I genuinely do not understand the point of this book. I admire the author for what giving these people space to share their stories, they never should have been published. Not only does this book feel unethical, but it lacks a purpose. It’s not hopeful, inspiring, or positive in any way. I felt gross reading these stories, though that may have been due to the lack of trigger warnings on some of the more triggering stories. Each story is clearly heavily edited by the author because they all have the same exact voice and narrative style. I went into this book looking for some salacious stories, and I came out of it feeling numb and sick.

I really expected more. I was so interested in this book, the true stories, why the book came about and it fell flat for me. It was a slog. I didn't hate the book, but I didn't like so many parts of it (beginning and ending) that I didn't find much to redeem it past the 2 stars I'm giving it. I felt that the authors introduction and why the book happened was too long, was a little unbelievable, and I actually felt for her fiance'. The ending was just unlikeable. I'll that there. The stories, albeit "true stories" seem too big for their britches at times, embellished at others. It's a short read, but dang... I'm not sure you should bother.

I just loved this book. I'm a sucker for anything like this: human stories about anything and everything. This one was compiled of 40 stories delving into anything you could possibly think of. This book reminded me of this quote by f. scott fitzgerald: “That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”

Author Helene was living in D.C. working as a lobbyist when craving meaningful human interactions she puts an add on Craigslist offering to be a listening to ear to whomever needed to talk and feel listened to.

For the next five years Helene meets with strangers from all walks of life collecting their life confessions, stories that they have rarely voiced even to loved ones. It is a collection of 40 of these stories that make up Craigslist Confessional, under the headers Love, Loss, Regret, Identity, and Family; stories of immigration, racism, sexism, molestation, physical and mental abuse, drug use, suicide, eating disorders, rape, failed marriages, sex addiction, cheating, fortunes lost, sickness, untimely deaths, and the occasional stories of hope
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The book is marketed towards “fans of Humans of New York and Postsecret”, which in a way it is; Craigslist Confessional Is made up of 40 essays written in the voice of their teller, giving glimpses into the greatest heartbreaks of their lives.The essays are beautifully crafted, and the reader gets the true sense of the differences in the tellers stories and lives from one another.

However, Craigslist Confessional differs from Humans of New York and Postsecret, in that the confessions found here are deeper and darker, than the more humanizing journalistic approach (Real Humans of New York) or more gossipy (Postsecret) reads.

If you're drawn to this book by the cover, put this book down; this is not the light hearted fun summer read of strangers confessions that you want it to be. The proposed cover of Craigslist Confessional, although catchy and utter perfection for bookshelves displaying summer reads, is not at all an accurate representation of the depth of the read awaiting you under the cover. I expect many people will be disappointed by the book, not by the quality of content, which is excellent, but by the false advertising of the cover art.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of Craigslist Confessional in exchange for my honest review.

Edit: The updated cover is a much more accurate visual representation of the stories inside. Well done. Well done.