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Tortured Soles: High Heels, Low Expectations and the Hollywood Gossip Mill
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 30, 2026
An engaging memoir about the life of an entertainment reporter, with compelling tales of celebs and enticing photos of the many designer shoes she wore and when. Recommended!
May 6, 2026
This book started off slow, but then she came into her voice
June 28, 2026
This book exceeded all of my expectations. Given the title, I was under the impression that it would be more focused on celebrity gossip, but it was way beyond that. The author tells a tale of a life well executed, if not always well lived.
The story unfolds through a series of vignettes, each one deftly building upon the previous, even if the events are out of sequence. I found myself drawn to the stories of hardship at home, as a young girl and then a woman attempting to navigate the world under oppressive and confounding immigrant parents. This initially just leaves her riddled with anxiety and dreams.
Following this diminutive and perhaps lonely person as she finds her focus and drive, subsequently landing magazine writing gigs and then forging a prestigious career as a producer and interviewer on TV was really something to behold.
You can’t help but feel for her as she lays herself bare, fighting for her mental health while juggling career, motherhood and a philandering husband. There are times when Weinstein’s writing allows you to get into her head as she had to battle and scrape for what she deserved. This “pitbull” did it nonetheless and never seemed to take the easy out.
It became clear as the book wrapped that it was Weinstein’s post-career self-care journey that allowed her to be so introspective about her entire life. I would imagine that the tale would have been quite different were it written only 15 years ago. In the end she has found her inner (and outer) peace and you can feel joy that she has and inspiration to find your own.
The story unfolds through a series of vignettes, each one deftly building upon the previous, even if the events are out of sequence. I found myself drawn to the stories of hardship at home, as a young girl and then a woman attempting to navigate the world under oppressive and confounding immigrant parents. This initially just leaves her riddled with anxiety and dreams.
Following this diminutive and perhaps lonely person as she finds her focus and drive, subsequently landing magazine writing gigs and then forging a prestigious career as a producer and interviewer on TV was really something to behold.
You can’t help but feel for her as she lays herself bare, fighting for her mental health while juggling career, motherhood and a philandering husband. There are times when Weinstein’s writing allows you to get into her head as she had to battle and scrape for what she deserved. This “pitbull” did it nonetheless and never seemed to take the easy out.
It became clear as the book wrapped that it was Weinstein’s post-career self-care journey that allowed her to be so introspective about her entire life. I would imagine that the tale would have been quite different were it written only 15 years ago. In the end she has found her inner (and outer) peace and you can feel joy that she has and inspiration to find your own.
April 22, 2026
I was am thankful to NetGalley for having this little gem! This is definitely a book I would have waited on my library's waitlist to read.
This has a little bit of everything I love. It's like the dark (real) side of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (growing up Jewish in the Bronx) with a little Dirty Dancing thrown in (working summers in the Catskills). I also truly admire this author for becoming a self-made woman she never could have even imagined while she was growing up.
I am going to show my age a bit, but I remember Entertainment Tonight and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous so vividly because it was an age where you couldn't just open your phone and see what your favorite celebrities' houses looked like or what fabulous over-the-top amazing outfit they wore to the Met gala.
I will say that in the last decade or so, I have really lost my taste for salacious celebrity gossip and paparazzi situations where people in the spotlight can't leave their houses without 37 people all screaming questions at them and trying to get photos. However, I do love the way that this author describes her experiences and even has a conscience when the situation calls for it.
This was a really fun and entertaining read. I absolutely loved the photographs of all of her shoes! It was also inspiring to think that back when she started, a woman could work her way up the ranks of male-dominated fields and be such a success.
This has a little bit of everything I love. It's like the dark (real) side of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (growing up Jewish in the Bronx) with a little Dirty Dancing thrown in (working summers in the Catskills). I also truly admire this author for becoming a self-made woman she never could have even imagined while she was growing up.
I am going to show my age a bit, but I remember Entertainment Tonight and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous so vividly because it was an age where you couldn't just open your phone and see what your favorite celebrities' houses looked like or what fabulous over-the-top amazing outfit they wore to the Met gala.
I will say that in the last decade or so, I have really lost my taste for salacious celebrity gossip and paparazzi situations where people in the spotlight can't leave their houses without 37 people all screaming questions at them and trying to get photos. However, I do love the way that this author describes her experiences and even has a conscience when the situation calls for it.
This was a really fun and entertaining read. I absolutely loved the photographs of all of her shoes! It was also inspiring to think that back when she started, a woman could work her way up the ranks of male-dominated fields and be such a success.
Review of advance copy
A friend, who had an advanced copy of Fran Weinstein’s TORTURED SOLES, encouraged me to read it. I was reluctant, because all the self-published books I had previously read did not deserve a wide audience. Weinstein’s book, however, is a true gem, easily deserving a 5-star review.
TORTURED SOLES is a memoir, the story of a Bronx-born Jewish girl who rises through the entertainment world on the other side of the camera, as TV journalist, interviewer, and producer. All you will see of her, she tells us, is a hand holding a microphone, for many years on "Entertainment Tonight."
Even though the zinger of a subtitle--HIGH HEELS, LOW EXPECTATIONS, AND THE HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP MILL—suggests a salacious name-dropper, the very best parts of the book concern Weinstein herself. Her Bronx childhood, her college days, her professional challenges are covered with originality and a big dose of Yiddish wit that had this reader laughing out loud. She writes of a snowbird’s Florida condo so decorated in bright yellows that “it would be tough to distinguish an edible banana in that place.” Describing a pretentious college boy who’s long on looks and short on brains and “who thought Ferlinghetti was a type of pasta,” she had me laughing out loud. And then there’s the chocolate bar scam run by “gangster Orthodox Jews.”
These very personal reminiscences alternate with chapters on the celebrities she interviews. She’s kind about the personalities she likes—George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Judge Judy, et al. She has the graciousness to avoid snarky tell-all’s about those she doesn’t. Her chapter on Heath Ledger is, in a word, moving.
Throughout, of course, are references to the masochistic high heels that her profession and the times required. Weinstein could do a 50-yard dash in 6-inch spikes faster than I could ever dream of doing in a pair of Nikes. She includes a photographic epilogue of the instruments of torture—the creations of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and others, the actual “torturing soles” she wore throughout her career.
An easy Five Stars. Get the book.
TORTURED SOLES is a memoir, the story of a Bronx-born Jewish girl who rises through the entertainment world on the other side of the camera, as TV journalist, interviewer, and producer. All you will see of her, she tells us, is a hand holding a microphone, for many years on "Entertainment Tonight."
Even though the zinger of a subtitle--HIGH HEELS, LOW EXPECTATIONS, AND THE HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP MILL—suggests a salacious name-dropper, the very best parts of the book concern Weinstein herself. Her Bronx childhood, her college days, her professional challenges are covered with originality and a big dose of Yiddish wit that had this reader laughing out loud. She writes of a snowbird’s Florida condo so decorated in bright yellows that “it would be tough to distinguish an edible banana in that place.” Describing a pretentious college boy who’s long on looks and short on brains and “who thought Ferlinghetti was a type of pasta,” she had me laughing out loud. And then there’s the chocolate bar scam run by “gangster Orthodox Jews.”
These very personal reminiscences alternate with chapters on the celebrities she interviews. She’s kind about the personalities she likes—George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis, Judge Judy, et al. She has the graciousness to avoid snarky tell-all’s about those she doesn’t. Her chapter on Heath Ledger is, in a word, moving.
Throughout, of course, are references to the masochistic high heels that her profession and the times required. Weinstein could do a 50-yard dash in 6-inch spikes faster than I could ever dream of doing in a pair of Nikes. She includes a photographic epilogue of the instruments of torture—the creations of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and others, the actual “torturing soles” she wore throughout her career.
An easy Five Stars. Get the book.
June 17, 2026
Tortured Soles: High Heels, Low Expectations and the Hollywood Gossip Mill is a witty, engaging, and entertaining memoir that offers readers a behind the scenes look at the fascinating world of Hollywood, celebrity culture, and the realities that exist beyond the glamour. Fran Weinstein combines humor, sharp observation, and personal experience to create a narrative that is both revealing and highly enjoyable.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its distinctive voice. Weinstein brings readers into her world with candor, humor, and an eye for the memorable details that make the entertainment industry so captivating. The memoir balances lighthearted storytelling with insightful reflections on ambition, perception, and the challenges of navigating a demanding environment.
The writing is lively and engaging, filled with colorful anecdotes and observations that capture the energy and unpredictability of Hollywood culture. Through her experiences, the author provides readers with an entertaining perspective on the personalities, expectations, and dynamics that shape life within the entertainment industry.
Another notable aspect of Tortured Soles is its ability to blend humor with authenticity. Beneath the entertaining stories are relatable themes of perseverance, self confidence, professional growth, and finding one's place within a competitive landscape. These themes give the memoir depth while maintaining its entertaining appeal.
Tortured Soles is a delightful and insightful memoir that offers readers an enjoyable journey through the highs and lows of Hollywood life. It is a compelling read for fans of entertainment, celebrity culture, memoirs, and stories filled with humor, personality, and real world experience.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its distinctive voice. Weinstein brings readers into her world with candor, humor, and an eye for the memorable details that make the entertainment industry so captivating. The memoir balances lighthearted storytelling with insightful reflections on ambition, perception, and the challenges of navigating a demanding environment.
The writing is lively and engaging, filled with colorful anecdotes and observations that capture the energy and unpredictability of Hollywood culture. Through her experiences, the author provides readers with an entertaining perspective on the personalities, expectations, and dynamics that shape life within the entertainment industry.
Another notable aspect of Tortured Soles is its ability to blend humor with authenticity. Beneath the entertaining stories are relatable themes of perseverance, self confidence, professional growth, and finding one's place within a competitive landscape. These themes give the memoir depth while maintaining its entertaining appeal.
Tortured Soles is a delightful and insightful memoir that offers readers an enjoyable journey through the highs and lows of Hollywood life. It is a compelling read for fans of entertainment, celebrity culture, memoirs, and stories filled with humor, personality, and real world experience.
June 27, 2026
Tortured Soles is an entertaining, witty, and refreshingly honest memoir that offers readers a fascinating peek behind the curtain of Hollywood. Fran Weinstein masterfully blends humor, personal reflection, and insider observations into a story that feels both glamorous and wonderfully grounded.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its voice. Fran writes with warmth, self-awareness, and impeccable comedic timing, making every chapter feel like a conversation with a trusted friend who has collected decades' worth of unforgettable stories. Whether recounting the realities behind Hollywood's glittering façade or reflecting on the unexpected twists of her own journey, she keeps readers thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.
Beyond the entertaining anecdotes, the memoir explores larger themes of ambition, perseverance, resilience, and maintaining one's authenticity in an industry built on appearances. The title itself perfectly captures the balance between chasing dreams and enduring the realities that often accompany them.
Readers who enjoy celebrity memoirs, Hollywood history, behind-the-scenes entertainment stories, and humorous personal narratives will find plenty to love here. Fran's ability to find humor even in life's most challenging moments gives the memoir an uplifting quality that lingers long after the final page.
Funny, insightful, and thoroughly enjoyable, Tortured Soles is a memoir that proves the best Hollywood stories are often the ones happening just outside the spotlight.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its voice. Fran writes with warmth, self-awareness, and impeccable comedic timing, making every chapter feel like a conversation with a trusted friend who has collected decades' worth of unforgettable stories. Whether recounting the realities behind Hollywood's glittering façade or reflecting on the unexpected twists of her own journey, she keeps readers thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.
Beyond the entertaining anecdotes, the memoir explores larger themes of ambition, perseverance, resilience, and maintaining one's authenticity in an industry built on appearances. The title itself perfectly captures the balance between chasing dreams and enduring the realities that often accompany them.
Readers who enjoy celebrity memoirs, Hollywood history, behind-the-scenes entertainment stories, and humorous personal narratives will find plenty to love here. Fran's ability to find humor even in life's most challenging moments gives the memoir an uplifting quality that lingers long after the final page.
Funny, insightful, and thoroughly enjoyable, Tortured Soles is a memoir that proves the best Hollywood stories are often the ones happening just outside the spotlight.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am grateful that I got to read an advance copy of this dishy, fun memoir that pulls back the curtain on the life of an entertainment TV show producer and provides an insider's view of all the chaotic strangeness that life entails. There are memorable stories revolving around A-list celebs interwoven with Weinstein's tough upbringing with a mother that is a piece of work, to put it nicely. It's clear how that upbringing turned Weinstein into a formidable career woman in an industry that more often than not ground women down. Not Fran Weinstein, though. No one gets the better of her as her book makes clear.
The insider stories are great, sometimes stressful, often funny. A story around must-see videotapes left in a cab is a highlight (your heart will race with her as she frantically journeys to find them). But the beating heart here is her own story of growing up with a demanding, withholding mother, a husband that fails her, and then a pursuing success in fast-moving industry while also being a single mom trying to be there for her kid. She can do it, but the book shows it's not easy, it's never easy.
So get out the stilettos and a bottle of rose and enjoy this delightful, moving, and very real ride through one entertainment producer's life. You won't regret it!
The insider stories are great, sometimes stressful, often funny. A story around must-see videotapes left in a cab is a highlight (your heart will race with her as she frantically journeys to find them). But the beating heart here is her own story of growing up with a demanding, withholding mother, a husband that fails her, and then a pursuing success in fast-moving industry while also being a single mom trying to be there for her kid. She can do it, but the book shows it's not easy, it's never easy.
So get out the stilettos and a bottle of rose and enjoy this delightful, moving, and very real ride through one entertainment producer's life. You won't regret it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed reading about Fran Weinstein's childhood, her personal life, and how her career developed over the years. It made the book feel much more personal than just a collection of celebrity stories. You get to see the woman behind the interviews, the ambition, the hustle, and the reality of working in entertainment journalism.
The celebrity stories were great and really entertaining. They kept me interested the whole time and gave such a fun behind the scenes look at Hollywood and the gossip world.
One of my favorite details was how she included photos of her heels along with stories about where she wore them, who she interviewed in them, and sometimes even who she had to chase down while wearing them. It gave the book such a unique and personal touch.
It was witty, nostalgic, and full of personality. If you enjoy memoirs, celebrity stories, and a little Hollywood glamour, this is a great read.
I really enjoyed reading about Fran Weinstein's childhood, her personal life, and how her career developed over the years. It made the book feel much more personal than just a collection of celebrity stories. You get to see the woman behind the interviews, the ambition, the hustle, and the reality of working in entertainment journalism.
The celebrity stories were great and really entertaining. They kept me interested the whole time and gave such a fun behind the scenes look at Hollywood and the gossip world.
One of my favorite details was how she included photos of her heels along with stories about where she wore them, who she interviewed in them, and sometimes even who she had to chase down while wearing them. It gave the book such a unique and personal touch.
It was witty, nostalgic, and full of personality. If you enjoy memoirs, celebrity stories, and a little Hollywood glamour, this is a great read.
Review of advance copy
I just finished Tortured Soles: High Heels, Low Expectations and Hollywood Gossip Mill, and I LOVED it. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. Her stories were a gripping mix of laughter and tears. Each chapter flowed easily from her tell-all interviews to the author's personal journey. After putting these celebrities on pedestals, Ms. Weinstein created an air of accessibility and ease. By the end of the story, my feet ached for her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. But don’t go on living life without reading this gem.
Go along with Fran and take a ride to Hollywood and then back to your soul.
Only the highest praise for this former high-healed legend.
Go along with Fran and take a ride to Hollywood and then back to your soul.
Only the highest praise for this former high-healed legend.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews