I was drawn to Maybe This Will Save Me for its unique structure and Tommy Dorfman's candid exploration of identity, addiction, and healing. The tarot card framework was an interesting approach, offering a reflective lens on her journey. However, I found the narrative's introspective nature a bit challenging at times, making it harder to stay fully engaged. While the book offers valuable insights and vulnerability, it didn't resonate with me as deeply as I had hoped.

This broke my heart for baby Tommy 💔

Proud of her for sharing her story.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC.

"Maybe This Will Save Me" is actress Tommy Dorfman's memoir about her journey through addiction and transition and her work as an actress, on TV and on Broadway. I was intrigued by this book because Tommy and I have a number of mutual friends from growing up in Atlanta and I have followed her journey over the last eight years since she broke onto the scene in "13 Reasons Why". But I didn't make it too far into the book before I realized it was too graphic for me (her depictions of her sex life, starting with losing her virginity as a young teenager to a much older man). I also found the timelines hard to keep track of as the story jumps around quite a bit, using her passion for Tarot and a particular reading she gave herself to root and center the story.

I would still recommend queer readers and recovering addicts to check out this book, as long as they have the stomach for some pretty sad and triggering material, as the story will probably resonate more with them.

I really liked this book, especially because memoirs written by people who are transioning or more specifically people who are focused on discovering who they really are appear to always be checked out at our library. We try to add honest stories to our collection,

I believe that life can be hard and I cannot imagine what it may be like to live in a wrong body. This book helped me to understand it a little better. The honesty and the challenges are obvious, but I am also kind of impressed.

A great read and the author does a great job of describing what is happening in both the head and the heart.

Extremely raw memoir of her upbringing, challenges, and addictions she faced while transitioning into her new self. Honest & open about the difficulties including drugs, sensual trendances, alcohol, and abuse. Eye opening & can be triggering / hard to read for some imo.

Tommy's story was a very unique one that I didn't know fully before reading. I applaud her honesty in every page.

DNF @ 35%

I love that Tommy has found the freedom to write about her story. It's messy and raw in a way I'm sure will resonate with many people. Personally, I'm just not in the right head space for detailed depictions of CSA at this current moment so I decided to put it down. I really wish that the ARC had come with trigger warnings because this book deals with heavy topics and readers deserve to go in knowing how graphic it will be.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early read of this amazing memoir. I typically give all memoirs five stars because I cannot tell someone how they lived their life. But, this book was absolutely amazing. I hope other queer people read this book and find themselves in at least one thing mentioned in the book.

MAYBE THIS WILL SAVE ME by Tommy Dorfman is bold in its lack of self-consciousness. Given the content of Dorfman's memoir, it would be understandable if the events were presented in a sheepish or apologetic way. Instead, Dorfman is direct and frank in recounting her life, the choices she's made, and what she's gleaned from those choices. The use of the tarot reading does help connect the non-linear memoir; however, at times the tarot spread as structure felt like a bit of a push to do something "different." Still, Dorfman's writing at the line level is strong, both in terms of humor and beautiful phrasing.

This is an inspiring and beautifully written book. I found Tommy's writing relatable, fun, approachable, and easy going, even while covering heavy topics.

A vulnerable, messy, raw reflection about growing up and growing into yourself. Using a tarot reading as a guide, Tommy Dorfman tells her story of growing up queer, dealing with addiction and fame, transitioning, and learning to love and accept herself. The story is chaotic and harsh and deeply introspective. I don't love non-linear timelines because they're usually hard to follow, but the tarot narrative gave the book some structure that (mostly) made sense.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the advance review copy.

CW: graphic sexual content, SA, drug/alcohol use and addiction, homophobia, transphobia

This is one of the best books Ive ever read and I have never felt more seen in my life. 10/10 recommend! Tommy Dorfman is so truthful in everything she has gone through. The contents of this book play over and over again in my head rent free.

This is a very raw, real story that is undoubtably hard to read at times. Tommy Dorfman is an excellent writer, cutting hard moments with humor and gorgeous turns of phrase.

I really loved the inclusion about how her parents met and Uncle Tommy, these stories were such great reads and so heartfelt.

It was deeply moving reading about Tommy’s journey into becoming the person she was meant to be and how it didn’t look like what she really expected it to be.

At times it was hard to tell the linear-ness of the story which made it sort of hard to tell where the reader was in the timeline of events. But at the same time I love how the story is told through a tarot card pull and the stories each card illicit.

awesome memoir that i'd definitely recommend. very interesting and well-written about identity and learning about yourself. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

I absolutely adored this book. As a long time fan of Tommy Dorfman’s work, I was pleased to receive this e-arc and dive into the whirlwind of a story that is Dorfman’s life. Told through the lens of tarot readings, this memoir pulls no punches as it paints the picture of a life lived by doing things scared. There is no censorship of topic deemed more “difficult” by society, and no unnecessary apologies given by Dorfman — contrary to what is often expected of ex-addicts. I could heavily relate to Dorfman throughout the text and thought her writing was entertaining, educational, and comforting all at once. This is an excellent work, and I hope it finds everyone who needs it.

It feels so weird rating memoirs because it is someone’s personal experience, but I have been a fan of Tommy’s since seeing her in 13 Reasons Why. I was honestly probably most intrigued by her friendships with other celebrities at the time, and followed her life via Instagram and the gossip websites.

Reading about her transition, past substance abuse, relationships, and life experiences was fascinating and moving. I completely forgot that Tommy was married back in 2016! It was a fast read and I think anyone who watched Tommy on TV or has seen Tommy perform in Romeo + Juliet would be interested in knowing more about her!

Maybe This Will Save Me by Tommy Dorfman is a raw, deeply introspective memoir that weaves together art, addiction, and transformation through the lens of a single tarot reading.

At twenty-eight, Dorfman stood at a crossroads—newly embracing her gender identity, yet still burdened by parts of her past she hadn’t fully confronted. Using tarot as a narrative framework, she unpacks a childhood marked by identity struggles, a tumultuous adolescence numbed by substance abuse, and the highs and lows of creative ambition. From her breakout role in 13 Reasons Why to her hard-fought journey toward sobriety and self-acceptance, Dorfman’s story is both searing and luminous.

With a voice that recalls Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart and Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died, Maybe This Will Save Me is an unflinching, beautifully written memoir that redefines reinvention and resilience.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

I always feel a bit weird rating memoirs, especially when the topic matter is so personal and intense.

That being said, I liked this book. Lately, I have found myself saying, ‘This is a great book, but not for me,’ and I think that’s how I felt about this book. It was vulnerable and well-written. It discussed topics regarding transitioning, substance abuse, rising to fame, and growing up far too quickly, among others. It was intentionally messy, which is fun! It was chaotic, a little all over the place, and certainly a bit repetitive (largely intentional). Tommy is an icon!!

I love Tommy and really enjoyed getting to know about her - from her directly. I thought using Tarot cards as the mechanism she used to bring us along through her life was really fitting. I did feel some sections were a bit disjointed and the non-linear timeline of the storytelling sometimes made things feel repetitive but Tommy's personality, voice, and story shone throughout. TY to NG

It was such an honor to be able to read an ARC of @tommy.dorfman memoir. Such a well-written and insightful reflection of her early life and the beginning of her career. Tommy’s heart shines through these chapters and I can’t wait for the public to be able to read them! I adored the way she used tarot as her guiding spirit through her life this far!

I really loved the way Tommy was able to look back at her actions and lifestyle before becoming sober and work through them while still holding compassion for all past versions of herself. Make sure to pre-order this book that hits shelves on May 27th!!!