This book feels part autobiography and part self-help but works so well. I think all men would do well to read this, especially the parts on toxic masculinity.

I have never watched an episode of The Only Way Is Essex in my life so I will hold my hands up and say everything I knew about Pete Wicks came from the press. I know - horrible. Pete talks about tabloids in this book! As a fan of MasterChef however, I became a fan of Pete's after he took part in the celebrity version because he seemed so genuine and nice.

I then followed him on social media and like everyone else, I love his persona and friendship with Sam Thompson.

This book starts with humour (and does have a lot of funny quips throughout) but it does get into some deep topics. It made me a little sad how Pete can be self-deprecating. 

He writes about his beautiful relationship with his nan, the effect that his parents divorce and dad leaving had on him, working in the public eye, his friendships (I remember tearing up when he surprised Sam in the jungle!).

I learned things about Pete. For example, I knew about his charity work with animals but not CoppaFeel, and that he hates the smell of Febreze in an Uber when he's hungover. Who knew? But I also had my eyes opened about aspects of my own life.

There is a chapter in this about a situation with his mum which brought me to tears. I have a twelve year old son, the age Pete was, and it broke my heart to think of a child at that age going through something like that. I don't know how he got through the narration of that for the audiobook. 

Kudos for lots of great helplines and resources at the end for those struggling. I know fans of Pete's will read this but I definitely suggest that those who don't know much about him or have a negative opinion of him should give this a read.