My Seven Sons and How We Raised Each Other:

by Don Diamont

Soap star Don Diamont's most interesting storyline to date is being the real-life father and ringleader of his seven rambunctious boys.Called a "daytime deity" by Soap Opera Digest, Don Diamont is best known as the dashing publishing titan with steel abs, "Dollar Bill Spencer," on the most-watched daytime drama in the world, The Bold and the Beautiful. But all of that takes second place to his most important role to father to seven boys. By turns hilarious and poignant, My Seven Sons and How We Raised Each Other is a family memoir for our time. Don writes with openness and courage about the ways his family came by marriage, divorce, the death of his sister, and marriage again. Today's blended families might look different from the households of even a few decades ago, but the first dates, first cars, busting curfew, talking back, grounding, broken hearts, laughs, tears, and the love are the same. From his childhood growing up in LA, to his Zoolander phase as a model in both Paris and Los Angeles, to the iconic place he now occupies in daytime television, Don also gives us a glimpse into a life that at times could have been scripted for a soap opera. And, with brutal honesty, he tells of the personal devastation he suffered after the deaths of his father, brother, and sister. My Seven Sons is required reading for everyone who is a parent, and all those who have one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2018

About the author

Don Diamont is an American actor. After several years as a successful model, his first major acting role was in 1984 as Carlo Forenza on Days of Our Lives. His best known roles include Brad Carlton on The Young and the Restless. and Bill Spencer, Jr. on The Bold and the Beautiful.

Reviews

[Miriam Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

As a fan of both the Young and the Restless and Bold & Beauiful, I was excited to read more about Don Diamont. It really is too easy to think of these characters as what the actor will be like but it is nice to read that Don is so much more down to earth and a family man - that stays true to his wife!

While the book is about raising his sons, it really starts with Don and his father - where he learned about how a great dad should be. Then, after much trial and error in his own relationships, Don meets the ONE. Even if the relationships are not the conventional family - they are still family.

When we read about his sons, there is not only the good things but the times that parents really wish would not happen to their child. Struggling through the hard times, it was great to see that the older "boys" have matured into strong men that a father can be proud of.

As a soap fan, I do have to say that I am so glad that Don got the last laugh when B & B hired him after Y & R killed his character, Brad, off, and he has had such a great success there. I love that he realizes that life is not handed to him and he works hard for that success and instilled that thinking in his sons.

The only thing that would make this book even better would be pictures. It would be great to see a picture of the different people in his life as you read along!

[Lisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of Don Diamont will absolutely love this book!! I enjoyed learning so much about his life in My Seven Sons and How We Raised Each Other.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tone definitely captures the Don Diamont of intereviews and the vibe he brings to his television characters, it’s heavy on testosterone, the main focus here is on his relationships with his father, brother, and sons, with far less time spent delving into his mom and sisters.

It’s interesting and sometimes even emotional to read about those male bonds (less so about his sons’ athletic exploits which occupies a little too much space), though as usual with a celebrity memoir I found myself wishing this had detailed more of his work life. I’m not looking for dirt on co-stars or anything gossipy like that, I just would have loved to read more about the process of working on a soap opera, what a full day on the set involves, those massive weddings and location shoots in the eighties, what he thought about various storylines, etc.. There’s a little of that discussing the Y&R storyline where Brad Carlton’s Jewish heritage is revealed and what ideas Diamont brought to his always entertaining B&B character, Bill, I enjoyed reading those bits there just wasn’t enough of them for my liking.

If, unlike me, you’re picking this one up primarily for the personal stuff rather than for his work, this will likely be a pretty satisfying read, Don Diamont’s led a fairly sudsy life off-camera, he’s unapologetic and willing to share things about his love life and his family that not everyone would be that open about, written in a conversational easy-to-read style.

[Libby Mckinmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don Diamont has been a daytime superstar for many years, even decades. Always a fan favorite, whether they were rooting for or against his character, he has been at the upper echelon of the genre on top-rated soaps.

