I am a complete sucker for a Regan era 80's drug fueled coming of age story. Was looking forward to what i expected to be a Sid and Nancy meets suburbia type prequel. While Dominique is a no doubt a talented and clever writer, my expectations where not meet. In order for me to connect and become enveloped in "Nikki's" story, the novel should have been written in chronological order. In 1993 all of us fell for Quentin Terentino and his cult hit "Pulp Fiction" with his out of sequence story telling. As a visual film this was easy to follow. Nikki's take on a story told out of sequence in a constant state of flashback took away and desensitized this readers love of for this nostalgic time of a struggling single Mother, drugs, teen angst and rock and roll. Constantly reminding us to "Check out the big brain on Brad"-Nikki reminded us continually of her extensive education and superior intellect. No doubt her struggles as molested youth, drug addiction and alcohol are real. I do need to mention and admit the story did keep me entertained and I finished the book in one day. I guess when my autobiographical story is finally told as a comedy of a 15 yr. Old child bride from a small Seaside Northern California organic and unique Surf Community, married to a local athletic hero-drug attic, abused, and single surviving and struggling in the 80's. I too will receive my share of criticism.

There were so many duplicate pages. Chapters ending with pages missing. For example there were mixed pages like page 798 and 1090. It was an alright book until all the problems with all the issues of bad editing. These problems were consistent all over the book. If I were the writer I would be highly upset. But, I do want my money back.

I recommend this to everyone!

Really excellent memoir. A fast and interesting read with parts that are incredibly sad yet also laugh out loud funny. Hope she writes another book soon.

Could not put this amazing, real and heart grabbing life story down! Accolades to you dear Author!!

Domenica Rutas ability to perfectly bring to life in the mind of her reader the stark and desperate reality of her homelife is fresh and unique. Its a memoir so honest, with its warts and emotional brutality written so poetic and raw. Full of REAL people, with flaws, not contrived charactures. I truly hope Ms. Ruta is well on the way on her next project. She has a voice and presence in her writing that will win over any reader lucky enough to pick this book up.

I feel like I know this woman. Or she knows me. An exceptional and unique memoir.

I love, love, love this book! Sure, this electronic version has some wonky copied pages but who cares! The story will absorb you.

Very well written. The imagery superb. I feel like I lived this horror with her. The author must fix her one mistake. In the epilogue she refers to a depressed economy during the Reagan years. It was the Carter years, but the author is too young to remember it was Reagan who turned that bad economy around. Please fix.