice sound noticeably different from the familiar warmth and cadence I enjoy.

There were also moments when the writing seemed to reach a little too hard for something profound or transcendent. Sometimes those reflections landed beautifully and felt completely genuine; other times, they felt slightly overworked. I found the most powerful moments were often the ones where Sophia simply allowed her experiences and honesty to speak for themselves.

Overall, this was a thoughtful, vulnerable, and deeply personal memoir about reclaiming your story, understanding the impact of what you've survived, and learning that healing doesn't have to be a neat or linear process.

[Katie Spriggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a huge one tree hill fan, I (selfishly) wanted more BTS one tree hill stuff, but I also have to remember there’s a whole podcast she did with hilarie and joy that has that content. There were a few key things she skated over quickly too. There was not much discussion about her time with Austin Nichols, which I would have LOVED. I was going to give the book 2.5 stars but her talking shit about young Chad Michael Murray bumped it to a 3 😂😂😂

[Dominique · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Love Sophia Bush! Feel like I got to know her so much more after reading this book. So happy she finally found happiness ❤️

[regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wait i cried so much

[Amelia LeTarte · Rating 3 out of 5]

You lost me on the chapter about space girly

[Najiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for Sophia started with OTH and Brooke Davis and I have loved following her ever since😍 Such a great book - I recommend listening to it on audiobook ☺️ As a major fan girl I could go on and on but I wasn’t made to write 😂

[Allie]

Oh Sophia, they could never make me hate you❤️

[Emily Zielinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia bush! The woman you are!

[AD · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Sure it's flowery and earnest, much like the public image of the author herself, but in that sense it's more like storytime with Sophia Bush than a chronological retelling of her life (especially the audiobook, which admittedly is why I bumped up my initial rating–I gotta recommend the audiobook). Some of the parts in the middle dragged but I think I'm just burnt out on politics and would rather not relive 2016.

People will want to know the messy stuff, and for that I'm keeping my review spoiler-free. Like, just get the book? She does mention that she can't really control if people find her truthful or not so that's up to the reader, but I do find her to be honest even if she's a little evasive around the Chicago PD parts.

This is more of a journal/diary and hearing it in her voice kept it conversational and engaging for me. Opinions will differ, and that's ok!

Ok, I will slightly spoil that there is a call out of white women that will ruffle feathers. Now, I'm listening to this thinking she's preaching to the choir, but she doesn't know me and some people need to hear it. Look, if it don't apply let it fly. But it probably does apply to most of y'all. Instead of getting your hackles raised considering the source (a preachy white woman), idk maybe listen to her? You can trust me on this–I have white friends.

Anyway, the points don't matter: 3.75/5 but given a 0.5 bump because the audio is fantastic. She uses her voice well. I really hope I won't regret leaving this review.

[Stephanie Tetrault · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

Many seemed to have enjoy the read. It didn’t land for me. It just didn’t feel genuine or honest to me. I couldn’t connect or relate emotionaly. It gave me the same feeling as reading a text written by AI. Dont get me wrong, it’s definitely Sophia’s writing. But it often feels like it’s more about writing something interesting, beautiful or creative than about telling things as it is or allowing you to relate, the highs and lows are sometimes describes a little too theatrically. The choices of some Chapters also felt a little bit like self promotion. The choice of what is talked about and was is excluded is interesting. It gave me the impression all the choices made were just serving a final arc and some passages even seemed more planted there purposefully to give meaning to the end of the book whether than elements that actually seemed genuine and serving the story when they were discussed instead of just serving the end.

[nay ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and I cried. Memoirs are tricky, in that it is extremely difficult for most people to stuff the events of their actual life—discordant, messy, raw bits and all— into an artful and cohesive narrative that has been told evocative language that's never quite overkill. Sophia has done it though; there is a tightrope between crafty storytelling and candid truth-telling of the facts of one's life, particularly in retrospect, without casting oneself in either the role of the hero or the villain, and she has managed to balance a life that is still a work in progress (iykyk) with vulnerability and integrity in spades. She knows that the truths, hers, will undoubtedly be ripped apart in scathing, hot takes in headlines and on social media feeds... and yet she has shared bravely and tenderly. I just know I'll come back to this again.

[Shelton Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could count on one hand the number of people I even like enough to read a whole book they’ve written about their own life. Even less as far people I don’t actually know. Sophia has been a person I’ve admired and been inspired by since I was a 19 year old boy trying to figure out what kind of human being I wanted to grow up to be. This book is unbelievably vulnerable and moving and had me openly weeping in the dedication before it even started. I’d recommend this to anyone that has eyeballs to read it or ear holes to hear it. It will probably make you uncomfortable and will certainly make you better.

[Lizeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes someone elses story is exactly what you need to hear in the chapter of your life you are currently navigating.

