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Daddy Issues: A Memoir
An unflinching memoir from Sofia Franklyn, cocreator of the hit podcast
Call Her Daddy
, offering an explosive story of power, friendship, reclamation and surviving yourself.
Long before the internet was watching, Sofia Franklyn learned to disappear. Dysfunction was normal and escape was instinct. New York City offered reinvention, and there she met Alex Cooper. They moved roommates, best friends, business partners.
Call Her Daddy became a phenomenon overnight, evolving into a cultural force and transforming its hosts into avatars of a moment and then into targets. But at the height of the show’s early success, their relationship imploded.
In hindsight, the warning signs were everywhere. Secrets, omissions, things left unsaid. Millions watched as Sofia went from one half of a beloved duo to the villain in the internet’s messiest breakup. She found herself at rock bottom again, not by the familiar hands of men, but by the unexpected betrayal of another woman. What followed was a private collapse that forced a reckoning, leading Sofia to interrogate her ambition and the cost of being understood as a headline.
After years of silence, Sofia tells her side for the first time. Daddy Issues is not a story of revenge. It’s a testimony and a raw, darkly funny portrait of girlhood, friendship, sexuality, agency and healing. At its core, it is a story of reclamation and the long, brutal work of surviving yourself.
Long before the internet was watching, Sofia Franklyn learned to disappear. Dysfunction was normal and escape was instinct. New York City offered reinvention, and there she met Alex Cooper. They moved roommates, best friends, business partners.
Call Her Daddy became a phenomenon overnight, evolving into a cultural force and transforming its hosts into avatars of a moment and then into targets. But at the height of the show’s early success, their relationship imploded.
In hindsight, the warning signs were everywhere. Secrets, omissions, things left unsaid. Millions watched as Sofia went from one half of a beloved duo to the villain in the internet’s messiest breakup. She found herself at rock bottom again, not by the familiar hands of men, but by the unexpected betrayal of another woman. What followed was a private collapse that forced a reckoning, leading Sofia to interrogate her ambition and the cost of being understood as a headline.
After years of silence, Sofia tells her side for the first time. Daddy Issues is not a story of revenge. It’s a testimony and a raw, darkly funny portrait of girlhood, friendship, sexuality, agency and healing. At its core, it is a story of reclamation and the long, brutal work of surviving yourself.
Audible Audio
Published November 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,859 reviews
November 10, 2026
What if the worst friend you ever had became the most successful person in the world?
Want to Read
February 26, 2026i have listened to exactly two episodes of CHD but if i'm promised drama best believe i will be seated.
Want to Read
February 25, 2026i am SATTTTTTTTTT
November 10, 2026
alex cooper and dave portnoy you will rue the day
November 10, 2026
Devoured this audiobook on 1.5x
Review of advance copy
I'm always a little iffy about rating someone's personal story. Who am I to judge that? Like sorry your life story sucks?
I was an OG CHD listener. It was 2018 and I'd recently gotten out of an abusive relationship. My self-worth was at an all-time low. But here were two cool, gorgeous, funny women who didn't apologise for being themselves or living their lives. I wanted to be Sofia and Alex.
So when all the drama went down, it was genuinely a sad time. We were already navigating the isolation and uncertainty of covid. Suddenly everyone had an opinion. You almost felt like you had to choose which parent you loved more (#teamsofia always).
When this book was announced earlier this year, I knew I needed to read it as soon as it was released. And Sofia did NOT disappoint. This story is raw, funny, engaging and heartbreakingly sad. We follow Sofia from her early teenage years right through to meeting her now-husband. Through arrests, alcoholism, sobriety, breakups and betrayal. The tea is steaming and I could not get enough.
Sofia narrates the audiobook herself, and she is absolutely fabulous. I could listen to her talk all day. If you're considering picking this one up, I highly recommend the audiobook.
You don't need to have been a CHD listener or even know the drama to enjoy this book. At its heart, this is a compelling memoir about a young woman who found herself caught in the crossfire of a friendship with someone willing to do anything to get to the top.
I went into this expecting the tea, but came away feeling a kinship with Sofia and everything she went through. An absolute five-star banger to start November.
