In a nutshell, Matthew Perry’s book, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” courageously invites readers into his life, explaining his struggles of love, loneliness, and addiction. Let me preface my review by saying, I am a huge Matthew Perry/Chandler Bing/FRIENDS fan. To my surprise, Matthew was noticeably different from the rest of the cast during the FRIENDS reunion. When he announced his upcoming book, I made a mental note to purchase the book and put it in queue to read at some point. When the news hit of his passing citing ‘cause of death unknown/under investigation’ my curiosity peaked. Which brings me to my review… Matthew Perry delivered a book illustrating what it was like struggling with mental health and addiction. He shares his childhood trauma, which inevitably left him lonely with a constant longing for a loving/fulfilling relationship. I understood where he was coming from and how at the end of it all (even while having it all) he still felt empty. He went through a series of rollercoaster rides with repeated relapses and failed relationships, not to mention the millions of money spent in search for a permanent state of sobriety. There are criticisms on the repetitiveness within his book, in which I highly disagree. The reality is that he was a person struggling with addiction. I found the repetitiveness to be, quite frankly, honest as most addicts fight daily inner battles: some relapse and some don’t. For Matthew Perry, his truth is that he did relapse several times. You can’t help but expect his story to be repetitive. I personally believe his memoir to be courageous, open and honest. I found no trouble with chronologically following his life’s events as others have. To me it was an easy, yet heartbreaking read. It’s easy to judge and think how could someone as accomplished as Matthew Perry find himself in this kind of predicament? But on the outside looking in, we will never know what someone is going through. This was his story to tell

If you’re going through struggles as Matthew did, this book will be relatable and could possibly change your life. Very funny and brutally honest. Will be reading again

There are some books you want to look through the reviews before you decide if you want to pick it up or not, then there are others you just want to read for yourself. Matthew's book was one that I wanted to read for myself. Though in looking through the reviews now that I have finished it, I realize either someone loves it or does not, there is no in-between it seems. Before I write any more of my review - I want to point out that I am 99.9% certain I read a Kindle version that was edited to remove whatever there was about Keanu. So if someone is reading my review wondering why I don't mention it, I cannot comment on what I did not read. --- One more observation, from the reviews I did look through, it seems that most people who *listened* to the book disliked it more than those who *read* it. Seems listening to it make it more difficult to follow the already jumping timeline. Again, just my observation. From the beginning Matthew tells us how this story is going to be written/told. How? you ask? "Groundhog Day" is his favorite movie, do I really need to say anything more? If you do not understand this reference, please take the time (1 hour and 40 minutes) to watch the 1993 classic movie with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Then perhaps more things will make sense for you. Thankfully I have never been an alcoholic or an addict, however, I have known several in my life. For them every day is groundhog day. Every morning the question of, "How will I get through today without a drink/pill/smoke/etc." makes every 24 hours the same. Matthew shows that in spades with his repetition throughout his story. Many of the reviews I saw complained about the repetition; if they don't understand it, perhaps they should count themselves lucky not to. To have never known someone who lives every day like this; or to not be that person themselves. Matthew's story didn't end all sunshine-and-rainbows with a happily every after. Not everyone's does. I appreciated the fact that he kept it real. That he kept it honest. That he shows his faults to us just as much as he shows us the goodness. Life isn't always polished and pretty no matter who you are or how much money you have. Matthew proves that. No matter how bad things seemed to be for him, Matthew always looked to his future, he always wanted to be there. Perhaps not always for the right reasons, but reasons that kept him moving forward nonetheless. There is something to be admired about that. Interestingly, one of my favorite lines reads, "God looked down on me, just waiting it out. He's got all the time in the world. F*<k, he invented time." There is something raw and honest and scary and funny in those words that just made me stop reading and literally highlight it in my Kindle book. Follow that with another line I highlighted that reads, "It was an amazing moment and a terrible moment all at at the same time." Talk about defining life most days. Perhaps not Pulitzer winning writing, but powerful and truthful just the same. I have to say my all-time favorite sentence is this one - "God is everywhere - you just have to clear your channel, or you'll miss it." Doesn't matter what version of God you believe in, that sentence has a profound truth to it. (That one got highlighted in pink) Not something I would have expected from Matthew. But I am grateful he wrote it. I am easily giving this book all five stars for it's raw honesty, it's openness, it's imperfectness. Just like Matthew. Yes, I finally read his story after his sudden death on October 28, 2023. As I'm writing this on November 24, 2023, his cause of death still has not been determined nor released. Which makes one last sentence stand out for me in a premonition kind of way as I wonder what COD will turn out to be... Matthew himself wrote, "I could have a cigarette right now, have a heart attack, and if no one was around to call 911, I was a goner." Well, he was home alone, and he did try to call 911 himself, but he was unable to save himself this time. Oh, Matthew. I wonder if you have finally found peace and all the deep, full Love you have always desired. Thank You for leaving a light on for us with your story. I pray it helps more people so that you may continue helping people even after you've gone on ahead of us in death.