What do you think?
Rate this book
Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative
From the award-winning, multihyphenate global entertainer Keke Palmer comes the inspiring true story of her journey to understanding her genuine value.
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF FALL 2024: Bookshop, Apple Books, and more!!
Keke Palmer thought she knew who she was. What it means to be a good person and what it takes to be a success. It all seemed so simple, until she realized the challenges she would have to face to prove to herself who she wanted to be. From feeling alienated to having to restart her career after ten years in to becoming a single mother just months after her son was born—everything she worked for in life that she felt granted her what she wanted now also reminded her that “life is going to life” and throw curveballs regardless of what you deserve. She found herself asking, Where do I find my power? How do I master myself?
In her own raw and intimate words, Keke talks about everything from her struggles with boundaries to unconditional love, forgiveness, and worthiness. “Don’t block your blessings and potential opportunities by allowing the voices of other people to influence your actions,” she says. “How you’re choosing to set yourself up for success is between you and the person looking back at you in the mirror.”
Throughout the book, Keke also poses readers with the questions needed to get them through their own challenging times by sharing personal stories and lessons she’s learned along the way. She gets candid about the tools she’s developed to take the reins, harness her vulnerability, and recognize ownership in the narrative of her life—which allowed her to turn personal power into major power.
In this exhilarating, deeply poignant, and often laugh-out-loud book, Lauren Keyana Palmer gets real about life, work, love, and belief. These pages will encourage readers to empower themselves with the truth, leverage their currency, and find the keys to master themselves and the art of alchemy. Keke writes, “You are not on anyone else’s timeline, only your own.”
The result is a tour de force.
They said, “Jack of all Trades, Master of None.”
She said, “No, I am the Master. Of Me.”
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF FALL 2024: Bookshop, Apple Books, and more!!
Keke Palmer thought she knew who she was. What it means to be a good person and what it takes to be a success. It all seemed so simple, until she realized the challenges she would have to face to prove to herself who she wanted to be. From feeling alienated to having to restart her career after ten years in to becoming a single mother just months after her son was born—everything she worked for in life that she felt granted her what she wanted now also reminded her that “life is going to life” and throw curveballs regardless of what you deserve. She found herself asking, Where do I find my power? How do I master myself?
In her own raw and intimate words, Keke talks about everything from her struggles with boundaries to unconditional love, forgiveness, and worthiness. “Don’t block your blessings and potential opportunities by allowing the voices of other people to influence your actions,” she says. “How you’re choosing to set yourself up for success is between you and the person looking back at you in the mirror.”
Throughout the book, Keke also poses readers with the questions needed to get them through their own challenging times by sharing personal stories and lessons she’s learned along the way. She gets candid about the tools she’s developed to take the reins, harness her vulnerability, and recognize ownership in the narrative of her life—which allowed her to turn personal power into major power.
In this exhilarating, deeply poignant, and often laugh-out-loud book, Lauren Keyana Palmer gets real about life, work, love, and belief. These pages will encourage readers to empower themselves with the truth, leverage their currency, and find the keys to master themselves and the art of alchemy. Keke writes, “You are not on anyone else’s timeline, only your own.”
The result is a tour de force.
They said, “Jack of all Trades, Master of None.”
She said, “No, I am the Master. Of Me.”
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2024
734 people are currently reading
10563 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 980 reviews
November 23, 2024
This wasn’t really a memoir—it’s a self-help book disguised as one. I was excited for this because she is such a badass, but there wasn’t much actually in here? It is more motivational talk and lacks the vulnerability and meaningful storytelling that makes a good memoir.
A few chapters in I thought, “well maybe this just isn’t FOR me,” but the more I read the more I had issues with it. The book felt preachy and out of touch, especially when discussing acting and finances, and Chapter 26 was basically an ad for her platform.
Celebrity memoirs rarely work when they lean into self-help, and this was no exception. This felt like being at a mandatory corporate training. Skip.
A few chapters in I thought, “well maybe this just isn’t FOR me,” but the more I read the more I had issues with it. The book felt preachy and out of touch, especially when discussing acting and finances, and Chapter 26 was basically an ad for her platform.
Celebrity memoirs rarely work when they lean into self-help, and this was no exception. This felt like being at a mandatory corporate training. Skip.
November 18, 2024
I loved listening to Keke narrate this book, but it was part self help and part memoir when I wanted more memoir
December 3, 2024
The book feels like a reflection of a life spent existing for other people.
Master of Me is less memoir, more self-help, but narrated by Keke Palmer with so much charm and magnetism that you’ll stay hooked even when the content doesn’t quite deliver on its promise. The marketing sets you up for raw, unfiltered vulnerability, but instead, you get carefully curated anecdotes and motivational advice from someone who feels like she’s still figuring it out. There’s power in hearing her reflect on her childhood as a breadwinner and the public scrutiny she’s endured, but it’s hard to hear her blame herself for “triggering” an ex who harmed her. It’s clear she’s mid-healing, and that tension is felt throughout.
Master of Me is less memoir, more self-help, but narrated by Keke Palmer with so much charm and magnetism that you’ll stay hooked even when the content doesn’t quite deliver on its promise. The marketing sets you up for raw, unfiltered vulnerability, but instead, you get carefully curated anecdotes and motivational advice from someone who feels like she’s still figuring it out. There’s power in hearing her reflect on her childhood as a breadwinner and the public scrutiny she’s endured, but it’s hard to hear her blame herself for “triggering” an ex who harmed her. It’s clear she’s mid-healing, and that tension is felt throughout.
November 25, 2024
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Keke Palmer, but this book just felt trite. It was like she compiled a bunch of cliches, advice and proverbs and was like “this could be a book” and then just listed it all. The final result lacks heart, depth or purpose.
December 2, 2024
Sorry to this book, but this is not a memoir…
I was so excited to see that Keke Palmer had written a memoir. She is such a joy and I’ve loved hearing her outlook on life via her podcast/social media. I listened to the audiobook because I simply love to hear the woman speak, and sure she did make me laugh a few times. But this book had zero (zilch) vulnerability and basically no details about her life that you couldn’t already find on Wikipedia.
It read mostly as a self-help book, so I don’t know why it wasn’t marketed as such. I mean seriously, what kind of “memoir” includes end of section multiple choice quizzes re self worth and related topics. It’s like Keke not only doesn’t want to share any potentially vulnerable details about her life, but also has no faith that the audience could learn lessons from her life stories, so instead of giving us any actual life stories she gave a lot of platitudes and explicitly stated the lesson she wanted us to learn. And then there would be random chapters that felt like drawn out ads for one of her multiple businesses (I’m looking at you, ch 26).
This is not to say that the public is entitled to all of Keke’s life and its intimate details. But it’s misleading to publish a book, call it a memoir, and pretend that the reader is going to gain some new insight into someone’s life and then this be the result. I get it girl, you still don’t want to talk about your ex’s ridiculous tweets after the usher concert, and that’s totally fine. But please, don’t claim you wrote a memoir.
I was so excited to see that Keke Palmer had written a memoir. She is such a joy and I’ve loved hearing her outlook on life via her podcast/social media. I listened to the audiobook because I simply love to hear the woman speak, and sure she did make me laugh a few times. But this book had zero (zilch) vulnerability and basically no details about her life that you couldn’t already find on Wikipedia.
It read mostly as a self-help book, so I don’t know why it wasn’t marketed as such. I mean seriously, what kind of “memoir” includes end of section multiple choice quizzes re self worth and related topics. It’s like Keke not only doesn’t want to share any potentially vulnerable details about her life, but also has no faith that the audience could learn lessons from her life stories, so instead of giving us any actual life stories she gave a lot of platitudes and explicitly stated the lesson she wanted us to learn. And then there would be random chapters that felt like drawn out ads for one of her multiple businesses (I’m looking at you, ch 26).
This is not to say that the public is entitled to all of Keke’s life and its intimate details. But it’s misleading to publish a book, call it a memoir, and pretend that the reader is going to gain some new insight into someone’s life and then this be the result. I get it girl, you still don’t want to talk about your ex’s ridiculous tweets after the usher concert, and that’s totally fine. But please, don’t claim you wrote a memoir.
December 14, 2024
I love Miss Keke but she really said a whole lot of nothing 😭
February 19, 2025
Now Keke I did not come here for This 😒
I love Keke down she’s like the favorite cousin you don’t get to see often but have a time when yall finally link.
With that being said girl you know this wasn’t no damn memoir. By chapter 3 or 4 ya bout Pmtfo. If I wanted to read self help I would’ve went find one to read, there’s PLENTY. I ain’t learned shit about you in this book cousin. You gave us NOTHING. I didn’t come here to journal & think about my future & feelings.
I started with the ebook & immediately switched to the audio 🎧 & the amount of times I heard “millennial” was driving me.
YOU did eat that lil one line about Trey Songz though. 🙂↔️
I love Keke down she’s like the favorite cousin you don’t get to see often but have a time when yall finally link.
With that being said girl you know this wasn’t no damn memoir. By chapter 3 or 4 ya bout Pmtfo. If I wanted to read self help I would’ve went find one to read, there’s PLENTY. I ain’t learned shit about you in this book cousin. You gave us NOTHING. I didn’t come here to journal & think about my future & feelings.
I started with the ebook & immediately switched to the audio 🎧 & the amount of times I heard “millennial” was driving me.
YOU did eat that lil one line about Trey Songz though. 🙂↔️
November 25, 2024
*Cloud Library app*
This is what I needed to hear right now. I saw Keke on password and kept feeling drawn to her... a kind of connection.
Turns out she's neurodivergent too :) (adhd) and also intuitive.
How she talks about her journey, trusting her power eventually ❤️🧡💛💚 Can she be my teacher?
I admire how in tune with herself she is and the way she presents herself, never not being true to who she is.
Some of these things she said my brain wanted to reject but I still saw the wisdom in it and was turning it over it my mind.
The self worth chapter was my favorite and the one that hit me the most... I just want to print it out, keep it in my purse, and hand it out to everyone.
This is what I needed to hear right now. I saw Keke on password and kept feeling drawn to her... a kind of connection.
Turns out she's neurodivergent too :) (adhd) and also intuitive.
How she talks about her journey, trusting her power eventually ❤️🧡💛💚 Can she be my teacher?
I admire how in tune with herself she is and the way she presents herself, never not being true to who she is.
Some of these things she said my brain wanted to reject but I still saw the wisdom in it and was turning it over it my mind.
The self worth chapter was my favorite and the one that hit me the most... I just want to print it out, keep it in my purse, and hand it out to everyone.
January 9, 2025
A story that’s still being written but can be reflected on because so much has happened in between birth and present day. Keke sheds light on her humble beginnings and reflects on certain major life events in this one.
This isn’t a memoir like some would think it is. It’s a self-help book that partially separates the person from the celebrity. I wouldn’t say Keke let us all the way in with this one, but there are definitely some takeaways from this book that can be applied immediately to readers lives.
With mentions of Whoopi Goldberg, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Bette Midler, Jordan Peele, and many more, Keke tells us how these people played into her story, directly and indirectly. Keke “Get to the bag” Palmer has a very positive outlook on life, and we see that through topics like jobs we don’t like, beating the system, and triggers. Keke had a lot to say, and I didn’t agree with everything, but I could understand her logic.
Key Things that stuck with me:
- Interview with Tyler Perry where he says “Build for where you’re going and not where you are.”
- Mention of Toni Morrison’s words “The very serious function of racism is distraction.”
- Trey Songs not owning his masters. 🤭 So Keke basically plays his music because she knows he doesn’t own it.
- Keke having to be a “parentilized child” and how she’s still healing from that.
- How Leo (her son) has been speaking to Little Keke since he was born and part of Keke’s healing is getting to experience the things she missed out on as a kid with Leo.
This isn’t a memoir like some would think it is. It’s a self-help book that partially separates the person from the celebrity. I wouldn’t say Keke let us all the way in with this one, but there are definitely some takeaways from this book that can be applied immediately to readers lives.
With mentions of Whoopi Goldberg, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Bette Midler, Jordan Peele, and many more, Keke tells us how these people played into her story, directly and indirectly. Keke “Get to the bag” Palmer has a very positive outlook on life, and we see that through topics like jobs we don’t like, beating the system, and triggers. Keke had a lot to say, and I didn’t agree with everything, but I could understand her logic.
Key Things that stuck with me:
- Interview with Tyler Perry where he says “Build for where you’re going and not where you are.”
- Mention of Toni Morrison’s words “The very serious function of racism is distraction.”
- Trey Songs not owning his masters. 🤭 So Keke basically plays his music because she knows he doesn’t own it.
- Keke having to be a “parentilized child” and how she’s still healing from that.
- How Leo (her son) has been speaking to Little Keke since he was born and part of Keke’s healing is getting to experience the things she missed out on as a kid with Leo.
January 1, 2025
2.5 but im choosing kindness on this new years and rounding up
i think people are being hard on this book, judging by the top reviews on here. just because something isnt what you expected going in, doesn’t make it poorly written. in this case, this is hardly a memoir. we get anecdotal information about her life, but it very much is just keke playing the role of therapist and giving a self help novel.
my issue is just the novelty wore off as i kept reading. like, this didn’t come to me at a time where i needed this. i didn’t learn anything about keke or myself in the process of reading
i think people are being hard on this book, judging by the top reviews on here. just because something isnt what you expected going in, doesn’t make it poorly written. in this case, this is hardly a memoir. we get anecdotal information about her life, but it very much is just keke playing the role of therapist and giving a self help novel.
my issue is just the novelty wore off as i kept reading. like, this didn’t come to me at a time where i needed this. i didn’t learn anything about keke or myself in the process of reading
January 12, 2025
This isn't a memoir. It's a promotional tool to further Keke Palmer's transition into the self improvement sphere and her branding as a kind of wellness 'expert' when she has no credentials.
There are no insightful reflections, cool industry stories, or funny anecdotes. She can't even be bothered to include actual photos in her glossy pages - it's all publicity photos that she was considering for the cover of this very book.
A clear cashgrab meant to capitalize on the toxic positivity, grindset crowd. I don't expect a lot from any celebrity because they're so far removed from the reality of everyday life (even when they're not making big bucks, Hollywood creates a special kind of insulation that still distances them from the average person), but I do expect more than this from a memoir.
If you don't want to share, don't write a memoir. If you want to tell people that all they need to do is look on the bright side, then call this the self help guide it actually is and call it a day.
There are no insightful reflections, cool industry stories, or funny anecdotes. She can't even be bothered to include actual photos in her glossy pages - it's all publicity photos that she was considering for the cover of this very book.
A clear cashgrab meant to capitalize on the toxic positivity, grindset crowd. I don't expect a lot from any celebrity because they're so far removed from the reality of everyday life (even when they're not making big bucks, Hollywood creates a special kind of insulation that still distances them from the average person), but I do expect more than this from a memoir.
If you don't want to share, don't write a memoir. If you want to tell people that all they need to do is look on the bright side, then call this the self help guide it actually is and call it a day.
June 24, 2025
*audiobook
April 26, 2025
forever nursing a crush on miss keke palmer
thank you libro.fm for the alc!! ♡
thank you libro.fm for the alc!! ♡
November 27, 2024
Need to preface by saying how much I love Keke and (almost) everything she does. Respectfully, this is not a memoir. I am a memoir GIRLY and this is simply not that. There’s maybe like 5-6 small anecdotes that really say nothing, and the entire rest of the book is like self help ish? I can’t even really describe it. Very happy for her that she’s in a good place however this book says nothing about what really happened and how she got where she did. Very disappointed but will still always love my girl
January 29, 2025
Held out for the memoir aspect which had some interesting insights. But the self-help part was too preachy for me and I felt like the quizzes were unnecessary and reductive
January 3, 2025
This was pretty good I loved Keke’s honesty. While many assumed this was supposed to be a memoir it was intended to be a self-help book which I wasn’t mad at. We get bits and pieces of her life and the struggles she faced and how she overcame them. I think the purpose is for people to see at the end of the day we’re all the same and that she’s no different. And to show people there are so many ways to get through the things they’re dealing with and how to take back control of their lives and control their own narrative.
December 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was a memoir/self help. This book was very entertaining. I learned more about KeKe and caught a gem or two. I’m glad I didn’t let people’s criticism of the book stop me from giving it a try. I thought it was fantastic.
February 23, 2025
This is not a memoir. In fact sis , says multiple times “that’s a story for another day” . Like noooo keke , that should be the story for this day. Lol I went into this wanting to know more about her. I wish I would have went into it knowing it was a Self Help book. I loveeeee a good self help book. It’s actually my favorite genre. But I have to prepare myself for reading one.
I didn’t prepare my mind for self help.
I prepared myself for the Tea , that Keke is sometimes known for spilling.
& this wasn’t that.
I didn’t prepare my mind for self help.
I prepared myself for the Tea , that Keke is sometimes known for spilling.
& this wasn’t that.
December 17, 2024
Love Keke so much, but this was more self-help than memoir, and it wasn’t really anything new or groundbreaking to learn. The best parts were the memoir parts, sharing stories from her childhood. The quizzes were so unnecessary…skipped right through those. This was a total miss for me, but I wish nothing but the best for Keke! Put out a True (Jackson VP) memoir Keke!
December 5, 2024
Was more of a self-help book than a memoir. Most points were pretty cliche and obvious. Would have loved to learn more about Keke herself.
January 24, 2025
Anything Keke Palmer touches/writes, I will support happily. Like, I just adore her ❤️ Thoroughly enjoyed my fellow Virgo’s self-help meets mini memoir in this title. Took away some gems that came so timely for the start of a new year.
Highly recommend listening on Audible, as it’s read by the entertaining Keke ‘Always Keeps a Check’ Palmer herself!
Highly recommend listening on Audible, as it’s read by the entertaining Keke ‘Always Keeps a Check’ Palmer herself!
January 7, 2025
I love keke but this felt like an ad for her new company. Little too self helpy for me, but listening on audio made it somewhat worthwhile.
January 28, 2025
3.5 Keke Palmer is truly a gem of a human being, and I always appreciate how she brings her full, authentic self to everything she does.
I don’t have too much to say about this book. If you’re a fan of Keke Palmer and follow her podcast or interviews, this feels like a natural extension of those. I would definitely recommend the audiobook version because hearing it in her voice further cements the authenticity of this work as another piece of her ever-expanding portfolio.
That said, the book doesn’t delve into many new topics, and, as others have noted, it straddles the line between being a memoir and a self-help book. Once I adjusted my expectations and recognized that this isn’t an in-depth exploration of Keke Palmer’s life, but rather an effort to turn some of the most intricate moments of her journey into lessons for readers, I was able to enjoy it.
Keke Palmer is undoubtedly a force, and I’m always happy to support her endeavors. I think this book serves as a great introduction for readers who may not be familiar with her. It offers insight into her experiences in showbiz as a child, how they shaped her adulthood, her relationship with celebrity, and the choices she makes about what to share with the world.
I don’t have too much to say about this book. If you’re a fan of Keke Palmer and follow her podcast or interviews, this feels like a natural extension of those. I would definitely recommend the audiobook version because hearing it in her voice further cements the authenticity of this work as another piece of her ever-expanding portfolio.
That said, the book doesn’t delve into many new topics, and, as others have noted, it straddles the line between being a memoir and a self-help book. Once I adjusted my expectations and recognized that this isn’t an in-depth exploration of Keke Palmer’s life, but rather an effort to turn some of the most intricate moments of her journey into lessons for readers, I was able to enjoy it.
Keke Palmer is undoubtedly a force, and I’m always happy to support her endeavors. I think this book serves as a great introduction for readers who may not be familiar with her. It offers insight into her experiences in showbiz as a child, how they shaped her adulthood, her relationship with celebrity, and the choices she makes about what to share with the world.
November 25, 2024
Entertaining but very repetitive at times
December 11, 2024
I didn't know much about Keke Palmer before listening to her latest self-help slash memoir and I thought it leaned more on the advice than diving into any big truths or personal reflections. Just an okay listen for although the audiobook does include excerpts from her podcast and a song at the end. At a certain point she mentions having ADD but it is only briefly and not discussed in any depth. I would have enjoyed learning more about that part of her life. Instead the main focus of the book is on being a single mother and being a strong Black business woman in the media/entertainment industry. Wasn't the book for me and I definitely wouldn't have finished it if I didn't listen to the audiobook.
January 5, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
— I love Keke Palmer. I listened to the audiobook which gave this book an entertaining feature. I think her theatrics made me enjoy the book more.
— This book is more on the self-help side moreso than a memoir.
— I love Keke Palmer. I listened to the audiobook which gave this book an entertaining feature. I think her theatrics made me enjoy the book more.
— This book is more on the self-help side moreso than a memoir.
February 16, 2025
i love keke down but i didn't love this. i anticipated more of a memoir less self help so that took me for surprise. it does have some good gems, but it wasn't anything i was crazy about. hopefully she drops a complete memoir in the future, but i finished it because it was so short.
March 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! Keke Palmer has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid, and she continues to inspire with her wisdom, humor, and authenticity. The Master of Me is a motivating read that blends personal stories with practical advice on self-growth and taking control of your own life. Keke’s voice shines through, making it feel like you’re having a conversation with a friend who genuinely wants to see you win. Some parts felt a bit repetitive, but overall, it was an engaging and empowering book. Definitely worth the read!
January 21, 2025
Rated this higher because I listened to it and she is hilarious!!!
Keke is truly a national treasure and needs to be protected at all costs! Nobody in the industry has worked harder than her and has stayed true to themselves throughout fame. Akeelah and the Bee to today, Keke has continued to stand by her principles and never changed her tune. She is extremely relatable in so many ways, and hearing her share her personal anecdotes feelings like you’re hearing from a good friend who always offers the best advice.
That being said, I had higher expectations that this would be a memoir, it very much leaned self-help which typically isn’t a book I’d choose. Though I was hoping for a different type of book, there was so much in this that was insightful and really made me reflect (which surprised me), especially the parts about being a new parent! I love Keke and will continue to root for her in all her avenues! It’s miss Keke P rockin the M-I-C! 🎤
Keke is truly a national treasure and needs to be protected at all costs! Nobody in the industry has worked harder than her and has stayed true to themselves throughout fame. Akeelah and the Bee to today, Keke has continued to stand by her principles and never changed her tune. She is extremely relatable in so many ways, and hearing her share her personal anecdotes feelings like you’re hearing from a good friend who always offers the best advice.
That being said, I had higher expectations that this would be a memoir, it very much leaned self-help which typically isn’t a book I’d choose. Though I was hoping for a different type of book, there was so much in this that was insightful and really made me reflect (which surprised me), especially the parts about being a new parent! I love Keke and will continue to root for her in all her avenues! It’s miss Keke P rockin the M-I-C! 🎤
Read
June 5, 2025Didn’t realize this was more self help than memoir, but I’m such a fan of Keke that I still had a nice time listening to this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 980 reviews