Love, Wine, and Other Highs: A Kind Of Memoir

by Lauren Rae

A candid, comical memoir about coming of age in the decade of bad dates, worse hair and non-stop Carrie Bradshaw.

Lauren Rae thought she had it all sussed out. Leaving her awkward teenage years in the past, the future was hers for the taking. Why shouldn’t she have it all? Dream job, beautiful home, perfect man, great friends…Like Whitney said, ‘I’m Every Woman’—and that’s just who Lauren would be too.

But growing up a young black woman in the early noughties wasn’t quite the dream Lauren had envisioned. Unpaid internships, disappointing men and lying friends challenged her mental strength and pushed her towards the wine bottle. But with a nagging sound that might have been depression ringing in her ears, Lauren picked up her pen and made it her mightiest weapon.

Set to the soundtrack of the new millennium, with Sex and the City on TV and Amy Winehouse on the radio, Lauren Rae’s frank, funny and sometimes heartbreaking memoir will ring more than a few bells for anyone who’s questioned whether they’ll ever find success and happiness.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2022

Reviews

[Dawn M · Rating 1 out of 5]

30% and giving up

I can't finish these nonsensical, directionless pages. I really don't get what the point of this book is? What a waste of a first reads.

[Melissa Marr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but aside from the couple of relatable teenage anecdotes I found it chaotic and it put me on a bit of a downer most of the time

[Mrs L Crew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not enjoyed the start of this book and it will be the first book that I have not finished - if it were a meal, I would ask for my money back. I was already decidedly not enjoying it before she offered her very extended opinion on people whom do not drink alcohol and whom talk about drinking alcohol excessively. I was expecting an insight into the life of a journalist but instead have had to read endless pages on hairstyles and other equally dull moments from her history. I will not be added her to my list of authors to seek new reading material from.

[Sharitb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for selecting me to receive this book. I wanted to like it and I love to read but I could get through it. I found the author self-indulgent and the book to read as a run-on sentence of loose associations. Sorry I could not be more positive.

[Gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not great

I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. I could not get into this. It was not at all what I expected when I wanted to read it. 1 star for effort.

[Saralouise Briggs · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like this but it waffled on in a chaotic manor and didn’t go anywhere. I had to give up in the end. I don’t have time to waste reading something I’m not enjoying.

[Fazlinda Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not engaging at all in my opinion. That’s probably part of the reason why it took me so long to finish it. Or maybe I’m just not the right target age group for this.

[Between2books_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i had such fun reading this one. Lauren writes so candidly about the experiences of growing up in the early 00s and all the trials and tribulations that come with it!

Love, Wine & Other Highs is a candid, comical memoir about coming of age in the decade of bad dates, worse hair and non-stop Carrie Bradshaw.

Lauren Rae thought she had it all sussed out. Leaving her awkward teenage years in the past, the future was hers for the taking. Why shouldn't she have it all? Dream job, beautiful home, perfect man, great friends…Like Whitney said, 'I'm Every Woman'-and that's just who Lauren would be too.
But growing up a young black woman in the early noughties wasn't quite the dream Lauren had envisioned. Unpaid internships, disappointing men and lying friends challenged her mental strength and pushed her towards the wine bottle. But with a nagging sound that might have been depression ringing in her ears, Lauren picked up her pen and made it her mightiest weapon.

Set to the soundtrack of the new millennium, with Sex and the City on TV and Amy Winehouse on the radio, Lauren Rae's frank, funny and sometimes heartbreaking memoir will ring more than a few bells for anyone who's questioned whether they'll ever find success and happiness.

[Charry (SandToSnowStories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story. May you continue to inspire others. This beautiful, comical memoir of Lauren made me laugh so much! If you want something different to read, this one is for you!

Thank you, NetGalley, Publisher, and Author, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Charry (SandToSnowStories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story. May you continue to inspire others. This beautiful, comical memoir of Lauren made me laugh so much! If you want something different to read, this one is for you!

Thank you, NetGalley, Publisher, and Author, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Amy Kinsella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, I found quite a lot of the antidotes spoke to me personally. Especially with going though turning 30 recently. Would love to read another book by Lauren.

[Lily Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting! didn’t really captivate me though

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an ode to my childhood. Super funny and relatable even though it's a lot of UK references. It's a good thing growing up I watched a it of UK girlies on YouTube.

[Kelly O'Mara Whites · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got to 40% and decided to not finish the book, which I never do. I didn’t enjoy the topic. I had a difficult time following the writer through her journey.

[Chrys · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanted to like it but just couldn't connect

[Maisie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great, couldn’t really get into it.

[Rav.ingbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this kindle.prime read as something different I have never read and I laughed and loved so much. Beautifully written and such a good time read.

[Sarah Bignell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. Gave up reading it.