Get our latest book recommendations, author news, and competitions right to your inbox.
Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Perfect for fans of The Glass Castle and Educated, this raw, powerful memoir recounts one woman’s journey—from gritty 1970s Brooklyn to testosterone-fueled 1980s–1990s Wall Street and beyond—to reclaim truth, identity, and self-worth after trauma.
A powerful memoir of trauma, resilience, and female empowerment, House of Pretend tells the story of a girl who, raised in the shadow of her father’s death by an emotionally abusive, narcissistic mother, learns early to perform, to please, and to pretend—and spends the rest of her life struggling to unlearn those behaviors.
Determined to escape the silence and neglect of her childhood, Joanne claws her way into the male-dominated world of Wall Street as a young woman—only to find that success means nothing without self-worth. When her boss offers her a million dollars to have his child, she is forced to reckon with everything she’s buried: the deep ache of abandonment, years of chasing love in all the wrong places, and the belief that she’s undeserving of more. What follows is not a transformation into someone new but rather a fierce unmasking—a reclamation of the voice, worth, and identity she has had within her all along.
Offering a gripping blend of raw emotion and biting clarity, House of Pretend is about what happens when a woman stops waiting to be saved and instead saves herself—with grit, honesty, and just the right amount of badassery.
A powerful memoir of trauma, resilience, and female empowerment, House of Pretend tells the story of a girl who, raised in the shadow of her father’s death by an emotionally abusive, narcissistic mother, learns early to perform, to please, and to pretend—and spends the rest of her life struggling to unlearn those behaviors.
Determined to escape the silence and neglect of her childhood, Joanne claws her way into the male-dominated world of Wall Street as a young woman—only to find that success means nothing without self-worth. When her boss offers her a million dollars to have his child, she is forced to reckon with everything she’s buried: the deep ache of abandonment, years of chasing love in all the wrong places, and the belief that she’s undeserving of more. What follows is not a transformation into someone new but rather a fierce unmasking—a reclamation of the voice, worth, and identity she has had within her all along.
Offering a gripping blend of raw emotion and biting clarity, House of Pretend is about what happens when a woman stops waiting to be saved and instead saves herself—with grit, honesty, and just the right amount of badassery.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (May 19, 2026)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9798896363095
Raves and Reviews
“With unflinching honesty and unexpected wit, Joanne Redding has written a brave story about the cost of silence, the complexity of forgiving those who've hurt us, and the harder task of forgiving ourselves. She writes with the heart of someone who refuses to hide anymore—not just from the world, but from the truth.”—Michael Hainey, author of After Visiting Friends
“House of Pretend is raw, unsentimental, and deeply human—an unmasking of survival, resilience, and self-worth. Joanne’s story lingers long after the final page, a testament to the power of choosing oneself and telling the truth out loud.”—Laura Munson, New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Haven Writing Retreats
“Joanne Redding’s immensely satisfying and resonant memoir should be a classic for years to come. Touching on questions that are universal in the examination of her life, it’s everything you want in a good read—rich, unexpected, funny, heartbreaking, and, ultimately, full of grace and wisdom.”—David Kirkpatrick, former president of Paramount Pictures and former production chief of Walt Disney Studios
“House of Pretend is raw, unflinching, aching, and impossible to put down. With crystalline prose and propulsive writing, Joanne guides us through her childhood—a childhood shattered by loss, neglect, and family secrets. The immediacy of Joanne’s writing rivets your attention, but it is her grace, honesty, and compassion that gives this story resonance, reminding us that it is always possible to reclaim your voice.”—Andrea Leeb, USA Today best-selling author of Such A Pretty Picture
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
-
Book Cover Image (jpg): House of Pretend
eBook 9798896363095
