Pretty Mess

by Erika Jayne

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Without her alter-ego Erika Jayne, Erika Girardi says she’d just be “another rich bitch with a plane”—so get ready for the dishy, tell-all memoir from show-stopping performer, model, singer, and beloved star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills , Erika Jayne.

Erika Jayne didn’t make it this far by holding back. Now, in her first-ever memoir, the fan favorite star of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills bares her heart, mind, and soul.

In Pretty Mess , Erika spills on every aspect of her from her rise to fame as a daring and fiery pop/dance performer and singer; to her decision to accept a role on reality television; to the ups and downs of family life (including her marriage to famed lawyer Tom Girardi, thirty-three years her senior). There’s much more to Erika Jayne than fans see on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills . Pretty Mess is her opportunity to dig deep and tell her many-layered, unique, and inspiring life story.

As fun and fearless as its author, this fascinating memoir proves once and for all why Erika Jayne is so she’s strong, confident, genuine, and here to tell all!

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

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Erika Girardi (known professionally as Erika Jayne) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Raised in Atlanta, Girardi came to prominence with the release of her debut single "Roller Coaster", which topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2007; it was included on her debut studio album Pretty Mess in 2009. Jayne has attained nine number-one songs on the Dance Club Songs chart as of 2016. In 2015, Girardi became a recurring cast member on the sixth season of the reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, followed by her role on Dancing with the Stars in 2017.

(Source)

Reviews

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

Dear Erika Girardi . . . .



I offer up zero apologies for reading this. I have been addicted to EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of the Housewhores franchises from inception. Be it table flipping and prostitution whores to the Broke Black Bill Gates I watch them all in nearly religious binge-type marathon sessions (in the bed with coffee and donuts) once I have a backlog of several saved up on the DVR and all the male humans out of the house on a weekend morning. Some “characters” (because lord please tell me they are at least somewhat putting on a show) I love to hate (like that fucking Siggy Flicker – UGH!) – some I love to love (Lisa Rinna and Kandi Burris – I mean come on how could you not????) – some I want to love (Dorinda Medley) – and then there’s Erika. I think I love her because . . . . .



Just like me!

Unlike me, this bitch is a fucking boss who literally . . . .



Pretty Mess tells Erika’s story from her childhood in Georgia to working the circuit in Jersey . . . .



To a “trophy wife” status that has lasted nearly 20 years (how long the rest of them haterasses been married, amIrightoramIright???), who created an alter ego pretty much out of boredom and nearly at middle-age after she ran out of things to remodel in her house that currently stands in the record books as Billboard’s #42 dance track artist of all time.

Obviously this wasn’t any sort of life changer – and truthfully it really it didn’t even offer much insight with regard to things I’m dying to know about (like WHERE did the Glam Squad boyzzzzzz come from and how much do they get paid to be awesome and are they just on call all the time or does she schedule them like three days out and how do they find things like designer latex blouses and oh my god I am so in love with those fellas). However, I’ve nevereverever felt compelled to read one of these Ho’s books before so it gets 3 Stars. After all . . . .

[Kelli Oliver George · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty mess? How about a HOT mess? Yikes. I did not expect this to be a compelling piece of literature but I had anticipated that this would at least be a fun romp through This Is Your Life, Erika Girardi. Instead, we are treated to a snoozefest with no real narrative arc. Also, for all the talk about traveling, meeting fascinating people, going to the White House, etc she failed to provide any interesting anecdotal stories. A memoir doesn't need to be salacious or juicy, but it does need to be entertaining.

I still gave this 2 stars because I did appreciate Girardi's frank attitude toward her marriage and her success. I love her positive attitude and she remains one of my favorite Housewives but sadly, this memoir was a disappointment.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book mainly because I have watched The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from the beginning. It was nice to learn more background of how she grew up and what she did before joining the show. I was hoping for some in depth stories, but to be honest with you it was formatted like an outline with nothing earth-shattering or brought out in full detail. I was kind of disappointed and was hoping for something different. I still learned something and was hoping for some more pictures to go with the chapters.

~April

[Jen Kirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come tomorrow. Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an advanced copy. I devoured it and feel like a sassier version of myself for reading it!

[Mackie Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, was the writing the best? No. Was it that deep? Definitely not. But it wasn't disappointing in any way, I was pretty sure about what I was going to get when I went into it. Plus I love Erika, I'd read anything she wrote.

[Tan Markovic · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ish?? I'm not really sure how to rate this one

[Charlene · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping to learn something about Erika's lifestyle. She was far too guarded and inauthentic. I am not giving this one star because I disapprove of anything she wrote about. Quite the opposite. I love to understand and hate when people judge. I am not on board with the reviews that gave this book low scores and engaged in slut shaming or judging whether or not she had her kid full time or part time. What bullshit. I suspect those reviewers would never say that about a man.

The problem I had with this book is that I read it at the same time as reading Jessi Klein's "You'll Grow Out of It," which was incredibly self-reflective and well written. I realize Erika Jayne wrote this with the intention of entertaining, making a buck, and not going too deep. She achieved her goal. It's just that I think some people can tell a shallow story in a much more interesting way. I remember reading Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Maddison. I had never heard of Maddison and could tell somethings in the book probably needed to be taken with a grain of salt. But, even with its flaws, I learned so much about what it was like to be a Playboy Playmate. I was fascinated by her existence and was happy to gobble up new information about a world with which I am unfamiliar. So, a book doesn't have to contain deep truths. I am not even a tiny bit embarrassed to want to read a book by a reality star. I will literally read a book about anything that can teach me something new. I would have loved to immerse myself in the life of Erika Jayne, but this book just fell short in every possible way.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to rate this higher because I love Erika but eh was kind of boring in places and all over the place at times.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love HER, but this was a reaaallllly boring read.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. A solid 3,5 stars.

[Meghan Stapleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Transitions are poor at times, including subject organization. Overall, Erika’s voice comes out more often than not.You will learn more about her history and growing up. I love Erika Jayne, but this book didn’t really help fall in love with Erika Girardi.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Erika Jayne and her story is inspiring. As a girl from a small town in Georgia, Erika has used her natural talent and her strong will to become the successful performer, business woman, wife, and mother that she is today.

I listened to the audio book read by the author which reflected her grit and gumption. An enjoyable story told by a remarkable woman.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was curious about Erika's life after watching her on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I will say that the book was a fast read, but I felt it was lacking on details that would make it an interesting book. There were a couple chapters that I simply skimmed because there was too much detail given on, say, her dance performances as a kid, which I could have cared less about. I would have liked more details on other more personal and interesting points of her life.

[Alyssa Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erika Jayne! With everything that is happening in this season with RHOBH I wanted to listen this book. I loved the section on her grandmother. But with all things Tom is considered you can tell he was a little overbearing. But just like Dorinda’s book this is hearing on how the housewife was shaped.

[Jackie Maughan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is ghost written. Pretty Mess should be titled Pretty Big Bully since she likes to beat up on those she thinks are weaker (Sutton) and she has not apologized enough for her private jets etcetera when that money Tom gave her should have gone to the plane crash victims.

[Leighann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not rating this based on the writing, enjoyed learning more about Erika's upbringing and her career before RHOBH. This was written before all the lawsuits and decline of her marriage, so not as spicy as one would hope.

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if I would ever give this absolute goddess anything less than five stars!

[exorcismemily · Rating 3 out of 5]

"No one has what you have, and someday everyone will want it."

2.5⭐

I was looking forward to reading Pretty Mess since I love Erika on RHOBH, but this book was so damn dry. It didn't have any spark or life, and I didn't have much interest until late in the book. Erika has been pretty open about a lot of this stuff on the show, and I think it's more interesting to hear her talk about it in person. I did like the parts about Real Housewives and Dancing With the Stars, but this was not the juicy book I was hoping for.

[JJ Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very matter of fact, just like Erika in RHOBH. Overall an interesting read as she expanded on things she's briefly mentioned on the show (how much she struggled, her time as a go go dancer, how she met Tom, etc.). I wish she had spent more time talking about RHOBH as she only spent about one chapter talking about that experience. I would've thought she'd have more to share as that's what truly expanded her career allowing the opportunity to write an autobiography.

[Ashley Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! I’ve never found a biography so relatable - especially from a celebrity! I’m closing a business and extremely ill and found so much comfort and positivity in her words. I’ve found the book for my nightstand. Thank you, Erika Jayne, for helping me find me before it was too late.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I try not to rate memoirs but this book was marketed and sold on RHOBH as an exciting tell all of an insane life. There is none of that in here.

[Jillfill · Rating 2 out of 5]

*me psychoanalyzing all the real housewives*

[RNOCEAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars. While I enjoyed learning about her 'climb to the top', I didn't find the book telling me anything that I could not have researched myself. Her relationship or lack thereof with her mother I did find a bit telling, however. I think it explains a lot about her inability to have girlfriends that are close, her self assurance and many facets of her personality. I was hoping that this would be a book I would find so enjoyable that I would speed through it, but it was not. Great effort though Miz Mess, LOL

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty Mess? Pretty narcissistic gold digger.

She surely thinks a great deal of herself, but she seems very shallow and goes way too far out the way trying to explain that the 30+ age difference between her and her husband is nothing. To her, it’s not. He could have been 50 years older. He wanted a Pretty Mess and he got one.

Hearing her talk about their jet and their mansion and their Malibu beach house. Oh please! Put your tassels back on and get back to stripping. You barely wear much more clothes than that in your ridiculous Erika Jayne performances. Major midlife crisis going on there.

It’s expensive to be you because you are so busy spending your husband’s money. Say what you want about it being both your money... since your name is on the tax return... but he makes it. Not her.

All I can say about her saying her husband is a brilliant lawyer is in my opinion he is an idiot. No prenup? Really? I guess he figured as old as he is he won’t be around that much longer.

She is counting the change in his pockets now.

As for the actual book. It was awful. Jumping around more than she does on stage. I could not make any sense out of it. She would be a teenager one minute and married to this old man the next page and then back to living with her grandparents as a child.

Boring, tedious and just justified what I already am realizing.... it really can be expensive to be cheap!

Don’t spend money on this crap. It was just sitting on the shelf with cob webs on it at my local library.

She needs to pack her expensive luggage and please leave the RHOBH. She is a downer.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, how badly I wanted to like this. I gave up a couple dozen pages in, considered skimming through her early life to get to the juice, but couldn't bring myself that far. The writing in this book has zero dimension or intrigue. The first chunk read like a middle schooler's "what I did this summer" essay.

Ugh. I love Erika. I'm absolutely fascinated by her on RHOBH and identify with her personality. I was thrilled when I realized she had a book, but feel like this was a completely missed opportunity. Erika is so mysterious on the show, and I had hoped this book would reveal some of the reasons why. It does not.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like every other housewife bio I’ve read, Erika Jayne’s book was written really bad. Like, really bad. However I enjoyed the parts about her childhood (some really shocking), her openness about her son, her love and admiration for her husband, and her honesty about DWTS (I knew when I watched her she wasn’t herself). I found it humorous when she wrote something about how she takes everything personally because you can totes see glimmers of that on RHOBH, even when she completely tries to be the total cool girl.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I recommend this memoir for Real Houswives fans. There is much more to Erika than meets the eye. Her memoir is an inspiring story, a sort of rags to definite riches tale. She never gave up on her dream of being a performer. I admire her candidness, drive, tenacity, and work ethic. I also admire that she is in her late 40s (a couple of years older than me) and is showing that middle aged women can be sexy, beautiful, and bold. Those aren’t just adjectives for the younger women.

[Alexis Nascimento · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have looooooovvvvveed Erika Jayne ever since she became a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills. Her no-nonsense, zero fucks attitude is refreshing! Needless to say, I pre-ordered her book with excitement. It’s a fast read, and you can definitely hear her voice as she narrates her life. However I don’t think print is enough for this queen bee... I prefer watching her on my TV every week.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. Just happy that I borrowed it from the library instead of purchasing.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Took me 2 years to read 😅 i probably would of enjoyed it more as an audio book