Thank you to LibroFM and Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review.
I was an OG CHD listener. It was 2018 and I'd recently gotten out of an abusive relationship. My self-worth was at an all-time low. But here were two cool, gorgeous, funny women who didn't apologise for being themselves or living their lives. I wanted to be Sofia and Alex.
So when all the drama went down, it was genuinely a sad time. We were already navigating the isolation and uncertainty of covid. Suddenly everyone had an opinion. You almost felt like you had to choose which parent you loved more (#teamsofia always).
When this book was announced earlier this year, I knew I needed to read it as soon as it was released. And Sofia did NOT disappoint. This story is raw, funny, engaging and heartbreakingly sad. We follow Sofia from her early teenage years right through to meeting her now-husband. Through arrests, alcoholism, sobriety, breakups and betrayal. The tea is steaming and I could not get enough.
Sofia narrates the audiobook herself, and she is absolutely fabulous. I could listen to her talk all day. If you're considering picking this one up, I highly recommend the audiobook.
You don't need to have been a CHD listener or even know the drama to enjoy this book. At its heart, this is a compelling memoir about a young woman who found herself caught in the crossfire of a friendship with someone willing to do anything to get to the top.
I went into this expecting the tea, but came away feeling a kinship with Sofia and everything she went through. An absolute five-star banger to start November.
Thank you to LibroFM and Simon & Schuster Audio for the ALC in exchange for my review.
November 12, 2026
friendship breakups can be fucking crazy
November 10, 2026
Couldn’t put this down. Call Her Vindicated!!!
Review of advance copy
#fuck Alex cooper
November 11, 2026
I binged it of course. There are so many great quotes about being fiercely loved and fiercely hated on the internet, which (as a girl on the internet) I found sad, relatable, but also proof of resilience. A must read for the chronically online!!!
“Any creative muscle I still have is paralyzed by the unshakable notion that everyone hates me.”
“Any creative muscle I still have is paralyzed by the unshakable notion that everyone hates me.”
Want to Read
March 4, 2026I only ever watch CHD when someone I love is on it, and I am not an OG listener from when Sofia Franklyn was part of it, but I AM SAT for this memoir, I need the tea!
Read
November 13, 2026My podcast cohosts would literally never wtf
November 10, 2026
This could’ve been a podcast episode but get your bag girl
November 10, 2026
i’m very much not a fan of alex cooper so i was secretly excited to indulge in this and further my own narrative. i was surprised to find that i left this memoir not liking either of them… at all 🥴 i will always respect someone who decides to come forward and make a memoir about all of their raw truths, their flaws, vulnerabilities, etc so major props to sofia for making the move to do this, however by the end of the book i felt a really icky feeling of “damn this girl is a fucking MESS and deeply unlikable.” i think the entire story made it clear to me why alex cooper was able to continue her success- she always had the reigns, was always ready to hustle, and knew how to make it all work for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2026
Six years ago today, I was in the trenches of Reddit comments arguing that a 500k salary for a podcast that brings in 100k WEEKLY is a terrible deal and Sofia was correct to say so.
I remember where I was as I listened to the first episode of Sofia with an F — “if you thought I was letting a man make my decisions for me, YOU WEREN’T LISTENING.”
I bought that “lazy, greedy, submissive, and that’s a little bit about me” merch so fast it actually has holes in it now I’ve worn it so much.
It’s so embarrassing when society, especially a fan base that’s predominantly women, falls for a smear campaign against a woman that truthfully makes no sense. What was Sofia cancelled for? Wanting the intellectual property of a podcast she created? Wanting to get paid a million dollars for a podcast that was bringing in over 5x that? Please people. (Also, let’s not forget— one year later, Alex is able to sell all CHD catalogue for SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS. Including 80+ episodes with Sofia’s voice. So, yeah, she was worth that.)
I’ll try to step off my “I told you so” pedestal for a second and review this book— it’s fantastic. Not just because Sofia was never wrong, but also because she herself is interesting. Her childhood was insane. Her inner monologue is compelling. Her “daddy issues” aren’t really about Alex Cooper (although some definitely are). I would recommend this to anyone— especially anyone that fell for the misogynist smear campaign against her. Cheers to the idea that public figures are 3-dimensional humans as well.
