Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again
Downside of Dating, Book 2

I Picked Up This Book Because: To fill #BookspinBingo space I4.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via HCPL
Dates Read: 2/26/24 - 2/27/24
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Andrea Barber


The Story:

I should read memoirs from people my age more often. I always love seeing things I've lived through from a completely different view. It’s inspiring to see a work “family” be so close in real life. it is also so brave of Andrea to share her struggles with anxiety and depression the world.

The Random Thoughts:

I forced myself to turn this off last night for the sake of sleep only to discover there were only 20-30 minutes left in the book this morning. *facepalm* ( )

Amazing Story. Barber is obviously known to millions as Kimmie Gibbler, but here for the first time those same millions meet Andrea. And Andrea is full of the dichotomies that plague many of us. An introvert who happens to be a "celebrity". Someone plagued with anxiety who is known for portraying the zany neighbor that always has a plan. The mother that slipped so far into anxiety and depression that she couldn't take care of herself and nearly lost everything. Barber does an excellent job of easing the reader into the darkest moments of her life and explaining how she was able to come out of them and come... Full Circle. Very much recomended. ( )

I was a huge fan of “Full House” growing up, and have tuned in to the reboot “Fuller House” on Netflix. Kimmy Gibbler wasn’t my favorite character on the show (that accolade went to Stephanie) but her character’s outfits and well timed one liners always made me laugh. ⁣
Once the show ended and her cast mates made headlines in other programs, I always wondered whatever happened to Kimmy Gibbler? When it first came out I quickly devoured Jodie Sweetin’s memoir, and I was excited to read this one as well. Andrea’s past isn’t as salacious as Jodie’s, but that doesn’t mean her story isn’t one that shouldn’t be read. Andrea, like me, is an introvert and suffers from generalized anxiety disorder. We have both had more than our fair share of moments when our anxiety takes over and leaves us debilitated. She talks openly about the stigma that surrounds not only this disease, but mental health as a whole. It was refreshing to read a celebrity memoir that was so honest and didn’t come across as preachy. There are passages where Andrea gives advice or encouragement, and it feels real, not forced. You feel like you’re having a heart to heart talk with a friend. ⁣ ( )

This is a must-read for every girl and now woman who grew up watching Full House. I really enjoyed a close look into the life of Andrea Barber. I appreciated her honesty about her struggle with anxiety and depression and enjoyed getting to know the real person she is who is so different than Kimmy Gibbler, the character she portrayed on Full House and Fuller House. Readers will appreciate learning about what life was like as a child actor, her accomplishments post full house, her travels, her marriage, becoming a mom, her struggles through a divorce, and the value running has had in her life.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I thought it was going to be the typical child star biography but it wasn't. The subtitle "From Hollywood to real life and back again" tells you exactly how the book is laid out. It starts with Andrea's time on Full House then tells about her life away from Hollywood. a life with severe anxiety and depression. Then it returns to her starring in " Fuller House".
The book is well written and readers who are Full House fans will enjoy reading about the cast and what goes on behind the scenes. I thought the middle section of the book was the most interesting. How Andrea got that normal life. As normal as you can when you have severe anxiety and how she got help. ( )