Thank you Netgalley for this advanced audio edition of You'll Never Believe Me by Kari Ferrell.

When I saw that this book was about a scam artist, I was excited to swipe it. I'm all about podcasts like Scamanda, and feeling outraged about people like the Wolf on Wallstreet. However, there is a reason that I won't buy his book, and it's because I want to hear ABOUT him, not from him. I don't actually like him, and I definitely don't want to help him make more money on top of everything he swindled.

Because of that, I kind of regret listening to this. I understand that it's a redemption story, but in doing so, I'm putting more money into her hands (kind of, I didn't pay for this book), when TBH, she never should have a story like this to tell in the first place. I don't want to hear her "whoopsie" tones as she talks about breaking the trust, and financial security of the people who took her in and trusted her. It was so off putting, almost bragadocious, and I didn't enjoy myself at all.

This was a well written book; the author was a good storyteller. I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook vs. reading. Hearing the author tell her story in her own voice added to the story.

I found myself a bit frustrated throughout the book because it was like listening to a train wreck after train wreck decisions. While this is meant to be a glimpse into someone’s else story, it was hard to relate and therefore hard to hold my attention. Even in the most unlikely biography’s/memoirs I can usually find a way to relate to the story, but this was a bit more difficult.

Despite the title, I can absolutely believe this story because of the continuous bad decisions she made in her early twenties.

Thank you to #netgalley and the author for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a great memoir. I hadn't heard of Kari Ferrell until this book, but wanted to read it based on the cover. And what a wild ride it was. Ferrell recalling her therapy sessions provided some reflections on what she did, and how past trauma may have caused some of her wrongdoings. I really enjoyed her narration and the overall story telling.

Wow!! I wish there was more because this was a really good read. Ferrell really pulls you in. This memoir tells of Ferrell really finding her identity. Her discussion of dieting as a kid brought back some rough memories. Once Ferrell begins talking about her grifting, the memoir feels like a movie. The growth and self-reflections she has by the end are admirable. Such a well done memoir!

This was fascinating! Fans of true crime, fraud and con stories will enjoy this. Kari, formerly known as the "Hipster Grifter" does a good job of describing her life and how she found herself scamming those who were the closest to her. Before moving on to total strangers who shouldn't have trusted her at all.

As an adopted Asian queer girl, in a White Mormon family and community, it makes total sense that she would start stealing not for the goods but to fit in. It's wild how that grew into scams of thousands of dollars and getting a job at Vice in NYC with totally made up credentials. But honestly, she comes across as pretty funny and charming in this audiobook, so I get why people fell for her schemes. Fingers crossed that I CAN believe her when she says she's a different person now.

I was not familiar with Kari Ferrell as I went into this book thinking "This sounds like a cool autobiography!" however I was pleasantly surprise with this read. It was a quick read and the tone felt real. I really liked seeing the turn around point for Kari, and was especially delighted when I looked her up on socials to see the gravity of being a wanted person and being a findable name online.

An authentic and fun read! It was great to learn more about her!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and ALC.

This story is absolutely wild. I hadn’t heard of the Hipster Grifter, but listening to her story, my jaw DROPPED at times. WOW, I can’t believe some of this happened! But I supposed that’s the point of a book entitled, You’ll Never Believe Me. I was fascinated with hearing her thought process for all her misdeeds. I also appreciated how she included not just the wild times she had as a grifter, but also the struggle to re-acclimate to a world that wanted nothing to do with her.

I didn’t expect this memoir to be relatable, but it really is. It touches on mental health challenges, feelings of isolation, and the struggle to just MAKE it in the world today. It’s engaging and fascinating and at times you can’t stop reading even though you want to (like watching a car accident — it’s horrible but you have to look). She did some terrible things, but also found a way to turn her life around. I’m pleased to have read it and would recommend it to fans of minor celeb/celeb adjacent memoirs.

I always recommend the audiobook for ones performed by the author, unless the quality of the recording is poor or they are just a sorry performer in general. Fortunately neither exception applies here, and I’d highly encourage readers to check out the audio production to hear the story in Kari’s own words.