I remember where I was as I listened to the first episode of Sofia with an F — “if you thought I was letting a man make my decisions for me, YOU WEREN’T LISTENING.”
I bought that “lazy, greedy, submissive, and that’s a little bit about me” merch so fast it actually has holes in it now I’ve worn it so much.
It’s so embarrassing when society, especially a fan base that’s predominantly women, falls for a smear campaign against a woman that truthfully makes no sense. What was Sofia cancelled for? Wanting the intellectual property of a podcast she created? Wanting to get paid a million dollars for a podcast that was bringing in over 5x that? Please people. (Also, let’s not forget— one year later, Alex is able to sell all CHD catalogue for SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS. Including 80+ episodes with Sofia’s voice. So, yeah, she was worth that.)
I’ll try to step off my “I told you so” pedestal for a second and review this book— it’s fantastic. Not just because Sofia was never wrong, but also because she herself is interesting. Her childhood was insane. Her inner monologue is compelling. Her “daddy issues” aren’t really about Alex Cooper (although some definitely are). I would recommend this to anyone— especially anyone that fell for the misogynist smear campaign against her. Cheers to the idea that public figures are 3-dimensional humans as well.
November 10, 2026
Good for her
November 10, 2026
I finished this book in an afternoon, mostly because I am a nosey b*tch. But, was interesting to see SF's side of the CHD feud.
Definitely reinforces my hate for Dave Portnoy & Barstool.
It's funny because I so clearly remember this drama unfolding, and taking Alex's side because I felt like Sofia did the one thing I felt like she stood against, getting pushed around by a (suit)man.
Reading her side opened my eyes to her perception of how things went down. Will be interesting to see how Dave Portnoy and his army of incels try to discredit everything in the book.
Definitely reinforces my hate for Dave Portnoy & Barstool.
It's funny because I so clearly remember this drama unfolding, and taking Alex's side because I felt like Sofia did the one thing I felt like she stood against, getting pushed around by a (suit)man.
Reading her side opened my eyes to her perception of how things went down. Will be interesting to see how Dave Portnoy and his army of incels try to discredit everything in the book.
November 13, 2026
Rating - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Review coming
Review coming
November 11, 2026
Proud to say I have always hated Alex Cooper
November 8, 2026
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing me with a complimentary copy of this memoir and the audiobook.
In Daddy Issues, Sofia Franklyn finally shares her side of what happened with “Call Her Daddy,” the podcast she co-created with Alex Cooper that ultimately brought both into the spotlight. She discusses how their friendship and business relationship fell apart, how she felt blindsided by Alex and the Barstool team, and what happened to her life and career afterward.
Although a significant portion of this memoir focuses on her fallout with Alex Cooper, there’s much more to Sofia’s story than the podcast drama. She opens up about growing up without a father, having an abusive father figure who struggled with drug use, and her own experiences with alcohol, drugs, and mental health. I appreciated how vulnerable she was when discussing these parts of her life, especially because they’re not necessarily easy things to share publicly.
One of the most interesting parts for me was learning about the early days of “Call Her Daddy.” Sofia discusses how she met Alex, how she came up with the podcast’s name, and even how she came up with the phrase “Unwell,” which is now the name of Alex Cooper’s podcast network. She also shares her experience seeking legal advice about potentially pursuing claims involving defamation and the use of her ideas, only to discover how expensive and difficult that process could become.
What really stood out to me was the contrast between their lives after the fallout. While Alex Cooper continued building her career and signing massive podcast deals, Sofia described struggling with depression, public criticism, and the feeling that her reputation had been completely destroyed. Watching someone you once considered a friend achieve that level of success while you’re dealing with the consequences of a very public falling-out must have been incredibly difficult and I felt deeply for her.
I will say that this isn’t the best piece of creative nonfiction I’ve ever read. There were moments when I felt the writing could have been stronger, and the narrative sometimes focused so heavily on Alex that I wanted to hear more about Sofia herself and her life outside of “Call Her Daddy.” However, I can’t deny how raw and personal this memoir felt. Listening to Sofia narrate her own experiences also made the audiobook more impactful for me.
I’m not someone who likes to automatically take sides, especially when there are multiple perspectives to a story. This is Sofia’s account of what happened, and I think it’s important to recognize that distinction. That being said, I’m glad she finally had the opportunity to share her perspective.
More than anything, this memoir made me think about how fame, money, and ambition can completely change friendships, particularly when business and personal relationships become so intertwined. It also shows how difficult it can be to rebuild your life when the public has already formed an opinion about who you are.
My full review is also available on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dfh1G_...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLg3hFk5/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/gjhuRZ4Utg...
In Daddy Issues, Sofia Franklyn finally shares her side of what happened with “Call Her Daddy,” the podcast she co-created with Alex Cooper that ultimately brought both into the spotlight. She discusses how their friendship and business relationship fell apart, how she felt blindsided by Alex and the Barstool team, and what happened to her life and career afterward.
Although a significant portion of this memoir focuses on her fallout with Alex Cooper, there’s much more to Sofia’s story than the podcast drama. She opens up about growing up without a father, having an abusive father figure who struggled with drug use, and her own experiences with alcohol, drugs, and mental health. I appreciated how vulnerable she was when discussing these parts of her life, especially because they’re not necessarily easy things to share publicly.
One of the most interesting parts for me was learning about the early days of “Call Her Daddy.” Sofia discusses how she met Alex, how she came up with the podcast’s name, and even how she came up with the phrase “Unwell,” which is now the name of Alex Cooper’s podcast network. She also shares her experience seeking legal advice about potentially pursuing claims involving defamation and the use of her ideas, only to discover how expensive and difficult that process could become.
What really stood out to me was the contrast between their lives after the fallout. While Alex Cooper continued building her career and signing massive podcast deals, Sofia described struggling with depression, public criticism, and the feeling that her reputation had been completely destroyed. Watching someone you once considered a friend achieve that level of success while you’re dealing with the consequences of a very public falling-out must have been incredibly difficult and I felt deeply for her.
I will say that this isn’t the best piece of creative nonfiction I’ve ever read. There were moments when I felt the writing could have been stronger, and the narrative sometimes focused so heavily on Alex that I wanted to hear more about Sofia herself and her life outside of “Call Her Daddy.” However, I can’t deny how raw and personal this memoir felt. Listening to Sofia narrate her own experiences also made the audiobook more impactful for me.
I’m not someone who likes to automatically take sides, especially when there are multiple perspectives to a story. This is Sofia’s account of what happened, and I think it’s important to recognize that distinction. That being said, I’m glad she finally had the opportunity to share her perspective.
More than anything, this memoir made me think about how fame, money, and ambition can completely change friendships, particularly when business and personal relationships become so intertwined. It also shows how difficult it can be to rebuild your life when the public has already formed an opinion about who you are.
My full review is also available on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dfh1G_...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLg3hFk5/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/shorts/gjhuRZ4Utg...
November 10, 2026
This was “entertaining”, and I finished it in one afternoon… I considered two stars, but it’s probably 1.5.
Sofia was always the “crazy one” which was fun and wild when I was in college, but Alex has grown alongside the version of me today- so Sofia is no longer relatable & it feels a bit stagnant and sad.
This drama is YEARS old. This memoir would’ve slapped back in even 2023, but now it’s just bitter. It also didn’t really provide any new mind jarring info to the narrative, so the timing doesn’t really make sense. Additionally, there wasn’t really an overarching theme or story about who Sofia is or where she’s going, it was just recounting the past.
I was an OG CHD listener- before they were even with barstool- I don’t even remember what app I used to listen, but it wasn’t even on Spotify/apple podcasts and I’d listen it to with wired headphones in my college’s dining halls- but I MUCH prefer the newer version.
The memoir is also horribly written. I applaud not using a ghost writer, because that would’ve felt inauthentic- but it feels like an editor didn’t even polish it, beyond a few grandiose vocab words thrown around some of her feminist/girl boss statements, which feel jarring juxtaposed beside her typical language.
