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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 books18 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 431 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.
January 24, 2024
“God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers” - Big Daddy Sitch 🫡
Highly entertaining audiobook.
Highly entertaining audiobook.
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 🫶🏾
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.
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.
April 18, 2024
4⭐️ WOW, WOW, WOW
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.
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!
Read
February 21, 2024I’m obsessed with jersey shore and his story was no exception. Listened to the audio book and highly recommend!!
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!
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
March 26, 2024
This deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ simply because it’s a helluva comeback story. I grew up watching Mike on Jersey Shore and always thought he was a huge douche, but somehow still lovable. This book had its fair share of cheesy, inspirational quotes but the raw honesty was super cool!
January 15, 2024
Could not put down. Hands down the best memoir I’ve ever read.
March 8, 2024
Definitely makes you look at jersey shore from an interesting pov
February 13, 2024
Wasn’t sure what to expect from Big Daddy Sitch but this book was incredible!!! His life is such a wild ride. 10/10.
March 12, 2024
Ready to rewatch Jersey Shore
April 13, 2024
4⭐️
Another celebrity memoir in the books! I have always been a Jersey Shore fan so it intrigued to read The Situation’s book! Kept me engaged the entire time and enjoyed reading his point of view. I would recommend!
Another celebrity memoir in the books! I have always been a Jersey Shore fan so it intrigued to read The Situation’s book! Kept me engaged the entire time and enjoyed reading his point of view. I would recommend!
February 20, 2024
Absolutely wild ride of a book from Mike the Situation. I had no idea the struggles he faced with addiction while watching the show many years ago. Glad he got the help he needed!
April 13, 2024
Listened on audiobook. I love jersey shore so listening to Mike’s stories on the show and his sobriety journey was super interesting. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
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
March 15, 2024
Incredible. 10 stars.
March 4, 2024
As a jersey Shore fan I found this very interesting. Glad that Mike turned his life around and got his happy ending.
January 7, 2024
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending"
this man walked through fire and came out a better man. mike’s story is crazy and kind of sad. bad decisions, pain, addiction, loss, prison, and sacrifice. he represents hope. turned his pain into purpose. “the comeback is always greater than the set back.”
highly recommend the audiobook as it’s narrated by mike.
this man walked through fire and came out a better man. mike’s story is crazy and kind of sad. bad decisions, pain, addiction, loss, prison, and sacrifice. he represents hope. turned his pain into purpose. “the comeback is always greater than the set back.”
highly recommend the audiobook as it’s narrated by mike.
January 10, 2024
Wow. I really enjoyed this. Easy to follow, SO interesting learning all the behind the scenes info - as a jersey shore fan I always had a feeling there was more than just alcohol going on (no way they were Jersey turn piking until the sun comes up every night with just drinks?) but I had NO IDEA clearly. So proud of Mike! He deserves nothing but the best <3
Ps. The neck brace in Italy episodes make SO much sense now.
Ps. The neck brace in Italy episodes make SO much sense now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews