Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up

I read the whole thing in one sitting. Not at all what I was expecting, but 100% worth it. Ms. Rivera comes across as intelligent, funny, frank, and quite authentic. There's some pretty good gossip (engagement to Big Sean, fights with Lea Michele/Ryan Murphy, etc.) that you can probably snatch from reviews on the typical celebrity websites, but in my opinion you'd be missing out by not reading this thing in its entirety. As someone to whom Glee is very near and dear to my heart, I was of course the most interested in the parts of the book that dealt with that period in her life. And, although she doesn't linger on it nearly as long as I thought she would, there is still plenty here to read. Lots of fun anecdotes, reflections, and a quite sobering/touching passage about the death of Corey Monteith. The parts that weren't about Glee, though, were equally as good: for starters, there's lots of boy drama. She talks openly about issues such as abortion, anorexia, being a minority, and a girl's right to be a whore (yes, you read that right. It's awesome.) I was particularly surprised by her openness about her Christian beliefs; she brings up her relationship with God quite frequently throughout. Not in a preachy way at all. In fact, even though I'm not religious I think it would have been a shame if she hadn't included it. It's clearly a major part of who she is. In summary, the book does an effective job of stripping down the star that you've read about in the tabloids and instead painting a portrait of a living, breathing woman who has experienced joys and sorrows just like anyone else. Why, then, should you read it? For me, it's because whether I like it or not, Naya Rivera became a part of my life when I started watching Glee in 2009: her work, her voice, and her talent have entertained me for countless hours in the last seven years. She was one half of Brittana, which changed countless young queer women's lives forever and opened doors for more (hopefully not-accidental this time) LGBT representation on television. I don't know her at all and I never will, but I care about her, god damn it. If any part of what I said speaks to you, then you should definitely buy this book.

This book is very real. If you are looking for a tell all book about Glee then look somewhere else. Although she does touch on Glee and the importance it had in her life, the book doesn't revolve around the show. Also if you are looking for a book full of trash talk, move along. She is quite respectful, if not blunt (which if you know anything about Naya is usual) about the different people in her and how they affected her. I personally loved this book and read it in one day. Naya presents herself as a normal human being who has made some amazing decisions in life and some really crappy decisions. She discusses what she has learned and how she has moved on. She never presents herself as the perfect human being, which I personally think is amazing. She does discuss some extremely personal and controversial issues in her book, but she also discusses the pain that accompanies those issues and for that I respect her even more so. Now for my grammar nazi's out there. Let's talk real quick. Naya writes exactly as she speaks. That means that if you are looking at her book from a grammatical point of view her sentences can be a little choppy. That being said her sentence format does not distract from the content contained within. Read for content and not grammar, and you shall be just fine. I gave this a five star rating because I personally think the book deserves it. I am not a die hard Glee fan, but I did enjoy her character of Santana. From the interviews that I have watched she seemed like a very professional person, but I felt that the articles and videos revolving her book were misleading and I was correct. Naya is professional, and a control freak, but she is not cold, mean or spiteful. She truly has a big heart. Read the book and see the person that Naya truly is and not what the media present her to be. Great read.

Loved it from start to finish. She dips her toes in some gossipy stuff in a couple chapters, but it's not about that and that's part of its charm. But yet she delivers just enough juice to keep those interested primarily in that on the hook. She just has a humor and candor that is refreshing. I feel like her best work and where she comes across so sincere is in discussing her family's struggles, her difficult and very personal choices, her faith, her closest relationships (family and friendships), and her race. The parts where it feels like she might be trying too hard to make a splash and so her writing feels less natural is in the flashier parts where she addresses well-known rumors. These are sprinkled throughout and they bring a lot of the entertainment, but they are a different vibe from what is really an engaging book that was just so easy to read. She has a pretty awesome story and pretty awesome perspective. She's not afraid to show her messy side and she's determined as ever to learn from it. Honestly, every woman should buy this book. Being a woman can be tough. But we're pretty damn strong. Being a woman of color is even tougher. And Naya shows just how resilient and empowering and proud she is.

