I couldn't put this book down. No, really. Lauren Hough hooked me on her story from page one, and never lagged. She takes the reader into worlds most of us don't know about and she doesn't skimp on the details. Being raised in a cult is only part of her story, and she is masterful at weaving together how that foundation has affected every other life experience after it. I fully expect this one to hold a prominent place on those "Best of" book lists. I cannot wait to read more from her.

You may be skeptical of anyone who sets out to write their memoirs while still in their 40s, but Lauren Hough has earned an exemption. She grew up in a cult (The Family/Children of God), was driven out of the Air Force by homophobia, experienced homelessness and spent time in jail. Most people wouldn't have survived. Hough, an exceptionally talented writer, survived and somehow summoned the courage to share what she saw and felt along the way. The essays in "Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing" will make you angry, fill you with sadness and occasionally give you a chuckle. The book is an important window into what it's like for those trying to get by on minimum wage/at the margins without any of the societal or financial supports that some people take for granted.

This is maybe one of the best collection of memoir-y essays I've read in a LONG TIME. There's literally something to weep or laugh over on every page. I can't put it down. I can't stop laughing. I can't stop crying. I've highlighted half the book. Lauren Hough is an extraordinary writer, and an extraordinarily real one. Full disclosure, I lived through some similar experiences - not ALL of them, but some of them, but even if I hadn't, I'd be pushing this book on people because this is a life to behold and there's a lot of understanding to be found here.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The writing style is not my cup of tea and the essays, while interesting, felt repetitive after a while.

Hough shares a lot of traumatic experiences from death threats, prison, transience, and growing up in a cult there is a lot of heavy topics. Hough shares her various jobs and experiences. There's a lot of jumping around - I feel like I would've been more into the stories being shared if they were in some kind of linear or chronological order, I felt like I was trying to catch up in each chapter to figure out where in time it relates to the others. The essays are honest and vulnerable but some are more reflective than others.

Overall it was a little too dark for me but covers some very unique experiences.

I am a huge fan of short stories. Lauren did not disappoint. So many of these stories are heart breaking Raw and real. Some are full of love and light and hope. Some are full of laughter. I couldn’t put it down and found myself wanting to read page after page and learn more about Lauren’s life. I especially appreciated her reflection on the privilege of her life and how it had perhaps altered different paths and other choices. Very well written. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A tough read but will be attractive to those who liked An Education. Fascinating look at the family cult, which I knew nothing about. A little rants toward the end with out a clear conclusion.

Beautiful in the most real and raw way. If you ever wondered about what it's like to grow up in a cult this book is a must read. You will cry, you will dream, you will cheer our heroine on in every page. She is a survivor, a real life hero. It's long but worth every minute. I hope the author continues to write and I hope she can find all the happiness she deserves. Thank you to Lauren Hough, Vintage Books and Random House for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

This book of essays felt really disjointed. I understand that each one was supposed to read as a stand alone piece (maybe?) but it was weird reading it and having details repeat from story to story. I think I was introduced to Jay no less than three times, and an ankle surgery was so vaguely referenced in one piece I thought I had missed a page or two, only to have more information on it be revealed in the next piece. Also, the writing style wasn't for me-- it was choppy and the casualness of it slowed down my reading pace. I really felt for the author at some moments-- getting kicked out of the Air Force, her time in jail, and how she almost found herself houseless. I thought I was going to love this so much more than I did as I love memoirs that reflect on childhood and how it affects us as adults (like Education or Aftershocks), but this one left me really disappointed.

I follow Lauren Hough on Twitter and was so happy to ready an ARC of this book. She’s an incredible writer and the subjects are funny and heart-breaking at the same time. I work in a job that has a lot of secondary trauma and I appreciate the way that she’s honest and funny about difficult subjects. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Open honest raw the author holds nothing back, A group of essays that really involved in the authors amazing brave life,Highly recommend this amazing collection,#nergalley#knopf Doubledaybooks.

I had read Lauren's Cable essay and I follow her on twitter so I was already a fan of her voice and perspective. I really enjoyed this set of essays. Her ability to really get into the nuance and feelings of being part of a marginalized group was so resonant. The chapter on her time being incarcerated, the unequal balance of power and how that continues to impact years and years later was eye opening. I highly recommend this book, I think many people struggling will feel a connection and I think people who have a great deal of privilege might learn something new. I also very much appreciated her commentary on hope and depression, it was piercing and poignant both.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A really great book of essays. I loved everyone and her story was so interesting and she spoke about it so plainly. I couldn’t put it down. I loved her point of view and clear style.

I received an advance copy of, Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing, by Lauren Hough. I did not like this book. The language, the situations. It is a sad story though.

I very seldom read anything that mentions “Essays” (especially written for “Adults”), but I am so glad I found Lauren through Twitter and discovered her book, because this was something special.

Lauren’s writing is extremely approachable and even though you read some traumatic things in this book, something about her delivery makes it not hard to push through. She can also be incredibly funny, and I found myself cackling quite a few times.

The last chunk of the book is very very good. While my mom may not connect or want to read this, I will definitely be having her read the last 2% of the book because of the discussions we’ve had this year about the state of our country and the world. This was one of my favorite parts of the book.

If you’re a fan of memoir, of essays, of books about moving through life overcoming any obstacle in your way, this is for you. Or, if you’re like me, and you love reading about strong queer people, this is also for you.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review. Please go buy this book. I know I will be.

This is a stunning collection of essays. There are some truly harrowing circumstances within these pages -religious sex cults, gay military life, a stint in solitary confinement, installing cable in Dick Cheney's house. The fact that the author not only survived them, but is able to write about them with such clarity, humor and raw, unflinching honesty is damn near miraculous.

Do you ever click with someone at a party or a bar? Not romantically but you're just on the same level at the same time and you're telling stories and sharing confidences and they are the most interesting person in the room, on the block, maybe the whole planet. You leave that night, high on a friend crush but then never manage talk to them again.
That's how reading this book felt, each essay is part of that long conversation, in turns smart, intimate, nihilist, and funny as hell. Hough writes in places like she's sharing a smoke with you (Badlands) and in other places like the single voice of reason in a world that is a cacophony of bullshit (Everything That's Beautiful Breaks My Heart.)

Overall, I enjoyed this essay collection and would recommend it. The writer has lived a truly unique, interesting life, which makes the book inherently intriguing. Hough is a talented writer. Her voice, especially, is what shines here; consistent throughout, Hough is wry, dark, funny, and sharp. She covers a number of topics well, including depression, sexual assault, lesbian identity, and leaving the military. Unfortunately, because the collection is very much "telling" (as opposed to being written in scenes), sometimes the voice misses the mark. Sometimes the voice felt too abrasive and argumentative, and the use of "you" and "we" was never fully interrogated in a way that made me cringe. Some of the book also felt inconsistent; we're told that mom buys the narrator a car, and pays for an extra attorney, but talk about borrowing money (or even moving in with family) doesn't come up when the narrator lives in her car. We're told the writer came out and started dating women in DC, but an ex is referenced back in South Carolina. These aren't huge points in the overall book, but left me, as a reader, feeling a little disjointed. Overall, I do still recommend the book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I want to high-five Lauren. She is a total badass, and I can’t imagine how she has done it. Her writing was descriptive and kept me interested the entire time. From the military to the cable company... I laughed, I cried, I was angry and yet I wanted more. I think Lauren is able to capture so much detail in each essay. My only complaint would be I wished it was more cohesive- from beginning to end- based off the locations and time periods of her life. I loved this book.