In this funny and touching memoir, he discusses how his blended family came to be, the challenges they’ve faced and overcome, and the goals they’ve set and attained. He tells the reader about his greatest triumphs, the toughest hurdles, the losses and additions to their family and the underlying strength taught to him and modeled by his parents that has carried him forward and that he is passing on to his sons to use in their lives.

While the road has not always been easy or smooth, it is clear the television star is aware of the rewards of his life provided by his celebrity. It is just as clear how hard he was willing to work to make that a reality—starting as a model, transitioning to acting, then making it to the top of his chosen field…and staying there.

A nice, easy read, it’s like sitting with the author and chatting in a casual and relaxed setting.

[Ashley Hite · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

International soap opera star and father to seven boys, Don Diamont recounts his journey to soap opera fame and the life lessons he learned from his father and sons. He has lived a very dynamic life so far with memories that could easily rival those of his day job. Through incredible highs and the tragic lows Diamont shows great humor, grit and drive that has made him a true family man.

I have been a fan of Diamont's character Bill Spenser on The Bold and The Beautiful for years so I was very excited to read his new autobiography and he did not disappoint. He is honest and engaging with the stories he recounts. And his humor and bluntness make him all the more appealing. He has an abundance of confidence and swagger that even Bill Spenser would appreciate but bottom line he is a proud papa and a strong family man.

[Katee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up as a light read and enjoyed it way more than expected. That's what I love about memoirs - ya never know.

He seems honest about his relationships, and had had some very interesting ones. It was just interesting all around. He is very confident ( well, duh..) but endearing, that's a rare combination.

[paula j magnuson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definition of a "real" Dad

Loved loved loved this book! Wish I could have learned these life lessons when I was younger. These 7 boys are truly blessed to have a man such as this to call their dad.
What an amazing family!

[Charlene McGrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I'm impressed with what a well written book this is and how authentic it seems! Thank you for sharing your life with the public! I enjoyed learning a little about your personal life.

[Tammie Gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Talked about his life, kids, wife, co workers. Liked all but last 2 chapters. That was all about his kids and what sports they were in and I had no interest in that.

[Lisa Suttles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

If you are a Bold and Beautiful fan of a Don Diamont fan you will enjoy this book. I am both and I could hear his voice reading the book to me!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Not only can Don Diamont act he can write too. There was a lot of humor in this book as well as some very good parental advice from a very hands on dad. I really loved his writing style and I am so glad I picked this book up.

[Carol Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched Young & Restless and Bold & Beautiful for years so this book caught my attention right away. I remember being shocked that they killed off Brad Carlton - - and happy to see Bill Spencer emerge. Don's characters weren't always likable, but they were always dynamic and interesting. And as this book shows, the actor who portrayed the characters is just as interesting.

The book is written in an easy-to-read conversational style that's very appealing. As the title indicates, the book focuses on Diamont's personal life and family; I confess I would have enjoyed more about his interactions in his working life too. Perhaps he'll do a future book as well. Pictures would have been a nice addition to the book but even without them, I enjoyed reading the book.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an unexpected book this turned out to be. I'm not a fan of the soap opera's anymore - used to be many years ago. But as we all know, being in the spotlight makes the public curious about these TV stars, and Don Diamont is not what I expected.
I never expected him to have 7 sons and for him to be such a role model to them. This is a memoir of sorts, mostly on his family and many adventures his life has taken him in his private life.
Love, marriage, children, death, sadeness and joy, to name a few.
Don writes very openly about his family. He gives us a glimpse into his life honestly, as he writes of personal devastation he suffered after the deaths of his father, brother, and sister. His family being there and helping to rise above this and still remain the role model for his sons and others alike. The book just doesn't paint a positive and happy picture of the perfect TV star. It tell of the ups and downs of being a parent in what is an unconventional family in the life on LA and TV living.
I did thoroughly enjoy this story and it opened my mind that a picture can tell a thousand stories and not to think everyone alike.
I now have a completely different view of this TV soap star, and have enjoyed being let in to read about his life, love and family.