I Shouldn't Be Telling You This: (But I'm Going to Anyway)

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 299 ratings

Price: 22.04

Last update: 01-06-2025


About this item

"It’s f*cking great!!! Raw, intimate, hilarious, actually inspiring.”–Jon Stewart

*A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK FROM BUSTLE, GOODREADS, GOODREADS, SHEREADS, BOOKRIOT, AND MORE*

A dynamic memoir-in-essays by comedian, screenwriter, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez, detailing her tumultuous upbringing and uproarious career path into Hollywood, featuring a bonus chapter exclusive to the audio edition.

There are things Chelsea Devantez probably shouldn’t be telling you. Many of them are in this book: some are embarrassing (like when she tried to break her three year spell of celibacy using a guide of seduction tips). Some are confessional (getting sentenced to the “hell hill” at Mormon church camp). Some are TMI (a series of outrageous doctor visits that ended with one doctor misdiagnosing her as “pregnant.” Woopsies!).

Then there are things Chelsea really shouldn’t be telling you: like the time her biggest family secret was publicly outed, or about the drive-by shootings and the precipitating domestic violence she survived. Yet through it all, it’s the women in Chelsea’s life who kept her going–from the lowest points of her childhood when she and her mom had only $100 left to their name, all the way to her career highs as the Emmy-nominated Head Writer for The Problem with Jon Stewart and sensational podcaster deemed “the celebrity memoir whisperer” by her fans.

In I Shouldn't Be Telling You This, Chelsea centers each story around a different woman who shaped her life, taking us on a tour of friends and strangers, fictional characters and celebrities, heroes and villains who will destroy any Netflix algorithm for a “strong female lead.” Listening to it will feel kinda like that moment at a party when your friend beckons you close, sloshes her martini around, and covertly whispers, “I really shouldn’t say this, but…”


Top reviews from the United States

  • Michaela
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING BOOK - read it!!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
    This book will make you go “oh boy”, will make you laugh, and will make you cry. Chelsea has an amazing and unique story to tell, which she does humorously and gracefully in this book. If you like her podcast you’ll love this, if you liked this book listen to her podcast “Glamorous Trash”!
  • terri
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
    Full of raw emotion and humor.
  • JZ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2024
    You shouldn't have told me all of this, BUT I'm glad that you did ANYWAY!!! Thank you for sharing your triumphs, setbacks, and nightmares lived and/or dreamed... sometimes one can't decipher the difference. Your courage to do this is a testament to yourself and your mother, and you should never have to doubt yourself ever again! But we all know you will, as we will too! ❤️ I'm empowered, refreshed, calmed, and hopeful ..again. How is this even possible? I will officially (and legally) become a KardashianZ in 2 weeks! ????????❤️
  • Jax
    5.0 out of 5 stars A revelation!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    The author's mastery of comedy brings great levity to some dark situations in her history and the overarching focus on women uplifting other women was deeply inspiring.

    I am truly and eternally grateful to have read this book, I feel like it taught me things about even myself. I have already bought several additional copies for friends.
    Customer image
    Jax
    5.0 out of 5 stars A revelation!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    The author's mastery of comedy brings great levity to some dark situations in her history and the overarching focus on women uplifting other women was deeply inspiring.

    I am truly and eternally grateful to have read this book, I feel like it taught me things about even myself. I have already bought several additional copies for friends.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • heidi hilleary
    5.0 out of 5 stars amazing book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2024
    Thank you for sharing your story ! It is a beautifully written memoir by Chelsea Devantez . I highly recommend the audible version as well.
  • Monique F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, brilliant and hilarious
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
    Absolute rawness and vulnerability wrapped up in hilarious sarcasm. You root for Chelsea the whole book, because she reminds you of that rare friend that makes anything seem possible. Bravo to this woman’s first book! Introspective and intelligent.
  • Vanessa P
    4.0 out of 5 stars An insightful memoir
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024
    I don’t usually read memoirs but Chelsea Devantez’s sounded intriguing. Her essays were raw and layered to show the significance in her life. Some of her stories were heartbreaking, especially when she describes her abuse. I didn’t like the redacted parts but I understood why they were in there. They ended up being more impactful as a whole.

    The memoir is insightful with Chelsea’s bits of wisdom and I loved how she wrote about her godmother. She talked about overcoming her trauma and I really respect her vulnerability.
  • Maura K. Phelan
    5.0 out of 5 stars From fantastic podcaster to beloved author!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
    I discovered Chelsea Devantez during the pandemic when I was yearning for an entertaining podcast to distract me from world events. Much to my delight, the podcast was funny, poignant, and insightful. Chelsea has an extraordinary ability to communicate clearly about the complexities women face in the world today. Since her podcast called GLAMOROUS TRASH/CELEBRITY BOOK CLUB explores the power of women telling their stories, I knew it was only a matter of time before she wrote her own memoir. And wow - it is fantastic! Enjoy the laugh-out-loud moments as well as the more profound and challenging experiences Chelsea bravely shares. I cannot recommend it more highly!

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