I enjoyed Tiffany Jenkins’s previous memoir, _High Achiever_, and thus was happy to be able to read this one, the continuation of her story. She is an entertaining writer, and her story kept me interested throughout. She gives the right level of explanation of not only the events of her life, but her thoughts and feelings as things are happening, to make for a satisfying memoir as she discusses staying clean and moving into the roles of wife and mother, sometimes in unexpected ways. My only disappointment with this book was that I felt that it ended at a strange point, just after a pretty dramatic shift. It seems potentially designed to set her up to write a third memoir, which I’m sure she probably could and at some point she might, but I’d have preferred to have at least a little more of the story contained in this book.

I was captivated from the first page. Tiffany shares her story with unflinching honesty in a smooth, accessible writing style that flows effortlessly, with humor peppered throughout even the darkest moments. This approach offers profound insights into addiction and the formidable challenges of recovery.

The memoir brilliantly highlights how shame and guilt can overwhelm those in recovery, and how vital supportive communities are during this journey. Tiffany's relationship with her father, Colin, her friends and all the people she met during her recovery—who believed in her when she couldn't believe in herself—beautifully illustrates the importance of unwavering support.

This relatable account resonates deeply. Tiffany's courage in sharing her story and her resilience to keep fighting will undoubtedly help countless people. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

This memoir takes you on an intense emotional journey from the very start. It pulls you in and offers a raw, honest look at the tough battle of overcoming addiction.
I felt as though I was right there with Tiffany, walking alongside her as she confronted the demons of addiction and navigated the daily challenges of recovery.
Although I haven’t experienced addiction myself, I’ve seen a loved one go through it, and I’m incredibly proud of Tiffany’s resilience and determination to fight for her sobriety.

As I freely admitted when I read and reviewed Laura Delano’s Unshrunk, “…I have had my share of interactions with mental health care, and that I honestly feel I’m here thanks in part to the wonders of pharmacology and skilled therapy…I also admit that I have close friends and family members who have a totally different view of the whole topic (in fact, one person who used to be (but sadly is no longer) close to me went through what I would call serious traumatic events including suicidal efforts, hospitalization, and major efforts at medical interventions, only to finally throw up her hands and say “f%^k it, I QUIT!” and stop her meds cold turkey. So I have done a fair amount of thinking and wondering what is the best way to deal with a mental health issue…only to finally land on accepting that it’s a totally individual thing and there isn’t one right solution for everyone (ok, go ahead and say it: “DUH!”)”

Because I am curious enough to continue to read and view personal tales of experiences dealing with mental health, I was happy to have the opportunity to read Unshrunk this spring, and I am fortunate once again, as I received a copy of Tiffany Jenkins’s A Clean Mess (thanks to Rodale/Harmony and NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.

Ms. Jenkins proved what an excellent storyteller and brave woman she is with 2019’s High Achiever (perfectly subtitled “The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life,” so I had high hopes for her latest.

Once again, there is a subtitle: “ A Memoir of Sobriety After a Lifetime of Being Numb,” which made me love it going in. With the exception of one seemingly cranky teacher who gave it a strangely low three stars, all the reviews I have seen have praised it for its honesty, vulnerability, humor, and the way it made the readers FEEL. I agree with all of this!

To quote my review of Unshrunk again, “To the extent that everyone has a story to tell, I applaud anyone who can be vulnerable enough to share their story with others.” And wow does Mss. Jenkins have a story to tell, and the skill to do it in a helpful, unflinching, informative, and entertaining way. Bottom line: this one is a solid 5-stars from me .

This is a vivid look into the thoughts and feelings of someone who struggles with addiction. It's fast paced and easy to read... except when it's not easy. Tiffany gave me all the feelings, and I mean ALL. A must read. Loved the deep insight into life with addiction, the difficulties of marriage and family and the importance of following your gut. Thank you for this book!

Perfect. Love her story on mental health, addiction, and recovery. Thank you for sharing your brave story and taking us along your journey.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was an absolute emotional rollercoaster—raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring. It painted an unfiltered picture of addiction, showing both the devastating lows and the hard-fought journey toward recovery. The Jenkins didn’t shy away from the pain, the shame, or the struggles that come with addiction, but they also highlighted the resilience and hope that can follow.

What truly touched my heart was the depth of humanity in this story. It wasn’t just about addiction—it was about a person, their battles, their moments of despair, and the people who stood by them (or didn’t). The writing was powerful, pulling me into every moment as if I were walking through it alongside them.

This is a book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It’s not just a story about addiction; it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit. If you’ve ever wondered what addiction truly looks like—or if you need a reminder that recovery is possible—this book is a must-read.

High Achiever by Tiffany Jenkins has been on my TBR list for quite a while now so I was so grateful to Netgalley and Rodale Inc. for an advanced copy of her second book in exchange for my honest review.

A Clean Mess was a super engaging story - I was excited to pick it up every day and read it in just a couple of days. Jenkins' story is raw and honest. She is an incredible writer who makes you feel like you're living her story right alongside her. I loved the way she mixed up the timeline of her life story - it really got you invested early.

As with anyone who chooses to write their story and release it to the world, I deeply respect Tiffany Jenkins but especially with all of the hardships she faced and overcame, she is one to admire!

I highly recommend his memoir to anyone who loves the memoir genre and anyone who is looking to read a moving story of overcoming addiction, post-partum depression, and navigating life sober. It would be particularly helpful for anyone who has a loved one who has gone through this in life or who works in this field.

Publishing date: June 3, 2025

4.25⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

an important memoir about addiction & recovery. enjoyed the writing style and found the content to be inspirational and helpful

Tiffany Jenkins is an accomplished writer, comic and social media personality. She has written A CLEAN MESS to share her backstory in greater detail than she has previously. She explains clearly her many challenges and re-starts as an addict trying to get good at adulting. With the arrival of her children, she finally has a definite purpose that keeps her life sober and clean. Not so her husband, who provides the present day challenges in this memoir that make it compelling. If this is a reader’s first time ‘meeting’ the author, the book may not mean as much as it does to her fans. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A raw, honest, often humorous exploration of her struggles with addiction, mental health and the journey towards healing. Tiffany Jenkins brings vulnerability and wit to her personal experiences in this moving memoir.

This book is compelling and accessible, filled with relatable moments that pulled me in from the first page. I laughed, I cried and was reminded that healing is a messy, non-linear process worth the effort to reclaim control after experiencing some of life’s greatest challenges. A hundred bajillion stars! Highly recommended!!

I loved Tiffany before reading this book, but can say I love her even more after reading it. It takes guts to give a glimpse into the rawness of life, the good, the bad and the ugly. But being a bad ass bitch and triumphing in the end. This is such a good book

I LOVE TIFFANY JENKINS! I follow her on all my social media because she is a GREAT inspiration to me. As a mother of two girls, I find her content relatable and hilarious. I knew I had to read this book! I LOVE IT!

"A Clean Mess" by Tiffany Jenkins is a heartfelt and humorous memoir that delves into the author's personal journey of navigating the chaos of life while embracing the messiness that comes with it. Jenkins, known for her relatable storytelling and candid approach, shares her experiences with mental health, motherhood, and the challenges of maintaining a balance in a seemingly perfect world.

The book is filled with Jenkins' signature wit and charm, making it an enjoyable read from start to finish. Her ability to find humor in everyday situations allows readers to connect with her on a personal level, as she recounts the ups and downs of her life with authenticity. Jenkins addresses the pressures of being a parent, the struggles of managing expectations, and the importance of self-acceptance in a society that often promotes perfectionism.

The book is structured with a mix of personal anecdotes, reflections, and practical advice, making it both entertaining and insightful. Jenkins' writing style is engaging and relatable, drawing readers in with her conversational tone and relatable stories. Each chapter offers a glimpse into her life, filled with lessons learned and moments of growth.

A beautiful, honest account of the challenges of addiction and recovery. I enjoyed the humor that the author presented while she was in recovery and I found that a welcome difference to many books about addiction and recovery. I was cheering for Tiffany and her family to https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7358292298

I devoured this book in a day as soon as the ARC became available for me. Her previous book, “High Achiever” has always occupied space in my mind. This one continued the story of her life. Raw, thoughtful, and not missing her humor. The power of friendship, the importance of recovery- including sponsors, meetings, and doing the work. I love how her story didn’t shy away from the reality of addiction, relapses, and navigating life. Her vulnerability about anxiety, depression, PPD and everything she experience was written in such a captivating way that I couldn’t put it down. So happy she put out another book, and I’d be thrilled if she did another!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read an early copy of A Clean Mess in exchange for my honest review.

First and foremost, five-fucking-stars!!! I loved Hugh Achiever when it came out and quickly began following Tiffany on social media. I was stoked to be approved to read her new book, A Clean Mess, as an ARC on NetGalley.

Picking up from her release from rehab, I loved the way she set the story up, opening with the present day and then leaving us on a cliff-hanger to go back in time and weave the story back to where she ended up. I can only imagine what it would be like to be a recovering addict and to have the anxiety and mental health issues Ms. Jenkins so candidly discusses sounds damn near impossible. Kudos and much respect to Tiffany for opening up and telling her story, as difficult as I'm sure it has been.. there will always be haters and "trolls" especially when you're big on socials, so I hope that she continues her journey with integrity and maintains all the success she has worked so hard for!!

I am so grateful that I got to read this book thanks to NetGalley.
I’ve followed Tiffany Jenkins’ online for years and have always felt so inspired by her honesty, her humor and her strength. Even though she’s had her battles, she’s still here and she’s still working to make her life better. To say that that is the epitome of strength is an understatement.
This book is beautifully written and is a great insight into both addiction and recovery. Reading her journey felt like hanging out with a friend who needs to bare her soul to feel complete again.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a loved one in their addiction or in recovery.

Although I wouldn't use this book in a class, I enjoyed reading it. It's an important story, and I am glad it is being told. Also it's ultimately a story of triumph in a wonderful way.

I have been a Tiffany fan for a long time. As someone who has a family member in addiction I’ve always watched her videos. I enjoyed reading this book and listening to her story from the beginning. Thanks for sharing Tiffany.

this was a good book! It did not feel like an autobiography or memoir, so that was nice, it was interesting and entertaining! This author has a good story to tell, and it was a fascinating read for sure!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!