Reviews

This Will Only Hurt a Little, by Busy Philipps

erinmccalla's review against another edition

4.0

I feel like I can’t give these kinds of books 5 stars, because it’s not a novel/literature, but I guess that's not fair? Four stars seems even high, but this was a fun read. It took two flights and a little couch time to finish it. It’s engaging and pretty juicy at times. I like that she doesn’t seem to hold back from saying what she thinks.

kickpleat's review against another edition

5.0

A fucking joy to read and I breezed through it and wished it could go on and on. I was a huge freaks & geeks fan and remember seeing Paul F Tompkins interview her and I immediately wished we could be best friends. Then came her insta stories and her tv show. In this book, Busy is honest about her life and all the shit she had to get through to get where she is now. She calls out bullshit and assholes (yup, James Franco, as if you didn't already guess, is a manipulative POS) and writes about her relationships and her marriage which isn't all perfect. Thanks, Busy for writing such an enjoyable read. A zillion stars.

ms_aprilvincent's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely recommend, if at all possible, that you listen to the audiobook.

I’ve often thought that Busy Phillips would be perfect to portray my life story, from her slightly-larger-than-Hollywood-acceptable frame to her sparkled S to her loud laugh. I’ve loved her in all her tv shows and her IG, and I love her in this book.

She confirmed how I feel about James Franco, so that’s a bonus.

thelitficagenda's review against another edition

4.0

I loved listening to this on audio

juliescalzo's review against another edition

5.0

I looooved this book. It was recommended to me after I loved Leah Remini’s and Gabrielle Union’s books, & it was just as good as those! I listened to it, and Busy narrates it herself. She is so honest and real, and I can so relate to being seen as “a lot” as she says she is also seen as. Also she’s really emotional and owns it; something I need to definitely work on. Plus all of her Hollywood and acting stories are juicy and interesting. It felt like listening to a friend talk and cry with me. And her impressions of her mom were THE BEST.

laurasummers3's review against another edition

4.0

I devoured this book! Busy’s writing style really feels like you are talking to a friend. She is honest - often brutally so - and there are several moments I wanted to find her and high five her for this honesty. The only part of the book I didn’t absolutely love, were the later chapters which felt “Very LA” to me? And by that I mean I couldn’t relate to them as a woman who lives a super normal midwestern life. This is a great book for a quick, fun book you won’t want to put down.

mrschupp08's review against another edition

5.0

I could babe finished this in a day! Great read and easy to read. You feel like your sitting next to your freeing listening to her tell you her life story. I had no idea Busy had such and interesting life! So good!

katie_luder's review against another edition

5.0

I love celebrity memoirs, especially read by the author audiobook celebrity memoirs. I have also been OBSESSED with Freaks and Geeks since I watched the every episode in less than 24 hours on Netflix one summer in college. So when I found out Busy Philipps wrote a book, I had to read it! I laughed and cried.

jvanee's review against another edition

4.0

I really liked the honesty in the book but the arc/theme was harder to follow. It wasn’t a collection of essays really but the last chapters about recent life felt rushed. The last summary chapter tried to sum things up but because the arc was really only introduced at the end, t was kind of confusing.

I will say there were more f words than I would prefer. Language moving a plot forward is fine but when it because just an adj or used to express every emotion, I feel like it takes away from the story/writing. (May just be in audio)

lukeswinney's review against another edition

5.0

THIS. This is what a celeb memoir should be!

Hilarious. Poignant. And brutally honest.

Busy’s honesty in her book is at times very uncomfortable in the best of ways. You can tell she took her time in unveiling her life stories. It’s not just a snapshot of her life, but a full picture of all her highs and lows. Fun read.

Also, Busy’s narration in the audiobook makes it even better. So good.