Pretty Mess Hardcover – March 20, 2018

Funny read

This book was every bit of inspirational as I was hoping that it would be. I had preordered my book only a day before it’s release. As I was waiting for my book to arrived I checked out the reviews and was surprised to see so many negative reviews. I saw that a lot of the reviews weren’t from verified purchases but I was a bit confused how they were so many bad reviews that popped up on the same day the book was released. I loved Erika on the RHOBH, she didn’t seem that she would write “just another housewife book” but since all I know of her is what I’ve seen on TV and don’t know her personally was I completely wrong about the whole thing?Once the book arrived I understood everything. I’ve only written one other book review in my life but wanted to write this review in case anyone else was wondering “ what the heck is going on here?”When I opened a book and started reading I was wondering if the rest of the book would be written like this and how come, even though I had just received the book – how come her tone sounded so familiar?Then I realized that I had heard the tone before and probably used it myself. I feel terrible saying this but it’s almost like a coping mechanism for being in a traumatic situation. The book starts out very matter of fact (even with the complicated relationships) with her shows being as her benchmarks. It's almost like she lived through her childhood without fully LIVING her childhood because she wasn't allowed to have one. So she went into survival mode and as a single child with no other reference point she did her thing.When her life shifted YOU feel the shift in the book. She takes you further into her world. Through her rejections, the numerous times she jumped for it, and the stories that you didn’t even see coming at every turn of the page. I respect her on an entirely new level now.The book isn’t going to be for everyone, but I think that’s the point.It doesn’t have to be for everyone.Even if she is on reality television she seems kind of a private person and maybe it was her way of letting us into her world with the hopes that a little bit of Erika Jayne might inspire someone and lift them up along the way.If your are looking for a “spill all” secrets with dirt about everyone this book isn’t it.But if you need to escape to another world where there is a real life “Pretty Woman” scenario, someone is fighting to the odds to make it- does, and still continues pushing the boundaries in a world that people feel more comfortable when they can define it with similarities and rules.Then this is the book for you and for anyone else who finds hustling inspiring and admires anyone else who goes out there and “does her thing”, even when she’s scared.

I loved this book/eBook. There is nothing more fun than taking a sneak peek into someone's personal life and the path to where she is today. Regardless who they are, it’s entertaining! If you’re a fan of RHBH you will enjoy taking a look into the life of Erika G/Erika J life. I could feel her struggles with each page that turned, her struggles of being a young gal, and the emotional struggle with wanting to follow her dreams, while being a mother at such a young age, and her being on the fence with motherhood and Hollywood, also her relationship with her mother. I appreciated how candid she was thought-out the book. It’s the one thing I think many women love about Erika. Now, with that.....I think this is the very thing that most people admire about her on RHBH. Even being some will say she’s cold, and if I was to be honest, I might have even though that very thing about her, back when she first started the show. Yet, as time went by and now reading the book, I realize she is essentially really bright, to the point, and actually really optimistic, over and above being a strong woman. Yet, I will tell you there is a very childlike part of Erika, that pops out here and there, that I felt sadness for (when she was younger and speaking of her mother, when she was teased as a young girl). And btw, I love the dynamics between Erika and Tom, it’s a true love story!!!! It’s clear she loves him, and respects him immensely, and he with her. I also think it’s awesome, that she is truly being who she wants to be, without a care in the world. The book is an easy read, as the pages turned, before I knew it, I finished the book in 2 days. I admire any one person, who can actually write a book from start to finish, it takes discipline (regardless if you have a ghost writer or not), and for that, I give her so much credit. Good Job Erika! Thank you for the fun read!!!

If you know me, you know that I like the Real Housewives franchise. Now, before you get all crazy or up-in-arms, please know that it's a guilty pleasure and that it has come surprisingly in handy here and there. We know to accept reality tv with a grain of salt--probably pink Himalayan in nature.Erika Jayne is the alter-ego of Erika Girardi. Erika grew up in the south, then moved to New York as a teen, looking for a life in the dance industry. She became a performer, doing whatever she knew would help her grow as an artist (even going to the seedier clubs). She does not mince words--things were hard, but she did the work required of her.In fact, a really great theme of her book is doing the work needed to realize your dreams--that it's not about just sitting around and waiting for the things you want to happen. She underlines this. She hustles and does the work. Granted, she did have a break in work when she married her husband, Tom. She helped rise Tom up and then felt that there was something she needed to do. Again, she put in the work needed and then decided to work on her dreams--with his blessing once she showed him her business plan and explained what she needed to realize these goals.At its heart, this book is a great memoir (my favorite and, in my opinion, the most authentic of the Real Housewives franchise books). I recommend this to anyone who has a need to get their tush kicked into gear.

I'm a huge fan of Erika and this book did not disappoint. It gives you a great insight of her life. It was a great read!

Great book

Love Erika (RHOBH). The kindest and only real one out of the lot of them. Loved this book. She has been more open than i thought she would have been . To those who have wounded her she forgives but is cautious in letting people into her life. Erika leads a blessed life but she has walked through adversity . She knows what it is like to be poor and rich. Her love for Ann ( her late grandma) shines through.How she misses her is so touching. Her love for her x husband Tommy is lovely. Her Boy (son) whom she worries about. The love she and her now husband have for each other is wonderful. Tom is so full of life. I will never forget her caring for Yolanda Hadid. She was a TRUE friend. 10 out of 10. Loved the book . Mgt

A basic read, definitely not what I was expecting. It feels as if she has left a lot out...Personally I felt it was odd Erika used so much of the book to talk about how her mum let her down (yet she was always there for her & lived with her until she was an adult) but she barely acknowledges (just one line/one mention) that her own son went to live with his dad when he was just 6.Despite me thinking less of her after reading this book & feeling so much is missing, it's still an easy read.

She comes across as narcissistic as she is in rhwobh she writes about leaving her son with his father in New York in a few lines and the majority of the book is about her career, yes she provided a better life for her son eventually but only because she married a rich man