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Series of Unfortunate Men
Narcissists and Sociopaths and Psychopaths...OH MY!
What do you call trauma and drama sprinkled with some pain and a little pleasure? The life of Kerry Schwartz, of course. Join Kerry on her journey as she dissects her chaotic love life, beginning on the sometimes-shady streets of Brooklyn, New York, to the smoke and mirrors of Los Angeles. From prepubescent penis obsessions, to becoming the obsession of a mobster, surviving a kidnapping, and outsmarting a scam artist; the ex- reality star, turned filmmaker has lived a life straight out of a movie.
Italian-Jewish, underdog turned butterfly, Kerry seesaws her way through the ups and downs of life’s traumas. She opens up about her battle with anxiety and depression as a part of her ongoing transformation into a mental health advocate. Skeletons are revealed as she dishes about online dating, randy romps with celebrities, and the beautiful friendships she’s made along the way. Using a comedic flare, Kerry shares some of her most intimate details, digging deep to discover her true self-worth, purpose and somehow, finding self-love in a Series of Unfortunate Men. By sharing her story, she hopes to help others do the same.
What do you call trauma and drama sprinkled with some pain and a little pleasure? The life of Kerry Schwartz, of course. Join Kerry on her journey as she dissects her chaotic love life, beginning on the sometimes-shady streets of Brooklyn, New York, to the smoke and mirrors of Los Angeles. From prepubescent penis obsessions, to becoming the obsession of a mobster, surviving a kidnapping, and outsmarting a scam artist; the ex- reality star, turned filmmaker has lived a life straight out of a movie.
Italian-Jewish, underdog turned butterfly, Kerry seesaws her way through the ups and downs of life’s traumas. She opens up about her battle with anxiety and depression as a part of her ongoing transformation into a mental health advocate. Skeletons are revealed as she dishes about online dating, randy romps with celebrities, and the beautiful friendships she’s made along the way. Using a comedic flare, Kerry shares some of her most intimate details, digging deep to discover her true self-worth, purpose and somehow, finding self-love in a Series of Unfortunate Men. By sharing her story, she hopes to help others do the same.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2022
82 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 26, 2022
In an effort to step out of my comfort genre (which is Fantasy) and broaden my reading horizon, I have made it a goal to read some inspirational books and discover new voices this year. And I'm glad I came across the "Series of Unfortunate Men" memoir which was an inspiring story that packs a powerful punch!
In this memoir, Kerry Schwartz welcomes you into her world as she talks about her childhood, family dynamics, ex boyfriends, sexual peccadilloes, previous jobs, and lots of social advocacy.
Things started to go badly wrong for Kerry the moment her parents got divorced and her dad decided to move out of the house and start a new life with someone new leaving behind him two innocent daughters who wanted nothing from this life but to be surrounded by supporting and loving parents.
As a consequence, Kerry grew up emotionally distant from her father almost all her life and she lacked the father figure in all means of being protected, sheltered, and taken care of. Therefore, she started looking for someone to replace him and to offer her that kind of emotional security; so she found herself being attracted to older men. And so on the tale of seeking love in all the wrong places has officially begun.
Something I really loved about this book is that Schwartz has presented all the players in her life as they are without sugarcoating their faults, mentality, actions, even their own words were supported with images. Yes each chapter holds a relevant unique title and real photographs from her personal account of events and memories as a way of clarity and support to the text which made me appreciate the story more.
The best parts of the book where the times when she was painfully honest about her life. The chapters about her abusive and toxic relationships were especially harrowing. The way she tells the story and how long it took for her to realize that she was in fact in an abusive relationship made my heart hurt so much for her, and for everybody else in similar situations.
Schwartz also talks about a time where she struggled with weight and body image leading her to develop some bad habits to achieve her goal. It took her some time to accept her body and eventually learn how to appreciate the parts of herself that she initially saw as unlovable.
Rather than turn bitter about her upbringing, Schwartz remains a positive person and the fact that she is so caring and forgiving of everyone who did her wrong is heartwarming. She did not excuse those wrongs but she did not let them have power over her or her actions anymore.
The book is written in a raw, transparent and straightforward way that will flow in a fast pace. And I loved her humorous light tone while narrating her life events. Her description was tinged with forgiveness making me respect her for not only surviving such a hard time to become the inspiring woman she is today, but for being able to view her past as impartiality. And also for realizing that the past isn't a happy place to live in. So we see how the lessons she learned from her past experiences has shaped her character and gave her a new meaning for the future. And to me that's what a memoir should do; shows us the past to affect the future, not to give us a place to live.
Memoirs also offers a chance to feel more connected to the people who wrote them. You may never see them in person or befriend them, but I feel like I know Kerry so much better now and that feels very special.
I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who has struggled with unhealthy relationships and wants to love themselves enough to change. Kerry's story will inspire the reader to not seek happiness and love in people but from within and that you attract what you are or what you become. When she started to love herself more and more everyday, we saw how she started to make more genuine friends; and the relationship with them was more solid and it influenced her self esteem.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of her book. A true bildungsroman full of dark and happy times.
