The beginning of the book, set in the present day, was compelling and immediately made me care about the author’s sobriety journey and the fate of her marriage. She seemed like an interesting, complicated character, who I wanted to know more about. A few chapters in, the story jumps back to 2013 when the author is just about to enter a “faith-based sober living facility.” From that point on, most of the book chronicles the author’s early days of sobriety and relationship with the man who will become her husband. Jenkins goes to great lengths to reveal her character flaws and mistakes she made while at the same time somehow offering very little insight into who she really was or is. As the book went on, I became increasingly frustrated by her poor decisions, which always seemed to turn out fine. If it had read as a feel-good story of hard-won personal triumph, maybe that would have been fine, but, instead, the author tells the reader how hard it was while making everything sound easy (and terrible).

Most disappointing was that the author only briefly returned to the cliffhanger with which she began the book, and not in a satisfying way. I suspect the book was almost finished and then her life circumstances changed dramatically, requiring the addition of a present day beginning and ending. She may also have gone back and added in a handful of details throughout the book to help the ending make sense. By the end, while I was still rooting for her as a person, I couldn’t wait to stop reading about her bad choices and how she justified the bad acts of others. All I really wanted was to hear more about the present, about what happened immediately after the first few chapters. I guess the author left me wanting more, but not interested in reading any eventual sequel.

Thank you to Penguin Random House (Harmony Books) for the privilege of reading an advance DRC of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a fabulous memoir! Tiffany Jenkins is genuine, honest about her emotions, and she can be really funny too! I enjoyed High Achiever, her first memoir, but this one may have been even a tad better - if that’s possible. Her story has highs and lows and lots of in between. But the best thing is that she’s relatable. Even though her readers may not have personally faced addiction and the troubles that go along with it, her internal struggles are common: self doubt, lack of confidence, non-conformity, putting on a brave face when inside we are scared and more. And she is hilarious! I’ve followed her on Instagram for years, but had no idea of the struggles she was still facing. Thanks for sharing your story, Tiffany! Believe in yourself! Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Rodale Inc/Harmony for the digital ARC.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I have been following Tiffany for many years and her story is inspiring. I related to this book so much. As someone in recovery, I feel it's important for people to tell their stories so others know it's possible. Tiffany brings humor to an uncomfortable topic. Her realness sucks you in. I was also shocked by the story because Tiffany has kept so much of this story off of social media. She's mentioned a new love and said she'd reveal him soon but that was the only indication of her divorce. I'm very impressed with Tiffany's writing. I loved this book even more than the first.

I enjoyed how real this book is. There is so much fluff out there that I consistently side-eye, but the authenticity and messiness of A Clean Mess made me an instant fan despite never hearing of Tiffany Jenkins prior to reading this book. The storytelling almost makes you feel like you’re reading a work of fiction as Tiffany tells you about moving into a halfway house after leaving jail and the whirlwind romance that led to a marriage and children in rapid succession. With the exception of the insanely quick nuptials, and not being a recovering addict, I could’ve been reading my own story. I felt a kindred spirit almost instantly and truly felt seen.

Being the daughter and ex-wife of addicts, I am as close to the world of drug use as you can get before succumbing to the temptations yourself. I’ve seen so much that it’s scared me straight many times over, and for that I am thankful, as it is so easy to cross over to the other side, so easy to take that first puff, take that first pill, and sink into the abyss. I saw so much of my ex-husband’s experience in Tiffany’s story. He became an addict after we divorced, and seeing him go through what he’s gone through in the years since we parted has had a profound impact on me and our children.

It is such a brave thing to write your memoir, and I admire Tiffany for being so real, not trying to sugarcoat her experience, and giving us a glimpse not only into her own life but in the life of a recovering addict, showing the good, the bad, and the ugly with levity and humor.

A Clean Mess: A Memoir of Sobriety After a Lifetime of Being Numb is a vulnerable, transparent look into Tiffany Jenkins' life after addiction. In a funny, raw new memoir that reads easy like a novel, Tiffany tells of her fresh start after being released from prison and struggle with an opioid addiction. Parenthood, romance, marriage, divorce, adulthood and entering the workplace are just a few of the topics. Life came at her fast!

Memoirs are my favorite genre. It is admirable how writers open their hearts and life to the public. Tiffany Jenkins bared her soul on these pages! Girl, it was a lot! She shared truths and vulnerabilities despite the judgment or criticism she may receive. The positive impact that her story will give the sober community and addicts will make it worth it. Her clean mess is an inspiring 5-star read.

I most certainly added her first memoir, High Achiever, to my reading list. I recommend Bookhearts add both to their shelves.

Happy Early Pub Day, Tiffany Jenkins! A Clean Mess will be available Tuesday, June 3.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Thank you to NetGalley, Rodale Inc.. Harmony and author Tiffany Jenkins for gifting me an ARC of Clean Mess. In exchange I offer my honest opinion.

After reading and loving Tiffany’s first book, High Achiever, I was thrilled to discover Tiffany had written a follow up to her remarkable memoir. I was very excited to continue on the journey with Tiffany., unfortunately this book did not leave the same impression. While I appreciated and enjoyed Tiffany’s unabashed honesty and humor, I felt this book did not have the same intensity and emotional impact. I could imagine the overwhelming pressure and challenges that faced Tiffany as she struggled to stay clean and sober but it was difficult to watch her make so many bad decisions.

I loved High Achiever, so I really thought I would love this, too. And it's not that I didn't, it's just that I found myself thinking, "didn't I already read this?" so often. I did really enjoy hearing about the present times, and by no means did I not care to hear the story. It just felt very repetitive of High Achiever.

I didn't read Tiffany Jenkins's first memoir, but I thought this one about her experience in sobriety and the struggles and choices along the way was compelling! It felt very honest and realistic.

This memoir caught me from the very beginning and hooked me for good. I love the author's grounded way of writing that made me relate to her so well. I would highly recommend this to anyone!

LOVED this book and read it in one sitting! I read her first memoir (This book wasn't as sexually explicit as her first memoir) and this one was an excellent follow up. It moves back and forth between timelines but is easy to follow. Plus Tiffany recently came back online on social media and this second memoir fills in the pieces. I absolutely love her style of writing. She captures really deep, raw, difficult subject matter with authenticity, vulnerability and humor. I really hope there is more to come from Tiffany Jenkins! 5 stars!! **I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I loved Tiffany's first book, so when I saw this one on Netgalley I clicked "request" so fast! This was a very very quick read, I read it in less than 4 hours. And I hate to say it, but for me it did not live up to her first book (and that disappoints no one more than my own self!). I think maybe the stuff happening "now" was way way way too recent; I saw a reel where Tiff said she actually had to get the book back from her editors and make changes because it all went down while they were preparing the book for publishing. And as a result, there is SOOOOO much doom and gloom in this one. Yay, she made it! Yay, she's sober! But MAN, it was out of the frying pan and into the fire; from the looks of it she was miserable her entire sober life. So overall, this is not a book I would recommend if you're looking for anything positive or uplifting. 3.5 stars, rounded down.

A very honest and heartfelt memoir of a former addict as she tries to navigate sobriety, marriage and marriage. I didn’t read her first book but after reading this I immediately ordered it. She’s a great writer and she doesn’t hold back.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for a honest opinion. 5⭐️

I read the author’s first book years ago and hoped there would be a development in her storytelling. While her story is interesting, it’s hard to read past every foreshadow and “cliffhanger” each chapter. I did not realize she was an Instagram personality, so those that follow her journey may feel more kinship to the story versus the writing.

Tiffany Jenkings has done the work and got herself clean, but now her life is once again a mess.... a Clean Mess.

A very heartwarming personal experience of a persons experience dealing with life after coming to terms with her addiction. It was very refreshing to read a down to earth realistic look of life struggling with the aftermath of addiction, an unexpected pregnancy, death of a loved one, postpartum depression, anxiety, and loss. This was an easy read with tough topics, but it reads so smooth.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tiffany Jenkins, and the publishers for this free ebook. This review is 100% my own and honest opinion.

Tiffany Jenkins’s memoir, A Clean Mess, is eye-opening, heartbreaking and inspiring. Jenkins’s transparency about the hard work and determination it takes to overcome addiction gives the reader a glimpse into the mental and physical battles an addict must power through each day just to stay sober. Kudos to those who choose sobriety every day despite the urge to numb the pain that life throws at them.

After an opiate addiction that left her in prison and rehab, Tiffany becomes a mom of three in just two years but it’s not an easy path.

I read Tiffany’s first memoir and wondered how interesting a second one could be when we already heard the story of her past and addiction. I shouldn’t have wondered that because there was plenty more to tell. While this story was more focused on her recovery, it was far from boring or dull. I typically shy away from recovery stories because I can’t get into the steps and the “higher power” but this one was perfect. It shyed away from those spiritual aspects of recovery and stayed true to her emotions, mental health, and roadblocks along the way. It portrayed the start of her family and motherhood, and all the ups and downs that come with. I would have loved to see more of her career and internet explosion, but maybe that’ll be a third memoir!

“I couldn’t imagine doing those things today, but I also know that Addiction is doing push-ups in the parking lot, waiting for a weak moment to pounce.”

A Clean Mess comes out 6/3.

I have been following Tiffany for a while and read High Achiever not long after its release.. Tiffany doesn’t hold anything back in this book. A Clean Mess is about her journey trying to maintain sobriety during the roadblocks of life. Tiffany explains her struggles and victories. I enjoyed this book because she really goes into PPD and other mental health issues. I struggled with PPD in ‘20 with the birth of my first son and didn’t understand why I was crying everyday. I found Leslie Jordan (yes, the well crap guy) during that time and he’s the only person who pulled me out because my husband that I was crazy. I guess that I’m happy to see that I’m not the only one.

There were some minor typos (location 412, chapter 8 has a random period in the paragraph that starts with “But I couldn’t do that”, chapter 33 location 1955 - dDad, and chapter 50 location 2897 “mean me more”.

A well written and thoughtful memoir about what comes next. I missed Jenkins' first book but this was fine as a sorta standalone. She chronicles her struggles, her happiness, her life after addiction. It's not a smooth path but it's one that I suspect will resonate with many. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Thank you NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Rounded to 3.5 stars. I read and enjoyed High Achiever, the author’s first book about her drug addiction. This book is the next chapter. As a former probation agent, I have worked with many addicts and their treatment teams. I can so clearly see the mistakes Tiffany makes in her new sobriety. It’s always easy to see from another perspective, Tiffany knows she is on the razor’s edge. She gets involved in a relationship with another recovering addict within the first 60 days after her release from jail. Alcoholics Anonymous recommends waiting a year and preferably not with a fellow addict. Things quickly spiral. That said, Tiffany and her partner make a good effort to be strong together, she is mostly working her program despite some expected pitfalls. It’s very tough to be in the world after addiction, to change your peer groups, be judged by everyone, own your shit and constantly be strong despite all of those things. Relapse is often a real part of recovery. I don’t think addicts even know who they are until they are really and truly sober, so bringing other people in during the roller coaster of often disaster. Hence, A Clean Mess.

The author is very real and candid about her life. She doesn’t pretend to be something she is not, her esteem is battered from her experiences. I found myself rooting for her to be successful. She has so much to be proud of.

First of all, I love love loveee the title, just because you got clean doesn’t mean you’re still not a mess😂😂
This was a memoir that read almost like fiction. It wasn’t just about Tiffany persevering through recovery it was about her surviving motherhood as well. Which let’s be real, can be extremely hard and fulfilling all at the same time. I loved that she also included her struggles with PPD and how she found the strength to be honest and get the help she needed. There was so much vulnerability in her writing and I’m all about living in your truth. Overall I really enjoyed this book and I usually hate to rate memoirs but I’d give this 4 ⭐️’s.