Like a lot of people, I assumed this book might have been a tell-all, or at least focused a little bit more around Glee. Instead, this book goes back and forth between Naya's struggles after she was a child actor and how she wasn't being casted in anything, financial troubles (some can be relatable like when her credit was garbage, her car was repossessed, though not all her financial troubles are relatable for someone that didn't make a lot of money at one point), having to work a few jobs that she absolutely hated so she could pay off her debt and eat/have a roof over her head, losing a loved one, and boys/men. The part that stuck out the most to me were when Naya talked about how everyone should be a slut at one point in her life. She wasn't actively telling readers to go out and have sex, but was reassuring them that it's alright to just have a lot of sex at one point in your life, just so you can get it out of your system and learn about yourself and what you like during the process. Not many people are willing to talk so openly about that, so it's refreshing to read about sex in a positive light. Also where she talks about her breast implants being for herself as a confidence booster and how it was one of the best decisions she's ever made. I loved how Naya talked about how much she loved Dianna and Cory and gave examples of good times she had with them (when she and Dianna went away to Paris, and when her and Cory shared a friendly kiss when they tried to figure out why they never dated each other). I was a little surprised she didn't mention her friendship with Heather very much, except for saying how she's one of her closest friends and that she did not stick her tongue down her throat during the wedding episode (even explained how to make it seem like they had). Then how she slammed the truth that gossip articles got wrong (like how her and Lea didn't hate each other, but they didn't get along the best, or how she didn't key Mark's car but threw sludge on it--she really regretted dating him, especially after he was charged with possession of child pornography). She also talked about how her engagement to Big Sean was just too fast and he didn't help her with planning it at all and she was fed up with him not caring in the end, especially when Ariana Grande started to hang out with him while they were still together. Then there were parts that she talked about when she dated her husband and how he was the best guy she ever dated and that she was scared/dumb and dumped him because she didn't know what to do with someone so great. I honestly finished this book in about a day and I don't regret purchasing it.

Naya's book is amazing, hilarious and as a female, just what is needed in 2016. It's easy to see the hard work, the time and the openness she put into this and none go unnoticed or unappreciated. I myself have gone through tons of things she has and it's so refreshing to see someone I idolize open up about it all and let us into her life. This book is handsdown a must read for anyone, any female and anyone who wants a true, open and honest memoir. I have gotten to meet Naya personally on two occasions and can say this shows even more so how amazing she is in the truest form. I read it twice already and can't wait for her to do signings. She opens up about so many relatable topics and gives such great advice just by showing how she got through things. It had me laughing, crying, relating and all around smiling the entire time I read about such a powerful role model. Too often, people are touchy about the truth and can't handle it, but Naya tells it how it is all around and is just a queen in true form as a writer. AND SHE WROTE IT ALL HERSELF :) ~Coco

Definitely Enjoyed reading Naya's Book and really loved that she didn't hold back and kept it real until very last chapter not many people especially celebrities can really relate to regular people but she can instead of growing up with money she explained how she literally worked her A** off to get where she is now and Honestly I think most people can relate and I am one of them. she also gave some pretty amazing Advice on what not to do when Collection agencies called ( Laughed at that one. and to never give up on your dreams and Also never lower yourself to other people's expectations ) currently going to school to work on films and directing & I had gotten a Internship at One of ABC Studio's Lot's it has been the most amazing experience growing up I didn't have the best child hood some of I can remember and I loved How she talked about Her parents something I know I can relate to no marriage is perfect and no person is perfect also But my favorite part is when she said her father was giving her financial Advice including when to pay off Her credit I believe we all can say Our father's ( Those who still have one or have passed on ) even both parents did everything in their power to make sure The kids grew up better than they did and a Major shout out to Naya's Mom Yolanda she pretty much is that Mama Bear/Super mom who every kid had growing up My mom was the same she taught us the Value's in life

“Even in my worst moments, I had to trust that God had a plan for me. I might make mistakes, but He doesn’t.” I have not watched one episode of Glee at all. The years that it aired on TV was my early 20’s where I was all over the place and not stable/able enough to sit down and watch anything. Will I watch it now? Yes, especially after reading her book. Especially after listening to her truth and how she explains her authentic faith in God! I enjoyed reading about her early years of being thrust into the entertainment business at only a few months old, to wincing at her pain when she had to return to a regular life in grade school, to giving up ever acting again, to being open and honest about those few years after high school before the fame as she dodged the sketchy Southern California streets. To getting her life together, fixing up her credit, completing a film course in NYC all by herself away from home and giving acting one more try after her mind was set against it...which led to her big breakthrough. She speaks with genuine love, care and honest reflection on every person/situation she’s ever encountered. To hear her speak on racial issues in 2016 gives you an eerie chill, because of what’s happening in 2020. I love how she dispelled all the rumors and exposed the truth behind the tabloid features regarding her. When you actually hear her side, you are happy for her and admire that she didn’t need to defend herself back then. I’m glad I read her book. I pray for God to always be with her family!

Rivera hasn't forgotten the ups and downs of being a young ambitious actor, the lessons learned, the hard decisions to make, falling prey to anorexia but pulling herself out of it. If you liked Santana, here's a look into her psyche. I could have done without the casual curse words, but then again, that"s Santana! Had she lived, I definitely would have read Rivera's second book.

Usually I don't give reviews but with this book, I have to: A personal view of Naya's life, a life of experiences, hard work and talent told by her, step by step. Sorry, not sorry, it is stronger and more surprising, far from being a typical biography, it shows you precise information related to many topics around her experience in the USA (race, heritage, work, problems of adolescence, but after all her ups and downs, it shows her learns experiences). Great and easy read storytelling. Each chapter reveals something unknown about her, and with it many reactions surface. It shows you the strength she had and her point of this book the more you have face in life, the more proud you should be of yourself, learn to love yourself. Amazing artist and amazing, shocking, hilarious and inspiring book.

I'm not really into memoir books, actually this is the first one I've read, but thank God I did it. As a Naya's fan I loved reading it and finding out new things about her and new aspects of her life and personality. It's not just a plain memoir book! Sorry not sorry is funny, witty, sometimes sweet or heartbreaking and sometimes SO sarcastic that I almost couldn't stop laughing on the tube. Since I'm starting to live by myself in another country, dealing with money, starting a new job and facing adult life problems, I found myself in this book and also found a lot of inspiration, strenght and advices. The best thing of sorry not sorry are the mistakes she made. Those are the kind of mistakes that almost everyone does growing up and what I loved is that Naya encourages people to do them because through them you build up your personality, you grow up, you learn and you can be an example for others. Naya didn't want to show everyone just her great achievements...she just wanted to say "hey look, I'm like everybody else. I'm human" this makes the difference and makes me appreciate her even more. Because, really, if you think your fave never do wrong then probably you are blind or you stan an alien ;) I'm really proud of this amazing woman '

This has been sitting on my kindle waiting to be read since 2016. I wish I had read it sooner! I have been a massive fan of Naya since Glee first aired way back when. What happened to her is truly tragic and devastating. I think that if I had read this book when it first came out I still would have given it 5 stars. It was an enjoyable and entertaining read. She sure fit a lot into such a short life! Yes, there are things she probably couldn’t write about or only scratched the surface on some, but what she did write about was interesting. It was fun to get a glimpse into what she had been through and how she lived. And, learn new things about her or the correct facts on things the tabloids had reported. By reading this book and reading some of the things she said about life and a persons time in this world, plus some of her instagram posts, I really think her soul knew that her time was short. This book IS her life story minus the last short four years. I do recommend reading this if you feel up to it and ready. It is so heartbreaking that we didn’t get to see more of the pure talent she had to offer us.

Worth the read!!! We got to see gow her mind works and i admire her greatly.

I loved Naya Rivera since Glee and Always wanted to know more about her. Her honesty and witty remarks makes the book so easy to read even though i'm forcing myself to slow it down so i can enjoy it a little longer