Going Wilde: How I Became the Woman I Was Meant to Be by Creating a Woman I’m Not

By: Jessica Wilde

Narrated by: Brandy Kopp

Trailer park girl. Teen bride. Single mom. Instagram celebrity.

It would be easy to mistake Jessica Wilde’s life for a simple rags-to-riches story. After all, she went from a youth marred by poverty, sexual abuse, and bad decisions, to internet fame that gave her control over her own fate, and provided a lucrative living.

If happiness were only that simple.

In reality, Wilde’s personal journey of growth and triumph involved a daunting struggle to define the real woman behind her online creation. The bitter irony was that becoming a social media celebrity only made understanding and appreciating who she actually was, and forging deep and lasting relationships, exponentially harder.

This remarkably candid memoir follows Wilde’s thoughtful struggles to untangle social media’s jungle of destructive illusions and embrace her own authentic identity. It serves as a damning cautionary tale for anyone creating a digital façade on sites from Facebook, to Instagram, to LinkedIn. The ugly reality that Going Wilde reveals is that social media undermines the essential personal connections it was created to foster. But as Jessica Wilde ultimately discovered, a healthy sense of self and deep happiness could not be further from what appears above a “like” button.

©2021 Tiffany Brockway (P)2021 Tiffany Brockway

Good

I was expecting a book with more detail on her camming, modeling and Instagram career. I didn't expect so many stories about failed romantic relationships. The book focused mostly the drama of finding love and never getting it. Overall it's a good read and worth the time and money spent.

Inspiring and well written

I had never heard of Jessica Wilde prior to stumbling upon this book. While I do happen to have a few tattoos, all discreetly located - that’s about the only lifestyle characteristic I have in common with Jessica. Even though our lives are vastly different, I was drawn into her rags to riches story immediately and fully. She has an underdog’s likability that had me rooting for her and applauding her bumpy transformation.

I bought the book in order to broaden my horizons and expose myself to content that was different than my usual self-development / spirituality book. I got what I was looking for and more. Jessica was a completely different main character from anyone else I’d ever read that gave me a new perspective on people who cam as well as an appreciation for my own privileged upbringing. Jessica’s tale contains the undertones of the universal lessons necessary to transform and become the best version of yourself. Her Insta-crafted persona is crafted to give the audience the “perfect” version of Jessica that they desire and expect, but the true Jessica is the humble girl next door just wanting to be loved and accepted for who she really is - authentic, genuine, imperfect and simple. A great listen. Bravo on this A+ book and the narrator’s performance alike.

Loved It

Her story is fascinating to listen to, shocking and unexpected yet relatable in so many ways. Definitely worth the listen.

Captivating story

Being familiar with Jessica from her online career, it was a treat to read about and good to know who she really is.

Compelling story

I could not stop listening when I started! Jessica’s story is one of trauma, heartbreak and resilience. I was humbled and took a long pause to honour my privilege. I found her story inspiring and more than a few times felt a shared bond. Her story, while unique, has fundamental similarities to many of our own.

To the author: Thank you for this gift.