Nothing in Moderation: A Psychedelic Reckoning With Excess

by Shep Rose

This book is about the universal struggle between who we think we are and who we've actually become. It's about the fine line between being the life of the party and being destructively out of control. It's about learning that vulnerability isn't weakness and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you need help.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Self Help

200 pages, Hardcover

Published July 21, 2026

Reviews

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honesty time - I literally eye rolled when I saw this book offered, cause I stopped watching Southern Charm over a lot of Shep’s antics. His douchey “bro” yuk yuk with zero growth became tiresome so I went into it expecting….that. Lots of stories that would make me grunt & since I so obviously love torturing myself, I grabbed a copy.

Boy, did he prove me wrong.

It details some of said previously douchey (can you SAY that in a review?) behavior & how he starting seeing he desperately needed change. And voila… to no one’s surprise, he got high as balls.

But in a totally legal way, of course.

And slowly, his inner Butthead started to dissolve & all of the things holding him back became inspiration. It worked. I binged this book overnight cause I was insanely intrigued by not only his writing style but by all of the self reflection within the pages.

It was like being slapped around with bits of reflection that made me question my own life & now I’m suddenly wanting to chase this goal that was back burnered… WHAT?

Shep freaking Rose inspired me.

All my jerky jokes aside, this was a great read. I truly enjoyed it & if my aspiring smut peddler dreams come true, I’ll name my toxic male alpha male hockey guy in his honor.

And I’ll make sure my guy has a great redemption arc too cause geez, it was one heck of a story…Shep Rose has indeed found his hero arc.

[Caroline O'Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the insights Shep has in this book. We all know Shep as the never wants to grow up partier from Southern Charm, and as a fan of the show I can hear his voice behind the words of the book. I picked it up because I was curious about what an ayahuasca retreat was like, since you always hear about celebrities heading down to South America to take psychedelics. He walks you through each day of the retreat and describes the experience. It can get repetitive, but the ending takeaways were actually worth reading about. Shep realizes he takes more than he gives, and he never knows when to stop wanting more experiences, drinks, etc. Instead he wants to practice gratitude, search for meaning rather than pleasure, and pour into his passions and those who he loves. He talks about being yourself and sharing your enthusiasm with the world, but learning when to stop, enjoy, and reflect. I am interested to see how this impacts Shep moving forward on the show, and if he will stick to the lessons learned.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Advantage Books and NetGalley for the ARC

⭐⭐ ⭐️

As a huge Southern Charm fan and a longtime Shep Rose fan, I was really looking forward to reading Nothing in Moderation. Overall, I enjoyed it and found it to be an interesting memoir.

It was fascinating to get a deeper look at Shep’s life beyond reality TV and read about his journey of confronting a lifestyle built around excess. His decision to travel to Costa Rica for ayahuasca ceremonies and reflect on his choices made for an honest and introspective read. I appreciated that he was willing to be vulnerable and share both the highs and the lows of his experiences.

While I liked learning more about Shep and his path toward self-discovery, the book didn’t completely pull me in from start to finish, which is why it landed at 3 stars for me. Even so, I think fans of Southern Charm will enjoy getting to know a different side of him and will find his story worth reading.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I had read about Shep Rose’s adventure at the Rythmia Retreat in Costa Rica to experience a mild altering experience with ayahuasca. It is a hallucinogenic that is supposed to Open Up Your Mind and free whatever turmoil you have going on in there.

Shep has a lot trapped in that head of his and he felt the need to excise as much as he could with a week long visit including breathing exercises and a yoga class and colonics that he said he will continue to do. The colonics, not the yoga. He said he never got the hang of that in one lesson.

Shep explains a lot of what brought him to the decision to go there, mainly his meltdown in Vegas
at a Bravocon event that had Andy Cohen on the phone calling him to say…. You know I love you…. But things have got to change or??? Well, I took it as he would not be asked back to Southern Charm because his Charm was gone.

So Shep prepares for his Big Adventure and Shep is no stranger to taking drugs of just about any kind and as much as possible…. But he takes his flight to Costa Rica and gives a very, very vivid first hand account of his “Trips” while he was there.

Shep describes his week at the resort and what he experienced and what he saw others experience and yuck is all I can say, but he claims that it was life changing and he faced a lot of issues from his past and found the way to a better future. To me, it was just plain terrifying to read.

