This is such a good book! Vanessa begins her book at the end of her reign as Miss America, which of course, I remember. Her personality shines through her writing. Vanessa’s mom, Helen, pops in here and there to give her side of the story. I found Vanessa to be so strong, so brave. Whatever happened, she found a way to hold her head up high and move through it.

I loved how she was such a hopeless romantic. She had dreams, success, failure, fame, and yet at the heart of it all she’s just a real person. Reading her memoir felt like chatting with a good friend.