If you watched MTV in the middle aughts you likely remember Audrina Patridge, who co-starred in the series ‘The Hills’ which chronicled the dramatic early career of up-and-coming singles in Los Angeles. She played the part of the sidekick whose relationship status with off-again-on-again boyfriend Justin Bobby kept viewers hooked.

What is the Purpose of the Tell All

Now a single mother in her 30’s ‘Choices’ is written so Patridge should give her own account of the time spent on ‘The Hills’ and reflect on the choices she made that brought her to the present day.

Synopsis

Exactly how real was ‘The Hills’? To that, the author gives explanations on how scenes were arranged in ways that would not have happened organically. For instance, if she had a fight with a co-star, in real life both would have dropped the issue, but instead, Partridge would be asked to confront her friend on camera for the sake of the show. The interjection occurred to such an extent that she would refer to her tv personality as “Audrina” to keep separate from the Audrina that was her authentic self.

‘Choices’ also spends a large portion of the book’s second half detailing the domestic abuse Patridge went through with her ex-husband. The accounts described paint a sharp contrast to the sunny persona portrayed on ‘The Hills, which often showed Patridge as a hopeless romantic and a gentle soul.

Lastly, Patridge discusses having a child and becoming a single mother when she ultimately decides to leave her husband, and what it took to raise and co-parent while going through a divorce.  Ultimately the book ends on a happy note as Patridge finds balance in becoming a business owner, television presenter, and mother.

Most revealing confession

For a series where producers played a heavy hand, one of the surprising facts of the book was that Audrina actually did work as a receptionist at Quixote studios that was featured in the show.

Is it worth your time

It is clear that since the TV series concluded the author has gained the distance to see the impact that starting one’s adult life as the subject of a reality TV series had. Some of the revelations did not land with the thud of a conventional tell-all and came off entirely too reserved and at times seemed too distant to give the readers any cathartic insight.

“I am not writing this book to put anyone down or to speak poorly about them. This is my journey, and I am reckoning with my choices and my experiences”

For what it lacked in the scandal, the communicative style and language seemed authentic to the personality that was portrayed on TV. If you enjoyed watching ‘The Hills’, it will be like revisiting an old high school or college acquaintance to catch up on where they had been the last 15 years. Overall, despite the subject matter, the author keeps the reading light-hearted and makes for a swift and easy read.

Photo Credit: Simon and Schuster