It is finally here. After years of being the girl everyone loves to misunderstand on Vanderpump Rules, Scheana Shay dropped her memoir, My Good Side, in July 2025. Honestly, if you’ve followed her journey since that first episode where she had to face Brandi Glanville at SUR, you knew this was coming. She’s always been the one to "say it all," even when it makes her look, well, a little bit messy.
But this book? It isn’t just a recap of the show. It’s kinda like a fever dream of early 2000s Hollywood hookups and the actual reality of being a "villain" in the eyes of the public for over a decade.
Why My Good Side is More Than Just a VPR Recap
Basically, Scheana spent years being told she has a "victim complex." People on Reddit and Twitter (now X) have been ruthless about her "pick-me" energy for years. In My Good Side, she addresses that head-on. She talks about the stuff the cameras missed—the moments where she felt the producers were pushing a specific narrative that didn't always match the truth.
One of the biggest shockers? Her relationship with Eddie Cibrian. We all know the story, or we thought we did. But in the book, she gets into the nitty-gritty of how she actually found out he was married. It wasn't some big confrontation; it was her mom seeing him in a magazine. She also claims that Lisa Vanderpump knew way more about the affair than she ever let on during those early seasons.
Then there’s the "Black Book" section. It's wild.
The Hollywood "Friendships" You Didn't Know About
Scheana didn't hold back on the names. She details a list of flings and "sleepovers" that sound like a 2008 issue of Us Weekly:
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- John Mayer: She describes him as being "really into phone sex."
- Jesse Metcalfe: They dated briefly in 2007. Apparently, he took her to the Cloverfield premiere as their first post-rehab date.
- Jesse McCartney & Adrian Grenier: Just a few more names in the mix of her pre-fame L.A. life.
It’s easy to roll your eyes and say she’s name-dropping. But for Scheana, this is her life. She was the girl working the cigar bars and the Hooters, trying to make it as an actress while these guys were at the peak of their fame.
The Brock Davies Bombshell: The Affair No One Saw Coming
The most controversial part of My Good Side—the thing that almost didn't make it into the final draft—is the revelation about her husband, Brock Davies.
Scheana reveals that Brock had an affair while she was pregnant with their daughter, Summer Moon. Yeah. It’s heavy. She admits she wanted to be vague about it. She didn't want the world to judge him. But Brock actually pushed her to be honest. He told her that if she was going to write a memoir, she couldn't leave out a "literal chapter" of her life just to protect his image.
It explains a lot about her behavior in Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules. Remember when everyone was mad at her for being "soft" on Tom Sandoval? She writes that her decision to forgive Brock made it impossible for her to keep "despising" Sandoval for his cheating. In her mind, if she gave her husband a second chance, she had to extend that same grace to her friends.
Whether you agree with that logic or not, it’s a very "Scheana" way of looking at the world.
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The Book Tour Disaster and "New York Times Best Seller" Status
Despite the juicy tea, the rollout wasn't exactly smooth. The book did debut at #4 on the New York Times Best Seller list, which is a massive win. But the live tour? That’s a different story altogether.
By late July 2025, reports started surfacing that the My Good Side book tour was struggling. Dates in St. Louis and D.C. were canceled. Fans on Reddit posted photos of half-empty venues in Austin and Salt Lake City. People complained about missing merchandise and a general lack of organization.
It seems like there’s a gap between people wanting to read the gossip and people wanting to pay $50 to see her talk about it in person.
Critical Reception: Is It Actually Good?
The reviews are... mixed. Kirkus Reviews actually liked it, calling her a "naturally engaging storyteller." On the other hand, the Goodreads community has been a bit more "Good as Gold" (the screamo version).
- The "Victim" Narrative: Many readers feel she still hasn't taken real accountability for her part in the drama.
- The OCD Transparency: People did give her credit for how she talked about her Postpartum OCD. It’s one of the few places where she lets the "perfection" mask slip.
- The "Pick-Me" Factor: Some critics say the book is just a long list of why she was "right" in every argument she's ever had on TV.
What You Should Do Next If You're a Fan
If you're still on the fence about picking up a copy of My Good Side, here is the best way to consume it.
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Skip the hardcover. Honestly. Unless you’re a die-hard collector of VPR memorabilia, the audiobook is the way to go. Scheana narrates it herself, and hearing her tell these stories in her own voice—vocal fry and all—makes the experience much more authentic. It feels like you’re just listening to a 6-hour long episode of her podcast, Scheananigans.
Pay close attention to Chapter 9. That’s where she talks about being demoted on the show and the "bad edits" she feels she received. It gives a lot of context to her exit from the main cast and her transition into The Valley.
If you’re looking for a deep, philosophical exploration of fame... this isn't it. But if you want a "wild nostalgia trip" through the messy, glittery, and often cringey world of 2000s and 2010s reality TV, it’s a solid weekend read.
Check out the audiobook on Audible or Spotify. You can usually find the hardcover discounted at major retailers like Walmart or Amazon now that the initial hype has died down.
Actionable Insights for Readers:
- Audiobook is King: Experience the narrative through Scheana's own voice for the full "Scheananigans" effect.
- Focus on the VPR Behind-the-Scenes: The chapters regarding the early days of Villa Blanca and the production's internal politics offer the most value for long-time fans.
- Check Local Libraries: Given the mixed reviews, use apps like Libby to borrow the ebook for free before committing to a purchase.