But I have to applaud Shep for being able to remember enough to write it all down. He really can write quite well. I have read his other books and they were kind of fun. This one, not so much fun, but honest. I feel he was honest in what he did and saw and he was honest about needing help. Shep has never been a bragger and he didn’t throw that around.

He was just Shep trying to explain Shep to the reader and trying to build a better version of himself.

I did have to laugh at some of his descriptions of the other visitors he was with at the retreat . The “middle aged Mothers” as he called them. I wanted to scream Shep! You are almost 45… you are basically middle age, too! I think Shep must feel like 50 years is middle age. I have a feeling in five more years he will say 60 is middle age, now.

Shep is eternally immature. He is never going to admit he is way past the age of acting like a frat boy.

He can be annoying at times, but maybe that is why I like him.

So, the book is well written, quite crazy and very short. I think it was 138 pages total. Very quick read for a beach or pool day.

[Charlee Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hesitated to review this book because I was emailed it as a recommended immediately available digital ARC from NetGalley - free in exchange for an honest review. I’m just not sure they really want my honest review. Typically even if I’m not vibing with a NetGalley read, I finish it and focus through the lens of - if not for me, then who do I know that might resonate with this. I cannot say in good conscience that I’d recommend this to anyone UNLESS you are a Bravo Channel watcher and are a big fan of Southern Charm.

I accepted this book to read based on a colorful, fun looking cover and an interesting title with zero knowledge of the author and his reality star fame/persona and the content of this memoir.

Hot off the read of a tremendous memoir, Never Say Die, and remembering memoirs by Matthew Perry and Tom Felton regarding their journeys dealing with various addictions, I was hopeful that there’d be some value to this one. I found it to be repetitive, absurdly disconnected from the reality of normal humans who aren’t wealthy, world traveling, debaucherous, playboys, and filled with cliche, platitudes and excessive pop culture references and name dropping. He really seemed to throw a lot of his friends under the bus all while writing a weird and grossly detailed play by play of his ayahuasca trip that read like a promotional brochure for a cult-like retreat that sounds so expensive that most normal people wouldn’t be able to do it even if they did feel so inclined.

Ultimately his ADHD driven, happy go lucky, yes guy vibes came off as frenetic, reckless, and unstable. He acknowledged this and thus the plot of the whole book to better himself, but yet, he also came off as full of himself, a bully, and the way he talked about wanting to settle down and have kids like it was the best thing for him and yet like accepting the horrific chains of being tied down was the worst thing ever makes me concerned for whoever he convinces to tie him down.

Recommendation: skip it unless you’re a fan of him and his reality show then perhaps enjoy this train wreck.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Southern Charm fan I was really excited to receive an advanced copy of Nothing in Moderation by Shep Rose from Net Galley.

This book is written with vulnerability, honesty and openness about Shep’s personal struggles and a journey that takes him to Costa Rica in search of healing.

This was raw, honest and unfiltered.

If you like personal memoirs, or are a fan of the show Southern Charm, definitely add this to your summer reading list.

[Ria Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've watch SC from the jump, which is why I wanted to read this book. I went in with low expectations...Not as horrible as I thought it would be. Wish it had way more SC gossip.
But overall it was nice to see Shep attempt at maturing even if it's via ayahuasca (sp??🤷🏼‍♀️). Taking responsibility, apologizing, and looking within is hard, and his attempt at redemption was refreshing. Considering the tool he has been for 11 seasons. It was also cool to learn about the Aya experience.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and Shep for the ARC.

[Amanda Zanzano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
This book chronicles Shep’s eye-opening experience taking ayahuasca in Costa Rica to confront his partying lifestyle and struggles with excess. While some parts were engaging and interesting to read, I’ll admit I skimmed through most of it. I think I would have enjoyed it more as an audiobook vs an ebook. I’ll give him credit for being very honest but overall it wasn’t the most relatable book.

[Abaigh Ritz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shep follows "the leader" to a psychedelic healing retreat in paradise then gives us a play by play we didn't ask for and wanted to breeze through while he pretends to be healed, he is still running from his ADHD and not learning to cope with its past traumas and impact on his life.
I have not read his previous book, nor do I follow him on social media, but I don't recall him ever acknowledging it on his 10+ years on Southern Charm and this was the first I heard his mention his diagnosis. He has lived a very privileged life and looks down on others whether he will admit to that or not, and still has a lot of healing to do with himself.

[Rebecca Dye · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★☆☆ – I still don’t understand the appeal

I picked up Nothing in Moderation after winning it in a Goodreads giveaway, and before reading it, I had never heard of Shep Rose or Southern Charm. That meant I came in with no preconceived opinions—just the hope of reading an interesting memoir.

Unfortunately, it didn’t do much for me.

The writing is conversational enough, and there are a few entertaining stories, but the book felt like an endless string of anecdotes without much depth or reflection. I kept waiting for some meaningful insight or personal growth that would make all the partying, privilege, and escapades amount to something more, but it never really arrived.

As someone who had no prior investment in Shep as a television personality, I finished the book still wondering why he’s famous in the first place. Maybe longtime fans will appreciate getting more of his personality, but as a standalone memoir, it left me wanting substance that just wasn’t there.

Three stars feels generous, but there were enough mildly entertaining moments to keep me turning the pages.

[Lauren]

I’ve been really been enjoying memoirs lately and as a former Southern Charm fan this intrigued me. I haven’t watched any of the most recent seasons but I had remembered Shep as being funny, witty, and intelligent, so I was kind of expecting that from the book I guess.

This was a tough one to get through. It read like we were flipping through the pages of Shep’s journal…and that the journal was written by a middle schooler that sometimes uses big words and fancy phrases in order to sound more mature than they actually are. I would also go as far as to say this showcased his narcissism.

It was hard to decipher the pages from the journal that were handwritten by him (from his actual journal I suppose) while he was high on drugs. So maybe that needs to be fixed? Or maybe not. I don’t think it would change my opinion of this book at all.

I don’t rate memoirs/autobiographies, for who am I to rate someone else’s actual experience? So we shall leave it at this. Wishing Shep all the best on his journey through life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Books Data · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shep Rose, the famously carefree star of Bravo’s reality television hit Southern Charm, spent over a decade cultivating a public persona rooted entirely in excess. For years, fans watched him navigate his privileged life in Charleston, South Carolina, with a cocktail in hand, a witty quote on his lips, and a seemingly boundless appetite for a good time. In his deeply personal memoir, Nothing in Moderation: A Psychedelic Reckoning With Excess, Rose strips away the carefully manicured reality-TV narrative to reveal the exhausting reality of living life with zero boundaries. For most of his adult life, his overarching philosophy was simply to say yes to every invitation and late-night adventure. While this relentless pursuit of fun yielded a lucrative career and wild stories, the book candidly explores the darker toll of being the eternal life of the party. As Rose approached middle age, his Peter Pan syndrome began to wear painfully thin, morphing into a destructive liability that threatened to derail his entire life.

The narrative builds tension as it approaches an undeniable breaking point, which occurred in November 2023 during BravoCon in Las Vegas. What was supposed to be a celebratory weekend interacting with adoring fans quickly devolved into a dark, chaotic bender. Rose recounts the weekend as a terrifying blur of intense gambling, substance abuse, and highly erratic behavior that left him with crippling gaps in his memory. This public spiraling culminated in a blunt, sobering phone call from Bravo executive Andy Cohen. The message was unequivocally clear: Rose’s behavior had become a massive liability, and if he did not immediately get his life under control, he would lose the platform he had spent years building. Faced with the real prospect of losing everything, Rose realized his charming deflections would no longer save him. True to his unconventional nature, he rejected the idea of checking into a traditional clinical rehabilitation center.

Instead, inspired by the profound transformation of a close friend who had served as a Navy SEAL, Rose embarked on a radically different path to self-discovery. He packed his bags and traveled deep into the jungle of Costa Rica, checking himself into a wellness center. Here, he committed to a grueling, week-long retreat centered around four consecutive nights of Ayahuasca ceremonies. For a man who had spent his adulthood utilizing alcohol to numb insecurities and avoid deep introspection, deliberately consuming a powerful psychedelic plant medicine designed to shatter the ego was a terrifying prospect.

The core chapters of the memoir are devoted to chronicling these intense, mind-bending ceremonies with Rose's trademark humor and surprising vulnerability. He holds nothing back, describing the deeply uncomfortable physical realities of the experience—including the visceral, communal purging—alongside profound spiritual visions. During his first ceremony, he experienced a vivid hallucination where he manifested as the central, stabilizing pole of a chaotic, spinning amusement park ride. A profound realization washed over him: if he, as the foundational pole, was fractured and unstable, everyone attached to him—his family, his friends, his colleagues—would be sent flying into danger. It was a brutal confrontation with the collateral damage his reckless lifestyle had caused to the people who loved him most.

As the jungle retreat progressed, the plant medicine continued to dismantle his deeply ingrained defense mechanisms. Rose writes movingly about confronting what he describes as his internal "Cookie Monster"—a compulsive, insatiable void that constantly demanded more drinks, more attention, and more dopamine. He details experiencing a sensation akin to cosmic heart surgery, where the layers of his narcissism, self-deception, and fear of inadequacy were painfully peeled back. The Ayahuasca forced him to answer the uncomfortable questions he had successfully dodged for decades: why he felt the compulsive need to push every situation to the absolute edge, and why he was so terrified of simply being quiet and present with himself.

However, the memoir is careful to avoid framing this psychedelic journey as a miraculous, instantaneous cure for his lifelong struggles. The final portion of the book focuses on the arduous process of integration. Returning to his normal life in Charleston, surrounded by the same bars, social circles, and temptations, Rose had to learn how to apply the cosmic lessons of the jungle to an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. He speaks openly about the ongoing struggle to rewire his brain, find joy in quiet moments, and rebuild the trust he had broken with those closest to him.

By the conclusion of the book, readers are presented with a radically evolved version of the reality star. Nothing in Moderation transcends the typical celebrity tell-all, evolving into a raw, thoughtful, and frequently hilarious exploration of addiction, ego, and the painful work of growing up. Shep Rose uses his own spectacular missteps to illustrate that true freedom doesn't come from living a life entirely without rules, but rather from having the courage to establish boundaries. He ultimately discovers that learning how to finally say no is the only way to genuinely say yes to a fulfilling, sustainable life.

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 3.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Shep Rose thought he had life figured out.

As one of the breakout stars of Bravo's Southern Charm, he'd built a reputation as Charleston's ultimate good-time guy: charismatic, adventurous, and always ready for the next party. His mantra? Say yes. Say yes to every invitation, every adventure, every opportunity for excess. For years, it worked beautifully, bringing him a successful television career, incredible experiences around the world, and the kind of life most people only dream about.

But by November 2023, that same approach had become dangerous. A blackout weekend at BravoCon in Las Vegas, complete with drugs, gambling binges, and behavior he couldn't even remember, culminated in a sobering phone call from Andy Cohen himself. The message was clear: change or lose everything.

Instead of deploying more traditional methods, Shep made an unconventional choice. At the recommendation of a Navy SEAL friend who'd found his own healing there, Shep flew to Costa Rica to spend a week at Rythmia, participating in four consecutive nights of ayahuasca ceremonies. What followed was the most transformative, terrifying, and enlightening experience of his life.

In this remarkably honest memoir, Shep chronicles his journey with vivid detail and his signature humor. From his first ceremony, where he saw himself as the pole of an amusement park ride that could send everyone flying if he wasn't stable, to the profound night when he witnessed "the machine" and underwent spiritual heart surgery, each experience peeled back another layer of self-deception and forced him to confront uncomfortable truths.

This book is about the universal struggle between who we think we are and who we've actually become. It's about the fine line between being the life of the party and being destructively out of control. It's about learning that vulnerability isn't weakness and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you need help.

Written with the same authenticity that's made him a fan favorite for over a decade, Shep shares not just the mystical visions and profound realizations, but also the awkward moments, the embarrassing incidents, and the ongoing work of integration after the ceremonies ended. He doesn't pretend to have all the answers or to be "cured." Instead, he offers something more valuable: an honest account of one man's attempt to course correct before it's too late.

Whether you've struggled with your own relationship to excess, questioned whether your greatest strengths might also be your biggest weaknesses, or simply wondered what it's really like to drink ayahuasca with a shaman in the Costa Rican jungle, this book offers insights, laughs, and the kind of raw honesty that's increasingly rare in our curated world.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Earnest, heartfelt prose telling the self-discovery story again. I myownself will attest to ayahuasca's efficacy as a self-discovery tool from forty-plus-year-old experience...nothing beats altering perceptions of reality as an aid to gaining perspective on life, the past, and the path forward best to take: Pursue honesty and behave compassionately, starting with yourself.

DO NOT TRY IT ALONE. Always seek guidance, always verify your guide's trustworthiness because honest people welcome scrutiny.

Advantage Books wants $9.99 for an ebook. Worth the price if you need the nudge to take the reins of your life.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for the eARC.

As a longtime *Southern Charm* fan, I was excited to pick this one up. While Shep Rose can absolutely be frustrating at times (and let's be honest, he's probably the definition of a lifelong frat bro), he's always been one of my favorite cast members because beneath all the antics, I've always felt like he genuinely cares about the people around him. Whether he's giving advice to his friends or trying to navigate difficult situations, his heart has usually seemed to be in the right place—even if his execution isn't.

*Nothing in Moderation* feels like the most honest version of Shep we've seen.

The memoir centers around his decision to attend the Rythmia retreat in Costa Rica following some very public low points, and I appreciated that he didn't try to paint himself as the hero from the very beginning. He openly discusses his mistakes, unhealthy habits, and the lifestyle that eventually caught up with him. His experience with ayahuasca and the retreat itself was fascinating to read about. Whether it's something I would ever personally do is another story, but I found myself completely invested in hearing about everything he experienced and how it forced him to confront parts of himself he'd been avoiding for years.

What surprised me most was how reflective the book is. I expected funny stories and Southern Charm behind-the-scenes moments (and there are definitely some entertaining moments), but what I found instead was a memoir focused on accountability, self-awareness, and the uncomfortable process of trying to become a better person. Shep doesn't pretend to have everything figured out, and I actually appreciated that. Growth isn't linear, and this book acknowledges that.

His writing also surprised me. It flows easily, has plenty of humor, and feels conversational without sacrificing the more emotional moments. At just over 100 pages, it's a quick read, but it still manages to leave you with quite a bit to think about.

If you're a *Southern Charm* fan, this is an easy recommendation because you'll get a much deeper look into Shep than the show can ever provide. Even if you've never watched the series, anyone who enjoys memoirs about personal growth, owning your mistakes, and attempting to change old patterns may find something worthwhile here.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It doesn't excuse Shep's past behavior, but it also doesn't shy away from examining it, and I respected that honesty.

[Katie Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing in Moderation: A Psychedelic Reckoning With Excess is a candid and deeply reflective memoir that explores the complexities of identity, excess, vulnerability, and personal transformation. Shep Rose offers readers an honest examination of the tension between the image we present to the world and the realities we often struggle to confront within ourselves. Through openness and self-reflection, the book becomes an engaging exploration of growth, accountability, and the pursuit of a more authentic life.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its willingness to embrace vulnerability. Rather than presenting personal challenges through a lens of certainty or easy solutions, Rose openly examines moments of self-doubt, excess, and difficult self-discovery. This honesty gives the memoir emotional depth while encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences with identity, change, and personal responsibility.

The discussion of excess is particularly compelling. Instead of focusing solely on outward behaviors, the book explores the emotional and psychological patterns that can influence decision-making, relationships, and self-perception. By examining the fine line between celebration and self-destruction, Rose offers thoughtful insight into how personal habits can shape the course of one's life.

Equally engaging is the memoir's exploration of healing and self-awareness. The narrative demonstrates that meaningful change often begins with acknowledging difficult truths, embracing vulnerability, and remaining open to growth. This emphasis on reflection rather than perfection makes the book relatable and emotionally resonant.

The writing is conversational, engaging, and introspective throughout. Rose balances humor, honesty, and thoughtful observation, creating a narrative that feels both entertaining and sincere while inviting readers to consider broader questions about purpose, resilience, and personal evolution.

Beyond its personal story, Nothing in Moderation explores universal themes of identity, mental well-being, relationships, accountability, resilience, and the ongoing process of becoming one's authentic self. These themes make the memoir meaningful for readers from many different backgrounds.

