I have always found memoirs from former child stars particularly interesting. There is something fascinating about hearing what life was really like for the people we grew up watching on television, especially when their childhoods were anything but ordinary. Once Upon a Trainwreck by Christy Carlson Romano offers an entertaining and sometimes surprisingly personal look at her life, both during and after her years as a Disney Channel star.

I enjoyed this memoir quite a bit. Romano has an engaging way of telling her story, and I appreciated getting a glimpse into the experiences that shaped her, including some of the less glamorous realities of growing up in the entertainment industry. She does not shy away from discussing difficult experiences, complicated relationships, or the challenges of figuring out who she was outside of the characters she played.

That said, I finished the book feeling like there were still some things she was holding back.

I do not necessarily expect someone writing a memoir to reveal every humiliating experience, darkest thought, or deeply personal secret they have ever had. Everyone deserves some privacy, even when they choose to share their life story publicly. However, there were moments when I felt Romano approached something particularly vulnerable, only to pull back before really exploring the emotions behind it.

It is difficult to explain because I never felt like she was being dishonest. Quite the opposite, actually. She comes across as genuine and relatively self-aware, and I believe she sincerely wanted to share her experiences. But there is a difference between telling readers about the difficult things that happened to you and allowing them to see the messier, less flattering parts of how you experienced those things.

At times, Once Upon a Trainwreck felt a little sanitized, almost as though the rougher edges had been carefully smoothed over before publication. I occasionally wanted her to dig a little deeper, particularly when discussing experiences that clearly had a significant impact on her life. I wanted more of the uncomfortable emotions, questionable decisions, and personal reflections that make a memoir feel truly unfiltered.

Of course, I recognize that this is her story to tell, and she gets to decide how much of herself she is comfortable sharing. I certainly would not want to suggest that a memoir needs to be a complete emotional excavation to be worthwhile.

And despite that criticism, I really did enjoy reading it.

Romano’s story is interesting on its own, and I appreciated the opportunity to see her as more than the familiar face from my childhood television screen. There is something refreshing about watching someone reflect on the unusual circumstances of their upbringing while trying to make sense of the person they eventually became.

Ultimately, Once Upon a Trainwreck is an enjoyable, engaging memoir that offers a meaningful look behind the curtain of child stardom. It feels sincere, even if it occasionally seems a little too carefully curated. I would have loved a bit more emotional vulnerability, but I still found it interesting and worthwhile.

4/5 stars. A genuinely enjoyable memoir that gives readers a more personal look at Christy Carlson Romano, even if I suspect there is still quite a bit of her story left untold.