What do you think?
Rate this book
unSweetined: A Memoir
How rude!
Jodie Sweetin melted our hearts and made us laugh for eight years as cherub-faced, goody-two-shoes middle child Stephanie Tanner. Her ups and downs seemed not so different from our own, but more than a decade after the popular television show ended, the star publicly revealed her shocking recovery from methamphetamine addiction. Even then, she kept a painful secret—one that could not be solved in thirty minutes with a hug, a stern talking-to, or a bowl of ice cream around the family table. The harrowing battle she swore she had won was really just beginning.
In this deeply personal, utterly raw, and ultimately inspiring memoir, Jodie comes clean about the double life she led—the crippling identity crisis, the hidden anguish of juggling a regular childhood with her Hollywood life, and the vicious cycle of abuse and recovery that led to a relapse even as she wrote this book. Finally, becoming a mother gave her the determination and the courage to get sober. With resilience, charm, and humor, she writes candidly about taking each day at a time. Hers is not a story of success or defeat, but of facing your demons, finding yourself, and telling the whole truth—unSweetined.
Jodie Sweetin melted our hearts and made us laugh for eight years as cherub-faced, goody-two-shoes middle child Stephanie Tanner. Her ups and downs seemed not so different from our own, but more than a decade after the popular television show ended, the star publicly revealed her shocking recovery from methamphetamine addiction. Even then, she kept a painful secret—one that could not be solved in thirty minutes with a hug, a stern talking-to, or a bowl of ice cream around the family table. The harrowing battle she swore she had won was really just beginning.
In this deeply personal, utterly raw, and ultimately inspiring memoir, Jodie comes clean about the double life she led—the crippling identity crisis, the hidden anguish of juggling a regular childhood with her Hollywood life, and the vicious cycle of abuse and recovery that led to a relapse even as she wrote this book. Finally, becoming a mother gave her the determination and the courage to get sober. With resilience, charm, and humor, she writes candidly about taking each day at a time. Hers is not a story of success or defeat, but of facing your demons, finding yourself, and telling the whole truth—unSweetined.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2009
480 people are currently reading
8285 people want to read
About the author
Jodie Sweetin
2 books146 followersJodie Lee Ann Sweetin is an American actress, best known for her role as "Stephanie Tanner" on the long running television sitcom Full House.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 842 reviews
March 5, 2022
Here’s the deal: Jodie Sweetin obviously wrote very little of this book. I truly feel for her ghostwriter, Jon Warech. But I don’t agree with his theory that throwing in wanton exclamation points and constant parentheses-ed observations makes the text feel more like a 29-year-old cokehead wrote it. They don’t. They’re just annoying.
The story was solid enough for the first 2/3, but then, suddenly, it became Every Other Recovery Book Ever Written. ”Every day I strive to stay sober! I will never be completely cured! I do this for my daughter! Recovery is tough!” Blah blah blah blah blah. I know this routine and don't need it repeated by a middling actreess from a fair-to-average 80's sitcom. I have addiction in my family; your rote12-step "wisdom" is unnecessary. I came here for what you can uniquely provide: celebrity gossip. Don't tell me how Jesus Saves, tell me more about how you got completely shitfaced at Candace Cameron’s uber-religious wedding.
To be fair, I devoured this entire book on the plane ride to Mexico, so obviously it wasn’t TOO terrible.
The story was solid enough for the first 2/3, but then, suddenly, it became Every Other Recovery Book Ever Written. ”Every day I strive to stay sober! I will never be completely cured! I do this for my daughter! Recovery is tough!” Blah blah blah blah blah. I know this routine and don't need it repeated by a middling actreess from a fair-to-average 80's sitcom. I have addiction in my family; your rote12-step "wisdom" is unnecessary. I came here for what you can uniquely provide: celebrity gossip. Don't tell me how Jesus Saves, tell me more about how you got completely shitfaced at Candace Cameron’s uber-religious wedding.
To be fair, I devoured this entire book on the plane ride to Mexico, so obviously it wasn’t TOO terrible.
July 14, 2010
While the book was interesting, I'm a little skeptical about Jodie's reason for writing it. She flat out says that she's a liar throughout the book and was cracked out during her sobriety speeches that she gave to college students. She also talks about how desperate she is for money. That, along with the fact that she relapses about 1000 times, makes me think that maybe she wrote this for money for drugs. I also thought it should have been a bit more graphic and detailed. Basically the whole thing is a summary mixed with some thoughts. There aren't many detailed stories, just "I did meth with these people and my husband didn't like it".
January 17, 2010
I saw this on the new release shelf at the library and couldn't resist. (Don't judge me!!) Probably like most people who picked up this book, I really wanted to hear the dirt about Jodie Sweetin's "Full House" days. There were one or two chapters at the beginning that made me laugh with their references to certain episodes of the show, and I always enjoyed when members of the cast made cameos in the book later on (like John Stamos, Jodie Sweetin and one of the Olsen twins passed out drunk in a bed at Stamos' bachelor pad -- how rude! -- don't worry, nothing happened) But beyond the occasional "full House" references, this book was a run-of-the-mill addiction memoir. Stephanie Tanner did a LOT OF DRUGS. Wow. It is disturbing to read. And even though her struggle with addiction is unique to her, as a book, it didn't feel that original or interesting.
July 13, 2014
OK I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I'm reading this but my 7 year old daughter's current Full House obsession has me revisiting my own love for the show and I couldn't resist.
This is not a well-written book, but lets face it, you're not reading the Jodie Sweetin autobiography because you're looking for the finest of literature.
This is not a well-written book, but lets face it, you're not reading the Jodie Sweetin autobiography because you're looking for the finest of literature.
December 13, 2011
I will let the cat out of the bag: I was a “Full House” fan. Furthermore, I picked a favorite daughter on the cheesy sitcom. Stephanie Judith Tanner. There was a time when I wanted to meet Jodie Sweetin (the actress who played Stephanie) and be her friend (I was young, forgive me). Well, that bubble was certainly popped…
Jodie Sweetin’s initial voice in the introduction and first chapter was instantly weak and annoying (for lack of a better term) as she tried to portray herself as the damaged and recovering drug and alcohol addict. Rather than garner pity, Jodie comes off as rather cocky and unapologetic about her ways. Clearly, she lacks a level of modesty.
Sweetin continues to ride this train and picks up the “woe is me” attitude characteristic of most child actors who take the drug/alcohol/rehab route. Sweetin blames the development of her addictions on the childhood star syndrome of having begged for normalcy, not knowing who she was, and the teasing of peers. Speaking frankly, I don’t feel pity for Sweetin or any child stars who “got teased” and “wanted to be normal”. Sweetin wasn’t forced by show parents to become an actress and chose the lifestyle, so it doesn’t deem a pity party. She knew what she was getting into. Moreover, MANY children were teased and had confidence issues during childhood and yet don’t turn to drugs so this can’t instantly be an excuse. My father passed away when I was merely 4 years old and I was physically and emotionally abused and neglected by my mother, but you don’t see me in rehab. Anyway, enough of my soapbox and back to the review…
The first few sections of Unsweetined focus on Jodie’s days on Full House. Full House fans will find some satisfaction in juicy, tabloid-esque stories regarding the actors and individual episodes of the series. Although I found these stories to be interesting, an average reader wouldn’t necessarily agree. They are more targeted towards Full House or early-Sweetin fans.
Unsweetined is written on a rather simple level (in terms of language and text); but Sweetin does, at moments, let little positive personality shine through by making humorous and sarcastic statements. Other small facts also emerge such as Sweetin “dating” Ryan Gosling briefly when she was 13 (after a cameo appearance on the Mickey Mouse Club). Sadly, the reader still doesn’t get a full-picture of who she is and is marred by her whining and blame games.
Recharging the rather flat memoir was a shocking revelation about midway through the book. Gripping and surprising, this saves (albeit briefly) even the most bored reader. If this was a fictional novel, one would applaud the author at this juncture.
My major quip with Unsweetined (as briefly aforementioned) was Sweetin’s weak voice which sounded like a child lacking depth. Often times, she sounds like a rich, stupid, druggie child/adult. In fact, the book blurb describes Jody: “Out of boredom and anxiety, she slid into a downward spiral…” That described it perfectly and I don’t pity negative consequences out of boredom. Sweetin seems almost proud of her ways (of fooling friends and family, passing drug test, etc) versus admitting that she has a character flaw and is a weak individual to follow this path. Grow up. A minor issue was her lack of mentioning dates or years which made the chronology and sequencing regarding her age/events a bit clouded.
Overall, Unsweetined is not the most gripping memoir and is best for an ex-Full House fan. It seems more like Sweetin needed to write her story down for her own recovery but this doesn’t necessarily mean that outside readers will be riveted. The book isn’t horrible, per se, but Sweetin still has a long work to traverse (both as an author and person).
Oh and for the record, Sweetin admits to having “hung out with” and using the cast of the MTV reality show “The Hills” to get into Hollywood clubs. Forget drugs, she needs rehab based on the fact that she thought it was cool to hang out with Spencer Pratt.
Jodie Sweetin’s initial voice in the introduction and first chapter was instantly weak and annoying (for lack of a better term) as she tried to portray herself as the damaged and recovering drug and alcohol addict. Rather than garner pity, Jodie comes off as rather cocky and unapologetic about her ways. Clearly, she lacks a level of modesty.
Sweetin continues to ride this train and picks up the “woe is me” attitude characteristic of most child actors who take the drug/alcohol/rehab route. Sweetin blames the development of her addictions on the childhood star syndrome of having begged for normalcy, not knowing who she was, and the teasing of peers. Speaking frankly, I don’t feel pity for Sweetin or any child stars who “got teased” and “wanted to be normal”. Sweetin wasn’t forced by show parents to become an actress and chose the lifestyle, so it doesn’t deem a pity party. She knew what she was getting into. Moreover, MANY children were teased and had confidence issues during childhood and yet don’t turn to drugs so this can’t instantly be an excuse. My father passed away when I was merely 4 years old and I was physically and emotionally abused and neglected by my mother, but you don’t see me in rehab. Anyway, enough of my soapbox and back to the review…
The first few sections of Unsweetined focus on Jodie’s days on Full House. Full House fans will find some satisfaction in juicy, tabloid-esque stories regarding the actors and individual episodes of the series. Although I found these stories to be interesting, an average reader wouldn’t necessarily agree. They are more targeted towards Full House or early-Sweetin fans.
Unsweetined is written on a rather simple level (in terms of language and text); but Sweetin does, at moments, let little positive personality shine through by making humorous and sarcastic statements. Other small facts also emerge such as Sweetin “dating” Ryan Gosling briefly when she was 13 (after a cameo appearance on the Mickey Mouse Club). Sadly, the reader still doesn’t get a full-picture of who she is and is marred by her whining and blame games.
Recharging the rather flat memoir was a shocking revelation about midway through the book. Gripping and surprising, this saves (albeit briefly) even the most bored reader. If this was a fictional novel, one would applaud the author at this juncture.
My major quip with Unsweetined (as briefly aforementioned) was Sweetin’s weak voice which sounded like a child lacking depth. Often times, she sounds like a rich, stupid, druggie child/adult. In fact, the book blurb describes Jody: “Out of boredom and anxiety, she slid into a downward spiral…” That described it perfectly and I don’t pity negative consequences out of boredom. Sweetin seems almost proud of her ways (of fooling friends and family, passing drug test, etc) versus admitting that she has a character flaw and is a weak individual to follow this path. Grow up. A minor issue was her lack of mentioning dates or years which made the chronology and sequencing regarding her age/events a bit clouded.
Overall, Unsweetined is not the most gripping memoir and is best for an ex-Full House fan. It seems more like Sweetin needed to write her story down for her own recovery but this doesn’t necessarily mean that outside readers will be riveted. The book isn’t horrible, per se, but Sweetin still has a long work to traverse (both as an author and person).
Oh and for the record, Sweetin admits to having “hung out with” and using the cast of the MTV reality show “The Hills” to get into Hollywood clubs. Forget drugs, she needs rehab based on the fact that she thought it was cool to hang out with Spencer Pratt.
April 4, 2012
This is the first non fiction book I have ever read by my own choosing. I think everyone reviewing this has been honest in saying that we were all Full House fans, myself included. Stephanie was always my favorite, I even read the Stephanie books (which honestly was the first series of books I got into, bringing me here after all these years.) and went through a phase when I wanted to name my daughter Jodie when I grew up. I debated whether I wanted to read this, if I was ready to hear that someone I looked up to as a kid fell so hard into a lifestyle that I disagree with so much but I've made a date to quit smoking on May 15 -a decision I've made very recently and am nervous to come to- and I realized that addictions are all the same and maybe reading Jodie's story will somehow prepare me for something that I know will be hard.
So enough of my personal monologue and onto the review. I can't give a star rating on Jodie's life or choices but I can on how the book is written and whether or not I think it was a story worth reading. My answer is Yes, this book is worth reading. I have always been interested in Hollywood and the idea of a world that we only pretend to understand through tabloids. This book laid it out in a way that I could read and understand with just enough of the gory details. It was a nice, PG 13 version of a very dark reality of Hollywood.
But I would only recommend this book to an optimistic person who truly wants to see good in people and believe that people can change and someone who truly wants to see Jodie succeed. If you are not one of those people, you would read this book and think that Jodie is not sober at all and this book is an actress and her ghostwriter telling a story of how easy it is to lie by making more lies to fund her habit while making people like her again and getting her back in the spotlight. You would also think that Jodie is spoiled with a whole lot of excuses and First World Problems.
I, on the other hand, want to believe that Jodie was a normal kid who had normal fears, hopes and uncertainties and in her youth made some really bad choices. All while looking to be a normal kid she only looked to the differences in her life but couldn't see that her fears, hopes and uncertainties were the same as everyone else's. I appreciate Jodie's honesty, although I wish there was a more distinct timeline to follow. Some of the story jumped around a bit but that's okay.
I hope Jodie is still sober and I'm glad she's getting rid of that jerk second husband of hers. I'm glad she shared her story and I hope she is living happily ever after.
So enough of my personal monologue and onto the review. I can't give a star rating on Jodie's life or choices but I can on how the book is written and whether or not I think it was a story worth reading. My answer is Yes, this book is worth reading. I have always been interested in Hollywood and the idea of a world that we only pretend to understand through tabloids. This book laid it out in a way that I could read and understand with just enough of the gory details. It was a nice, PG 13 version of a very dark reality of Hollywood.
But I would only recommend this book to an optimistic person who truly wants to see good in people and believe that people can change and someone who truly wants to see Jodie succeed. If you are not one of those people, you would read this book and think that Jodie is not sober at all and this book is an actress and her ghostwriter telling a story of how easy it is to lie by making more lies to fund her habit while making people like her again and getting her back in the spotlight. You would also think that Jodie is spoiled with a whole lot of excuses and First World Problems.
I, on the other hand, want to believe that Jodie was a normal kid who had normal fears, hopes and uncertainties and in her youth made some really bad choices. All while looking to be a normal kid she only looked to the differences in her life but couldn't see that her fears, hopes and uncertainties were the same as everyone else's. I appreciate Jodie's honesty, although I wish there was a more distinct timeline to follow. Some of the story jumped around a bit but that's okay.
I hope Jodie is still sober and I'm glad she's getting rid of that jerk second husband of hers. I'm glad she shared her story and I hope she is living happily ever after.
March 22, 2010
A very quick read, started and finished in about three hours. Always heard bits and pieces in the media about "Stephanie Tanner" turning into a junkie, and wanted to hear the story from her point of view. It wasn't bad, but nothing groundbreaking here. She keeps the "tales of drug horror" fairly clean...I was expecting (wanting?) to hear something a bit more graphic than puking/blacking out stories. It seemed fairly tame compared to some of the stories/experiences I've witnessed in my real life working with people with addictions. Also, I found it kind of annoying how she kept bashing her second husband in the last few chapters - I can appreciate how he might have been a terrible husband, etc - but I wasn't reading this book to hear what a loser Cody was.
Don't get me wrong, it was a fast, and interesting read, but I really don't think they book gave a true look at the gritty, dark world of drug and alcohol addiction. Maybe that was just really her experience, but I feel like she was holding back, to still portray herself in a positive light. I can't see this book really helping anyone who is troubled by these addictions to really get off of anything. Fun read though.
Don't get me wrong, it was a fast, and interesting read, but I really don't think they book gave a true look at the gritty, dark world of drug and alcohol addiction. Maybe that was just really her experience, but I feel like she was holding back, to still portray herself in a positive light. I can't see this book really helping anyone who is troubled by these addictions to really get off of anything. Fun read though.
May 30, 2016
This was shocking.
I had heard that Jodie was a bit "wild" once Full House ended (a show that me and my sister watched religiously), but I had no idea how crazy her life turned out to be.
Stephanie Tanner was my favorite and still is my favorite character on full house or now FULLER HOUSE! The second I heard about this book I wanted to read it and seeing Jodie on DWTS this season has made me curious about her life. This girl and the choices she made was mouth dropping at times. It's crazy what the spotlight does to kids and it's just plain sad and terrifying. I could totally see why Jodie felt she needed something (drugs, alcohol, sex etc...) after full house ended; it was the only world she had known.
Thank goodness for her saving grace: her daughter. :)
(Side note) For those who have watched Netfilx's Fuller House, I find it really interesting now that the writers wrote Stephanie's character as a partier and drinker...ummm why would she want to portray Stephanie as that type of person???
I had heard that Jodie was a bit "wild" once Full House ended (a show that me and my sister watched religiously), but I had no idea how crazy her life turned out to be.
Stephanie Tanner was my favorite and still is my favorite character on full house or now FULLER HOUSE! The second I heard about this book I wanted to read it and seeing Jodie on DWTS this season has made me curious about her life. This girl and the choices she made was mouth dropping at times. It's crazy what the spotlight does to kids and it's just plain sad and terrifying. I could totally see why Jodie felt she needed something (drugs, alcohol, sex etc...) after full house ended; it was the only world she had known.
Thank goodness for her saving grace: her daughter. :)
(Side note) For those who have watched Netfilx's Fuller House, I find it really interesting now that the writers wrote Stephanie's character as a partier and drinker...ummm why would she want to portray Stephanie as that type of person???
November 3, 2013
As a preface to the review:
I am no addict, former or current, nor am I an expert on addiction. I can, however, offer some candid sentiments as a reader with a critical mind. When someone decides to present their lives in a published form, they can expect scrutiny and praise alike. Alas, no one is perfect, but it is the way in which someone chooses to share these battles that is at issue here. I can empathise at times, but I will not pull out a tissue and weep along with everyone simply to toe the line.
I am not a celebrity gossip nut! That said, when I came across this book, I thought I ought to give it a whirl, since I grew up in the Full House era. Sweetin opens by asking the reader not to judge her for what she has done or the paths down which she traveled. I cannot begin to wonder what she expects from self-made publicity over all these events, except, perhaps, to air her dirty laundry and keep the rumours at bay. Sweetin describes the ease into which she slid into acting and how ‘Stephanie Judith Tanner’ was created after casting her for the show. The strain of working and going to school exacerbated her distance from those her own age and she began closer with her work family than those her own age. Sweetin describes the beginning of the long spiral into the abyss of addiction and alcoholism and details the steps taken to dig her own grave, with brief moments of clarity and solace. She was, by her own admission, a brutal addict who sought to live life and move forward, yet always had the addiction as a shackle around her ankle. Even at time of publication she was unable to declare victory or progress with her addiction, though she did become a mother and apparently briefly ‘saw the light in motherhood’. Alas, perhaps she ought to have waited for success before pushing this out. I have my theories, below.
Sweetin attempts to lump herself with the likes of other child stars, by explaining away the pressures of childhood acting as being partially responsible for her demise. I choose not to offer her that out. By her own admission, life on the Full House set was not full of partying and drinking, nor did she extend her acting career after the show ended (not from a lack of trying, but Stephanie Tanner became a moniker she could not shed). Sweetin drifted into alcohol at age 14, found it lit a spark inside her and off she went, down the path that many teens have found themselves; rebellion and defiance her besties. Her choice to move onto pot and Ecstasy were completely her own and the boredom with life as a small-time druggie and big time partier brought cocaine and meth into the picture. She admits that once she got rolling in that it was impossible to stop and she found herself stuck in a life where she HAD to score or life would have no purpose, while being the picture of perfection to those who did not know her secrets. She goes so far as to offer up a sob story about addiction literally being in her blood, as though she can chalk it up to her birth mother’s past being passed along to her. Touching, but a scapegoat nonetheless.
Her struggles are not unique her journey nothing new. Her stints in rehab and her longing to have others coddle her and make it all better cannot be seen as anything but the regular struggle of an addict seeking to better themselves. She did not splash her image across the tabloids, which might be part of the reason she had this book penned, to ensure people knew she was still around. She was, admittedly, the forgotten child in the threesome of Full House original children (pardon my grouping the twins into one entity) and this was her way of not being forgotten. How apropos, as her character was the same way, looking for attention from whomever might be around to offer it up. While perhaps less damaging than a Hilton sex tape, the book seeks to shine the light on her and the holes in which she found herself and offers little of inspiration to the reader seeking to see a Hollywood star who left the sad and pathetic life behind.
An interesting read with a few eyebrow raising moments, but surely nothing stellar or worth a long-term investment. Not drivel, but surely not an autobiography with any substance that seeks to grip the reader and help them see that Jodie Sweetin in a warrior who has overcome her past and strives to help others.
Ms. Sweetin, if you wanted the public to reach out and praise you for all you have been through and all you have done to better yourself, you ought to have waited for the demons to be caged. By expecting us to sip from the Kool-Aid and feel sorry for you, when you admit to pushing this all onto yourself, I can think of your most famous catchphrase: “HOW RUDE!”
