I was first attracted to this book after watching the new Elvis movie... there were so many things I never knew, and I wanted to learn more from the one person who knew him best.

Just like in the movie, Elvis is portrayed as a very complex man. He seems to have been manipulated for much of his life, but in turn, he manipulates Priscilla, too. The controversial age gap between them, his infidelity, his whole career is so explicitly described, but wildly, Priscilla seems to hold no grudges against him.

Despite all of the information provided in the book, I still wanted more. I wanted to hear more about Priscilla and her reflections on what life with Elvis was like. How did everything make her feel? The press, the spotlight, the scandals, the drugs?

It's clear by the end of the book that Priscilla still feels so much affection for Elvis, despite all of the pain he caused. The recurring question in my mind was "what if?" The world as we know it today could be so different if different choices had been made... if he hadn't taken drugs, if he made different creative decisions in his career, etc.

His superstardom can not be overstated, but I feel like the tragedy of his personal life has not been explored a lot (at least not anything that I've come across). I really enjoyed listening to Priscilla recalling their life together.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve always been pretty fascinated by Elvis and as a music major, I always loved learning more about him! This book was really great because we got to see who he was through the eyes of someone that loved him for who he was as a person and not who he was as an artist and you were able to see how much these two loved each other even through all of the chaos and hard times. There was never a second that I believed that Priscilla didn’t love and root for Elvis, even now after so many years of him being gone, you can tell how much love she has for him. Very beautiful book!

The story of Elvis and Priscilla is actually quite shocking. I had no idea they met and got together when Priscilla was 14 with Elvis 10 years older than her. And her parents just let it happen. They even let her go live with him in America while they were still stationed in Germany!! Whoa. Seriously?! I kept waiting to find out that I was misunderstanding, but then she'd talk about being 16 and going to school or whatever. I know she has come out and said that it was a different time. Still, he felt predatory. He sought her out. He said she reminded him of his little sister. He would have her come over and lay in bed with her after parties (but just talk for hours.....wanting to save intimacy for a time when they were "ready" because it was so important to him). It felt like he was grooming her. Even once she was older, he didn't want her to have a job as a model because he wanted his woman home to care for him. I know it was a "different time" but not like biblical times! Adults dating minors was still frowned upon.....RIGHT?!
Anyway, Priscilla narrating the audiobook was worth it all. She is so clearly still in love with him--which is why I think she was a bit in denial about how weird or inappropriate some of their relationship was, as well as in denial about how he acted in some ways like not knowing what the drugs he offered her would do to her.....yes! He offered her drugs at a very young teen age as well.) She would laugh while she was reading, and it made it so much more real and relatable. Her little giggle at his humor was so cute. I really enjoyed listening to her read it, and of course here about Elvis.

Elvis and Me is a fascinating portrait of the relationship between Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu Presley. Ms. Presley is the narrator of the audiobook. She has a soft and sincere voice. Her performance treats the reader as a trusted friend.

I didn't know a lot about Elvis Presley before watching the recently released Elvis movie and reading portions of Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. Ms. Presley's account sheds a lot of light on her upbringing and what it was like to be a teenager who was loved by arguably the biggest celebrity of that time and still today, many years after his death. I highly recommend Elvis and Me.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

Advanced Reader's Copy audiobook provided by NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review. 

The Elvis and Me audiobook is incredibly moving!

Priscilla Beaulieu Presley's narration of her own memoir gives the listener the feel of actually sitting with her and listening to her reflections. There were even times where Priscilla would laugh along with the stories she was narrating, which gives it such a personal touch! 

While I think this memoir and audiobook show Priscilla's great love for Elvis, it also seems to portray grooming, instances of emotional abuse and even manipulation. In chapters leading to their divorce Pricilla reflects, "From my adolescence he had fashioned me into an instrument of his will. I lovingly wielded to his influence trying to satisfy his every desire. And now he wasn't here." This quote seems to encapsulate all those things, while still portraying what young love feels like especially in the frameworks of a hard relationship.

ELVIS AND ME
Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Memoir

This book takes you on a deep dive into Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s sometimes good sometimes rocky marriage. For the first time on audiobook this 1984 memoir will make you see this iconic couple in a whole new light.

This book was both shocking and disturbing for me. I knew a lot of it but did not realize the depth of the drug use on both parties and the emotional and physical abuse that Priscilla endured. I would give the audiobook a solid 5 out of 5 starts even if you have read the physical copy before.

I avoided reading any biographies about Elvis for the longest time. I used to be the biggest Elvis fan growing up. The older I got the more I learned he might not have been the best guy and that broke my heart. So yeah hearing that at 24 he met and manipulated a 14 year old girl? I don't know! I'm 10% in and it's just upsetting. I will keep reading it, but I'm uncomfortable obviously.

I listened to the audiobook of this book narrated by Priscilla - which really helped me feel a connection to the story. Occasionally when sharing a memory she would giggle and it made it feel as though she was reminiscing with friends.
I really enjoyed Priscilla’s take on her love story with Elvis! Her story opened my eyes a bit - I knew Elvis’ story, but I never realized the lengths Priscilla went to show her love and feel loved by Elvis. She never says a bad word about the King of Rock and Roll, she was madly in love with him from the beginning, but as she starts realizing the separate lives they were living and starts to come into her own she admits to the amount of control he held over her throughout their relationship. I know it was a different time, but it was a bit disappointing to learn how controlling he could be.
She also talks about the role the tabloids played, some of Elvis’ co-stars, and the bond she developed with his family. I would definitely recommend this book/audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

• memoir
• honest with interesting insight
• good storyteller

I always enjoy learning more about Elvis. I'm fascinated by how larger than life he was... I enjoyed getting a perspective of him, from someone so close to him, as a human being rather than a global icon. Though I could have done without the weird chuckles throughout. If you're interested in this superstar relationship, definitely check this out!

🗣️ Thank you to @netgalley and @blackstonepublishing for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted audiobook! All opinions are honest and my own.

Wow this audiobook had me conflicted. On the one hand I absolutely loved the intimate details of Elvis and Priscilla’s lives. I was so into the story, I had to stop every few minutes to google the people in the story. At some point I will have to get the actual book to see the pictures in it. Also Priscilla narrating her story just made it so much more intimate like you were sitting at the table listening to her in real life, also she has a very soothing voice that I loved.

Now to where I am conflicted as a parent. When they met Priscilla was so young, I have a daughter her age when she met Elvis, and there is no way I would let her visit him alone without me present. I was so shocked at what her parents let her do. Then throughout the story she kept saying Elvis groomed her to be what he wanted to see in a woman, and would get so angry when she would show her strength, and say you are not a man. I get it was a different time but it just did not sit well with me at all. It actually made me think less of Elvis.

But then again, this was not my life or story and you can tell by the way Priscilla talks about Elvis that she has nothing but love for him, even after their divorce. I don’t think she would have changed her life if given the chance.

I have very mixed views on this book.

First we'll start with the audiobook aspect of it, since this is the copy that Netgalley so graciously allowed me to have. I absolutely adored how this was read by Priscilla. It added such a deeper emotional connection to the book that I don't think I would have gotten if I had just read the book. Did I borrow the print copy to see all the photos that I was missing? Yes, I sure did. But having Priscilla giggle at memories and add little quips and sometime mocking Elvis' tone was really endearing.

In terms of the book/content itself I have so many issues. I know Priscilla was super young when they met, but it never occurred to me how creepy that was until I was the age that Elvis was when he started dating her. To 14 year old me, it must have been fabulous to be doted on my such a superstar. But for a 25 year old me, how creepy is that??? I truly feel that Elvis and Priscilla were completely wrong together; the age, the lifestyles, their needs and wants. A love story that everyone knows, sure. But there are so many issues, especially when analyzing it 50 years after the fact.

I really enjoyed this memoir. I thought it was facinating how young Pricilla was when she met Elvis and I found it interesting that she was at first encouraged by her parents and then pursuaded not to go there with him.
I feel like Elvis caused her a lot of pain during their times together but she seemed very forgiving towards him as well. The author narrated the book which I really appreciated. I thought there could have been a little less giggling parts during the narratino but overall I really enjoyed it.

Elvis and Me
by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Pub Date: August 23, 2022
Blackstone
Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the opportunity to hear Priscilla Presley read this book herself! I really enjoyed the experience and it will be a good addition to our library.
I highly recommend this audio book for people who enjoy learning about icons.
5 stars

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Priscilla herself, which added to the intimacy of the book. To be honest, my opinion of Elvis has shifted and not for the better. He sounds like a control freak. Priscilla was clearly very much in love with him, from a very young age, but her vulnerability shines through in this book. Yes, it was a different time but still. Nah. No thanks, Elvis. Nevertheless, this is a bravely honest account from Priscilla Beaulieu Presley.

I wanted to like this one, I really did. But it was honestly just sad! Priscilla was pretty much groomed sense 14 and gave her whole life to Elvis and was treated nothing more than a pretty okay thing. Playing with her mind and her heart, feeding her drugs and taking away her child hood and family. And this is Priscilla telling the story but she still sounds like a love sick fool, laughing at things that are not funny at all that Elvis did. I think I would enjoyed it more if Priscilla realized what had happened to her instead of worshiping this man that abused her.

I have read the physical book a couple times over of the years. So when I saw NetGalley had a audiobook Arc I knew I had to try to get a copy. So I am super thankful for the free copy.

First hearing Priscilla reading her story was so amazing! Her time with Elvis is just crazy. Priscilla has a very easy and fascinating way of telling her story. I know people will want a “Tell All” type of book about Elvis but I find it really classy that she doesn’t do that. I will say now as a grown adult listening to Priscilla talk about being 14 years old meeting a 22 year old Elvis is a little cringy even if it was 1959 it’s just weird.

Over all if you are a fan of Elvis I think you’d enjoy this look into his life.

I listened to the audio version which was read by the author. Therefore, I did not have access to any photographs that may be included in the print version.
It is difficult to rate this book because it is autobiographical. The author's experiences, memory, and interpretation of her circumstances are her own. The story itself was sad and horrifying in many places. It was apparently written after Elvis's death when he was no longer around to tell his side of the story.
I am not an Elvis fan, though I like a lot of his music. Elvis had a serious drug problem which may account for his treatment of his girlfriend/wife as well as others. I found it rather disgusting that he was romantically involved with a 14 year old girl and that her parents let her go and party with adults, regardless of how rich and famous they were. People did marry younger in the 50s and 60s and fewer opportunities were open to women. Initially, it seemed they were sexually involved. Later, the author made statements to the contrary. She provided some explanation, but not enough for this strange situation to make sense to the reader.
Regardless of how off-putting Priscilla's story may be, it did hold my attention. It was interesting; rather like train wreck. The content actually improved when she left Elvis and began to live her own life. As a narrator, she was fine except when she giggled. That was creepy. The whole situation was creepy, to be honest.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Priscilla Beaulieu Presley for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review! I was super excited to listen to this one after loving the new Elvis movie and I wasn’t disappointed. It was such a treat that Priscilla herself narrated this one and it really helped me to immerse myself in the story. It goes a lot more in-depth about their relationship and her life in general. I learned a lot of interesting things that I didn’t previously know and I was entertained the entire time. I highly recommend this one for people looking to learn more about Priscilla and Elvis! This is one of my favorite audiobooks I’ve listened to because Priscilla did a wonderful job.

As a mid-90’s baby, I didn’t know much about Elvis beyond references from Lilo and Stitch, where the MC was obsessed with “the King.” I recently saw Elvis: the Movie in theaters and I thought it was an incredible memorial to him and was enamored by it. I started listening to his music often and seeking out more opportunities to learn about his life. So I was really excited when I saw this title hit NetGalley.

Priscilla reads her own memoir, which is really neat, especially given she is now almost 80 years old. The substance of the story is actually really disturbing, though. Of course, now I am learning that a lot of the movie was for entertainment value and hid a lot of the shortcomings of Elvis and his life and career. I felt like at moments during this audiobook, I was listening to a age gap erotica/obsession novel instead of a memoir of Elvis’ ex-wife. I did not know she was 14 when they first became involved or that she moved in with him while she was still in school and began engaging in the drugs, alcohol, and hardcore lifestyle he had. She also put up with him being physically and mentally abusive, misogynistic, a cheater, and incredibly controlling, changing her into what he wanted. These sides of Elvis and the details of their relationship she reveals is extremely disturbing and concerning. Very hard to hear. Although I do realize back then, things were a little different with women’s rights, sex and drugs.

Regardless, I still commend Priscilla for being honest about what real life with Elvis was like, including the embarrassing and disturbing moments which we would judge them on, instead of romanticizing life of the deceased music icon. It takes courage to do that.

Thank you to Blackstone, Priscilla, and NetGalley for the advance listener’s copy of the first audiobook release of this title.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I really enjoyed the read. Hearing the stories of Elvis and Priscilla's relationship and marriage was very interesting. I will say the language is ready really strong. So that was a downside to me due to that. But I highly recommend for all Elvis fans out there.