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Damaged Goods : A Memoir
This is a deeply personal story of a young woman’s journey through addiction; the loss of her child’s father through an overdose, her mother’s suicide and the tragic consequences that go with those choices.At fifteen Shelley was submerged into the seedy world of the red-light district of Honolulu. As the warm-up act for the strippers, she became a topless dancer only to discover she was not emotionally prepared for the lewd attention. Pills and heroin helped her to cope with a lifestyle that was beyond her years.Heartbreaking at times, this memoir follows Shelley as she makes her way into the rooms of recovery and the pitfalls and successes that await.Powerful, moving, and inspirational.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2018
723 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 2, 2019
Author’s Life of Choas
Reading this book was like one’s inability to look away from a terrible car wreck on the highway. We are roughly the same age with similar dysfunctional childhoods. Yet, the choices she made in choosing husbands and lovers was like a continuing self destructive addiction that replaced her addiction to heroin. It’s astonishing that she is still standing. Her portrait of herself and her lifestyle is painfully honest, though it must have been very difficult to be that open to lay bare all the poor choices you made and then make again and again. One good takeaway from this book was to think of the people that have come into and gone out of your life and release that relationship with love.
Reading this book was like one’s inability to look away from a terrible car wreck on the highway. We are roughly the same age with similar dysfunctional childhoods. Yet, the choices she made in choosing husbands and lovers was like a continuing self destructive addiction that replaced her addiction to heroin. It’s astonishing that she is still standing. Her portrait of herself and her lifestyle is painfully honest, though it must have been very difficult to be that open to lay bare all the poor choices you made and then make again and again. One good takeaway from this book was to think of the people that have come into and gone out of your life and release that relationship with love.
August 8, 2019
Shelley Louise shares her honest and revealing personal journey through addiction. It all started during childhood with her own mother’s addictions and mental health issues. Shelley tried to feel good about herself through love, relationships, sex, and drugs. This would lead her to dangerous and painful situations. She got clean and sober at around 30 but the true recovery would take a long time and a lot of work.
There is very insightful advise toward the end of the book such as: “Embrace who you are and where you come from. Forgive those who hurt you along the way, it is the kindest thing you can do for yourself.”
There is very insightful advise toward the end of the book such as: “Embrace who you are and where you come from. Forgive those who hurt you along the way, it is the kindest thing you can do for yourself.”
April 23, 2021
Heavy
I respect the author for telling her story and not holding back. It's kind of hard to like her, but she's not looking for people to like her. Lots of insight into the mind of an addict and a non-maternal mother. Feel like it needed better insight and editing.
I respect the author for telling her story and not holding back. It's kind of hard to like her, but she's not looking for people to like her. Lots of insight into the mind of an addict and a non-maternal mother. Feel like it needed better insight and editing.
January 3, 2023
The first chapters of the book were good, but eventually I found that it jumped around so much from the 60’s to the 80’s, and I found it hard to follow. Overall a very honest read, but hard to flow with this book.
September 6, 2019
Interesting story but self indulgent
The author's early years are horrific and it's understandable why she did many of the things she did as a young person. That being said, I completely lost patience with her escapades as a more mature adult. Her narcissism is woven throughout repeatedly. Her story serves as a great warning to others and may be beneficial to someone struggling with addiction.
The author's early years are horrific and it's understandable why she did many of the things she did as a young person. That being said, I completely lost patience with her escapades as a more mature adult. Her narcissism is woven throughout repeatedly. Her story serves as a great warning to others and may be beneficial to someone struggling with addiction.
September 21, 2019
What an intriguing book
This is an "addiction" memoir but atypically, the author became sober and stayed that way starting at a fairly young age. However, she still had to deal with all the emotional baggage and a serious physical issue caused by her drug use. Her childhood was abusive in my opinion with no one there to protect her basic interests. The book is fascinating, never dull with great color pictures. I highly recommend it.
This is an "addiction" memoir but atypically, the author became sober and stayed that way starting at a fairly young age. However, she still had to deal with all the emotional baggage and a serious physical issue caused by her drug use. Her childhood was abusive in my opinion with no one there to protect her basic interests. The book is fascinating, never dull with great color pictures. I highly recommend it.
June 1, 2019
Worth your time!
Really fascinating. A person who stayed sober throughout many trials and tribulations. The author is not self righteous and acknowledges a number of mistakes. She had a difficult life but did not give up. I have been inspired. A good read for sure!
Really fascinating. A person who stayed sober throughout many trials and tribulations. The author is not self righteous and acknowledges a number of mistakes. She had a difficult life but did not give up. I have been inspired. A good read for sure!
November 2, 2020
Absolutely must read
I cant even describe how I felt reading this so many emotions couldn't even put down. The strength an courage to overcome the addiction .. thanks for sharing your story
I cant even describe how I felt reading this so many emotions couldn't even put down. The strength an courage to overcome the addiction .. thanks for sharing your story
July 18, 2019
This book is so honest and real. Nothing is sugar coated!! I'm glad I read it and recommend this book!
November 15, 2019
Worth the read!
If you are an addict or not this book is a resource for anyone! It's also a great story,thank you for sharing!
If you are an addict or not this book is a resource for anyone! It's also a great story,thank you for sharing!
January 14, 2020
So proud of you
Great story I am proud of you and thank you for sharing your life and recovery. We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.
Great story I am proud of you and thank you for sharing your life and recovery. We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.
April 5, 2020
Very sad
One can overcome addiction if they try hard enough. Put more work on yourself before trying to fix someone else.
One can overcome addiction if they try hard enough. Put more work on yourself before trying to fix someone else.
October 18, 2020
Inspiring!
As a recovering addict myself I found this book extremely useful and inspiring. Her story is wild but educational as to what happens or can happen in an addicts life.
As a recovering addict myself I found this book extremely useful and inspiring. Her story is wild but educational as to what happens or can happen in an addicts life.
January 17, 2022
I’m annoyed that I read the whole book. The first 2/3 showed much retrospection and showed there wasn’t just one thing that drove the author to addiction. The author seemed very aware of the impact so many parts of her childhood and early adulthood had on her.
Unfortunately from the point in the book where the author got sober she seemed to be solely focused on drug sobriety and do little to deal with the actual issues that they stemmed from. She continued to be a relationship and sex addict getting into codependent relationships with other addicts. Yes, she was able to stay sober during these but she still was being a sh*tty mother, sister, and partner. The author stated she forgave her mom but it appears she did so without putting any responsibility on her. She uses the phrase “she did the best that she could with what she had” several times in relation to her mother but this seemed to be a half-a** way to get out of her own poor behaviors as a mother. It’s shocking that after decades of sobriety she is still so self absorbed that she doesn’t get her part in why her sister stopped communicating with her and why her daughter is a meth addict.
There was also some problematic mentions of race. Sometimes the use was so random and didn’t really seem necessary. Then there was some weird like OMG HIS BIG BLACK C* which was…weird…and not in the voice of the rest of the book.
Also I think the chapters could have easily been combined to have more cohesive stories rather than breaking it into nearly 50 chapters.
Unfortunately from the point in the book where the author got sober she seemed to be solely focused on drug sobriety and do little to deal with the actual issues that they stemmed from. She continued to be a relationship and sex addict getting into codependent relationships with other addicts. Yes, she was able to stay sober during these but she still was being a sh*tty mother, sister, and partner. The author stated she forgave her mom but it appears she did so without putting any responsibility on her. She uses the phrase “she did the best that she could with what she had” several times in relation to her mother but this seemed to be a half-a** way to get out of her own poor behaviors as a mother. It’s shocking that after decades of sobriety she is still so self absorbed that she doesn’t get her part in why her sister stopped communicating with her and why her daughter is a meth addict.
There was also some problematic mentions of race. Sometimes the use was so random and didn’t really seem necessary. Then there was some weird like OMG HIS BIG BLACK C* which was…weird…and not in the voice of the rest of the book.
Also I think the chapters could have easily been combined to have more cohesive stories rather than breaking it into nearly 50 chapters.
August 30, 2024
An Amazing Story!
Against all odds, this is a story of one family that had so many unusual experiences, and the author seemed to have no chance of survival. The journey of her life is incredible and she seems to come out of it in the end as an inspiring adult woman, with many words of wisdom! This was a riveting story from start to finish and I just wish my son had been able to read it before he passed away from an overdose in 2023 at the age of 39... The addiction this author describes was brutal from an early age and the emotions she describes must have been overwhelming. That she made it through all this to become such an inspiration to other addicts is absolutely amazing! This was a great story which tells others THERE IS HOPE AND HELP out there and I pray this story is read by many many people suffering from this same disease out there! My respect for this brave author is at the highest level! The honesty is intense and I hope she reaches deep down inside others who are still suffering from this disease. God Bless You Shelley!