I really do feel for her cancellation, that was horrible and absolutely a result of the toxic masculinity culture that Barstool cultivates. And, there’s no doubt Alex ripped off some of their most famous bits. But this memoir feels like a testament to Alex’s drive (and ruthless businesswoman persona), and kind of highlights why Sofia wasn’t successful solo.
If you’re an OG fan, sure, go for it. Otherwise, not sure it’s worth the read.
Sofia was always the “crazy one” which was fun and wild when I was in college, but Alex has grown alongside the version of me today- so Sofia is no longer relatable & it feels a bit stagnant and sad.
This drama is YEARS old. This memoir would’ve slapped back in even 2023, but now it’s just bitter. It also didn’t really provide any new mind jarring info to the narrative, so the timing doesn’t really make sense. Additionally, there wasn’t really an overarching theme or story about who Sofia is or where she’s going, it was just recounting the past.
I was an OG CHD listener- before they were even with barstool- I don’t even remember what app I used to listen, but it wasn’t even on Spotify/apple podcasts and I’d listen it to with wired headphones in my college’s dining halls- but I MUCH prefer the newer version.
The memoir is also horribly written. I applaud not using a ghost writer, because that would’ve felt inauthentic- but it feels like an editor didn’t even polish it, beyond a few grandiose vocab words thrown around some of her feminist/girl boss statements, which feel jarring juxtaposed beside her typical language.
I really do feel for her cancellation, that was horrible and absolutely a result of the toxic masculinity culture that Barstool cultivates. And, there’s no doubt Alex ripped off some of their most famous bits. But this memoir feels like a testament to Alex’s drive (and ruthless businesswoman persona), and kind of highlights why Sofia wasn’t successful solo.
If you’re an OG fan, sure, go for it. Otherwise, not sure it’s worth the read.
November 10, 2026
Read the book in one sitting, but I found it hard to read due to the style of writing, hence the 3.5 stars.
The book felt unfinished and slightly choppy, as if parts were thrown in together.
My heart goes out to Sofia, she clearly had been struggling with a lot of demons and addiction is no joke.
But the style of writing made you almost frustrated with her and her self sabotaging tendencies. I almost wanted to shake her shoulders and tell her to get up and find her own voice.
Sofia, you are brave for writing this, thank you for not holding back, I hope the success of the book propels you towards more momentum in whatever path you choose.
The book felt unfinished and slightly choppy, as if parts were thrown in together.
My heart goes out to Sofia, she clearly had been struggling with a lot of demons and addiction is no joke.
But the style of writing made you almost frustrated with her and her self sabotaging tendencies. I almost wanted to shake her shoulders and tell her to get up and find her own voice.
Sofia, you are brave for writing this, thank you for not holding back, I hope the success of the book propels you towards more momentum in whatever path you choose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2026
Literally devoured. Such a good storyteller and it's heartbreaking. So much nostalgia. Alex is evil and karma is coming.... I'm so glad she waited for this platform to tell her story. I'm so happy for her.
November 11, 2026
BINGED this. Was never a CHD listener, but this was all-consuming for the past 24 hours. Sofias voice is tough on audio but I preserved nonetheless. She didn’t hold back in the slightestttttt
November 11, 2026
I never even listened to the podcast but unfortunately, I live for some gossip! Again feel bad rating it because it’s someone’s actual life but I can’t help it.
I am inclined to believe a lot of what she said here, acknowledging there’s an inherent lack of objectivity because we’re only hearing one side. There are always three sides to a story!
However, we see this type of situation play out over and over and over again—a woman is classified by another person or group as some type of bad characteristic (in this case greedy), and the public POUNCES and rips her to shreds based solely on that side of the story. Whenever a man or masculine-associated group with horrible politics or morals or a history of despicable actions or WHATEVER is trying to paint a woman as being a bad person, we need to question it more! Why everyone trusted Dave Portnoy, Harry Jowsey, and Barstool fucking Sports I will never understand for the life of me! Dave has assault allegations, Harry has been filmed lying and manipulating CONSISTENTLY, and Barstool is one of the most misogynistic and miserable “news” organizations to have cursed my Instagram feed. And we’ve also seen a lot of what Sofia references with our own eyes - specific podcast episodes, Alex naming her brand after a term Sofia coined, etc. that lends her additional credibility.
Alex Cooper talking about sex on her podcast does not make her the ultimate feminist and absolve her of her association with these men and their collective smear campaign against Sofia. At the end of the day, at the very minimum, she actively encouraged the internet to hate on someone she once called a friend over details of a business negotiation. She sided with these men for her own gain. Call that being a girlboss all you want, but I call it perpetuating men controlling narratives like usual. I don’t know why we’re glorifying being a bad friend for the sake of capitalistic gain.
I’m actually mad. How do we keep doing this over and over? Why was it so horrible for Sofia to want to negotiate more money for their podcast that was making Barstool millions? How is that greedy and unfeminist, but partnering with Dave to make merch using the situation and cutting your friend out perfectly okay? Why is it that the woman who emerged more or less unscathed in the public eye was the one out of the duo who didn’t want to fight for her worth and was willing to put up with horrible behavior from men? Sure, maybe it worked out in this case and she was able to get a great Spotify deal. But maybe it wouldn’t have! Maybe they could’ve both retained IP rights! Who the fuck knows. All I know is it’s so exhausting to watch.
Sofia very clearly states in this book that she’s not perfect and admits to her faults. I’m not arguing otherwise—there are choices she made I don’t agree with. But I’m just asking for people to just use their fucking brains and think about who they are trusting in these situations. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, and not having such a mythical concept as half of this situation doesn’t make the crime any less real.
To be clear, I’ve had similar thoughts since this all happened, so I’m definitely not unbiased as this affirmed pre-existing beliefs. But it’s just food for thought. Many things might’ve been done wrong by Sofia in Alex’s perspective, but she also had a choice in how to handle the fallout and negotiations, and I think the way it appears she did was just…. hm.
As far as the book itself, I think it would’ve been nice to hear more of Sofia’s life post-“breakup”/benders. It was pretty choppy. The middle section contained a lot of detail, but the end felt like it jumped through time pretty quickly when it could’ve had some interesting additional perspective. Having so many people around her actively encouraging her addictions couldn’t have been easy. She seems like she’s doing well now, and I hope she’s found some peace after all of this. Putting this out had to be scary. The book wasn’t perfect and could’ve fleshed more out, but it certainly delivered on dirt!
I need to be less chronically online and to go to bed!
I’m back again with more thoughts. The way they also twisted her having a support system in her boyfriend into her somehow being not feminist and also simultaneously making him a less safe space to go to since it forced her to question her own reality and put him through his own trials, including losing his job??? Crazy. Like say he was involved in negotiations to a higher extent than Sofia says in the book—even in that case, in what universe does a person not talk about things with a trusted loved one, especially when they have relevant business experience? Kim Kardashian’s mother is her manager. Richard Williams coached Venus and Serena. People involve loved ones in business! That was not abnormal of her to do, and according to her, she barely even did it because the one time she did, they fought!
I am inclined to believe a lot of what she said here, acknowledging there’s an inherent lack of objectivity because we’re only hearing one side. There are always three sides to a story!
However, we see this type of situation play out over and over and over again—a woman is classified by another person or group as some type of bad characteristic (in this case greedy), and the public POUNCES and rips her to shreds based solely on that side of the story. Whenever a man or masculine-associated group with horrible politics or morals or a history of despicable actions or WHATEVER is trying to paint a woman as being a bad person, we need to question it more! Why everyone trusted Dave Portnoy, Harry Jowsey, and Barstool fucking Sports I will never understand for the life of me! Dave has assault allegations, Harry has been filmed lying and manipulating CONSISTENTLY, and Barstool is one of the most misogynistic and miserable “news” organizations to have cursed my Instagram feed. And we’ve also seen a lot of what Sofia references with our own eyes - specific podcast episodes, Alex naming her brand after a term Sofia coined, etc. that lends her additional credibility.
