A Story of Addiction (Memoir Series) - Memoirs Aren't Fairytales

With one taste, the love that once flowed through Nicole's veins turns into cravings. Tracks mark the passing of time, and heroin's grip gets tighter. It holds her hand through deaths and prostitution, but her addiction keeps her in the darkness. When her family tries to strike a match to help light her way, Nicole must choose between a life she can hardly remember, or a love for heroin she'll never forget. This caught my eye,before I bought n read this book.An Awesome book for all teens & young adults is a must read.I felt if this type of book was around when I was this age,I may not have had my addiction to alcohol.I will highly recommend this book to all my friends of teens,young adults & also recovering addicts!

Even though the writing wasn't great, the story was pretty graphic and somewhat exhilarating--like that old adage: watching a car wreck that you can turn your eyes away from. The girls descent from her upper middle class, beorgious upbringing to becoming a street hooker is a frightening tale. And it speaks of the essence of just how powerful this drug, heroin, is. It certainly made me stop in my tracks. A good cautiionalry tale.

Loved, loved, loved it. Couldn't put it down. When I finished reading it I couldn't stop thinking about the characters. Bought the sequel immediately afterwards so I could find out what happened to everyone. I have since reread both books, twice.

What an amazing story! Fiction that, no doubt, is true for many drug addicts out there on the streets. This book is raw and gritty, shocking and haunting. A page-turner that kept me at the edge of my bed late at night. The ending left me with tears in my eyes and a heavy feeling in my chest.

This book captures the horrors of heroin addict and the way experimentation with drugs like marijuana and hallucinogens can lead to crack and heroin as the addict searches for the ultimate high. Nicole is courageous to share her story so completely. I hope she is still in recovery.

Marni Mann's novel, Memoirs Aren't Fairytales: A Story of Addiction, grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go until I had read the last page. As Nicole progressed through one drug after another, I regressed to the mother of teen daughters; frightened by the thought that my girls could have experienced even one episode of Nicole's fall. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a work of fiction. It was the reality of each scene that scared me the most. I believe this should be required reading for every teen and every parent of a teen. This is a testament for every parent to be aware of what their children are doing when they are away from their home. Congratulations, Marni.

If your life has ever been touched by addiction (either yourself or a loved one) this story will not only pull but tear at your heart-strings. A must-read, especially if you need a good cry. So sad, so tragic, yet a glimmer of hope at the end. One must envision a better future for our heroine (no pun intended).

I really enjoyed this novel. It was well-written and hard to put down, but really examines some of the harsh realities of addiction. Could be sensitive to someone with experience in this world, but the writer really did a great job of conveying emotions.

As a 25 year old recovering heroin addict myself, I could not stop reading this book. It is spot on- realistic. I can not believe that someone who has not lived through the experience, could write such an amazing, accurate book. This is by far the best book I have read about drug abuse. I encourage every single person thinking about reading this, to do so. It is brilliant. THANK YOU FOR WRITING SUCH A PERSONAL- BEAUTIFUL STORY. I can relate all to well. FIVE STARS.

this book is awesome......it tells you exactly how it is in a heroin's life....this book i just couldn't put down....this book was so good....i love books like this where i can't put it down...that's how good it is......thanks for writing this book....i loved it

There was something real about this story. Something I couldn't put my finger on but it gave me nightmares. The narrator is just as shocked as we are that she's sunk to a new level each time it happens which adds another layer. Quick but disturbing read and I have a strong stomach.

My daughter had a problem with heroin. Thank God she is 2 years sober, this book gave me an inside look at what her live was like at that time. It was hard to read, but very well written. My daughter read it after I did, she said it was pretty right on.

Marni's writing transported me to the nasty side of the heroin user's life. This book was fascinating & repulsive at the same time and I couldn't put it down. I felt I was next to the main character feeling & breathing what she did.

In between reading sessions I was thinking about what would happen next. I would renegotiate my own life's priorities so I could get back to read the next page. The book, about a girl trapped in addiction, is ironically, addictive.

As I was reading and living everything through her perspective, I was the still small voice of reason in her head. I was frustrated as she shut me out, then trying to hang on tightly through every turn while looking for the next opportunity to will her in the right direction.

It's been a while since I've been so moved by a book.

