It feels so weird rating memoirs because it is someone’s personal experience, but I have been a fan of Tommy’s since seeing her in 13 Reasons Why. I was honestly probably most intrigued by her friendships with other celebrities at the time, and followed her life via Instagram and the gossip websites.

Reading about her transition, past substance abuse, relationships, and life experiences was fascinating and moving. I completely forgot that Tommy was married back in 2016! It was a fast read and I think anyone who watched Tommy on TV or has seen Tommy perform in Romeo + Juliet would be interested in knowing more about her!

Maybe This Will Save Me by Tommy Dorfman is a raw, deeply introspective memoir that weaves together art, addiction, and transformation through the lens of a single tarot reading.

At twenty-eight, Dorfman stood at a crossroads—newly embracing her gender identity, yet still burdened by parts of her past she hadn’t fully confronted. Using tarot as a narrative framework, she unpacks a childhood marked by identity struggles, a tumultuous adolescence numbed by substance abuse, and the highs and lows of creative ambition. From her breakout role in 13 Reasons Why to her hard-fought journey toward sobriety and self-acceptance, Dorfman’s story is both searing and luminous.

With a voice that recalls Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart and Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died, Maybe This Will Save Me is an unflinching, beautifully written memoir that redefines reinvention and resilience.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I always feel a bit weird rating memoirs, especially when the topic matter is so personal and intense.

That being said, I liked this book. Lately, I have found myself saying, ‘This is a great book, but not for me,’ and I think that’s how I felt about this book. It was vulnerable and well-written. It discussed topics regarding transitioning, substance abuse, rising to fame, and growing up far too quickly, among others. It was intentionally messy, which is fun! It was chaotic, a little all over the place, and certainly a bit repetitive (largely intentional). Tommy is an icon!!

I love Tommy and really enjoyed getting to know about her - from her directly. I thought using Tarot cards as the mechanism she used to bring us along through her life was really fitting. I did feel some sections were a bit disjointed and the non-linear timeline of the storytelling sometimes made things feel repetitive but Tommy's personality, voice, and story shone throughout. TY to NG

It was such an honor to be able to read an ARC of @tommy.dorfman memoir. Such a well-written and insightful reflection of her early life and the beginning of her career. Tommy’s heart shines through these chapters and I can’t wait for the public to be able to read them! I adored the way she used tarot as her guiding spirit through her life this far!

I really loved the way Tommy was able to look back at her actions and lifestyle before becoming sober and work through them while still holding compassion for all past versions of herself. Make sure to pre-order this book that hits shelves on May 27th!!!

Not for me! Although I understand the disjointed narrative might be the point (progress isn’t always linear etc) I found it difficult to get in to. However, Tommy’s joie de vivre really shone through and she offered many insights into her journey as a woman, actor, and celebrity.

An interesting and engaging view into Tommy's life and experiences, this book keep me interested throughout. I appreciated the author's honesty in self-reflection. For the sake of being able to add the book to my high school library, I wish some of the descriptions/details regarding sex and drugs were less graphic, but I also understand that they totally make sense for adult readers (which will be the primary audience). It seemed a bit disorganized/repetitive, but I think that could just be a mistake in the early version I previewed.

Synopsis: A Memoir about the life of Tommy Dorfman

Thoughts: Tommy Dorfman came into my life when I watched the Netflix show "13 Reasons Why." I followed her on Instagram and watched as she went through her transition and transformation. I found this book to be very informational about her life and transition. There was a lot of information that I was unaware of about her. It was a quick read.

Thank you to Tommy Dorfman, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

i’ve followed tommy’s story since she was on thirteen reasons why and i’m so happy to see her living as her authentic self. i liked the way the book was set up with the tarot readings as well.

I absolutely adore Tommy Dorfman and I am so glad I got to read her memoir. I was worried it may be much like other celebrity memoirs where I find little to nothing to conenct with their glamorous lives with only one element of heir identity in common with mine. But I was quickly reassured by her writing voice and her very concise control over how she shared her transition journey. As a transmasc non-binary person myself, I was surprised and gratified deeply with how much of her self-reflection and gender reckoning aligned with my own throughout my life. The last time I felt this kind of connection to a celebrity memoir was reading Eliot Page's, which, at one point, had me sobbing by the roadside while listening to the audiobook. I wasn't reduced to tears by Tommy's partly because I read it in print and perhaps because of the tone she struck throughout which was less tragic and more curious about the intersections of all aspects of her identity. I cannot wait to see how her art blossoms and what other stories she chooses to share in all her various mediums of talent.

good book about tommy life and marriage and her decision to change her gender. It was interesting learning about their rise to fame and their marriage. good book.