Alex Cooper talking about sex on her podcast does not make her the ultimate feminist and absolve her of her association with these men and their collective smear campaign against Sofia. At the end of the day, at the very minimum, she actively encouraged the internet to hate on someone she once called a friend over details of a business negotiation. She sided with these men for her own gain. Call that being a girlboss all you want, but I call it perpetuating men controlling narratives like usual. I don’t know why we’re glorifying being a bad friend for the sake of capitalistic gain.
I’m actually mad. How do we keep doing this over and over? Why was it so horrible for Sofia to want to negotiate more money for their podcast that was making Barstool millions? How is that greedy and unfeminist, but partnering with Dave to make merch using the situation and cutting your friend out perfectly okay? Why is it that the woman who emerged more or less unscathed in the public eye was the one out of the duo who didn’t want to fight for her worth and was willing to put up with horrible behavior from men? Sure, maybe it worked out in this case and she was able to get a great Spotify deal. But maybe it wouldn’t have! Maybe they could’ve both retained IP rights! Who the fuck knows. All I know is it’s so exhausting to watch.
Sofia very clearly states in this book that she’s not perfect and admits to her faults. I’m not arguing otherwise—there are choices she made I don’t agree with. But I’m just asking for people to just use their fucking brains and think about who they are trusting in these situations. There is no such thing as a perfect victim, and not having such a mythical concept as half of this situation doesn’t make the crime any less real.
To be clear, I’ve had similar thoughts since this all happened, so I’m definitely not unbiased as this affirmed pre-existing beliefs. But it’s just food for thought. Many things might’ve been done wrong by Sofia in Alex’s perspective, but she also had a choice in how to handle the fallout and negotiations, and I think the way it appears she did was just…. hm.
As far as the book itself, I think it would’ve been nice to hear more of Sofia’s life post-“breakup”/benders. It was pretty choppy. The middle section contained a lot of detail, but the end felt like it jumped through time pretty quickly when it could’ve had some interesting additional perspective. Having so many people around her actively encouraging her addictions couldn’t have been easy. She seems like she’s doing well now, and I hope she’s found some peace after all of this. Putting this out had to be scary. The book wasn’t perfect and could’ve fleshed more out, but it certainly delivered on dirt!
I need to be less chronically online and to go to bed!
I’m back again with more thoughts. The way they also twisted her having a support system in her boyfriend into her somehow being not feminist and also simultaneously making him a less safe space to go to since it forced her to question her own reality and put him through his own trials, including losing his job??? Crazy. Like say he was involved in negotiations to a higher extent than Sofia says in the book—even in that case, in what universe does a person not talk about things with a trusted loved one, especially when they have relevant business experience? Kim Kardashian’s mother is her manager. Richard Williams coached Venus and Serena. People involve loved ones in business! That was not abnormal of her to do, and according to her, she barely even did it because the one time she did, they fought!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2026
Thank you to Simon Books for my free copy of Daddy Issues for review!
The first time I heard of CHD, my friend had just picked me up and we were on our way to the bar. He said, “You HAVE to listen to this new podcast,” and turned it on. The voices of two girls filled the car with jaw-dropping female locker room talk. I was shocked that they had the balls to talk like that on a podcast, but I also knew that it was genius. There were only 3 episodes out at that point in 2018 which I went back and listened to the next day. And every Wednesday, I tuned in for the new episode. The girls were raunchy, hilarious, and felt so real. When the fall-out happened, AC was able to tell her narrative and yeah, Sofia was made out to be a villian. There are two sides to every story, and I’m glad that Sofia is finally able to share hers.
Daddy Issues is required reading for anyone who has paid any attention to the CHD controversy. Sofia gives the reader some of her backstory, but the majority of the book details the rise and fall of a friendship and podcast partnership. Throughout the book, Sofia is brutally transparent about sharing things about herself and her life that are surprising and sometimes unflattering- but that’s what left me feeling that she is being as honest throughout the book as she can possibly be. This is her truth.
What I walked away with most from this book is the harsh reminder that despite being famous, situations like this still involve real people. People with real feelings, real struggles, and people who feel real pain. It has become so easy for strangers on the internet to say terrible things about others and as Sofia says, she ended up reading so many bad things about herself that she started to believe it. What a terrible thing for anyone to go through, being attacked and bullied to the point that you’re questioning your own worth and looking for an escape. It costs nothing to be kind.
