Book Review: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Author: Matthew Perry

Title: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Genre: Nonfiction, Autobiography

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 250

Published: November 1, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary: 

“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”

So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who traveled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us. . . and so much more.

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell—and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it—Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he’s found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humor, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fueled it despite seemingly having it all.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is an unforgettable memoir that is both intimate and eye-opening—as well as a hand extended to anyone struggling with sobriety. Unflinchingly honest, moving, and uproariously funny, this is the book fans have been waiting for.

Review:

I got this for Xmas last year. Finally decided to start this on 10/26 while I was waiting at the mechanics for my car. Two days later the poor man passed away. I had to stop reading for a couple of days because my poor heart couldn't take it. 

Matthew Perry was known for his role in countless movies and for 'Friends' the sitcom that was beloved across the world. I had a weird relationship with the show personally. I didn't TRULY love it until I was in my mid to late 20s. I had watched it on and off but it never really resonated with me like others until I was the age of the characters in the show. And then I have been utterly addicted to it. I loved Matthew Perry because of a few of his movies and other shows. 

This book touched me in so many ways. I really could relate to him especially his early life when he was a kid. There was a section that had me in near tears while I was sitting at the mechanics. Gah. That is all I need is to be sobbing where people already don't respect me hahahahaha. But the memory he shared reawakened a core memory of mine when I was about 5. Whyyyyy hello trauma my old friend! It's been a minute! 

This book was honest and raw and you can't help but hear his voice telling us the stories. Gosh. I'm glad I didn't listen to the audiobook because I don't think I could listen to this without tears. 

After he passed and I finally finished this.....it broke my heart. He had so much hope for the future and had so many plans. It is devastating that he will never get to accomplish everything on his list. What a rough reminder that death does not discriminate. It takes and takes no matter the plans you have (and yes, I had to sprinkle in some Hamilton). 

I honestly believe that Matthew Perry wouldn't want us to mourn him. He would want us to take his story and learn from it (and chuckle a bit). 

The story had everything. Sadness, lessons, happiness, humor, and hope. My one and only issue is that I wish it was more linear. It does jump around a bit so be prepared for that. You def have to pay attention. 

All-in-all this was worth the read if you never heard of this author. It was an emotional roller coaster. I'll give this 4 stars. 

B's Monday Review: Undone by You by Kate Meader

By: Kate Meader

Narrated by: Pippa Jayne

Series: Chicago Rebels, Book 3

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Release date: 10-24-23

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance /to review

This one was rather short, but hey I am not complaining. What does make it longer is that it was a bonus novella at the end. What happens after the HEA, well I can tell you. More HEA

I have read the previous two, and it was some time ago so I could not remember a lot, except that book 1 was amazing. But you can just jump in, listen to some romance, and not a lot of hockey.

Dante is the GM for a icehockey team. He is also gay and open about it.The rebels needs to do well this season or the team will be sold.

Cade is a player, and he has a secret. He also really fancies Dante, and is about to do something about it.

Player and GM is not the best combo. Not to mention Cade has not told anyone about his secret yet.  And for future happiness, he can be traded, Dante cant always find a job everywhere. Not that much drama but some.

Good narration. It kept me entertained. 

Dante Moretti has just landed his dream job: GM of the Chicago Rebels. And screw the haters who think there should be an asterisk next to his name because he’s the first out managing executive in pro hockey. He’s earned the right to be here and nothing will topple him off that perch—especially not an incredibly inconvenient attraction to his star defenseman, Cade “Alamo” Burnett.

Cade has always been careful to keep his own desires on the down low, but his hot Italian boss proves to be a temptation he can’t resist. Sure, they both have so much to lose, but no one will ever know...

As Dante and Cade’s taboo affair heats up off the ice and their relationship gets more and more intense, they’ll have to decide: is love worth risking their careers? Or is this romance destined to be forever benched?

