The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom's Memoir of Loss, Lies and Lapdances

by Marci Warhaft

“Gentlemen! Put your hands together and welcome Cassidy to the stage!” It wasn’t the life Marci Warhaft envisioned for herself. A good student who had been accepted into a prestigious theatre school, a doting mother with two young sons, and there she was taking it all off in front of paying customers to "Bootylicious" by Destiny’s Child. The Good Stripper is an eye-popping Warhaft reveals the punishing circumstances and self-destructive behaviors that shaped her early adulthood, including a bank-robbing stepfather, the loss of her beloved brother, eating disorders, and sexual misadventures during a dysfunctional marriage. She describes, in honest, raw, and intimate detail, her struggles to recognize what was happening to her, and her sometimes misguided fight to regain control of her destiny. Above all, it is the story of how one woman, after years of living a double life, packing school lunches by day and giving lapdances by night, finally became the inspirational leader she was. Wow! From the first line to the last, I was hooked. A mesmerizing, often shocking memoir for everyone out there who might be afraid to share their own struggles. A powerful and candid read! – REBECCA ECKLER, author of Knocked Confessions of a Hip Mother-to-Be

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2020

Reviews

[Kate McDougall Sackler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoir from a strong resilient woman who married young, had a very dysfunctional relationship, but survived to raise two sons. If this wasn’t non-fiction I would be complaining that so many bad things couldn’t happen to one person, but despite life’s challenges, this woman persevered. You can hear the buzzwords of therapy in her writing, but it is okay. Frustratingly though, this needs better editing.
2025 reading challenge-two books with a connection from different genres (NF-stripping) book 1

[Patrick Greenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once in our lifetime novel! A true must read

[Randi-Lee Bowslaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author left nothing unsaid and dug deep within herself. She could have hidden some of the transgressions, but it wouldn’t have helped as many people as this book now has the potential to help.

Dissociative disorders and eating disorders don’t just happen overnight. They are a combination of various factors and traumas. By Marci explaining her inner thoughts between thinness and love-ability, we are better able to understand how someone can let an eating disorder run their lives.

Unfortunately, there were quite a few grammatical errors, but that doesn’t mean that the message isn’t straightforward and vital.

This book will help many people, from children to adults, to males, females, and LGBTQ+. Trauma and eating disorders don’t have a specific ‘look’ to who will get them or be affected by them. If you know someone who needs help, they need this book. If you know someone who might need help, they need this book. If you know someone who is struggling, you need this book.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Marci in 1985, after moving to a new Montreal area high school, in grade ten. She was in my French class and my friend convinced me that she was really nice and that I should ask her for her phone number. I asked and 16-year-old-me couldn’t believe that the most beautiful girl I’d ever met, with long, blonde 80s curls and an amazing smile, gave it to me. But 16-year-old-me was too shy to call.
I’d always regretted not calling her in grade ten. After reading her story I realize that behind the hair and smile was a really nice, normal, teen girl dealing with the same crap as everyone else. Well, maybe her crap was worse. Read the book and find out.

[Rachel Veldhuizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known Marci for about fifteen years now and although I knew about quite a few of her struggles, I most definitely did not know the full picture. I ate up this book in record time. I found myself feeling heartbroken for Marci while she was fighting for her life and losing her mom and Billy. I found myself cheering her on as she overcame her struggles and also thinking "Damn it, Marci. I wish I knew! I wish I was there to offer support and let you know you aren't the only one fighting your fair share of shit." It's a brave and daring book and I'm thankful for its openness and vulnerability. Keep being your own unique, vibrant and free spirited self, Marci!

[Kerri Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

100% loved each story, each struggle and the will to bounce back to keep going. So happy to of read this book at the end of this crazy year and over the lonely holidays. This memoir Marci wrote is an eye opener and inspirational for the new year to continue everyday with gratitude to open life to another chapter, and along the way an opportunity to fulfill life’s possibilities with enjoyment, positive vibes, smiles, love, and most importantly to keep moving forward to “Endure, Persist, and Prevail”. BRAVO MARCI for sharing your beautiful story. Thank you for the inspirational to fight fear!

[Karen Sokoloff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unapologetic, honest and raw memoir, of a life of secrets, struggles and pain. And choices. Marci owns her shit, shares it and learns from it. Through it all, she dances. She survives.
Perfect for book groups to discuss and relate to, and emphasize and look inward.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A raw and honest memoir of tragedy and triumph.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and honest book. Got my attention from the first page. The woman is a warrior.

[Alex M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where to begin.. Listened to the audiobook. Lots of issues with the reading; it is not well read, and sometimes the producer’s voice is heard coaching her. This book could be of some mild interest to those with food and body issues, but that’s about it. It’s not a dull story, but all the characters are shadowy and no one comes alive. The husband, especially, is a nonentity. We never really see him. We never really see anyone vividly. There must be a huge underground industry of fake reviewing on sites like this, because that’s the only way to explain the positive write-ups.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect, but I was floored with the honesty and the outcome. This is a story of survival. It makes you look deep into yourself and makes you realize you're not alone. Marci found her purpose, and thankfully, that is teach all of us to stop beating ourselves up but rather appreciate ourselves. we all have battle scars, some of us more than others, but we all deserve love and understanding.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to read at times but Marci has shown us courage to overcome her past, her marriage, her traumas and her eating disorder......so proud of her for writing this book and I wish her happiness in whatever form it takes for her and her sons future. Go Marci Go.

[Melanie Rydings · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly there were whole pages missing from the self published book.

[m · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, rlly interesting memoir but could’ve used an editor
the title/ cover are deceiving; this is more about health and wellness than stripping (still good just not how it’s advertised)

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Stripper is a page-turner that's difficult to put down. If you want an honest, raw, and personal glimpse of the life of a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and stripper, Marci Warhaft invites you on a journey from her days as a student in Montreal to becoming an exotic dancer. Finally, you watch her transform into the inspirational, brutally honest (with finesse), and fearless human being she always was, but perhaps forgot about for a little while in her life.

Marci captivates you from the beginning and keeps you hooked until the end of the book. She describes her early life, family dynamics, anxiety, eating disorders, time as an exotic dancer, marital 'sexcapades', and the challenges that came with it all. Marci's writing style is casual and approachable; She makes you feel you're having a conversation with your best friend or sister.

I was rooting for Marci all the way through The Good Stripper. Marci had so many challenges to overcome, but she managed to not only find herself and keep going but also to thrive and inspire others.