As for all memoirs and autobiographies, this book gets five stars from me because how could you possibly give someone less than five stars for being brave enough to share their story? #SimonBooksBuddy #daddyissues
The first time I heard of CHD, my friend had just picked me up and we were on our way to the bar. He said, “You HAVE to listen to this new podcast,” and turned it on. The voices of two girls filled the car with jaw-dropping female locker room talk. I was shocked that they had the balls to talk like that on a podcast, but I also knew that it was genius. There were only 3 episodes out at that point in 2018 which I went back and listened to the next day. And every Wednesday, I tuned in for the new episode. The girls were raunchy, hilarious, and felt so real. When the fall-out happened, AC was able to tell her narrative and yeah, Sofia was made out to be a villian. There are two sides to every story, and I’m glad that Sofia is finally able to share hers.
Daddy Issues is required reading for anyone who has paid any attention to the CHD controversy. Sofia gives the reader some of her backstory, but the majority of the book details the rise and fall of a friendship and podcast partnership. Throughout the book, Sofia is brutally transparent about sharing things about herself and her life that are surprising and sometimes unflattering- but that’s what left me feeling that she is being as honest throughout the book as she can possibly be. This is her truth.
What I walked away with most from this book is the harsh reminder that despite being famous, situations like this still involve real people. People with real feelings, real struggles, and people who feel real pain. It has become so easy for strangers on the internet to say terrible things about others and as Sofia says, she ended up reading so many bad things about herself that she started to believe it. What a terrible thing for anyone to go through, being attacked and bullied to the point that you’re questioning your own worth and looking for an escape. It costs nothing to be kind.
As for all memoirs and autobiographies, this book gets five stars from me because how could you possibly give someone less than five stars for being brave enough to share their story? #SimonBooksBuddy #daddyissues
November 13, 2026
I don't even need to sit with it. I just finished and here are my raw thoughts:
If what Sofia is saying is true, and I believe it is, then I'm just even more heart broken hearing the entire story than when this all went down. I remember Covid and waiting for answers about why they weren't recording and then being so sad they weren't doing CHD together anymore. When Alex started CHD on her own I wanted to stay on board and still support Sofia at the same time but it wasn't the same with either of them solo. I can't imagine ever abandoning your friend, your best friend, and taking the entire brand for yourself. If Sofia wanted to stay, then why wouldn't you have kept it going?
Obviously Alex Cooper has made it big. She's rich and famous, so good for her. However, I know people like her and I just don't feel as though they have a conscience or even the slightest bit of remorse or guilt when it comes to taking others down to build yourself up. I have been the friend fucked over left trying to figure out the people I thought I knew and the life I thought I knew and I just can't imagine how Alex could have done that regardless of her wanting to do it on her own. She could have went for it, but with integredy rather than backstabbing and lies. Sofia obviously had issues also, but didn't deserve any of this.
If what Sofia is saying is true, and I believe it is, then I'm just even more heart broken hearing the entire story than when this all went down. I remember Covid and waiting for answers about why they weren't recording and then being so sad they weren't doing CHD together anymore. When Alex started CHD on her own I wanted to stay on board and still support Sofia at the same time but it wasn't the same with either of them solo. I can't imagine ever abandoning your friend, your best friend, and taking the entire brand for yourself. If Sofia wanted to stay, then why wouldn't you have kept it going?
Obviously Alex Cooper has made it big. She's rich and famous, so good for her. However, I know people like her and I just don't feel as though they have a conscience or even the slightest bit of remorse or guilt when it comes to taking others down to build yourself up. I have been the friend fucked over left trying to figure out the people I thought I knew and the life I thought I knew and I just can't imagine how Alex could have done that regardless of her wanting to do it on her own. She could have went for it, but with integredy rather than backstabbing and lies. Sofia obviously had issues also, but didn't deserve any of this.
November 11, 2026
I went into this looking for the tea, but I left feeling so much for Sofia and everything she’s been through since she was just a little girl. This was raw, emotional, funny and sad all at once. 5 stars for the vulnerability and honesty she put into this. Highly recommend the audiobook!
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