I am no addict, former or current, nor am I an expert on addiction. I can, however, offer some candid sentiments as a reader with a critical mind. When someone decides to present their lives in a published form, they can expect scrutiny and praise alike. Alas, no one is perfect, but it is the way in which someone chooses to share these battles that is at issue here. I can empathise at times, but I will not pull out a tissue and weep along with everyone simply to toe the line.
I am not a celebrity gossip nut! That said, when I came across this book, I thought I ought to give it a whirl, since I grew up in the Full House era. Sweetin opens by asking the reader not to judge her for what she has done or the paths down which she traveled. I cannot begin to wonder what she expects from self-made publicity over all these events, except, perhaps, to air her dirty laundry and keep the rumours at bay. Sweetin describes the ease into which she slid into acting and how ‘Stephanie Judith Tanner’ was created after casting her for the show. The strain of working and going to school exacerbated her distance from those her own age and she began closer with her work family than those her own age. Sweetin describes the beginning of the long spiral into the abyss of addiction and alcoholism and details the steps taken to dig her own grave, with brief moments of clarity and solace. She was, by her own admission, a brutal addict who sought to live life and move forward, yet always had the addiction as a shackle around her ankle. Even at time of publication she was unable to declare victory or progress with her addiction, though she did become a mother and apparently briefly ‘saw the light in motherhood’. Alas, perhaps she ought to have waited for success before pushing this out. I have my theories, below.
Sweetin attempts to lump herself with the likes of other child stars, by explaining away the pressures of childhood acting as being partially responsible for her demise. I choose not to offer her that out. By her own admission, life on the Full House set was not full of partying and drinking, nor did she extend her acting career after the show ended (not from a lack of trying, but Stephanie Tanner became a moniker she could not shed). Sweetin drifted into alcohol at age 14, found it lit a spark inside her and off she went, down the path that many teens have found themselves; rebellion and defiance her besties. Her choice to move onto pot and Ecstasy were completely her own and the boredom with life as a small-time druggie and big time partier brought cocaine and meth into the picture. She admits that once she got rolling in that it was impossible to stop and she found herself stuck in a life where she HAD to score or life would have no purpose, while being the picture of perfection to those who did not know her secrets. She goes so far as to offer up a sob story about addiction literally being in her blood, as though she can chalk it up to her birth mother’s past being passed along to her. Touching, but a scapegoat nonetheless.
Her struggles are not unique her journey nothing new. Her stints in rehab and her longing to have others coddle her and make it all better cannot be seen as anything but the regular struggle of an addict seeking to better themselves. She did not splash her image across the tabloids, which might be part of the reason she had this book penned, to ensure people knew she was still around. She was, admittedly, the forgotten child in the threesome of Full House original children (pardon my grouping the twins into one entity) and this was her way of not being forgotten. How apropos, as her character was the same way, looking for attention from whomever might be around to offer it up. While perhaps less damaging than a Hilton sex tape, the book seeks to shine the light on her and the holes in which she found herself and offers little of inspiration to the reader seeking to see a Hollywood star who left the sad and pathetic life behind.
An interesting read with a few eyebrow raising moments, but surely nothing stellar or worth a long-term investment. Not drivel, but surely not an autobiography with any substance that seeks to grip the reader and help them see that Jodie Sweetin in a warrior who has overcome her past and strives to help others.
Ms. Sweetin, if you wanted the public to reach out and praise you for all you have been through and all you have done to better yourself, you ought to have waited for the demons to be caged. By expecting us to sip from the Kool-Aid and feel sorry for you, when you admit to pushing this all onto yourself, I can think of your most famous catchphrase: “HOW RUDE!”
January 29, 2019
Cuando vi la serie de Netflix "Fuller House" y vi que el personaje de Stephanie Tanner (mi personaje favorito de la serie desde mi niñez) había cambiado bastante de la serie anterior por su estilo de vida me sorprendí al ver que nadie en los comentarios por la web se sorprendía de eso y luego averigué pues que la actriz que interpreta a ese papel había pasado por muchos problemas de adicción lo cual me resultó extraño a pesar que parece que todos los niños actores pasan por algo así en los EEUU.
Cuando me enteré del libro decidí leerlo, más que todo por conocer las circunstancias que la llevó a malas decisiones. Como todo libro de memorias comercial es de estilo directo y simple. Es un relato bastante descarnado y crudo de todo lo que vivió entre adicciones a alcohol, cocaína, anfetaminas, Etc y todo ese mundo que la verdad causa bastante repulsión saber cómo pueden arruinar sus vidas jóvenes que tienen mucho todavía que dar. Me gustó saber detalles de la serie "Full House", de los primeros pasos de Jodie Sweetin en la actuación (era muy talentosa a mi parecer) y también cómo fue que cayó en este mundo, desde luego, la carga hereditaria tuvo mucho que ver y creo que uno de las revelaciones más importantes es que sus padres ambos fueron drogadictos. En fin, estoy seguro que será de mucho más interés y tal vez ayuda para los que han pasado por ello, para mí que no tomo ni una gota de alcohol me resultó bastante repetitivo y vacío la segunda mitad del libro donde sólo se habla de las recaídas que tuvo y los problemas usuales que llevan esta clase de cosas.