Nothing in Moderation: A Psychedelic Reckoning With Excess is an honest, compelling, and emotionally engaging memoir. It is highly recommended for readers interested in personal growth, memoirs, psychology, self-reflection, resilience, and stories that explore the courage required to confront change and embrace authenticity.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. My knowledge of Shep Rose is limited mostly to what I’ve read in gossip articles online, since I haven’t watched the television show he’s known for. I was interested in this for a candid look at his experience with ayahuasca. There has been a recent push for people to try non-traditional routes to treat PTSD, MS, chronic pain, past trauma, and other conditions, and I was curious about the experience the author had. Most experiences are anecdotal, as many cannot afford alternative treatments, including this path. I found his writing style to be mostly funny, possibly because I don’t enter the ‘conversation’ with any preconceived notions or history about who he is as a person. He readily confesses to past misdeeds and things he wishes he would have handled differently, although he seems to acknowledge that part of that is probably part of who he is as a neurospicy individual too. Is he an unreliable narrator here? Who knows. No more so than any other person receiving such ‘treatment’ I would say. I think his recollection is what he believes happened, and if he has benefits from it, then that is what matters most. Two things stood out to me at the end. One that rubbed me the wrong way. I found it intriguing in a maybe negative way that the location was trying to seemingly recruit people to build homes there and join them. It was touched on briefly and reminded me of when you get roped into one of the sketchy timeshare meetings at a resort. Maybe it was just me, but it pinged something for me that felt a little bit off… Like something you would sink your life savings into. Anyway. The second one was a positive. It felt overwhelmingly at the end like Shep was able to travel and make genuine connections and go out and spread good into the world when he left the retreat. I think it is worth continuing to praise and support his recovery toward future success.

[Temple Ruff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Advantage Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, sweet Shep Rose. This book was a bit painful (in regard to author attitude), but at the same time, it was very interesting (as to its setting and characters). I was inclined to give it three stars, but I settled on four. I appreciate the effort and I really believe that Rose tried to share something good.

'Nothing in Moderation' takes us into the world of Rythmia Costa Rica with Bravo-lebrity Shep Rose as our host. We are given a play-by-play of a weeklong Ayahuasca retreat, including four evenings of medicinal ceremony. The basics of the process - from introductory meditation and colonic sessions to the nights of (up to) four-shot trances - were fascinating. I was intrigued enough to do more research into both Rythmia and Ayahuasca. This sounds like a life-changing opportunity and I'm glad that it's available to those who can afford the time and money to attend.

That said, while I appreciate Rose's account, I don't inherently consider him to be a reliable narrator. While this is an autobiographical accounting, I question the filters that were applied - both his inherent arrogance and seeming ulterior motives in writing. He had this amazing experience yet opts to spend paragraph upon paragraph mocking the other attendees. Seriously, why dismiss the woman who had a claustrophobia-induced panic attack? The descriptions of his roommate were just as scathing. Also, it felt like he took every opportunity to take a dig at his Southern Charm castmates Austen and Craig. For someone on a journey of self-discovery, Rose was very concerned as to the actions and opinions of others. Are you this rude and condescending in person or do you just save your jabs for the page?

Thank you to Rose for sharing this story. I applaud his willingness to be so exposed. Likewise, I wish him well in his continued pursuit of personal growth and understanding.

[Ashley Cohoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐✨☆ (3.5/5 stars)

Nothing in Moderation by Shep Rose was a quick, surprisingly thoughtful memoir about excess, self-awareness, and what happens when someone finally realizes that the way they have been living is no longer working.

I went into this expecting more stories about partying and reality television, but the book was much more focused on Shep’s decision to attend an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica and the reflections that came from that experience. He walks through the retreat, the ceremonies, and the events that pushed him to admit that something needed to change.

There were definitely moments that felt repetitive, especially during the detailed descriptions of each day, but I appreciated how honest he was about his behavior. He didn’t try to pretend that his reputation was unfair or that everyone else was responsible for his problems. Instead, he acknowledged how often he chased pleasure, attention, and the next experience without considering what he was giving back to the people around him.

The most interesting parts were his thoughts about gratitude, purpose, and learning when enough is enough. His voice came through clearly, and the writing felt conversational and true to the personality viewers have seen on Southern Charm. Even when he was being reflective, there was still plenty of humor and self-deprecation.

I’m not sure one retreat can completely change a person, and the book occasionally felt like the beginning of a transformation rather than proof of one. Still, I was more impressed than I expected to be. This was an honest and entertaining look at someone trying to understand himself and become a better version of the person he has been.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy from Netgalley
As a huge Bravo fan and a regular reader, picking up Nothing In Moderation made sense. Shep is articulate and funny, and has lived a decade of life on screen, which certainly gives a different perspective! And as someone who also struggles with moderation, I was intrigued to hear how Shep used non traditional methods to help him discover the why and how to stop.

