What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter

 

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter

By: Laura Clery

Genre: Memoir

Once upon a time Laura Clery and her husband, Stephen Hilton, were internet gold. Both talented and gifted: she in comedy, he in music composition. They teamed up to bring you hilarious videos and skits that brought laughter to millions. However, whenever two addicts build a life in which one isn't being truthful (or faithful), problems will arise. And when things go south, it is done publicly and in volcanic fashion. 

The once happily married couple are no longer together. Stephen gave the internet a blow by blow account while Laura stayed quiet, for the most part. However, she has decided to speak and is sparing little details of the hell their uncoupling became.

I was one of the countless who saw at least some of the Stephen's videos. And for a long time we only had his side of the story. So, when I learned Laura was putting hers on paper, I was eager to read the other side. I was not prepared for what I was going to read. I had no idea how bad things got. I had no clue of the suicide declarations, nor the breaking into the home. I was unaware of the long history of infidelity on his part. Nor did I know his drug relapse happened far more earlier than we were led to believe.

My heart broke as I learned what she and the kids had to see and hear in front of them. At the time, both kids were little and one is severely autistic. No one should have to be subjected to trauma like that, but it was harder to read and wonder how their son was going to handle everything. My chin was constantly dropping. More than once I had to stop reading because my heart hurt too much. To see what happens when addiction gets to have the control is devastating.

While I'm not saying Laura is perfect, no one should have to endure what she and the kids did. Nor for as long as they did. I remember watching the videos he made about intentionally taking drugs for his creativity. At the time, I thought it was nuts- like everyone else. There was so much we didn't know that you will now learn. 

If you're in the market for a book of how someone overcame all the obstacles that came their way, I recommend What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Hotter. If you just want her side of the story and read about what she got through all she did, grab this book. May you gain some strength from her trials. May you learn you can endure far more than you think you can.