Cuando me enteré del libro decidí leerlo, más que todo por conocer las circunstancias que la llevó a malas decisiones. Como todo libro de memorias comercial es de estilo directo y simple. Es un relato bastante descarnado y crudo de todo lo que vivió entre adicciones a alcohol, cocaína, anfetaminas, Etc y todo ese mundo que la verdad causa bastante repulsión saber cómo pueden arruinar sus vidas jóvenes que tienen mucho todavía que dar. Me gustó saber detalles de la serie "Full House", de los primeros pasos de Jodie Sweetin en la actuación (era muy talentosa a mi parecer) y también cómo fue que cayó en este mundo, desde luego, la carga hereditaria tuvo mucho que ver y creo que uno de las revelaciones más importantes es que sus padres ambos fueron drogadictos. En fin, estoy seguro que será de mucho más interés y tal vez ayuda para los que han pasado por ello, para mí que no tomo ni una gota de alcohol me resultó bastante repetitivo y vacío la segunda mitad del libro donde sólo se habla de las recaídas que tuvo y los problemas usuales que llevan esta clase de cosas.
July 1, 2021
When it comes to memoirs I don’t let the reviews of others decide whether I’m going to read it or not, if it’s by someone I like I’m going to read it or not. That being said, I absolutely loved this book. Full House was ‘my show’ when I was younger and today I have the whole series on DVD and couldn’t wait to read the book.
I bought this book not knowing anything thing what was going on in her life (but knew that there was going to be some possible incite of what went on in her life). I saw the cover of a magazine she was on and was shocked and happy, shocked because I never knew she was into drugs but happy because she was a mother.
It’s a must read if you are a Full House fan or just want an insight of what Jodie went through after Full House was off the air! (I for one wonder that for all actors and actresses when they start young)
I bought this book not knowing anything thing what was going on in her life (but knew that there was going to be some possible incite of what went on in her life). I saw the cover of a magazine she was on and was shocked and happy, shocked because I never knew she was into drugs but happy because she was a mother.
It’s a must read if you are a Full House fan or just want an insight of what Jodie went through after Full House was off the air! (I for one wonder that for all actors and actresses when they start young)
March 3, 2013
The book as a whole was well written and put together nicely, however, I did have mixed feelings about Sweetin as a person. It is definitely easy to understand what she was feeling and going through but she came across as whiny and it seemed that she used her story to gather pity from the world. Many times she contradicts herself, for example, she said that when beginning high school she was always labelled as someone who thought she was better than others when really she would rather trade places with them. She goes on to say, two paragraphs later, "on the second day of tryouts I looked around and decided I didn't really like these girls enough to spend this much or any time with them". She obviously tried too hard in the beginning to fit in and show that she was different than her Stephanie Tanner role (which is all that she was known for). I can empathize with how she must have been feeling like she were going through an identity crisis. She wanted to separate herself from Stephanie Tanner and just be Jodi Sweetin, but in doing so she morphed into a horrible person that cared about nothing or no one. Reading through it I noticed several times that she seemed to be grasping at different reasons/or excuses for her problems. At one point in her book she even admits to playing the "blame game", blaming other people for her addiction. Many times she acted as if she had a "right" to everything and "nobody told [her] no!" All the fun she was having was a farce, "the friends, the happiness, the confidence - all a load of crap". Everything was drug induced. She was always trying to create a happy place because she couldn't handle REAL life or the truth. Doing drugs turned her into a person she liked and thought made her look "cool". It gave her the confidence to be the person she wanted to be and she supposedly NEEDED that. She liked the power that came with it. It wasn't until the very end of her book that I really felt true respect for her. Reading all the accounts of her life as she wrote them made me feel a strong dislike for the person she had become but she managed to wrap it up in a way that made me want to take MOST of it back. I respect the fact that writing this book had to be extremely difficult for her as she was so brutally honest about everything. She really took a chance and put herself out there which is quite admirable. It takes a lot of strength and courage to put oneself out there and say "Hey. This is me. I know I'm not perfect, but I am trying".
Read
December 20, 2016Totally unrateable. The writing was awful, but I cherished every cringe-worthy moment and nugget of gossip.
May 18, 2014
I was shocked to learn that Jodie Sweetin had written a memoir and I did not know about it for 5 years! I read it in 2 hours, after a friend kindly loaned it to me.
Once again, I am happy that I am not a drug addict. Having read several memoirs of addicts, it just sounds unbearable (and expensive).
I don't know what's going to happen to Sweetin--since writing the book she has married and divorced a third time and had a second daughter. I hope that she doesn't relapse, but I don't think the statistics are on her side.
I am disappointed that both of her cover stories for People were fabricated and that she did them because she had spent all of her money on drugs. That makes me wonder how many stories of survival or triumph in People are similarly false.
And finally, I was surprised that her ghost writer was not only named, but given a full page of acknowledgements! And he thanked Tim Tebow! Tim Tebow! The book came out before his (short) NFL career, so the ghost writer must have followed him in college.
Once again, I am happy that I am not a drug addict. Having read several memoirs of addicts, it just sounds unbearable (and expensive).
I don't know what's going to happen to Sweetin--since writing the book she has married and divorced a third time and had a second daughter. I hope that she doesn't relapse, but I don't think the statistics are on her side.
I am disappointed that both of her cover stories for People were fabricated and that she did them because she had spent all of her money on drugs. That makes me wonder how many stories of survival or triumph in People are similarly false.
And finally, I was surprised that her ghost writer was not only named, but given a full page of acknowledgements! And he thanked Tim Tebow! Tim Tebow! The book came out before his (short) NFL career, so the ghost writer must have followed him in college.
January 6, 2010
This book was obviously written because Sweetin needs the money, which in of itself is not bad, but she also has nothing of interest to say and what she does say is done in a rather mundane, uninteresting way. The book recounts the story of her drug/alcohol problems, but it lacks depth and insight into those issues. The book is clearly written to show the author in a particular way to garner a particular public image for herself, but I have a feeling the truth is further away from what the book proclaims. There are far too many good drug memoirs to be bothered with this rather fluffy one.