But unfortunately this falls flat for me. He sets the scene well for the ayahuasca retreat, and you get a vivid picture of the characters there, but hearing each dose in minute detail makes it feel like an unpolished version of his diaries. And whilst descriptions of his hallucinations are interesting, it's hard to distinguish between those scenarios that could be made up by a brain to sell a story, versus scenarios a brain has made up on hallucinogens, making our narrator feel even less reliable.

But I think most of all my problem with the book was when Shep explained that he didn't relate to those who were working through trauma at the retreat "mostly because of my largely lovely life experiences." It's an incredibly honest statement, and he's nothing if not self-aware, but unfortunately it also means that the revelations he shares are less impactful.

Overall, this is a short read, entertaining in Shep's voice but I've now realised it's not the subject matter for me.

Thanks again to Advantage and Netgalley for this ARC.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly didn't know what to expect from this book as Shep is a bit of a wild card, so I figured it would be ramblings from a trip he took when he paid a lot of money to hallucinate for 4 days. It was that, mostly, but it was also insightful and reflective on his past behavior and even an apology to someone who definitely deserved it. I was surprised that I actually got to thinking of my own life choices by the things he was expressing about his regrets and thoughts on how he could've handled certain situations differently/more maturely in his life. What I think surprises me the most is that he went a lot deeper than I thought he would have, and although there wasn't a big, huge trauma that happened to him, I think he realized little things can affect the way we look at our lives, too. It seems he took this little vacation to figure out some personal issues in his life, wanted to course correct, and make changes to be a better Shep going forward. I'm hoping he sticks to that plan, and I'm rooting for him to win at life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for an advanced reader copy!

[Amanda Pemberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of Southern Charm, I was really excited to pick this up. It’s been interesting watching Shep Rose over the years, and this book shows a much more reflective and self-aware side of him.

Nothing in Moderation dives into the highs, mistakes, and consequences that can come with living without many limits. What I appreciated most was how honest and introspective it felt. Rather than glorifying that lifestyle, the book really examines the effect it has on relationships, identity, and growth.

I also found the healing process at Rythmia Life Advancement Center fascinating and loved learning more about that experience and everything that came with it.

There’s a rawness to the writing that makes it feel genuine, and you can tell there’s real self-reflection behind it. If you enjoy personal memoirs that are candid, messy, and thoughtful, this is definitely worth reading—especially if you’ve followed Shep’s journey on Southern Charm.

Thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for the ARC!

[Christina O’Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shep is so toxic on TV but I have to admit he’s always been one of my favourite characters 🤪🤪 I’ve always enjoyed his vernacular and the way he talks; it’s very clear that he is well educated.. and I very much enjoyed this in his writing style as well. And he’s funny❣️❣️ His sense of humour is very similar to mine and he says some funny a** sh** sometimes 🤣🤣 I obviously watched the show when he went to his ayahuasca retreat and I was so excited to read more about it❣️
I really enjoyed the format of this book. Shep included random quotes, pictures of his journal from this time and photos as well… It definitely added a lot to the story and made it very enjoyable to keep reading.
I always give biographies a 5⭐️ so there is no surprise here.
I really liked getting to know more about what makes Shep Rose and I cannot wait to watch him on Southern Charm for many more years to come 🤪🤪

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most Shep a book could be. I received an ebook as a Goodreads giveaway win but as I read I could definitely hear his voice. So, it sort of depends on your interest in Shep and his thoughts on going through an experience that was monumental to his journey. There’s a fair bit of Southern Charm mentions if that’s what you’re looking for but not the main focus. It probably helps to have some understanding of the show and the Brovoverse to get a better understanding of his mindset at the time.

It’s definitely an interesting experience to read about and he’s very good at setting the scene. It felt like he really wanted to share this experience and how he grew from it. Some parts do come across as entitled and out of touch but that’s a bit of the Shep character that we see on Southern Charm.

If you’re open to the Shep experience, ride the wave… (I probably came in with some biased opinions so the waves were a bit rough and hard to get through but glad I gave it a read.)

[Sheri Fields · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC of Nothing in Moderation. As a watcher of Southern Charm I knew about Shep's "adventure" shall I call it. I did learn several things I didn't know about him, his recreational I suppose you would call it drug use. I'm not sure why that surprised me. I was surprised that he could remember so vividly his experiences so vividly to be able to capture and write down what was going on, I will say he does have a horrible handwriting, which mentions. I understand why he went in hopes of helping to understand why he seemed to be on such a destructive path. Maybe it at least helped helped with his past with Taylor and his drinking, I am still not sure. He does seem to recognize that his trust fund, no accountability ways have a lot to do with the way he is but you know what grow up be a freaking adult.

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to give this four stars because I believe Shep has some great insight and doesn’t deserve a low review because I personally couldn’t find anything that resonated with me. I wanted to relate to anything he discusses…..however I am incapable.
I come from a trauma filled childhood with the opposite of excess. The trips he discusses, of which I’m sure tremendously impacted his life positively, are so outside of my financial abilities it’s funny. And as someone with deep depression, it’s hard for me not to see the book as “wow my life is just SO amazing it’s a problem”.

I’m sure this is an insightful book and maybe I’ll get to a point where I can finish it but not at this moment.
Again, it’s not Shep’s fault so I’m not going to bomb his ratings.

[Donna Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shep is an actor in a long running TV series and both are unknown to me. He informs the reader that his life has been one of excess. He had to be the life of the party, the last to leave and said yes to everything. He reached the point where he was an embarrassment, losing friends, having blackouts and about to lose himself.

He decided to take action by going to Costa Rica for a weeklong guided retreat and using ayahuasca. He takes notes and wrote this book explaining his daily activities and experiences. Shep came to the realization of he needs to do. He is continuing to do the work towards rebuilding his friendships, pursuing healthy passions building a normal life.

Thank you NetGalley and Advantage Books,

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shep Rose, a television personality from the reality tv show Southern Charm, writes about his experience with going to an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica and how the experience changed him. Fans of Southern Charm have watched as Shep has drank to excess with blackouts, and sabotaging his relationships, especially the reunion where his outrageous behavior appalled the show's producer Andy Cohen. Clearly something had to change. Shep is a funny guy, quite gregarious and his writing reflects that as he seems to want readers to have a good time while they learn about what causes him to live life in excess. Great book for fans of the show and for those seeking firsthand knowledge of ayahuasca retreats.

* I read an advance copy and was not compensated

[Molly Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Advantage Books for this ARC copy!

As a Southern Charm fan, I was intrigued to read this. The whole book is focused on Shep's trip to Costa Rica and his experience at Rythmia and participating in four consecutive nights of Ayahuasca (aka Mother Aya) ceremonies. You hear personal stories, those of others, and deeper thoughts of life from Shep himself and others. I have heard about these experiences from others like Joe Rogan. If you are interested in what this experience is like, this book will give you a deep, inside look as to what it entails. I was slightly shocked at the details and description provided, and at times wondered if NDA's were ever signed because they seem deeply personal. Quick and interesting read!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing in Moderation by Shep Rose.
Went into this a Southern Charm fan, so there were not high hopes for this one just pure curiosity. Shep is a middle aged man who needed a reset, so off he went to a Costa Rican retreat to try ayahuasca and see if that would set him on a calmer course of life. While there he wrote in journals to retell his experience in true Shep fashion part vulnerability with a side of full of life crazy. This was a fast read, with no new insights but you find yourself rooting for the guy to just turn it around in order to experience true happiness and content in his life. Pick this up if you love Southern Charm, but also he explained most of this last season.

Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[KRISTEN CONNELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing in Moderation: A Psychedelic Reckoning With Excess has a strong built-in hook: the collision between a larger-than-life lifestyle and the difficult realization of what that lifestyle can become. Shep Rose frames excess not simply as spectacle, but as a reckoning with identity, vulnerability, self-awareness, and the courage to recognize when things have gone too far. The book’s combination of memoir, psychedelia, personal reckoning, and self-help themes gives it appeal beyond celebrity-driven readership. With 107 ratings and 48 reviews shortly after its July 2026 publication, there is already meaningful reader engagement; the larger opportunity is turning that attention into sustained conversations, media visibility, and positioning around the book’s deeper message.