Fierce at Four Foot Two

by Terra Jolé

In this frank, unflinching, hilarious and—at times—heartbreaking memoir, Terra Jolé, beloved star of reality television’s Little LA and Terra’s Little Family, shares her never-before-told story of what it takes to overcome small-mindedness and make it as a little person in Hollywood.

With little more than a dream in her heart, the passion in her soul, and two hundred dollars in her pocket, Terra Jolé burst onto the Hollywood scene with a fierce determination to make her mark on the entertainment industry. But she quickly learned that while she may have been ready for Hollywood, Hollywood wasn't necessarily ready for her. At four foot two, Terra was born with achondroplasia, a form of short-limbed dwarfism, and because of her diminutive stature she often faced unimaginable prejudice and bigotry.

After spending time in the trenches, as an evil elf on Ozzie Osbourne's Merry Mayhem Tour and later as a dancer on Miley Cyrus's Bangerz Tour, Terra struck out on her own and carved out a career for herself as a mini-Britney and mini-Gaga impersonator. But with her larger than life optimism and absolute belief in herself, Terra was determined not to be a "mini-anything" for long and she ultimately captured the hearts of reality TV fans around the world as the star and executive producer of the groundbreaking A+E Network's Lifetime television show Little LA.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2017

About the author

Terra Jolé is the star and executive producer of the Lifetime television show Little Women: LA. She is also the executive producer of spinoffs Little Women: ATL and Little Women: Dallas. Jolé is married to fellow Little Women: LA star Joe Gnoffo. They live in Los Angeles and have two children.

Reviews

[Ashley Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read through the previous reviews, you’ll find a lot of commentary about the lack of editing on this book. I’m not going to lie; this is true. But if you only focus on the typos, you’ll miss something big here (pun intended).

Terra Jole writes an inspiring story that really shouldn’t be missed. I NEVER read nonfiction and this was so incredibly inspiring. I truly could not put it down! It was a beautiful combination of informative and relatable that everyone should experience.

[carol liberatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

I loved this book. As a person who is only four foot six, I understand things that she went through growing up. I am a mother of a average size young lady. (24 years old). I remember how I worried if she was going to be a little person or not. The same fear every little person goes through. I love her show Little Women. It does show people that we have the same it's as everyone else. Keep up the good work.

[Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and quick read, but the worst editing I have ever seen. So many errors!

[Lil Old Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad.... I liked all the pictures, and admired Terra's honesty, even when it colored her in a less-then-flattering light.

This book, however, was in desperate need of a good editor. The stories were disjointed, facts in one paragraph not matching up in the next. And way too many grammatical and spelling errors. Like way too many. So many that it became annoying and took me out of the reading of the book.

[Trista Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about a character from a show I watch. It was interesting and made for a good quick read. What bumped it down from 4 to 3 stars though was the editing. Words left out, grammar issues, and the transitions were nonexistent. Before Terra decides to release another book, I’d suggest an editor.

[Samantha Bocwinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worst editing of a book I've ever seen. I felt like every other paragraph had some error. Super annoying.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Little Women, I love Terra! I think she is fierce!

[Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Terra’s story. I am a supporter of the Little Women franchise. And although Terra can be mean at times, I still like her drive to succeed. I mean you have to give it to her, she is the most successful little woman on tv.

In this book she writes about her up bringing. The relationship she had growing up with her parents and her brother.

She writes very little about the ladies on the show. The one she writes the most about is Tonya. She goes into detail about how she meet Tonya and how they became the best of friends. What surprised me the most is that she didn’t throw any shade at any of her cast mates. She didn’t talk negatively about any of the women. Which I was very pleased to see.

There are 15 chapters in the book. Each one describing a different time of Terra’s life. It took me 4 days to read which is a long time considering the length is only 178 pages.

This was the perfect summer read for me. Quick, sweet and to the point.

[Diana Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Terra and little woman LA!!! And her book just made me love her even more. I never knew everything she went through in her life. She has had it pretty tough in some ways but always comes back up even stronger. I can totally see why she has the attitude she has on the show. Great book Terra!!!!

[Kelly Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational moving story

Love this book and the journey that even the biggest little person in the world made to reach the peak she had always been destined to reach. Terra is an inspiration to people of all sizes.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice memoir from a reality tv star. However, there were bits that were funny, especially the Juggalo bit. I did think, however, that the tone of this may not be for everyone.

[Pamela Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book - it flowed quite nicely. I guess I was expecting more DRAMA.

[Angela Etten · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Terra ever wanted to do was sing and dance. Although hurt by discrimination and stereotypes based on her dwarfism, she embraced her size and worked harder to achieve her goal of being taken seriously as a performer. She began her entertainment career in Radio City Music Hall and recounts the ups and downs of finding work as a little person in Hollywood. Roles that were degrading, demoralizing, and/or dangerous she saw as stepping stones to something bigger and better. After performing as a miniature version of various famous female singers, Terra could afford to give up her pay-the-rent type jobs. She found her purpose as a performer when the Lifetime network picked up her reality TV show, “Little Women: LA.” Her celebrity on this show earned her an invitation and semi-final finish in Season 23 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Although Terra’s personal and career choices diverge from my own, her story is interesting, an honest reflection of her good and bad decisions, and a testament to what it takes to fulfill your dreams. I'm glad I took the time to read this book even though in places her core values and salty language caused me to squirm. Terra is married to a dwarf and they have two children.

[Olivia Przybylski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really great Terra is my favorite from Little Women LA, and I didn’t have a good history of who she was, and what she use to do growing up. This book was a great insider to her life, great detail, and wonderful people were introduced throughout the book. The only downfall, she published it herself, and there were quiet a few grammatical errors that really bothered me, but it’s worth overlooking, to read this book.

[Danyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this more stars because I really enjoyed it however the amount of typos was unforgiving. I don’t mind a few here or there but this was distracting. And I feel that the ending was a little abrupt. I was watching the tv show when the book was put into action so I know that she had very little time to write it so I wonder if that played into the issues I mentioned.

[Kristy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

I love Terra and enjoyed reading her thoughts and fears about different parts of her life. It felt like sitting down with a friend over a cup of coffee and talking kind of story

[Jaimie O'Dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring story

I enjoyed this deeper glimpse into Terra’s life and her inspiring story. I believe it teaches you no matter what you are physically going through you can do anything.

[Christina Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her and her story

I am a huge fan of Terra and watch her series. I love the book. She is so inspiring. I feel like I have a friend..... Even though I never met her.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not

[Juniper Jinx]

I love how she tells her story

I'm a fan of the show and it's great to read about it came about. Terra is truly an inspiration to all women.

[Angela Lasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Bad editing.

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots of spelling/grammar errors but I enjoyed this peek in to Terra's life.

[Valerie Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terra did a wonderful job telling her story, but I was so disappointed with all the typos. I don’t mind a few, but this book and it every few paragraphs. I don’t blame Terra.

[Amie Visbal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. Too bad about the editing though.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I'm a huge fan of her show Little Women: LA. I watched her True Life episode on MTV, back in the day! We were born the same year. Excellent book Terra!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoy her shows and her personality so when I saw she had a book I had to grab it up. The book did not disappoint. I loved learning about her accomplishments and everything she has done to get to where she is. The family pictures are a cute bonus.

[Christina Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terra sent me this book I'm a big fan of the tv show Little Women Of LA. Its no longer on. Thats makes me said. I read her book and it was good, I did not know how much little people have to go thought in live but to me it looks like it would be hard for them but it not they are just like us in every way but smaller.

[Eyrthmothr]

pretty good if you like Terra.