May 1, 2011
Imagine your a drug addict, and have a lot of money! Well that was Jodie Sweetin. She tried several times to get sober, but with each relapse she gave in entirely. The one thing that finally gave her enough strength to get sober, and stay that way was becoming a mother. This is not a Hollywood gossip memoir, it's a story about an actress and her struggles to overcome her addictions.
May 17, 2022
Even though I knew about the book before I read it, it was still a disappointment.
Only a few memories about being on Full House, and then story after story about drinking and drug abuse.
The photographs in the middle were the best thing about this book.
Only a few memories about being on Full House, and then story after story about drinking and drug abuse.
The photographs in the middle were the best thing about this book.
February 24, 2013
I read this book in one day. I've read other addiction/celebrity books before and this was pretty much what I expected, but in a good way. This was very, very raw and honest. I'm sure she left plenty of things out, understandably, but she also really put herself out there.
For people who enjoyed this book, I would recommend Maureen McCormick's book (Marcia Brady), Here's the Story. Like Sweetin, McCormick also had a deep routed secret stemming from her home life and relationship with her parents that contributed towards her drug abuse.
I'm only a couple years younger than Jodie Sweetin, and I can't imagine being in her place in life right now with everything she's gone through and is continuing to go through. I truly wish her the best of luck with her sobriety, and a happy life raising her daughter.
For people who enjoyed this book, I would recommend Maureen McCormick's book (Marcia Brady), Here's the Story. Like Sweetin, McCormick also had a deep routed secret stemming from her home life and relationship with her parents that contributed towards her drug abuse.
I'm only a couple years younger than Jodie Sweetin, and I can't imagine being in her place in life right now with everything she's gone through and is continuing to go through. I truly wish her the best of luck with her sobriety, and a happy life raising her daughter.
August 16, 2011
As a lover of Full House, I was excited to read this novel. I didn't realize the extent of Jodie's battle with drugs and alcohol. It was a very interesting read - I loved the glimpse into her world of Full House filming and later full time partying. I applaud Jodie for her courage in writing this and battling her addictions. I admire her dedication to her daughter and wish her the best. I hope to see her in future film and tv roles so she may share her talents with the world.
February 28, 2016
Unlike the magazines, I didn't find this book to be "explosive" or "brutally honest." It was merely okay. Plus, she said she's a liar in the book. Who knows how true it was. It wasn't terribly relatable, unless you happen to be a hollywood child star who became an addict/alcoholic.
If you're looking for a trashy, gossipy book, move along. Nothing to see here.
If you're looking for a trashy, gossipy book, move along. Nothing to see here.
September 6, 2022
Jodie Sweetin is a hot mess to beat all hot messes, but she's really open and honest about it. This memoir wouldn't hold up against what comes out today, but 15 years ago I think it was a pretty standard celeb tell-all. I learned a lot about meth and being a semi-functioning addict. I NEED a follow-up though. She was only two marriages and two sober dates deep when she finished this. Now she's four marriages deep and I don't know how many relapses. Would love to know what things have been like with the Full House reboot come and gone. Anyway, a tough life and a person who recognizes their privilege-- I didn't hate it.
April 9, 2023
Definitely not the book for me…way too much language and stories about drinking, drugs, etc. Which I know was part of the point, but it was OTT for me. DNF.
April 1, 2025
Brutally honest and vulnerable. As a life-long Full House fan, I’m so happy for Jodie and so glad she made it through 🩷
November 27, 2009
I was a huge fan of the show Full House when I was growing up. Even as an adult I can appreciate the family lessons, as corny as they are. It also brings back many memories from my childhood. I was the age of Stephanie Tanner so I felt like I could relate to her character, and I grew up with her on Full House. I also looked up to D.J., played by Candice Cameron, just as both Stephanie Tanner, and the character in real life, Jodie Sweetin, did. So it's no surprise that when I found out Jodie Sweetin was writing a memoir I eagerly awaited its release. In fact, I bought it the day after it came out (I had school Tuesday night so that wasn't an option) and I read the entire book that night, lol! It worked out that the client I was supposed to see that night canceled. ;)
Prior to reading her memoir, Unsweetined, I knew a little about Jodie Sweetin from what I had read in magazines. I knew she was a recovering Meth addict, that she'd had a child, and that she was on her second marriage. I also knew the first marriage broke up in part to her drug use. It was so interesting to learn more about all of this in detail, though.
Unsweetined is a typical celebrity memoir with an also somewhat typical descent-into-drugs story. If you're looking for complete originality on either of those fronts, this isn't it. But that's not what I was expecting anyway. I was just curious to learn more about this actress, her life, and her time on Full House. And this book did that. She talked candidly about the extent of her drug use and the following hypocrisy when she toured the country as a motivational speaker for overcoming drugs, when, in fact, she was still using. Despite reading a little about her in US Weekly Magazine, I didn't realize quite how intensely far she'd fallen. That's why I say she spoke candidly, but even then, she gives the disclaimer that she doesn't talk about all of her worst moments. Even those are too much for her to share.
As a mental health professional, I found the different factors she attributed for her addictions very throught-provoking and conceivable. I also learned some facts about her that I did not know -- I won't spoil them for those of you who don't already know. Sweetin also wrote about her time on Full House and included stories, some surprising, that included the other Full House actors.
This was a quick and engaging read, but still well-written. There were also randomly made humorous remarks that made me laugh -- like the part where she wrote about some well-known actors she was on the Mickey Mouse Club with and how none of them made it anywhere after that... (HAHA). If you were ever a fan of Jodie Sweetin, Full House, or just enjoy learning about the lives of child actors, I would recommend this book.