Cried more than I probably should have. I want all my friends to read this for so many different reasons.

Mainly cause we all need to hear her when she writes:
Life is too fucking long to be miserable.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not adore her more. This is absolutely worth the listen from her! Her voice is so comforting. & these OTH girls have helped me find my voice. The absolute most respect for this gorgeous & kind human being, we made the right person famous!

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one and she delivered! Thoughtfully written.

Would recommend as an audiobook

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has been a fan of Sophia Bush for years, And I Will Tell You Mine: Notes from a Life in Progress felt like sitting down with an old friend and having a deeply honest conversation. Sophia was always my favourite of the One Tree Hill female trio. I often joke that I started watching One Tree Hill for Chad Michael Murray, but stayed for Sophia. She was also one of the few actors whose career and advocacy work I continued to follow after the show ended because I always found her such an interesting, thoughtful human being.

What I loved most about this memoir was how authentic it felt. Sophia doesn't present herself as someone who has everything figured out. Instead, she shares the lessons, mistakes, triumphs, and ongoing growth that have shaped her life. The title couldn't be more fitting, as these really do feel like notes from a life still in progress. Her writing is reflective, vulnerable, intelligent, and often surprisingly relatable.

Of course, I listened to the audiobook, and I finished it in a single session. Honestly, I could probably listen to Sophia talk forever. Her narration adds another layer of warmth and sincerity to the stories, making it feel even more personal and immersive.

I particularly appreciated the way she explores identity, relationships, career, advocacy, and finding your voice. There are moments that are deeply personal, alongside reflections that encourage readers to think about their own lives. Even when discussing difficult experiences, she writes with grace and self-awareness rather than bitterness.

Fans of One Tree Hill will undoubtedly enjoy the glimpses into Sophia's journey, though this memoir stands firmly on its own. It's not simply a celebrity memoir; it's a thoughtful collection of stories and reflections from someone who has spent years learning, questioning, evolving, and striving to live authentically.

A heartfelt, insightful, and inspiring read that reminded me exactly why Sophia has remained one of my favourite people to follow all these years. Highly recommended.

[McKenzie Crockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment this book was announced I’ve been on the edge of my seat for its release, and Sophia did not disappoint. In fact, she exceeded my expectations with this beautiful book!

As a One Tree Hill fan I was excited to hear about all things Brooke Davis, but of course being on OTH does not make up her entire identity. I knew there’d be so much more to this book than that portion of her life, but I did not realize just how much I would learn about Sophia Bush. I liked her before, but I’m leaving And I Will Tell You Mine wanting to be her best friend.

We all know the saying “you live and you learn” but do we actually do the learning part? Sophia embodies that phrase. She does the learning part and does it well. There are no shortage of moments in Sophia’s life that may have felt like failures at the time, but she’s taken those events and allowed herself to evolve from them. There are things in her book that she’s never really publically talked about, but I admire that she wrote them because they’re all parts of what made her the person she is today. She wrote every word of her story with grace for the other people involved, but acknowledged the necessity in telling it.

She wrote a lot about activism. Not just for an area she’s passionate about but for several different things. She’s dedicated her life to learning about people and truly wants to change the systems that oppress them. She uses her privilege for wonderful things, and even through this book you can hear the humble spirit she has toward them.

Through listening to Sophia process her past—her victories, scars, mistakes—I think there’s so much to take in and learn about life. I listened to this memoir, but will be purchasing the physical book and reading it. And probably rereading it after that.

”I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.”

[Lyndsey O'Keeffe-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this memoir. Sophia Bush is someone I grew up watching, but I had no idea how much I didn’t know about her. I don’t think I ever realized just how involved she’s been in activism, social justice, and community work and getting to see that side of her was one of the most interesting parts of the book.

What really stood out to me was how openly she finally shared her truth about her personal life. For years, the public narrative around her relationships was shaped by tabloids, gossip, and other people’s voices. In this memoir, she finally gets to reclaim her story, and hearing it directly from her cleared up so much of the noise that had been spun around her.

I also loved how she wrote about her career, her friendships, her heartbreaks, and the moments that shaped her into the person she is now. She balances vulnerability with strength in a way that feels honest and empowering. It made me appreciate her not just as an actress, but as a whole human being who has fought hard to grow, heal, and stand up for what she believes in.

This was such a meaningful read, and I’m really glad I picked it up. A solid 4‑star memoir that gave me a new perspective on someone I thought I already knew.

[Katie Katieneedsabiggerbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You are allowed to be a work in progress and a Masterpiece simultaneously.”

Do we really need a synopsis for this one?

I freaking love Sophia Bush. I was so excited for my audiobook preorder to come in for this one, and bonus, I had 10 hours in the car ahead of me on pub day. Unfortunately for me, a 4:00 am wake up time and I are not friends, and Sophia has the most soothing voice. So listening on my drive that day was just not going to be safe because your girl would fall asleep. It’s ok though, because I had a very specific home project later in the week (IYKYK) and I loved listening while getting it done! Sophia is who I want to be when I grow up. She is such a well spoken advocate and I just love that she doesn’t back down from standing up for what she believes. When she read the line above I seriously stopped what I was doing and had to rewind. I felt this line so hard in my bones. While many of us “know” the stories of her life, getting her own perspective (what a concept) gives such a different look into what actually happened. Keep fighting the good fight Sophia!

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having no idea who this actress is/activist is, I ended up deep diving into online sources (reasonable sources, not gossip ones). I enjoyed reading about her early life & college days. Toward the end, she became a bit more passionate about her causes/activism (with good reason as they’re important to her). The writing was thoughtful & well crafted. I do think that if I went in knowing more about who she was, I would have gotten more depth. One may ask, if you don’t know anything about her, why pick up this book. A good writer will not assume everyone reading a memoir knows who they are. I can say I know more about her, but feel that I know more about her activism than I do her roles or what acting she did (granted not doing a deep dive into the harassment she faced was fine; that she spoke up was important). Just a note: If you want gossip, skip this book.

[Valculaura · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

i am a long time fan of Sophia and being able to read more about her from her own experience is just incredible. i loved being able to learn more about what she has done across her career, and the incredibly "normal" moments where she was just trying to get through life as best as she could. when reading, you can almost hear her voice and the way she speaks because you can tell she's writing from the bottom of her heart. at times there are moments where she doesn't fully address certain incidents or events, but instead focuses on the after or what realization she had in the wake. others may not be happy with that but as she writes, "This book was never meant to be a ledger of everything that happened. It was an attempt to understand what happened to me."

[Jenna Crouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

1000000 MILLION STARS. i have never slowed a book down until this book. i read at a 1.2 speed when listening but I slowed down to normal pace to take this one in.

to the earlier versions of myself: i am so proud of us and all our pieces. we weren't always perfect, but my goodness we always cared and we always tried. none of you ever quit, even in the chapters you couldn't understand. you made this whole book possible because you always kept trusting that the amorphous thing you couldn't ignore was worth searching for until you could finally grasp it. you finally heard your inner knowing. and now i get to exist in this best version of myself because we have gotten here together. I cannot wait to see who we grow into next.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easiest five stars I’ve ever given to a book in my life. I’ve been a fan of Sophia Bush for as long as I can remember. Since about 2005. She has always had such an eloquent way with words but this was beyond my wildest dreams. She cut herself open and showed everyone her scars and wounds and I can’t imagine how healing this journey was for her. I am immensely honoured that we got to read this book, to experience her memories with her, but I am glad she got to do this in her own time, in her own words.
I am glad she got to finally share everything she needed and so happy we got to see such a raw part of herself.
Thank you for sharing this with us Sophia. I cannot wait to see what this next chapter of your life looks like. I wish you nothing but a lifetime of happiness.

[Lacey Hassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to Sophia's book since I heard it was coming. but I didn't realize her words would hit my heart as much as they did. I enjoy her thoughts on being a work in progress, and being the person who says it is never too late or start over. I admire her activism for all things important to her. I'm proud of the lengths she has gone to, to help SA victims. I also respect and love the love she has for Ash and how she is keeping it close to her heart. I couldn't put this audio book down (also her voice is so soothing) but this book hit home for me. might be the best book I've read this year, and is definitely the best memoir i have read.

[Christina Boarman · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Sophia definitely writes well but this felt…flowery; big, pretty, excessive writing to inflate the norm (specifically love). I feel she sees the world through rose colored glasses while seeing being incredibly hyper-focused/vocal on the ugliness/dark sides of what she’s passionate about, which at times feels a little out of touch. I do, however, find her view of the world interesting and a little exhausting. I think she gave attention to the “gossipy” things about her the right amount of attention. We are done with CMM, ya’ll. That ship sailed decades ago. Leave the poor girl alone. One thing about Sophia - she feels and loves REAL BIG.

[Megsthalegs G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have always been a massive fan, learned a lot about her

Had no idea all of that happened with Mark Schwahn.. and one tree hill female cast being constantly harassed..

No idea know she was involved in the obama campaign or Wilmington hurricane fundraising

She’s such an icon but when she was talking about her divorces I’m reminded that she’s just a girl like the rest of us

& I appreciated the book recommendations

Glad she got her happy ending xx

[Bhargles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was pretty insightful and well-written even though it was a little verbose. There was a chapter or two that I thought didn’t wasn’t needed including one about space? I especially appreciated the chapter about the OTH girls’ open letter addressing their abuse at the hands of the OTH creator. I remember when it happened so it provided some good insight about how they organized and collaborated to get that letter out there.