I Shouldn't Be Telling You This

(But I'm Going to Anyway)

By: Chelsea Devantez

Narrated by: Chelsea Devantez

"It’s f*cking great!!! Raw, intimate, hilarious, actually inspiring.” –Jon Stewart

*A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK FROM BUSTLE, GOODREADS, GOODREADS, SHEREADS, BOOKRIOT, AND MORE*

A dynamic memoir-in-essays by comedian, screenwriter, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez, detailing her tumultuous upbringing and uproarious career path into Hollywood, featuring a bonus chapter exclusive to the audio edition.

There are things Chelsea Devantez probably shouldn’t be telling you. Many of them are in this book: some are embarrassing (like when she tried to break her three year spell of celibacy using a guide of seduction tips). Some are confessional (getting sentenced to the “hell hill” at Mormon church camp). Some are TMI (a series of outrageous doctor visits that ended with one doctor misdiagnosing her as “pregnant.” Woopsies!).

Then there are things Chelsea really shouldn’t be telling you: like the time her biggest family secret was publicly outed, or about the drive-by shootings and the precipitating domestic violence she survived. Yet through it all, it’s the women in Chelsea’s life who kept her going – from the lowest points of her childhood when she and her mom had only $100 left to their name, all the way to her career highs as the Emmy-nominated Head Writer for The Problem with Jon Stewart and sensational podcaster deemed “the celebrity memoir whisperer” by her fans.

In I Shouldn't Be Telling You This, Chelsea centers each story around a different woman who shaped her life, taking us on a tour of friends and strangers, fictional characters and celebrities, heroes and villains who will destroy any Netflix algorithm for a “strong female lead.” Reading it will feel kinda like that moment at a party when your friend beckons you close, sloshes her martini around, and covertly whispers, “I really shouldn’t say this, but…”

Proud cookie

Full of scary female rage and trashy wine chilled with trashy ice cubes, I’m so angry Chelsea had to redact part of her story. But I’m such a proud cookie. This book is everything. So GD thankful for my female friendships tonight.

Heartfelt and Honest

A truly beautiful, honest and often heartbreaking memoir. I would have enjoyed following her journey in a more chronological format but perhaps it was for protection. I’m cheering for her continued joy.

God I loved this book.

I’ve been listening to Chelsea’s podcast for a while, now, and so looked forward to hearing more of her own story. I was HORRIFIED to learn that so much had to be redacted, but I so respect how she handled it and the bravery she showed through obvious distress, irritation, anger and sadness in each different delivery of “redacted.” I laughed out loud, burst into tears, clapped my hands over my mouth in shock, and thought “I would give anything to somehow be her best friend,” countless times while listening. Chelsea is hilarious, and vulnerable; generous, and brilliant; full of rage, and with the willingness to laugh about it. A+, future bestie. I simply cannot wait for the next one. Read this book immediately!!

She’s the best!

I just can’t get enough of Chelsea. She’s brave, intelligent and so funny. I’m so glad she was able to share (most of) her story with us

Everything!

I f***ing love her! This is a great book, this is a relatable book for unfortunate reasons for most women that I know, and especially myself. Thank you for the honesty, the realism, and the happy ending.