Prior to reading her memoir, Unsweetined, I knew a little about Jodie Sweetin from what I had read in magazines. I knew she was a recovering Meth addict, that she'd had a child, and that she was on her second marriage. I also knew the first marriage broke up in part to her drug use. It was so interesting to learn more about all of this in detail, though.
Unsweetined is a typical celebrity memoir with an also somewhat typical descent-into-drugs story. If you're looking for complete originality on either of those fronts, this isn't it. But that's not what I was expecting anyway. I was just curious to learn more about this actress, her life, and her time on Full House. And this book did that. She talked candidly about the extent of her drug use and the following hypocrisy when she toured the country as a motivational speaker for overcoming drugs, when, in fact, she was still using. Despite reading a little about her in US Weekly Magazine, I didn't realize quite how intensely far she'd fallen. That's why I say she spoke candidly, but even then, she gives the disclaimer that she doesn't talk about all of her worst moments. Even those are too much for her to share.
As a mental health professional, I found the different factors she attributed for her addictions very throught-provoking and conceivable. I also learned some facts about her that I did not know -- I won't spoil them for those of you who don't already know. Sweetin also wrote about her time on Full House and included stories, some surprising, that included the other Full House actors.
This was a quick and engaging read, but still well-written. There were also randomly made humorous remarks that made me laugh -- like the part where she wrote about some well-known actors she was on the Mickey Mouse Club with and how none of them made it anywhere after that... (HAHA). If you were ever a fan of Jodie Sweetin, Full House, or just enjoy learning about the lives of child actors, I would recommend this book.
July 24, 2015
this was okay maybe a 3.5. I read this for something to read. my daughter who is the same age as the Olsen Twins was a huge fan of Full House.I thought Full house okay although too sugar sweet at times. I like reading memoirs so thought I would give this a try. Jodie played Stephanie Tanner the middle child. when the show ended she was 13 and unemployed. she had to go back to public school. It was not easy for her to fit in. middle school aged kids can be very cruel and tough on each other. Soon she was hanging out with the kids who smoked pot and did other drugs. Over the years she went on to some pretty bad drugs became addicted had to go to rehab places, got clean for short periods only to end up drinking and doing drugs again. Certain times were a blur to her due to her addictions. as of her memoir she was married and divorced twice and had a baby girl. she ends the book when her baby is about one and looking hopeful for her future. this an okay book. Jodie Sweetin tries to be honest about her addictions. she does not paint herself as perfect. I read this book just to have something to read and curious about what she had to say. I am not a fan of Full House {but don't hate it either} or follow her career. this may be of interest to those who liked the tv show she was on when she was a kid. not too bad of a read.
August 6, 2015
Decent read BUT.. anyone up for some theatrics? PG: 110
'I kept getting sick and passing out. At one point I sopped breathing. I was laying on the sidewalk, heartbeats away from death"'
I'm sorry but as soon as I read that, my inner voice wen't 'ohhhh come on' even she admits to having a knack for switching personalities whenever she wants to get what she want's.
I love Full House, and am very into memoirs/ autobiographies. So I thought I'd give this one a go.
One thing I can say is - she's definetly not a writer.
She hussles through her life thus far with very little reflection and emotion, it reads just like words on a page, and while I'm enjoying it for what it is, it fails to provoke imense reaction. I beleive 'Us' magazine was having a dull day at the office when they reviewd it as 'explosive'.
Decent insider snipets on other cast members from 'Full House' in mainly the first half however I found the second half of her book more interesting and entertaining than the first, all in all a decent read but don't expect a life changer.
August 25, 2015
Drug abuse is always sad because it's clearly out of a person's control but all I saw from this book was "whine whine whine I have too much money endless whining about spending all of it on drugs and rehab. Did nothing to connect with me as a reader. Would much rather read something from someone who ACTUALLY struggled in that drug abused ruined their lives...because while Sweetin clearly dealt with ruined relationships and other issues, she still had a full support system behind her both financially and in her family's love/care. I feel bad for her drug struggles and am glad she's happy and healthy now but this whole thing felt like a #RichKidProblems book. Sad for her but not as sad as I am for the millions of people who share her drug addiction but don't have the resources to enjoy such a happy outcome. Would just rather read their stories. That being said, this is also a super quick read (like two hours max) and barely goes into anything in depth. It's like a bullet point look instead of a sweeping memoir where you're really in the depth of her battle.
February 17, 2016
I'm not sure if I'll ever do a full review on this book. It's really hard to rate someone's life experience as it's not a narrative that they created, or well it could be but I'd like to believe that everything in this book is the truth as the author sees it, and I do. I started this book to learn more about this actress as she was in one of my favorite shows Full House. I knew going into to it that it was going to focus on her struggles with drugs and alcohol and there were some very intense and blatantly honest chapters in this book that dealt with that. However, I couldn't really put this book down, I was mesmerized with Sweetin's struggles with addiction and how she described everything was so raw and so real. There's not much more to say other than I really enjoyed this book and was inspired by Sweetin's words about addiction.
Read
September 23, 2025*I don’t rate memoirs.* It’s always interesting to learn about someone else’s life. With Jodie’s story, I kind of feel like it was repetitive - just the location of her addiction experience was different. I did enjoy the 2025 addition of the introduction.
October 2, 2025
UnSweetined by Jodi Sweetin
Audio Version
Writing: B+
Story: A-
Narration: A
Best Aspect: Very brave to discuss addiction and also I learned a lot about her.
Worst Aspect: Random in areas and a little more of her life would have made it more fulfilling.
Recommend: Yes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 842 reviews