I love a comeback story with inspirational elements, and this book delivered. Read in the author’s voice, it’s a story of her descent into addiction and her journey of recovery.

This is a really interesting memoir about a young woman and her experience with addiction. The narration is good and the story is engaging. Despite doing some questionable things, she's a likeable person. An unstable childhood turned into chaotic teenage years and then spiralled into addiction. This is definitely a good insight into living with addiction.

Pretty Wrecked is the memoir of Tracy Viola, a recovering addict and alcoholic, in her attempt to strive for purpose, clarity, peace and joy.

This is an honest, heartfelt, surprisingly funny, yet cautionary tale about addiction and recovery. The audiobook is narrated by Tracy herself, which adds to the depth of emotion evident in this story.

This story is frighteningly relatable, highlighting the layered misery of self-medication, trauma and addiction, while also being inspirational and emphasizes the capacity for personal growth.

Many thanks to Tracy Viola and BooksGoSocial Audio for the listening review copy for review consideration, via NetGalley.

I have to be really careful with addiction stories. I find "greatest hits packages" (e.g., "I remember the time I did all these drugs/drank so much and got so wasted and did all this stuff") to be triggering. This is more so the younger the memoirist was at the time. For this reason, I passed on Pretty Wrecked: Confessions of a Teenage Addict and Her Road to Recovery the first time. The last thing I needed was to be reminded of... how to put this gently... how much I was not an it girl.

And, yeah, Tracy Viola was all the things I worried about: my age, much prettier (competed in a beauty pageant), popular, cool friends, access to experiences as a teen that I still haven't had at 46. The funny thing is, instead of making me feel bad, she just kept me feeling positive about my own journey. It was especially nice of her to allow her friend to speak about his own passive suicide via alcohol due to a dark personality. It's good to know that you aren't the only one. Not every kid who tokes at a party ends up in a fistfight over a crack rock, but some do. Recovery is work, and Tracy Viola makes that perfectly clear. She shows that it can be so worth it, though.

I really hope that Pretty Wrecked: Confessions of a Teenage Addict and Her Road to Recovery gets the widespread readership that it deserves. I would especially recommend the audiobook, as it meant so much more hearing Tracy Viola herself tell her story. I would like to thank BooksGoSocial Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

It’s hard to imagine that someone so young can so quickly turn into an addict. One moment doing something so simply being a teenage girl to quickly relying on a substance to numb everything.

At first I was throw off by the authors voice and didn’t know it I would be able to listen to it. Thankfully, once she relaxed it became an easy flowing gentle cadence. You could tell some of the moments which had more of an impact, the inflection that she uses is honest and genuine. Sometimes I just want to hug her teenage self while at others I’m like we could be friends…I’m always down for cruising 😂.

There were moments that it felt like Richard the prick (originally I was going to go with Richard the dickard, but you never know your audience), was someone she could use to blame things on. Or her father. The going back to them as main sources of her becoming what she did. Toward the end though the author shares the realization she had that, yes they were catalysts but she was the problem. She had the responsibility of the actions she took to deal with. From there she was able to grow, heal and change. She was finally able to address some of the things she had swept under the wayside before or as she says put in the trash can and covered.

Her college experience was at times heartbreaking but man do I hope some way or some how she is able to finally link up with Ashley. I hope that she is doing amazing and succeeding in life also.

In the end, this is a raw unfettered look at how addiction is for people. Specifically young people. The book levels out how marijuana is an addictive drug, no matter how much society wants to deny it. It has an impact on the decisions and actions that the person who is addicted makes. This novel offers a clear look at how the friends and family of the individual are impacted and the lengths someone will go for something they believe they HAVE to have. I found this to be an enjoyable read, on line with some other books written about growing up in these time periods but still unique because it shared the ability to get out of it. The love and support the author had from those around her was amazing. The counselors in her second recovery place were truly blessings.

I think the only thing I have left is to ask to see pictures of ruffles…him passing brought out all the feels.


And to disclose that I was provided a free copy of this for my honest, unbiased review and that’s what you are getting. I would recommend this book to those who are looking for an easy yet insightful read. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

Heartfelt and inspiring, this memoir of addiction follows the author from childhood, through tumultuous adolescence and young adulthood, into a successful adulthood. In a fun and lively voice readers are reminded to let go of stereotypes about addicts. Some scenes will be triggering for those in recovery, but most readers will laugh and learn while enjoying the read

Wow, what an absolutely fantasticly written and well narrated memoir by someone who has experienced various hurdles in life. Tracy goes into vast detail explaining her childhood, which led to her journey of addiction and tragically also further pain of events that happened throughout this time frame. This is by no means a book of over sharing but giving enough detail for the listener/ reader to comprehend the whys and wherefores that lead Tracy on the path she was on.

The fact that this is narrated personally just really adds to the authenticaticy of this memoir where it feels like you can truly understand and feel the words you're hearing. It takes a great deal of courage to share your life, raw authentic and vulnerable, and to also do so in narrating yourself is a real credit to this woman!

Although this journey is based alot on addiction, trauma and of course the fight back in various ways for her life it simply cannot be denied this book has humour which I believe would make it relatable to anyone but especially younger generation who may be experiencing difficulties with any of these areas in life.

Absolutely fantastic, listen to hear how someone overcame so much. Whilst being able to become the best version of herself in her healing journey and personal growth against all odds, Tracy shows how it can be done. For anyone out there listening to this possibily on this journey of recovery or feels close to it, I hope you also find your peace and healing in this book and in your life.

With thanks to Netgalley & BookGoSocial Audio for this audiobook.

Wow. What an inspirational read.

Now, please forgive me this, normally accounts of surviving and recovering from addiction’s are a bit self centred or looking to cast blame, no judgement, in my experience it’s the nature of the beast. It’s a selfish disease, addiction. Aswell as that I’ve read very few accounts that I’d wish to share with an addict, there are lots of “quit lit” type books out there, the majority of them are terrifyingly bad. This genuinely belongs in the self help category. The main takeaway for me, I see real recovery, real work done, over and over, day after day, and a woman who needs to be damned proud of not only surviving but achieving success with a real desire to make others lives better.

The scary part is, I related to much to teen Tracy, we had so many similarities so many similar situation’s that I kept thinking, god that could’ve been me so easily. I doubt I’d have made it the way Tracy did.

Warm, funny, obviously distressing but above all, utterly inspiring.

There are a few little wobbles with sound on the audio but there’s really no other option to 5 🌟

Congratulations Tracy.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

My thanks to BooksGoSocial Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title 🎧

Tracy Viola’s Pretty Wrecked is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking novel that transcends its focus on addiction to deliver a universal message about self-care, mental health, and living in the moment. While the story delves deeply into the struggles of addiction, its themes resonate far beyond, offering insight and inspiration to readers regardless of their personal experiences.

The narrative is both raw and relatable, capturing the challenges of addiction while highlighting the resilience and courage needed to face them. Viola doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities, but she also emphasizes hope and the power of personal growth. The book’s exploration of mental health and self-improvement is particularly compelling, reminding readers of the importance of prioritizing their own well-being in a world that often demands constant outward focus.

One of the standout elements of the novel is its sharp critique of societal pressures, especially as seen through the subplot involving parents obsessing over their children’s futures. Viola deftly challenges this mindset, urging readers to embrace the present rather than being consumed by fears of what’s to come. It’s a refreshing perspective that feels especially relevant in today’s fast-paced, achievement-driven culture.

Pretty Wrecked is more than just a story about addiction—it’s a call to reflect, heal, and prioritize what truly matters. Tracy Viola has crafted a powerful narrative that inspires empathy, self-awareness, and a renewed focus on mental health. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a story with heart, purpose, and an enduring message of hope.

A powerful and honest memoir from a recovered addict. Tracy infuses humor into her journey to recovery, making it relatable and believable that anyone could face similar challenges, and sharing how it unfolded for her. However, the true essence of Tracy's story lies in what she decided to do after her recovery.