I’ve been so busy reading and reviewing romance fiction titles for blog tours, etc., that it’s rare when I have a moment to delve into my own purchases from Kobo. So check out my review of the autobiography No One’s Pet by Sheila Kennedy, former Penthouse Pet of the Year.
****
Title: No One’s Pet
Series: N/A
Author: Sheila Kennedy
Genre: Non-Fiction, Celebrity, Autobiography
Length: 206 pages
Release Date: January 29, 2016
Blurb: For the first time in the history of the iconic adult magazine Penthouse, the curtain is lifted on life in Bob Guccione’s mansion. No One’s The Autobiography of Sheila Kennedy reveals the inner workings of the media magnate’s private sanctum. The tell-all Penthouse Pet book exposes a unique perspective on the free-for-all fun of a historically important period in pop culture.
Beneath the glamorous surface of a Penthouse Pet’s life in the mansion, lies a dark and often scandalous story. With cameos by teen heartthrob Scott Baio and rocker Axl Rose, the two writers weave a true tale of celebrity shenanigans and sexual mischief. Featuring settings from Prince Jefri of Brunei’s palace to NY Met’s Ron Darling’s bachelor pad. From a brief encounter in the NYC club scene with actor Michael J. Fox as he prepared for Bright Like Big City, to outrageous shopping sprees on Madison Ave, Sheila’s journey is the most authentic recounting of the notorious 1980s decade of debauchery and gluttony.
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I enjoy a good groupie story, but Sheila Kennedy is not one. She just happened to date a couple of rock stars. Instead, her memoir focuses on her life working for Penthouse, which I found quite interesting.
She takes us back to her early days, sharing her story of her parents. I must say, this girl had a tough upbringing. She lived in orphanages, had an aunt in Vegas doing some unsavoury acts to earn money, and pretty much was on her own. One thing, though, she knew what she wanted. Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, there was a big world out there she yearned to taste. And taste it she did.
I will admit there was a lot of telling, so I didn’t quite get a good grip on who Sheila really is. I mean, I did have a good idea through her actions that told me she is impulsive, a risk-taker, and has a lot of courage. I sure wouldn’t have gotten on a plane with a one-way ticket to Chicago to meet a bunch of strangers. But from birth, Sheila looked after herself, and this prepared her to find a life for herself, no matter if she had to rely on strangers.
She shares her sexual escapades, her romances, and dishes on the many people she met. But I’d say my favourite part of the novel is her younger years where she goes into a lot of details about her upbringing. She comes across as very likable, the kind of person you’d want to befriend.
As for the writing, Sheila uses an easy style of “sharing a cup of coffee with a friend” while rehashing her tale. I must say I enjoyed this style very much. It made for easy reading.
It does bog down a bit in the middle, and I sort of wished for it to move on. Still, it’s a wonderful read. She not only speaks about her failures but admits to where she could’ve done things better. As I said, she comes across as very human, the kind of person you’d enjoy hanging with. And many people enjoyed her company. Not just men.
Do yourself a favour and give the book a try. It’s an easy read.
Maggie Blackbird 