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.” Listening to 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…”

©2024 Chelsea Devantez (P)2024 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

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!!

Fast paced, heartfelt and fun

This is an amazing book, it is fast paced quick witted and a guilty pleasure to read, I highly recommend to anyone!

Why are people so scared of women’s stories??

This book was incredible, what a life, what a journey. Chelsea is relatable, hilarious, incredibly sharp and insightful - a raw look at what it’s like to be a woman in a world that hates and silences us. I would give more stars to her if I could; the whole galaxy.

from a cookie

Chelsea is an amazing woman with a hell of a story. Jer use of Redacted to demonstrate that we still can't be silenced even if they try was powerful. And, the stories of all of the wonderful women in her life really touched me too. Highly recommend this book.

Incredible storytelling

I have listened to Chelsea’s podcast for years, so thought I knew what I was in for with this book - but her life story is so much richer and layered than I could have imagined.

it was such an incredible and powerful story and her reading of the book made it 10x more enjoyable to listen to. I highly recommend

Relatable!

Chelsea’s honesty, humor and delivery produce a wonderful listening experience. It is a real gift when someone can be so vulnerable and also so funny. She reminds me of the women who I am closest to…those who I can rely on and will listen and make me laugh so hard I pee a little. Recommended.

I think we're bestie now....

Listening to this book was like hearing from a friend that you hadn't talked to in a while. I embraced every part, even the redacted sections and found myself reflected in so much of it.

Excellent writing.

Best and most honest memoir that I have ever read. I simply could not stop listening to it.