Audiobook Review: Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Narrator: Victoria Aston
Title: Third Son's a Charm

Series: The Survivors #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: November 7, 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary: 

Ewan Mostyn thinks a job as a duke's daughter's bodyguard will be easy―but Lady Lorraine has a few tricks up her sleeve that spark an undeniable passion...

Fiercely loyal to his friends and comrades, Ewan Mostyn is the toughest in a group of younger sons of nobility who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. Ewan trusts his brawn more than his brains, but when he's offered a job watching the Duke of Ridlington's stubbornly independent daughter, he finds both are challenged.

Lady Lorraine wants none of her father's high-handed ways, and she'll do everything in her power to avoid her distressingly attractive bodyguard―until she lands herself in real trouble. Lorraine begins to see Ewan's protectiveness in a new light, and she can only hope that her stoic guardian will do for her what he's always done―fight for what he wants.

Review:

Eeek been meaning this for a while. I was given this for Xmas a couple years back. It's about damn time!

Here we follow Ewan and Lorraine. Ewan is asked to be a bodyguard to the duke's daughter. Keep her from eloping and protect her from money-chasing men. Easy enough...he fought in a specialized section of the army during wartime. However, it looks like Lorraine will be his biggest challenge. She is determined to convince her suitor to run away with her. She loves him and wants to finally be married, however, her parents won't let that happen. And now she has to deal with this stoic brute who is supposed to be her babysitter.

This was simply and utterly........adorable. I loved Lorraine and I am in love with....I MEAN....I love Ewan. They were so different but oh so similar. I simply loved watching them be enemies (of sorts) and then fall madly in love. 

OoooOOoooooOOO Ewan's cousin and father are aholes and they deserve all the bad karma they can get....especially in the end. >_> Ooof. But they were good baddies for our lovely couple to overcome. 

OOOH! I was especially in love with the little second chances love story between Lorraine's parents. I wouldn't mind a short story or something seeing them fall in love and then out of love and then back in love. TBF they always loved each other but they hurt each other so much it took years to really "find" each other again. It was a very sweet addition that added a little extra spice to our story. 

The narrator was great. Loved all her voices. I hope she does more of the series. I def want to read book 2. 

All-in-all, I highly enjoyed this. I loved the story...the characters...and the narrator. Simply delightful. 5 stars from me. 

Challenge(s):

- #48 for Audiobook challenge

- #8 TBR Pile Reading

Book Review: Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower

Author: Amanda Flower

Title: Crime and Poetry

Series: A Magical Bookshop Mystery #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Thriller

Format: Ebook

Pages: 364

Published: April 5, 2016

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you...

Violet has every intention to hightail it back to Chicago, but then a dead man is discovered clutching a volume of Emily Dickinson’s poems from Grandma Daisy’s shop. The victim is Benedict Raisin, who recently put Grandma Daisy in his will, making her a prime suspect. Now, with the help of a tuxedo cat named Emerson, Violet will have to find a killer to keep Grandma from getting booked for good...

Review:

Randomly found this at the library while just scrolling away. Books, magic, murder....some of my fave things ;) 

We follow Violet who rushes home to sit by her ailing grandma's bedside. However, when she arrives her grandma is completely fine. She had lied to get Violet to come back home and help her in her bookstore. This store...the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you. Violet won't be tricked into staying and has every intention of hightailing it back to Chicago, but when a dead man is discovered clutching a book she sold him and then her grandma is arrested and is a main suspect, she is forced to stay and help find the killer. 

This started off okay but I found I couldn't really get into it. 

Violet is kind of stuck up and Grandma was rude AF to lie like that. The mayor can F off. 

I liked the cat and I liked the chief of police. That was it. The small town didn't give me the small-town feels I was asking for. 

I stuck around for the mystery and the cat....and the chief of police *wink*. That was it. Maybe Violet gets better in the next one? IDK...I struggled with her. She was def on a high horse.

All-in-all, slightly rough beginning but I am willing to read book 2. I have hopes because I love the concept so much. Can I own a bookstore like this? PLEASE!? I'll give this 2 stars.