In this memoir, Kerry Schwartz welcomes you into her world as she talks about her childhood, family dynamics, ex boyfriends, sexual peccadilloes, previous jobs, and lots of social advocacy.
Things started to go badly wrong for Kerry the moment her parents got divorced and her dad decided to move out of the house and start a new life with someone new leaving behind him two innocent daughters who wanted nothing from this life but to be surrounded by supporting and loving parents.
As a consequence, Kerry grew up emotionally distant from her father almost all her life and she lacked the father figure in all means of being protected, sheltered, and taken care of. Therefore, she started looking for someone to replace him and to offer her that kind of emotional security; so she found herself being attracted to older men. And so on the tale of seeking love in all the wrong places has officially begun.
Something I really loved about this book is that Schwartz has presented all the players in her life as they are without sugarcoating their faults, mentality, actions, even their own words were supported with images. Yes each chapter holds a relevant unique title and real photographs from her personal account of events and memories as a way of clarity and support to the text which made me appreciate the story more.
The best parts of the book where the times when she was painfully honest about her life. The chapters about her abusive and toxic relationships were especially harrowing. The way she tells the story and how long it took for her to realize that she was in fact in an abusive relationship made my heart hurt so much for her, and for everybody else in similar situations.
Schwartz also talks about a time where she struggled with weight and body image leading her to develop some bad habits to achieve her goal. It took her some time to accept her body and eventually learn how to appreciate the parts of herself that she initially saw as unlovable.
Rather than turn bitter about her upbringing, Schwartz remains a positive person and the fact that she is so caring and forgiving of everyone who did her wrong is heartwarming. She did not excuse those wrongs but she did not let them have power over her or her actions anymore.
The book is written in a raw, transparent and straightforward way that will flow in a fast pace. And I loved her humorous light tone while narrating her life events. Her description was tinged with forgiveness making me respect her for not only surviving such a hard time to become the inspiring woman she is today, but for being able to view her past as impartiality. And also for realizing that the past isn't a happy place to live in. So we see how the lessons she learned from her past experiences has shaped her character and gave her a new meaning for the future. And to me that's what a memoir should do; shows us the past to affect the future, not to give us a place to live.
Memoirs also offers a chance to feel more connected to the people who wrote them. You may never see them in person or befriend them, but I feel like I know Kerry so much better now and that feels very special.
I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who has struggled with unhealthy relationships and wants to love themselves enough to change. Kerry's story will inspire the reader to not seek happiness and love in people but from within and that you attract what you are or what you become. When she started to love herself more and more everyday, we saw how she started to make more genuine friends; and the relationship with them was more solid and it influenced her self esteem.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of her book. A true bildungsroman full of dark and happy times.
January 23, 2023
Ich finde diese Frau einfach großartig.
Wir sind nicht in allen Dingen einer Meinung aber hey, das kommt in den besten Freundschaften vor.
Dieses Buch ist absolut grandios. Nicht nur, weil die Autorin ihre Geschichte mit eigenen, persönlichen Fotos aufgepeppt hat, sondern auch, weil ich mich in so vielen Situationen so unglaublich gut verstanden habe.
Es gibt einige Paralleln zu meinem Leben, in Bezug auf manche Dinge allerdings könnte unser Leben nicht unterschiedlicher verlaufen (sein).
Das Buch ist absolut erfrischend und unglaublich ehrlich. Die Autorin gewährt uns einen Einblick in ihr intimstes Privatleben und hat sich damit unglaublich verwundbar gemacht. All diese intimen Details aus dem eigenen Leben zu erzählen, erfordert unfassbar viel Mut. Und ich bin mir sicher, dass sie wahnsinnig vielen Frauen direkt aus der Seele spricht.
Es ist verrückt, wie viele ähnliche Erfahrungen ich gemacht habe und es tut unglaublich gut zu lesen, dass man damit nicht alleine ist. Und genauso wird es vermutlich auch vielen anderen Frauen gehen, die dieses Buch lesen werden.
Gleichzeitig hat das Buch natürlich auch wahnsinnig viel Spaß gemacht. Es hat sich ein bisschen so angefühlt, als würde mir eine gute Freundin von ihrem Leben erzählen und nicht, als würde ich gerade das Buch einer eigentlich völlig wildfremden Person lesen.
Ich habe gelacht, viel zu oft mit dem Kopf geschüttelt, mit ihr mit gefühlt, geweint, gelitten, gehofft, gebangt, wieder mit dem Kopf geschüttelt, habe ungläubig da gesessen, war geschockt und überrascht und habe mich nicht nur verstanden, sondern auch sehr verbunden mit ihr gefühlt.
Ich finde das Buch einfach großartig, hatte wahnsinnig viel Spaß und bin defintiv ein Fan von ihr geworden und zwar so sehr, dass ich sogar angefangen habe, die Reality TV Show mit ihr über Youtube zu schauen.
Sie ist nicht perfekt, aber das macht es irgendwie noch ein bisschen besser und absolut authentisch.
Für mich ein richtiges Highlight!
Wir sind nicht in allen Dingen einer Meinung aber hey, das kommt in den besten Freundschaften vor.
Dieses Buch ist absolut grandios. Nicht nur, weil die Autorin ihre Geschichte mit eigenen, persönlichen Fotos aufgepeppt hat, sondern auch, weil ich mich in so vielen Situationen so unglaublich gut verstanden habe.
Es gibt einige Paralleln zu meinem Leben, in Bezug auf manche Dinge allerdings könnte unser Leben nicht unterschiedlicher verlaufen (sein).
Das Buch ist absolut erfrischend und unglaublich ehrlich. Die Autorin gewährt uns einen Einblick in ihr intimstes Privatleben und hat sich damit unglaublich verwundbar gemacht. All diese intimen Details aus dem eigenen Leben zu erzählen, erfordert unfassbar viel Mut. Und ich bin mir sicher, dass sie wahnsinnig vielen Frauen direkt aus der Seele spricht.
Es ist verrückt, wie viele ähnliche Erfahrungen ich gemacht habe und es tut unglaublich gut zu lesen, dass man damit nicht alleine ist. Und genauso wird es vermutlich auch vielen anderen Frauen gehen, die dieses Buch lesen werden.
Gleichzeitig hat das Buch natürlich auch wahnsinnig viel Spaß gemacht. Es hat sich ein bisschen so angefühlt, als würde mir eine gute Freundin von ihrem Leben erzählen und nicht, als würde ich gerade das Buch einer eigentlich völlig wildfremden Person lesen.
Ich habe gelacht, viel zu oft mit dem Kopf geschüttelt, mit ihr mit gefühlt, geweint, gelitten, gehofft, gebangt, wieder mit dem Kopf geschüttelt, habe ungläubig da gesessen, war geschockt und überrascht und habe mich nicht nur verstanden, sondern auch sehr verbunden mit ihr gefühlt.
Ich finde das Buch einfach großartig, hatte wahnsinnig viel Spaß und bin defintiv ein Fan von ihr geworden und zwar so sehr, dass ich sogar angefangen habe, die Reality TV Show mit ihr über Youtube zu schauen.
Sie ist nicht perfekt, aber das macht es irgendwie noch ein bisschen besser und absolut authentisch.
Für mich ein richtiges Highlight!
May 5, 2022
A memoir that follows the author, a Jewish-Italian woman from Brooklyn, through her life starting in childhood with her relationship with her parents. The book follows her life, specifically highlighting all her past toxic relationships. All leading up to her learning to love herself.
This is the first memoir that I have read like this, one that is more on the self-help side of memoirs, and I was quite pleased with it. The stories that were told throughout the book were very interesting to read about and Kerry had a very entertaining and humorous voice, both of these things made for a easy read. She’s truly had a very interesting life and I really enjoyed reading about it. It was also very relatable at times, I feel like there was at least one thing that every female reader could relate to.
This memoir is very inspiring to the reader. Through the stories of her past, Kerry tells the story of how she learned and grew from her past and learned to love herself. Her story is very inspiring to readers and encouraging to embark on your own journey to self love. I would recommend this book to any reader who’s looking for an inspiring memoir about the journey to self love.
Thank you to the author, Kerry Schwartz, for sending me a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first memoir that I have read like this, one that is more on the self-help side of memoirs, and I was quite pleased with it. The stories that were told throughout the book were very interesting to read about and Kerry had a very entertaining and humorous voice, both of these things made for a easy read. She’s truly had a very interesting life and I really enjoyed reading about it. It was also very relatable at times, I feel like there was at least one thing that every female reader could relate to.
This memoir is very inspiring to the reader. Through the stories of her past, Kerry tells the story of how she learned and grew from her past and learned to love herself. Her story is very inspiring to readers and encouraging to embark on your own journey to self love. I would recommend this book to any reader who’s looking for an inspiring memoir about the journey to self love.
Thank you to the author, Kerry Schwartz, for sending me a copy of their book in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
I love this book. I couldn’t put it down. Once I started, two days, it was done. It was addictive. It was juicy. I cried. I laughed. I literally felt like we bonded (myself with the author). Yes, there are some spelling or grammar mistakes. Ignore those negative reviews. She did a fantastic job especially considering she did everything herself (no publisher, etc). I am waiting for a part 2. Hopefully she starts it soon ‘cause I can’t wait for it! Love you, girl!
March 4, 2022
While I really enjoyed her story, some of the grammar/spelling mistakes made it hard to concentrate. All in all, it was a great, easy read. I finished it in less than 1 day.
February 8, 2025
Not the best writing but still has some good lessons on self love and the importance of mental health. Some parts felt like a good gossip session with a bestie.
January 22, 2023
So relatable. Loved it and love Kerry
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews