5.0 out of 5 stars Life

M.M. · September 10, 2011

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } If you're looking for a book on how to break into the PR or fashion business then this isn't the book you're looking for. And if you're someone who was always comfortable with your A-to-B route through life pre-planned long before your twenties, then you won't care for this, either. This is the deeply personal tale of this woman's rollercoaster journey through life. It reminds me a little of Cameron Crowe's classic, Jerry Maguire, who "had to lose everything in order to come out on top"...So far I've seen a lot of parallels between myself and this woman. Not because fast-paced big city life particularly appeals to me; I never spent any time partying until 5AM every night or piling up thousands of dollars of debt in unpaid parking tickets or developing a notoriously dangerous drug habit. I also know very well I will never have the kind of energy she has... But because I have a similar kind of beatnick spirit that never found religious fulfillment my parents' system of Catholic church twice a year, and was always uncomfortable with the path I was letting myself get pushed along: I went off to the star state-school instead of taking it slow at the local community college like I'd wanted - which resulted in dropping out after one year and transferring to art school much to the disappointment of my mother. Then letting my life grow stagnant in the slow whirlpool of family drama, part-time jobs, and old crew of party-hard friends (which resulted in me jumping into the military just to get away from it all and force myself to fly the nest)... But having found the guts to strike out and do my own things a few of times in life I still, like this woman, find myself plagued by self-doubt and paralyzed by fear and worry - demons whose voices only feel stronger as I grow older and the pressure over other traditional things in life like cranking out some kids to be done all the more quickly intensifies...If you're like me then this book may actually speak to you personally, and help you develop methods to work through your doubts and fears in order to become a more together person who's confident that she'll die without regrets...

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutrone successfully addresses the realistic path to success...

H. · December 8, 2011

Once I started reading this book, just couldn't put it down. I first saw Cutrone as one of the guests at the Dr. Phil show. I found her to be a no nonsense, fearless and enigmatic woman, to say the least. Her book confirmed my perception, plus it gave me an insight into what she went through to be the successful career woman she is today. She addresses the good, the bad and the ugly of the choices she had made throughout her life journey. However, don't be mistaken, it is not an autobiography of Ms Cutrone. It is about her process to be succesful while she struggled to find who she really was. In summary, Ms. Cutrone shows through her life process that the road to success is not always a straight road, yet it is a journey with lots of bumps,ups and downs, which can lead to success if you want it really badly. It isn't either a self help book with rapid success recipes. Her narrative simply addresses the unavoidable to be at the top of the game.Her writing style is very cautivating, for she seems to be a woman who isn't afraid nor ashamed of her life process to success. I felt as if she was talking to me directly with a genuine willingness to share her experiences while climbing the real her-single mother-career success ladders at the same time. She is extremely forthcoming and realistic. I can say that because I had a similar journey to become the successful career woman I've become.This book is worth every penny I paid for, because she tries for people, specially the ones facing the out of college reality, to understand that success is only worth pursuing if you are willing to pay the price, with blood, sweat and tears, in a very interesting, sometimes funny and somewhat sarcastic way.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read

A.C. · January 27, 2011

I am an avid reader. I have been known to devour 9 books in a week when I have taken a break from my hectic life. I have NEVER read this type of book from start to finish. I prefer a series and get bored with anything less than a roller coaster ride from a book. This is the First and Only book I have bought, read and enjoyed from start to finish that did not fall into that category. I had no clue who Kelly is, and have no desire to learn about fashion. This did not stop me from reading the book. I read it as a woman who wanted to hear Kelly's view as a woman after seeing her on Dr. Phil. I do not regret reading the book and recommend it to anyone who wants to hear some funny, inspiring, and powerful views from the life of another woman, through the course of trial and error. I was raised by a Christian mother (almost Pentecostal) in a small town. I was not offended by the content or view of religion in this book. We are all entitled to our views, which is what makes the world a colorful place.I love Kelly's bitchiness and honesty. Yes there is name dropping, which meant nothing to me because I have no clue who the majority of the people are, but it is part of Kelly's life. How can you tell a story like this without mentioning people who were involved? Or how can you make a point of the level of pressure, expectations, or atmosphere without the names?I completely agree with the programmed thought process we are given as women and find it refreshing for someone to point it out. I got the overall points Kelly was trying to make and found her way of telling it entertaining. If this had been another boring `self help' book, I would not have made it past the first chapter.... Life is a learning curve full of trial and error and often we do what is expected rather than what we really want.I will be sending this book to my 21 year old daughter's kindle for her to read. I think the underlying messages are clear and something for her to hear from someone other than her mother.. I'm sure she will find it as equally entertaining as I did.I applaud Kelly for putting this book out there for some of us to love and for others to hate..

This is one of my favourite books. Kelly is such a strong person and ...

m. · November 2, 2015

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } This is one of my favourite books. Kelly is such a strong person and I like that. I read this book everytime I need someone to tell me:" Go on! just do it and stop crying!!"

I can't count how many times I have read this ...

A.C. · March 9, 2017

I can't count how many times I have read this book now, and everytime I get an extra tid-bit of info I missed the time before. Definitely a go-to read book!

Boring

D.K. · July 24, 2019

Superficial and boring. It was so bad I could not read the whole thing. Dropped after the first few chapters. I could not relate to anything written in it. Def. don't recommend it.

Tough Cookie Cutrone

L.R. · August 24, 2010

I have watched that awfully inane The City and thought Kelly Cutrone was the best thing in it. This is a real eye opener - a warts and all story. Cutrone tells her story - how she came to New York, got involved in drugs, built her business. This lady is one tough cookie - with a heart. She is quite spiritual and this comes into the book which I wasn't expecting and which isn't my cup of tea but don't let that put you off. Not a bad read at all.

Loved this book, very easy and entertaining read.

A.S. · September 4, 2013

I really enjoyed reading Kelly's book, I always loved her powerful woman attitude and was in awe about some of her troubles in her life. I always like it when successful people tell their stories - great perspective.