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Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation - How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino gives fans the inside scoop they’ve been begging for with his explosive tell-all. In this page-turning whirlwind of action-packed, unbelievable stories, Mike paints a raw and uncensored picture of his rise to stardom, steep fall, and amazing renaissance, all told with unwavering honesty. Divulging everything from drug-fueled orgies to what really happened behind the scenes of reality television’s most loved and dysfunctional family, Mike’s book reveals all for the first time. In his familiar, straightforward voice, he hilariously tells of intoxicated run-ins with celebrities like The Rock, Robert Downey Jr., Drake, Jay Leno, Leonardo DiCaprio, David Hasselhoff, Jason Statham, Lil Wayne, Kristin Cavallari, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Alongside the comical moments, he describes more poignant events, such as the frantic searches for opiates to sate excruciating withdrawals, including one such time in Italy, which led to the infamous wall headbutt fight with Ronnie. No punches are pulled in this unfiltered tale, relating Mike’s darkest thoughts after trying heroin, going to prison, and grieving his wife’s tragic miscarriages. However, like in all true redemption stories, Mike never gave up, and readers are sure to be inspired by his determination to get clean and sober and become the man he is today. With pure candor and vulnerability, he delivers details on the mindset that got him through those dark times and onto the enlightened, sober path he walks today. Through personal anecdotes and invaluable life lessons, Mike teaches readers how to overcome obstacles and embrace change. From conquering personal demons to finding redemption, he proves that it’s never too late to turn your life around and make the best of any situation. Get ready for a reality check like no other as you immerse yourself in Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s exhilarating memoir. Preorder Reality Making the Best of The Situation – How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison today and join Mike on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of living your best life.
235 pages, Hardcover
First published December 19, 2023
About the author
Mike Sorrentino
4 books30 followersMichael Sorrentino, publicly known by his nickname The Situation, is an American television personality, model and author who appeared on the MTV reality show Jersey Shore starting in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 759 reviews
February 24, 2024
This book was the 2nd of my “24 Memoirs in 2024” and it is favorite so far.
I was in my mid 20’s when Jersey Shore exploded on televisions everywhere. I was not a fan of Mike “The Situation”. I thought he was an arrogant jerk. I was into the first few seasons of Jersey Shore but then my interest faded. I wasn’t even interested in the revival that happened years later with Jersey Shore Family Reunion.
Fast forward to 2019, I’m lying in bed recovering from a root canal infection and I see a Jersey Shore Family Vacation marathon on tv. I think to myself, “What the hell? I have nothing better to do.” I didn’t know if it was the fever from the infection or what, but all of a sudden I saw Mike in this new light. Who is this mature, respectful man I see? Big Daddy Sitch, that’s who.
This memoir made me gasp, laugh, recoil, and cry. But, that’s what any good memoir will do to you. His story is told in an incredibly honest and painful way. As someone who has had family members that struggle with addiction, I could relate to nearly every character in Mike’s story. Feeling sympathy for Mike, wishing throughout the book that he’d get the help he needed. Feeling the frustration from family members as they relive each drug addled episode like the Groundhog Day from hell. Feeling profound disappointment when he was sentenced to prison after turning his life around. And feeling hope when Mike recited one of his many mantras, “Calm seas never made a good sailor”.
If memoirs are your jam, please pick up this book. If you know and have seen Mike since the beginning of Jersey Shore, you will understand him completely after reading this book.
Long Live Big Daddy Sitch.
I was in my mid 20’s when Jersey Shore exploded on televisions everywhere. I was not a fan of Mike “The Situation”. I thought he was an arrogant jerk. I was into the first few seasons of Jersey Shore but then my interest faded. I wasn’t even interested in the revival that happened years later with Jersey Shore Family Reunion.
Fast forward to 2019, I’m lying in bed recovering from a root canal infection and I see a Jersey Shore Family Vacation marathon on tv. I think to myself, “What the hell? I have nothing better to do.” I didn’t know if it was the fever from the infection or what, but all of a sudden I saw Mike in this new light. Who is this mature, respectful man I see? Big Daddy Sitch, that’s who.
This memoir made me gasp, laugh, recoil, and cry. But, that’s what any good memoir will do to you. His story is told in an incredibly honest and painful way. As someone who has had family members that struggle with addiction, I could relate to nearly every character in Mike’s story. Feeling sympathy for Mike, wishing throughout the book that he’d get the help he needed. Feeling the frustration from family members as they relive each drug addled episode like the Groundhog Day from hell. Feeling profound disappointment when he was sentenced to prison after turning his life around. And feeling hope when Mike recited one of his many mantras, “Calm seas never made a good sailor”.
If memoirs are your jam, please pick up this book. If you know and have seen Mike since the beginning of Jersey Shore, you will understand him completely after reading this book.
Long Live Big Daddy Sitch.
December 20, 2023
Honestly any addiction books will get 5* from me - plus watching him in the show from the beginning just makes this so much more amazing
January 3, 2024
If you are a huge Jersey Shore fan like me, this is a must read! It was exciting, devastating, and overcoming! Absolute 5 star read! I think it’s time to rewatch Jersey Shore for the millionth time lmao.
May 24, 2024
This book is an interesting look behind the scenes of Mike’s addiction during the years he was on the Jersey Shore, and that’s about the only redeeming quality about it. This book very obviously ghost written, and not that well if I’m being honest. Mike’s narration of this book was painful and had absolutely zero cadence. I wouldn’t be surprised if him recording his narration of this book was the first time he ever even read the words on the pages.
Kinda gross hearing him speak so braggadociously about keeping and at one point trying to sell a sex tape of himself with multiple women (who I’m sure wouldn’t have consented to it’s public release) “in case of emergency” to make a quick buck because he was broke. Also super weird to flex about how easy prison was for him?
2 stars.
Kinda gross hearing him speak so braggadociously about keeping and at one point trying to sell a sex tape of himself with multiple women (who I’m sure wouldn’t have consented to it’s public release) “in case of emergency” to make a quick buck because he was broke. Also super weird to flex about how easy prison was for him?
2 stars.
January 24, 2024
“God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers” - Big Daddy Sitch 🫡
Highly entertaining audiobook.
Highly entertaining audiobook.
June 30, 2024
After reading this book, I definitely need to rewatch some Jersey Shore episodes. The Situation did not leave anything off the table in his memoir. He attended rehab before he was ever famous, and his opiate addiction only continued to spiral once the money started rolling in. There were a few passages written by people in Mike’s life, which I thought was a nice touch. What’s more, he did not bad-mouth anybody and took 100% ownership for his actions… unlike some other celebrity memoirs I’ve read (cough, Britney). Thanks for sharing your authentic story, Mike. Now time to GTL.
January 19, 2024
this was not what i expected. i thought this would mainly be about the early years of jersey shore, and reliving that whole experience, but this focused on mike’s struggles with addiction and his recovery process during all that time. he’s had a lot of growth and reading this book made me have so much more respect for him. if you’re a fan of jersey shore, or reality tv in general, you should read this.
January 12, 2024
As a self proclaimed addiction memoir enthusiast, and avid jersey shore viewer I can’t help but think I just expected… more? The first half of the book was him being an unlikable narcissist describing how he got away with everything because of his “charisma and abs” (maybe that was intentional to show transformation but all it made me do was seriously consider DNFing)
His “crazy “antics lacked detail (likely because he didn’t remember them, but that doesn’t make for a very good book), and he barely spoke of his classmates other than to say that they were “close “but they came off in the book as very surface level. We barely got any glimpse behind the curtain other than “did you bring the girls?” When he was talking to the Unit. Overall, it felt very rushed and like a money grab.
I really wanted to be on board for his comeback story, and I am, but this just does not live up to a well written celebrity and/or addiction memoir.
His “crazy “antics lacked detail (likely because he didn’t remember them, but that doesn’t make for a very good book), and he barely spoke of his classmates other than to say that they were “close “but they came off in the book as very surface level. We barely got any glimpse behind the curtain other than “did you bring the girls?” When he was talking to the Unit. Overall, it felt very rushed and like a money grab.
I really wanted to be on board for his comeback story, and I am, but this just does not live up to a well written celebrity and/or addiction memoir.
January 11, 2024
4.5⭐️ rounded up
— i shouldn’t have been but i totally watched Jersey Shore growing up so i knew immediately that i’d be reading this! i definitely always saw Mike as the “villain” in the show just as MTV wanted. i honestly had no clue he was an addict throughout the entirety of the show until the JS Family Vacation reboot came out.
— it was interesting of course, but also really heartbreaking reading his recounts of what was really going on behind the cameras. it truly shows that you don’t know what people are going through.
— although you can tell where certain parts were edited, it still felt like he was telling me his story directly. the photos halfway through were a nice touch & so were the excerpts from his mom, Lauren, Vinny, etc! i honestly applaud him for being vulnerable enough to share his story & for his ongoing recovery! i highly recommend, especially if you are a fan of Jersey Shore 🫶🏾
— i shouldn’t have been but i totally watched Jersey Shore growing up so i knew immediately that i’d be reading this! i definitely always saw Mike as the “villain” in the show just as MTV wanted. i honestly had no clue he was an addict throughout the entirety of the show until the JS Family Vacation reboot came out.
— it was interesting of course, but also really heartbreaking reading his recounts of what was really going on behind the cameras. it truly shows that you don’t know what people are going through.
— although you can tell where certain parts were edited, it still felt like he was telling me his story directly. the photos halfway through were a nice touch & so were the excerpts from his mom, Lauren, Vinny, etc! i honestly applaud him for being vulnerable enough to share his story & for his ongoing recovery! i highly recommend, especially if you are a fan of Jersey Shore 🫶🏾
June 21, 2024
(Audiobook)
This was of course a masterpiece but also very bad
This was of course a masterpiece but also very bad
April 18, 2024
4⭐️ WOW, WOW, WOW
July 5, 2024
It’s hard to rate a book that someone puts their entire life and struggles into. Good on him for putting it all out for the world to see. Obviously I was a huge Jersey Shore fan, so I had to read Mike’s book, but all it was, was sex, drugs, jersey shore, rehab, repeat (for the first half of the book). The struggles he has gone through, I wouldn’t want to ever come near, and I’m glad he got his life in order, but you can only read about checking into rehab so many times. I’m hopeful that this can help anyone who is struggling, and give them the motivation to get the help they need.
March 2, 2024
It’s not good writing and he’s a little delu-lu but the story itself was so interesting, I was locked in. Good for him, seriously. He really turned his life around
June 18, 2024
so vulnerable and inspirational!!!
JERSEY SHORE FOREVER!
the comeback is always better than the setback
JERSEY SHORE FOREVER!
the comeback is always better than the setback
March 5, 2024
Absolutely loved this.
April 7, 2024
As a big Jersey Shore/ Family Vacation fan (lol) I loved this. It was interesting learning some behind the scenes stuff about the show but I swear my jaw was on the floor reading about how bad Mikes addiction really was and how far he would go to continue using (insaneeee amounts of prescription drugs or really anything he could get his hands on) while filming.
His recovery journey is truly inspiring, and although I got to watch a lot of it through JS Family Vacation, it’s always nice to read a book with a happy ending!!
A really easy read, with some deep topics mixed with hilarious Jersey Shore stories.
His recovery journey is truly inspiring, and although I got to watch a lot of it through JS Family Vacation, it’s always nice to read a book with a happy ending!!
A really easy read, with some deep topics mixed with hilarious Jersey Shore stories.
May 30, 2024
GTL FOREVER!!! This is one of the best celebrity memoirs I’ve ever read. Mike was so open and honest I kept having to put the book down and tell my friends the insane stories he was telling! I love when memoirs are open and honest and feel real like you’re sitting down and hanging out with the author rather than a year by year breakdown of their life. This is exactly what this felt like. The open take Mike took while writing this book, paired with his unmatched personality made this book so fun. At the end of the day, Mike lived a big crazy life, but has such respect for family, his wife, and his kids. You just can’t help but love him!!!
Overall, if you were even a casual fan of Jersey Shore this is 100% worth picking up!!!!
Overall, if you were even a casual fan of Jersey Shore this is 100% worth picking up!!!!
March 26, 2024
Ok this was the surprisingly inspirational, entertaining book I didn't know I needed! Mike's story is truly wild and his bravery to be this raw is equally wild. I mean the guy knows how to stay relevant that's for sure and he also genuinely seems like he has grown and wants to share his story to help others. It's actually very cool to have witnessed all this on jersey shore and now getting the inside story of what was happening with him off screen. Can't believe The Situation's story is going to become one of my top recs for the year LOL
February 10, 2024
Not as much Jersey Shore content as expected but Mike went deep into the throes of his prescription opiate abuse and the lengths his addiction made him go to in order to cop his next score and maintain his supply while filming.
After all BDS hasn't come this far just to come this far.
After all BDS hasn't come this far just to come this far.
March 1, 2024
*listened to as an audiobook* As a fan of Jersey Shore, I loved reading this and hearing Mike’s life story! His life is definitely not what I expected and I respect the choices he’s made to turn a new leaf for himself, his family and name. Also, fun to listen to as he narrates the book himself!
July 2, 2024
I love celebrity memoirs and this might be my favorite one I’ve ever read
February 13, 2024
I really liked this book. It is an honest and raw look at addiction and the extreme lengths someone will go to in order to get their fix. He exhibits a lot of humility and takes full accountability for his actions. If you are looking for the tea on Jersey shore, this book is not that. It chronicles his life and rise to fame, and the fallout from his addiction and prison sentence. His wife must truly love him, and it’s a miracle this man is still alive. It switches between third person and first person but it absolutely sounds like him, like he’s just talking to you.
January 3, 2024
“For me, it's always been about going to the shore. Back to my roots, where it all began. That's where we would start this next chapter of our life. With me sober, happy, and at peace.
Finally.”
Highly recommend!!!
Finally.”
Highly recommend!!!
March 8, 2024
This book was funny at times and inspiring at others. If you were ever a Jersey Shore fan I’d highly recommend.
Read
February 21, 2024I’m obsessed with jersey shore and his story was no exception. Listened to the audio book and highly recommend!!
April 29, 2024
2.5 stars - the typos killed me, very entertaining, not a fan of the I’m my own superhero mentality, inspiring comeback story
June 3, 2024
Great book! Mike went from the biggest douche to ever be on TV (congrats lol) to the BEST and biggest family man and father. As a former addict, I especially loved this book because I know it will help others. Loved the chapters from his mom’s prospective. Having lost my mom, I know one day Mike will appreciate having this little part of her in his book. Can’t wait to see his kids when they’re all grown up - even tho that means I’ll be older myself.
The road isn’t easy, but you still have to travel it
We didn’t come this far only to come this far
Either you run this day or this day runs you
The road isn’t easy, but you still have to travel it
We didn’t come this far only to come this far
Either you run this day or this day runs you
Read
January 20, 2024It feels weird to give a book like this a star rating so I didn’t rate it but I loved it nonetheless! Mikes bravery to put such a vulnerable story out there like this is very admirable. I thought that it was just gonna be a 250 page long flex but he really includes the good the bad and the ugly about his journey with addiction, stardom, and prison.
February 19, 2024
“I love a success story, but even more than a success story, I like a dude-who-fucks-his-life-up-and-gets-his-life-together-again story”
Mike Sorrentino has an amazing story and so glad he wrote a book! So interesting, but warning, a lot of his story can be triggering! Lots of stories revolving around getting drugs, getting high, and his party days.
Overall, very well written!
Mike Sorrentino has an amazing story and so glad he wrote a book! So interesting, but warning, a lot of his story can be triggering! Lots of stories revolving around getting drugs, getting high, and his party days.
Overall, very well written!
July 13, 2024
I have crazy respect for Mike rn after reading this..his story made me so emotional! It was so interesting to hear so much backstory about things I watched on Jersey Shore years ago because I felt like I was hearing an entirely new side of things. This was super inspiring and heartwarming and I loved it. Definitely recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 759 reviews