This was just okay for me. I think the podcast provided much more detail and information, & the book didn't add much that was new.

What does survival mean? For one to look it up in the dictionary one would find a see a picture of Ms. Newell. Despite her many tradegies in life she forged forward with her life.

Very interesting. I haven’t watched the Netflix show but I will after reading this book.

Thanks to publisher for allowing me to read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

The writing was pretty meh, and I didn’t learn anything new. But an interesting story nonetheless.

I was so interested in this after watching the shows based of this on Nexflix ( I think) I love true crime and this didn’t disappoint.

First, I want to thank Debra Newell, BenBella Books and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review!!

WOW!! I truly commend Debra Newell for opening up her heart and soul and tell you in her own words her side of Surviving Dirty John My True Story about Love, Lies and Murder. If you are anything like me and LOVE all things true crime then you have probably seen her story on the small screen for NetFlix and other media outlets. However, that was what Hollywood wanted you to see! It was not the true full blown story of what happened. If you are looking for an easy read this is not one of them.

Debra would like to dedicate this book to all the female victims’ voices silenced and unheard; my beautiful, supportive children; and my sister, Cindi Ambrose Vickers, who was taken away from us far too soon Sometimes—just sometimes—cupid’s dart.

Surviving Dirty John gives us readers an inside look of how sick this monster really was!! My mind was literally blown at most of the stuff I was reading. My heart just broke for Debra who was choosing to put up with his garbage!! After reading this book I don’t think I could ever trust anyone off a dating site.

However, this book is way more than just telling us the story of Dirty John. It is the heartbreaking story of the devastating effects that domestic violence can have on a couple.

Debra shares with her readers beautiful pictures of the past with her children, her family, life with John, etc. It is a nice personal touch to the book in my opinion.

This book is packed with educational facts and resources for her readers or anyone else put in this situation.

What Debra went through was a pure nightmare that no woman should have had to go through. There is no doubt in my mind that this experience has made her so much stronger than she had ever been before.

After the Dirty John series, I was intrigued by this one. Debra's story is very brave and appreciate her sharing. The entire book felt like she was trying to defend herself and honestly made me feel worn out about half way through.

Debra’s personal life was a mess. She survived childhood sickness, was almost raped and her sister was killed by her brother-in-law. With four failed marriages, Debra wasn’t a success at love.

But, she was a success at work. A smart, strong, successful business woman, Debra tries on-line dating where she meets John Meehan.

I wish I read this book before I saw it on Netflix. I could not get out of my head by initial thoughts of Debra as she was portrayed in the mini series.

Debra had gone through a lot in her life and her time with John showed how much she was willing to forgive and ignore to have another chance at love.

It was just okay for me. I probably should have read this before watching the Netflix mini-series as I had already formed opinions of Debra in my mind.

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #SurvivingDirtyJohn in exchange for an honest review.

I was fascinated about John Meehan and the story behind him, so I thought I'd love Surviving Dirty John. However, I found it hard to read. It seemed like Debbie was just having a lengthy conversation for most of the book. Her experiences were horrible, and I'd never want to devalue that. I appreciate her openness and the details she gave. I just think the book would benefit from a different writing style perhaps. One that makes it easier to follow along.

I think it should be noted that this book has a trigger warning for abuse survivors.

I appreciate NetGalley giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

to begin, I have heard of the podcast and wanted to watch the Bravo TV show, but I never got around to it. I kind of knew what had happened due to the above media, but didn't know the entire story.
With growing horror, I felt the fear that the author felt.
I thought that the author tried to do everything right when she realized what kind of monster John was.
I think that the author really laid out why she stayed with John, how John tricked her, spied on her, lied to her, etc.
After reading the book, I could NOT understand how people would ever BLAME her. She had her reasons and I agree with what she was saying.
This is such a heartfelt book and so terrifying. I am really glad that the author wrote it, sorry that she had to go through with it.

questions I had...did the author ever go through John's storage unit?
How did Ben and Liz react to Terras attack?

Overall, a book that needs to be read by people who need to recognize abuse, domestic violence, and family violence.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I was already familiar with the story as I had seen the tv show, but reading this book was so much more interesting! Debra Newell is a warrior, a survivor! The writing of this book was phenomenal and really took me into her story! I'm so grateful to have been approved for this book, as I've been invested in this story since I first heard about it. I highly recommend this book to everyone who's either heard about this story before, or who is a fellow true crime lover like myself,.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eARC, in return for an honest review.

After all the podcasts, TV stories, TV magazines, Dateline etc I didn’t think there was anything else to say. There’s not much except the raw emotions.

The story of John Meehan when it broke a few years ago was fascinating, I listened to the pod casts and watched the netflix series and the real life tale sounded like so many fiction books I have read, it was hard to believe that this was real life.

In this book, Debra Newell talks again about the monster who invaded her and her Family's life and the impact of the media attention that her story had on her life and her future.

The book eloquently explained by Debra, explores the tale in granular detail of her survival and highlights Debra's commitment and love for her Children and Family and how she will go to any length to protect them all.

A real life story of what it means to be a survivor and how happy endings don't always happen quickly, or even in an obvious way.

Surviving Dirty John
by Debra Newell

I have really struggled while reading this book as I have had some very strong reactions to this book. I almost put it down on numerous occasions because I felt very judgemental regarding Debra Newell's choices. I am glad I kept reading as my opinions have changed completely after finishing this book. I am honestly appalled at the lack of help Newell and her family received from law enforcement, the courts and the judgment they received after John died.
I believe most people have heard the “dramatized” version of Dirty John but not the unvarnished truth. This book is for those who want to understand what it is like to live with a person this devious and demented. Dirty John is so horrifying that it is almost unfathomable that it is a true story, yet unfortunately, it is all too true.

I do recommend this book; however, be forewarned there will be a number of triggers for abuse survivors..
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Debra decided to find a man online. She had many candidates to choose from and wanted to take a chance on John Meehan. They later got married and John tried to control everything in her life including her kids. She was living in fear if her life. This book was very emotional and brutally honest.

Enjoyed reading this account from Debra’s point of view. I watched Dirty John and watched the Dateline, so having the real story from Debra was interesting to see how they all compare.
The writing is not sophisticated, and she repeats herself many times, but is entertaining.

I had not seen either the Netflix or the Bravo TV show about this so it was all new to me. I admire Debra for having the bravery to share her story with the world. Her family should not only be proud of her but of themselves for what they all suffered through. Debra not only shares her story but the nuances behind the behavior.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I recently rewatched season one of Dirty John and listened to the podcast, so when I saw that Debra Newell had written a book, I had to request it. Surviving Dirty John is very well-written and hard to put down. Learning about coercive control and reading about the things Debra went through in her life before meeting John helped me understand why she stayed with him as long as she did, and I was infuriated by the fact that no matter how many times Debra asked the police to do something about John, she got no help from them (which unfortunately seems to be pretty common in cases of domestic violence, stalking, etc.). John Meehan put Debra and her family through hell, and I'm really glad that they all survived and that John will never be able to hurt anyone ever again. I recommend this book to everyone...not only is it a fascinating read, but it also educates you on the warning signs you should look out for in a relationship (though after reading this book, I might decide to just stay single for the rest of my life). Debra Newell was brave to tell her story, and I admire her for using her experience with John Meehan to try to educate and help people. Thanks to NetGalley and BenBella Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review Surviving Dirty John. : )

I received an advance copy of, Surviving Dirty John, By Debra Newell. You never really know who people are, their outside facade versus the one behind closed doors.

I hadn't heard of this case, but it sounded intriguing. As I turned each new page and got further into this story it felt so unreal. I feel so bad for Mrs. Newell and the many bad relationships that she has endured over her lifetime, but John definitely takes the cake. The situations she and her adult children dealt with were beyond unbelievable. I am glad I read the book before watching the based on a true story mini series to hear her full true story, but I'm definitely going to watch the series now.