Make It Nice

by Dorinda Medley

Throughout her life, Dorinda Medley has always strived to “make it nice” regardless of the circumstances. In her incredibly candid memoir, the Real Housewife of New York City opens the doors of Blue Stone Manor, her Berkshires sanctuary, welcoming fans into her beloved home. In her first-ever written life story, Dorinda clips away all pretense and noise to unveil the not-so-glamorous bumps in the road that have marked her colorful journey toward becoming the person viewers, colleagues, and friends know and love today. This is a vulnerable and emotional account of love, motherhood, loss, and the not-entirely-planned adventure from her modest beginnings in the Berkshires to her personal, social, and professional ascent—told in her trademark manner.

Chronicling the life of the reality television star, Make It Nice also features life lessons for those who may experience similar challenges, as well as the celebrated hostess’s invaluable entertaining tips, all presented with the humor and wit that have “oh-so-well made” Dorinda Medley a most compelling compilation.

Genres: Memoir, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Celebrity, Biography Memoir, Biography, New York

208 pages, Hardcover

First published August 17, 2021

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like most Bravo memoirs, this was relatively slight. At about 200 pages, it barely even exists!

I was disappointed that this wasn't more of a "tell-all." From the first chapter when Dorinda freely admits, contrary to every other Housewife, that she did not decide to leave RHONY but was rather told to "take a pause," I thought I was in for a wild ride of secret-spilling. Unfortunately, it's just the standard "here's how I grew up, here's my first marriage, here's my kid, here's my second marriage, oh wow I'm on TV now, the end" formula that most celebrity memoirs follow. It lacks detail and specificity and depth (again, it's 200 pages) and, most disappointingly, gossip.

[ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Dorinda, which is why I’m not going to say anything more than… I didn’t enjoy this. Still love you, girly. 💜

[Mitch Loflin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had very much a “Dead Dove Do Not Eat” moment reading a Housewives memoir and then being like, oh wow, this person is really unpalatably obsessed with material wealth. Dorinda is still somehow really charming but this is just fine. It’s what you think it is!

Favorite part: “I don’t like a loosey-goosey situation, and THAT, by the way, is why Brooklyn doesn’t work for me.”

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorinda Medley. If you’re a fan of Bravo’s Reality TV series you know who Dorinda is. The blonde, outspoken cast mate on The Real Housewives of New York. In this memoir, Dorinda writes about her time on the show, what viewers don’t see/hear and the impact that it had on her life. Of course, she writes about Richard, the love of her life and she allows readers a view into what made their marriage work. “Make It Nice” is a touching memoir that fans of reality TV will love, and indeed Dorinda has made it nice.

* I read an advance copy and was not compensated.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s starts with a frida kahlo quote and I thought “here we go, another story that doesn’t need to be told” but by the end I started to wonder if, white privilege and trust in capitalism aside, maybe Dorinda was the kind of woman to aspire to. She takes naps every day.

[Amy Deibel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oi! This one was rough. I'm a huge housewives fan, and even a Dorinda fan, but this book was so surface level and honestly painful to suffer through. Dorinda sings her own praises through most of it. What she sees as confidence, I heard as arrogance. The only chapter that felt real was the one dealing with the death of her husband, which was devastatingly emotional.

I'd recommend skipping this one even if you are a Dorinda fan cause you just might not be when you're done.

[Alyssa Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

What are you doing here without Dorinda?!
Dorinda is favorite NY housewife so I wanted to support her by listening to her audiobook. This book gets into the heart of Dorinda, how she was raised and shaped into the Dorinda we know today. Just so you know this is not all about housewives so don’t go into this book thinking you will hear everything housewives.

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love you, Dorinda 💖

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read but very similar to Margaret Joseph’s novel - oddly by the same publisher. I feel like they are really trying to push the series is “unscripted.” But it was nice to learn about Dorinda’s life. I have always liked her on the show.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a day one housewives fan. I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought there were a lot of life lessons presented in a simple and relatable way. I found it was nice & encouraging to read about Dorinda's life.

[Gina *loves sunshine* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is something I rarely do - read a book on the day it releases!!! This memoir was perfect listening this afternoon. I enjoyed it so much!!! Narrated by Dorinda herself and truly had that authentic voice for a very down to earth lady!

Dorinda Medley was on the TV show The real housewives of New York. I liked her character as she was fun and outspoken, but also had manners and knew how to get by in life by working hard!! There were things she revealed about herself in the show - stories about her husband who passed away, her Mother, her Daughter. But in this book she gives a little more background into her whole life - how she grew up, her schooling, jobs, marriages, blue stone manor, her one liners, etc. This really doesn't focus on housewives at all, except for a few special moments and her sadness at being put on pause. Highly recommend for all Dorinda fans. Not dishy at all so don't expect that vibe at all! 4+++ stars I only wish it had been longer!

[Chloe Cuffel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For better and (often) for worse, I feel spiritually tied to Dorinda. Top 5 housewife for sure! The book is often beautiful, completely out of touch, and truly the work of a delusional woman.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read many Bravolebrity books and this was one of the better ones. I wish Dorinda had discussed her dissent into being a crazy person on TV but I was too swept away by the rest of her interesting life to let it spoil my fun.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, Dorinda…excellent housewife, not a writer. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.75 Stars but I really do like Dorinda, she was one of my favorite Housewives. However, her life story comes off as a tremendous social climber and it is really off putting. I think maybe I’m just so far from that life / expectation of life that I just cannot relate? But listening to someone whose ambition was basically to become a rich housewife and rub elbows with VIPs is just not what I was expecting / something I’m into reading about. I still enjoyed this book and listening to Dorinda share her story. It was also a very quick read or listen if you’re into Audiobooks like me.

[Jarrett Fittro · Rating 5 out of 5]

God bless Dorinda Medley. Hearing someone who seems to have their life together talk about how many failures it took to get there, was exactly what I needed in this moment. Nothing in this is all that shocking, Dorinda doesn’t spill much that wasn’t said on RHONY, but nevertheless this book is equal parts funny, and inspiring.

[Ange G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorinda has always been my favourite Housewife and her memoir has once again solidified that for me. Dorinda was so vulnerable, honest, kind, and warm. I listened to the audiobook and you could hear the emotion in her voice as she read her memoir. She has so much love to give and she really poured her heart into this book. I love you Dorinda. 😭❤️

[Maureen Pena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway. 3.5 stars. Had I ever watched the Real Housewives of NY it would probably be a 4. Good anecdotes and storytelling. The author is extremely relatable and her story is worth reading.

[Marlina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better books I’ve read written by a Real Housewife. I love Dorinda on RHONY & have always been curious about her life story. She has always been pretty open about her life on the show so I don’t think anything she mentions is shocking. Overall I enjoyed reading this.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I confess that for some reason I like to watch a lot of the Bravo series and Dorinda has always been very interesting to me. I enjoyed her book and her outlook on life. I do really miss her on the Housewives of New York. I think by a long shot she is the classist woman they ever had on the show.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by the author. Glad I gave it a listen. It's a really good biography!!

[karina bua · Rating 5 out of 5]

dorinda <3

fav quote "if you don't believe in yourself, pretend like you do."

[Cathy Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Tucker Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The People’s Princess

[madi]

CLIP! CLIP!!! CLIP!!!!!!!!!!

[Kyle Curry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The slander Dorinda was serving up towards the people of Queens and Brooklyn..:

[Alison Steffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Dorinda and her life story. This book makes me appreciate her even more.

[Meghan Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 new appreciation for Dorinda

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fully cemented Dorinda as my favorite Housewife of all time. Such a beautiful story, and the audiobook made it all the better.

[Becca Deverter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this.