This book really opened my eyes to the struggles of addiction. I recommend this book to hurting family members of loved ones in the midst of their addiction and/or recovery. The story really hit home. It's tragic, moving, powerful and true.

I never knew what an addiction would be like. This book goes into great detail what a addict goes through. The people they hurt and the own personal suffering. I didn't want to put this book down...would recommend

Excellent, as someone that knows many who have been through rehab and dealt with such problems, this is very real and it kept me up all night wanting to find out what happened next. I read it in 2 days. Cant wait to read the next one! Highly recommend!

I just finished this book and I cant stop thinking it. We have a heroin addict in the family and it was eye opening to hear it from their point of view. Addiction is terribled it affects every life it touches. Thank you for this book. It was a well put together story and this author really did her research

Give yourself enough time to read this book in one sitting, because that's what you'll want to do. Following Nicole's journey and watching her slip into the arms of addiction keeps you wanting to know what happens next. Mann does a phenomal job of connecting the reader to the emotional rollercoaster of drug use and the world that forms around it. The words create images in your head that make you feel like you're watching the story unfold right in front of you. A great read and education on what addiction is really about.

I loved this book right from the beginning. I hated having to put it down when I went to work and read it non stop when I wasn't at work. I finished it in 2 days and was actually really sad when it ended, it was THAT good of a book. I felt like I was sitting on Nicole's(the main character) shoulder while I read this book. It was so descriptive and well written that I could literally feel what she was feeling. I am going to recommend this to all of my friends!

no pretensions here.A look into the daily life of a hard core junkie.Her life is not hers anymore because it belongs to heroin.There is much denial as she descends to the bottom of hell.If you depress easy dont read this

I am already a fan of recovering drug addict memoirs so some if the graphic events in this book did not come as a surprise to me. It was so raw and real and the author did not leave any of the nitty gritty details out. Right when you think they have hit their absolute lowest, they manage to dive down a little deeper into the spiraling chaos of drug addiction. Excellent short read.

A truly amazing book that I really enjoyed reading yet was left feeling awful. It was such a great story, but so terrifyingly realistic and depressing. It makes you think of the people that have similar real life stories of addiction. I was crying so many times but couldn't put it down.

Haunting, spectacular book about the dangers of addiction and how it ruins lives.
The characters are portrayed beautifully, and realistically. The story is harsh, and absorbing. The end result stays with you for a long time. Could not put it down!
Great author. I'm going to have to pick up another of her books.

Every heroin addict has a story of jails, rehabs, and dead friends, but this girls story is HEAVY! A very real account of a junky's life on the streets, all the horrible things that she had to do to stay well. Does she O.D., go to rehab, or to prison? All three? Read it & find out, you'll be glad you did. Probably won't be able to put it down!!! Great read, very true & real.

This book was incredibly heart wrenching. The writter captured the life of an addict very well. It took you on a journey page after page. I was sucked in from chapter one. Looking forward to reading more of Marbi Mann work.

Couldn't believe how well the author described the addiction, almost felt I was there with Cole...........I never read stuff this sad, or it usually has a happy ending. I did like the ending but there is A LOT OF SAD in this story, but I also guess that's what u get when dealing with drugs. Loved the message that therapy is very important in healing after rape or any other life altering situation. :)

I lived with this girl while reading and hated her every minute of it. So dumb, so predictable, so real.
I can only pray someone less fortunate than me will find the help she wanted but could not accept.
I am relieved it is over.

Addiction has touched my life far too intimately, and I know I am not alone in this nightmare of having to watch my friends and loved ones battling this insidious disease. Marni brings you right into the dark reality of how addiction steals your life and dreams, hope and prayers-even if you aren't the one using.

The most suprising thing about this book is that is it a work of fiction. She has quite simply nailed her subject matter and it is an amazing read. Hard to put down and very interesting. I have seen this life and know the charactors all too well. It brought back memories, good and back. It's a fantastic book and I'm straight back to see if she has any others. It's just that good.

I definitely thought it was an actual memoir until halfway through when it started to seem unrealistic. Confusing title. It's pretty dark and I sort of have a problem with fiction like this because it seems it's just for shock value but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Not totally outrageous, but I definitely would never believe that it was a true story. It seems like the author has a definite past with addiction but embellished a lot?