Movie Star: They Always Say They're Single

by Jessica Simpson

An untold true short story about the mid-2000s, a world-famous actor, and a fantasy Hollywood romance gone wrong by Jessica Simpson, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Open Book.

After the end of her marriage to the first man she ever loved, Jessica Simpson wonders who she really is. Exploring what she truly wants in a relationship, Jessica begins dating again. This time her only vow is not to leap for the fairy tale. Don’t overthink. Just enjoy the moment. But when an A-list childhood crush invites her on a romantic getaway, it’s impossible for Jessica not to swoon.

In this introspective and funny confessional—one she never thought she’d share—Jessica confronts the limits of her experience and her sense of self as she’s nearly swept right off her feet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Audiobook, Short Stories, Celebrity, Autobiography

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Jessica Simpson is an American singer, actress, philanthropist and fashion designer. Simpson rose to fame in the late 1990s starring with her then-husband Nick Lachey in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. She has seven Billboard Top 40 hits, and has two gold and three multi-platinum RIAA-certified albums.

Simpson is married to retired NFL tight end Eric Johnson. They have three children.

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 2 out of 5]

What was the point of this book? Luckily this “book” was only 28 pages, because if it was any longer I would be absolutely furious that I even wasted my time! Secondly, this is an Amazon Prime First Read for the month of January 2023 (which Prime members get two books this month 🥳). I probably would have rated this lower than two stars had it not been a free download…

Jessica Simpson talks about two different members from two different boy bands that wanted to date her before she got married- but she doesn’t name who they are. She also talks about a HUGE movie star that wanted to be with her for a very long time, and she had the opportunity to be with him too. However, she chose not to be with this movie star. And guess what? She doesn’t tell us who the move star is either.

This whole book was a total waste. Jessica Simpson basically said, I have a few secrets but I’m not going to tell you…

I’m a big fan of Jessica Simpson, but after this nonsense I might hold off on reading anything further from her.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh?

I can’t for the life of me understand why she wrote this. The point of the book is … I have no idea. I read this thinking it might be fun or interesting. Oh well. On to my next book!

[Vibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pay careful attention...

I didn't, so I didn't realize that this isn't actually a book - it's just a 27 page "essay". It feels like a ripoff, & I didn't even pay for it - except that I regret wasting one of my 1st reads choices on it.

[Editing to clarify: my rating is not based on my failure to notice that this was an essay, which obviously was my fault, but on the lack of value or worth of the essay itself. Otherwise I'd have given it 1 star]

[Beth Morvant · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sorry Jess, but this isn’t it. Went in for some juicy gossip (because I also LOVED Open Book) and was left with no names… and what felt like a chapter from the middle of a book.

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I saw a TikTok influencer in a video of book recommendations that went viral saying that this book changed her life. So this morning, I get an email for Amazon First Readers with this on the list of books I could read. I was surprised it was only 28 pages. I loaded it up free, jumped in, and wow. No.
There's nothing in here. I honestly don't understand the point of publishing a rundown of the most basic recollections ever.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely love Jessica Simpson & think she’s BEYOND talented but why in the heck was this short story written? LOL. It gave us nothing and felt like it didn’t have much thought put into it.

I still remain a Jessica stan though all the way back to the beginning to “I wanna love your forever” and “Newlyweds” days. Plus, “Open Book” was a phenomenal 5-star read for me so she can be a bad- ass author if she wants to, but this was not it.

“How I went looking to find my favorite person in the wrong people.”

2 ⭐️.

Thank you Amazon Prime First Reads for my freebie ! ♥️

[*JEN the booknerd* · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It was okay but I want NAMES!!!

[Sara]

I don't rate autobiographies and memoirs.

Very short snapshot into the period of Jessica's life in between splitting up with her first proper boyfriend and their reconciliation and eventual marriage. It's a look into what it was like for Jessica to have the freedom to date, and also discover more about herself. I found it a bit cloak and dagger, no one is named, which kind of lessens the salacious content. I want gossip and names Jessica, not pseudonyms and allusions to what went on. There's also a strong vibe of 'all men are sex pests and dickheads'. Not against that, but again at least name names.

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually give 3 stars. I wanted to love this book but I didn't. It was just okay. Between Jessica liking 2 guys from 2 different boy bands and a famous star she's crushed on for years I didn't learn much. She didn't sleep around even if she was a flurt. She's a beautiful woman who just wanted to find her one. After her marriage to nick.

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This allowed a brief taste of Jessica's writing. I wish it had been the book I thought it was so I could hear her voice better.

[Kandace Dukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, shirt essay giving 2000’s nostalgia and girl power vibes. It’s about finding yourself in and out of love.

[Alison Carlson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a Teenage Diary Entry

The writing style and content reminded me of a 16 year old's diary entry - talking about boys in code in case your mom snoops and bragging about the labels you're wearing.

Super short at 28 pages and just as unsubstantial. There is no great payoff or personal transformation.

Even if she HAD named names, I don't think this would be any better. However through some light googling and context clues, I can confidently say the NSYNC member was Joey Fatone and RomCon was Matthew McConaughey. If anyone figures out who the scummy Movie Star is, let me know!

[Maureen LaFontaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.
I'm not sore what I was expecting, so I can't say it disappointed me. But I'm thankful it took less than an hour of my life.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this up for free on Amazon Prime, wow, what an absolute load of rubbish

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This honestly was so short she should have just added it to her memoir. You don’t get names of any of the men she’s talking about either. The whole story is Jessica describing how innocent she was/is and how several men wanted her or wanted to sleep with her. While that may be true it seemed kind pointless to have a whole separate book for just that information.

[Kayleigh Finlayson · Rating 1 out of 5]

No.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her writing voice. It’s full of charm, wit, and tongue-in-cheek self-deprecating humor. But….WHO is the movie star?!?!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whooo, Jessica. Who was the guy?!

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had previously read Open Book by the author, which I found to be an interesting book. I knew going into this one that it was very short, just under an hour. I had hoped for much more than what I got. First, Jessica is adorable but she should stick to her other successful careers, because narrating books is not a good option for her. I disliked that we have no idea who anyone is in this book. "The Movie Star", or "the producer", and the nicknames/pseudonyms she uses makes the story completely uninteresting. Why not just name names? Other celebrities do.

(My guess - Tom Cruise.)
Yuck, I hope I'm wrong.

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is this? I loved Open Book with all the juicy details and feel like she can be a good writer but what is the point of this book?

Between Simpson liking a few guys, including boy band members and an actor, she doesn’t share who exactly, I didn’t get anything out of this and felt like she told me, she has a secret but won’t tell.

[Meagan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate giving anything by Jessica Simpson less than 3 stars, but this was pointless and amateur writing. I know it’s written due to her deal with Amazon and whatever series she’s producing but this wasn’t great. Could have easily just been an added chapter in her Open Book (which was excellent).

[Candi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Kinda a waste of time. Would have been a much better story if she dropped some names. Being all conspicuous just made it irritating. Like why tell the story if you can’t spill the real tea?

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Movie Star: They Always Say They’re Single

I Picked Up This Book Because: Just something quick to read at work.

Media Type: eBook/Audiobook
Source: Amazon Prime Reading
Dates Read: 3/27/24 - 3/29/24
Stars: 2.5 Stars
Narrator(s): Jessica Simpson

The Story:

I started reading at work and finished listening to the audio in bed. The author's voice was quite strange in the narration. I’m not sure if she was giggling or slurring but, I found it distracting. I’m not sure where this story was supposed to go or if it actually got anywhere.

[Anika (Encyclopedia BritAnika) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I adored "Open Book," it was my top book of 2020. So I was excited for a little more. This is ... an essay? It is dumb and I don't know why it exists. No names are given and it's like "oh this one hot movie star wanted to sleep with me and I didn't." Ok, thanks for sharing? It was free so I am not upset about having spent anything on it but it did cost me like 15 minutes of my day.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick short story about loving yourself and not looking for that in someone else

[Jenny Bunting · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's zero reason this story should've been published. It's so dumb. I saw another review that said it should've been included in Open Book and I agree 100%.

The only reason I give it two stars is because it was short and Jessica Simpson's narration was good.

[Theresa Fiumara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only gave it 4 stars because I wish it was longer and dropped more names!!

[Andi ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Jessica Simpson in the 2000s even after all her scandals and her being painted as just another dumb blonde. I knew there was more to her than that.

This little story/essay, give insight into what it was like to be her at that time. The way they obsessed over her weight and the way she looked didn’t surprise me if that’s how we all grew up back then. I wasn’t even surprised to learn that she was an avid reader, reading Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters. I always knew that she was smarter than they made her out to be.

Her story takes us through what it was like to be dating at that time, and how shy she was, and scared to make new connections. She definitely had a sense of naivety, but she also seems to be self aware of that fact.

My only pet peeve about this, while I know why she did it, was that she didn’t use the names of of people she was interacting with, other than Nick who we all know means Nick Lachey. *side note that’s not important: my phone autocorrected Lachey to Lachrymose and I have no idea what that is* It was easy to pick up on some context clues and guess, but we can’t know for sure. If anyone knows who “movie star” is, let your girl know! 🤣Although, I have a few ideas. But seriously, eff that guy. No woman should be treated that way. She dodged a bullet for sure.

This is a coming of age story in a way, Jessica’s trying to find her person and prove people wrong about misconceptions seen in tabloids. She’s also trying to prove her self worth not only to others, but to herself as well. I think we’ve all been there in our own way. All around, it was relatable and a good read and I’m glad I used my prime credit on it as it gave me more insight to the Jessica we know and love.

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this essay free from Amazon Prime’s First Reads for January 2023. Jessica Simpson’s Open Book was one of my favorite reads from 2020 so I was pumped for this despite its brevity. The writing was on par with Open Book, but Movie Star felt like an afterthought (a story Jessica forgot to include in her memoir). She also didn’t name anyone which I assume is in response to all the hate John Mayer received following the release of Open Book (and rightfully so….I still hate him). Overall it was worth the read, but her editor should be fired.

[Amanda Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick tale about Jessica trying to find herself and her dating self after divorce. Wish she dropped names on some of these guys. It’s otherwise a fine quick story.