Against all odds, this is a story of one family that had so many unusual experiences, and the author seemed to have no chance of survival. The journey of her life is incredible and she seems to come out of it in the end as an inspiring adult woman, with many words of wisdom! This was a riveting story from start to finish and I just wish my son had been able to read it before he passed away from an overdose in 2023 at the age of 39... The addiction this author describes was brutal from an early age and the emotions she describes must have been overwhelming. That she made it through all this to become such an inspiration to other addicts is absolutely amazing! This was a great story which tells others THERE IS HOPE AND HELP out there and I pray this story is read by many many people suffering from this same disease out there! My respect for this brave author is at the highest level! The honesty is intense and I hope she reaches deep down inside others who are still suffering from this disease. God Bless You Shelley!
April 29, 2019
Poorly written courageous story
While I salute anyone with the courage to write a book, it was cringeworthily written. It would have benefited from some editing, however that may have taken away from the authenticity of it being written in the authors ‘voice’ so who knows...
Her story shows that even if someone isn’t actively using drugs or alcohol there still can be other unhealthy patterns and decision making they engage in. Drugs, alcohol, attention, money, can all be used to fill us when we feel lonely, incompletely, sad, alone etc.
Good for her for her involvement with NA. After all her bad decision making it seems like she found a way to help others and be a contributing member of society. She certainly experienced her fair share of pain so I hope she’s able to experience happiness and joy in these later years of her life. ♥️
While I salute anyone with the courage to write a book, it was cringeworthily written. It would have benefited from some editing, however that may have taken away from the authenticity of it being written in the authors ‘voice’ so who knows...
Her story shows that even if someone isn’t actively using drugs or alcohol there still can be other unhealthy patterns and decision making they engage in. Drugs, alcohol, attention, money, can all be used to fill us when we feel lonely, incompletely, sad, alone etc.
Good for her for her involvement with NA. After all her bad decision making it seems like she found a way to help others and be a contributing member of society. She certainly experienced her fair share of pain so I hope she’s able to experience happiness and joy in these later years of her life. ♥️
October 4, 2024
Thank You, Shelley!
Such a brave and honest account of life as an addict, and her journey to recovery! Her upbringing shows how parental substance abuse, profoundly effects children into adulthood. Shelley proves that addiction is just a symptom of trauma & mental illness that needs to be addressed in order to stay sober. She also shows recovery needs to be addressed daily and helping others suffering from this disease is a way to show gratitude for the mercy and grace that kept you alive! I'm a huge supporter of NA/AA, and Alanon. I know it works as long as you don't slack off, and think you're cured. Shelley shows what and what not to do in recovery through her own story! Bless you, Shelley!
Such a brave and honest account of life as an addict, and her journey to recovery! Her upbringing shows how parental substance abuse, profoundly effects children into adulthood. Shelley proves that addiction is just a symptom of trauma & mental illness that needs to be addressed in order to stay sober. She also shows recovery needs to be addressed daily and helping others suffering from this disease is a way to show gratitude for the mercy and grace that kept you alive! I'm a huge supporter of NA/AA, and Alanon. I know it works as long as you don't slack off, and think you're cured. Shelley shows what and what not to do in recovery through her own story! Bless you, Shelley!
June 18, 2025
Not the greatest memoir
The author has a compelling story, however, her retelling of the story wasn’t powerful but rather her story felt disjointed and the flow was choppy. I commend her for her sobriety but she continues to make the same mistakes over and over so I don’t think this is an inspiring book for people who suffers from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. It does offer great insight into the life of a dysfunctional addict and how addiction ruin families. She wants to come off as being culturally competent but she fetishized Black men. She also uses a lot profanity that were uncalled for.
The author has a compelling story, however, her retelling of the story wasn’t powerful but rather her story felt disjointed and the flow was choppy. I commend her for her sobriety but she continues to make the same mistakes over and over so I don’t think this is an inspiring book for people who suffers from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. It does offer great insight into the life of a dysfunctional addict and how addiction ruin families. She wants to come off as being culturally competent but she fetishized Black men. She also uses a lot profanity that were uncalled for.
May 24, 2021
Hard to put this book down.
The life story about one addict's view of a lifestyle most of us know little about. I come away from reading this book with an admiration for the author having survived and overcome a great many challenges. She is a wise woman humbled through pain and suffering, yet willing to share her story in hopes of enlightening all of us who will read her story. Lessons learned. Thank you, Shelley, for sharing!
The life story about one addict's view of a lifestyle most of us know little about. I come away from reading this book with an admiration for the author having survived and overcome a great many challenges. She is a wise woman humbled through pain and suffering, yet willing to share her story in hopes of enlightening all of us who will read her story. Lessons learned. Thank you, Shelley, for sharing!
February 14, 2024
I really appreciated Shelley’s honesty and vulnerability throughout the book, however with the timeline jumping around pretty often it was hard to keep up with characters at times, and I found myself struggling to develop a deeper understanding of what exactly what was happening in her life at the time. Overall I did really admire her ability to share difficult memories and the complexities of addiction.
July 14, 2024
As a wife of an alcoholic that drank himself to death, I can relate to this story from the disease that is progressive over time and it never gets better. It effects all family members. Al-Anon, AA and NA are wonderful programs and fellowships to learn to deal with addiction. There is hope, it takes desire to change to find peace
Following and working the 12 steps will set you free. Read this book, you are not alone.
Following and working the 12 steps will set you free. Read this book, you are not alone.
August 30, 2025
Currently reading and one thing sticks out: I am finding it INCREDIBLY BORING due to the author ramble on and on about all the hard drugs she used and just what little direction she had in her life. Although it was sad she lost her love, her main topic is shooting up and stuffing balloons of crack and heroin in her mouth to travel. Also, the chapters go by years and they are not in any order whatsoever.
Recommend?: NO
Recommend?: NO
November 25, 2025
I felt like the author gave an honest account of her story of addiction and illustrated how it often becomes generational trauma. It would be good for those in recovery to read this and hear how she continued to struggle with other issues such as toxic relationships and codependency many years into her sobriety. It just didn’t hold my interest all that well and took me a lot longer to go back to it and finish it.
November 28, 2019
Did not care for it
I read this book and to be honest I did not relate to Shelley at all. I've never been an addict. Thank God! Her foul mouth was atrocious. Maybe this book made her feel better about herself, I have no idea. Sorry Shelley I just plain don't like anything about you.
I read this book and to be honest I did not relate to Shelley at all. I've never been an addict. Thank God! Her foul mouth was atrocious. Maybe this book made her feel better about herself, I have no idea. Sorry Shelley I just plain don't like anything about you.
December 19, 2019
Thoroughly Enjoyed This Book
Only gave 4 star because the beginning was extremely hard to follow at first.
This is a great story about someone’s journey - all of the highs and lows. I loved reading about her strength, recovery, and her new outlook on life. So glad for her that she is thriving now.
Only gave 4 star because the beginning was extremely hard to follow at first.
This is a great story about someone’s journey - all of the highs and lows. I loved reading about her strength, recovery, and her new outlook on life. So glad for her that she is thriving now.
January 2, 2022
Wow.
This book was an amazing read; I couldn’t put it down. I’m in awe of the honesty Shelley shares and admire her strength and perseverance to overcome what can be a paralyzing obstacle. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself, I personally know how difficult it can be to be that vulnerable.
This book was an amazing read; I couldn’t put it down. I’m in awe of the honesty Shelley shares and admire her strength and perseverance to overcome what can be a paralyzing obstacle. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself, I personally know how difficult it can be to be that vulnerable.
February 22, 2022
This book was entertaining and sad all at the same time, it's like when you're driving down the street and there's a car crash and it continues to get worse for the person. well, that's what this book was like. The story just kept getting worse, not in the writing but in the form of her life just continued to get worse, no matter what she did. I did enjoy reading the book, even if it was sad.
May 11, 2021
Great read
If you have difficulties with addiction, you need to read this book. It is well written and a pretty quick read. Shelley had a disastrous life but she managed, with a lot of work, to become a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. She is quite a role model!
If you have difficulties with addiction, you need to read this book. It is well written and a pretty quick read. Shelley had a disastrous life but she managed, with a lot of work, to become a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. She is quite a role model!
February 9, 2022
I have nothing against the author. I appreciate her honesty and openness. The writing itself was very messy. Much editing is needed. The book was slow at some points, but did have interesting bits. Would not read again.
October 16, 2022
Amazing and Honest
This was an amazing read, as an addict myself, I related and felt alot of what Shelley has gone through. I admire her humbleness and honesty and recommend this book to everyone addict or not, it was hard to put down at the times I had to.
This was an amazing read, as an addict myself, I related and felt alot of what Shelley has gone through. I admire her humbleness and honesty and recommend this book to everyone addict or not, it was hard to put down at the times I had to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews