Name: Alicia Evans's review of Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison
Item: Down the Rabbit Hole
Rating: 5
Author: Alicia Evans

Holly Madison

The shocking, never-before-told story of the bizarre world inside the legendary Playboy Mansion—and, finally, the secret truth about the man who holds the key—from one of the few people who truly knows: Hef’s former #1 girlfriend and star of The Girls Next Door A spontaneous decision at age twenty-one transformed small-town Oregon girl Holly Sue Cullen into Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner’s #1 girlfriend. But like Alice’s journey into Wonderland, after Holly plunged down the rabbit hole, what seemed like a fairytale life inside the Playboy Mansion—including A-list celebrity parties and her own #1-rated television show for four years—quickly devolved into an oppressive routine of strict rules, manipulation, and battles with ambitious, backstabbing bunnies. Life inside the notorious Mansion wasn’t a dream at all—and quickly became her nightmare. After losing her identity, her sense of self-worth, and her hope for the future, Holly found herself sitting alone in a bathtub contemplating suicide. But instead of ending her life, Holly chose to take charge of it. In this shockingly candid and surprisingly moving memoir, this thoughtful and introspective woman opens up about life inside the Mansion, the drugs, the sex, the abuse, the infamous parties, and her real behind-the-scenes life with Bridget, Kendra, and, of course, Mr. Playboy himself. With great courage, Holly shares the details of her subsequent troubled relationship, landing her own successful television series, and the hard work of healing, including her turn on Dancing with the Stars. A cautionary tale and a celebration of personal empowerment, Down the Rabbit Hole reminds us of the importance of fighting for our dreams—and finding the life we deserve.

Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny

Down the Rabbit Hole

Kelsey Colvard

Couldn’t put this book down! I’m now obsessed with everything Playboy. 

Alicia Evans

A former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner describes how her years inside the Playboy Mansion went from a fairytale of A-list celebrity parties to an oppressive regime of strict rules, scheduled sex, and a total loss of identity, so much so that she even contemplated suicide.

Gretchen Sartele

Came for the tea, found cattiness. 

The tea was scalding, though.

Sabetha Danes

This was a great read. it's was intriguing to get an inside view of what happen through Hollys eyes. She spent a lot of time not being able to speak her mind and being suppressed so it's great she was able to air it all out. writing is a great form of therapy. Everyone handles the same experiences different, I feel like she wasn't trying to throw anyone under a bus just saying it like she knew it. Life doesn't always take the path we plan but it always ends up at where we need to be some how.

Meghan Morris

An amazing read if you loved The Girls Next Door. You get an insight on what it was like for Holly Madison living in the Playboy Mansion. 

Lokidotter

I absolutely loved. I remember staying up to watch girls next door. It was one of my little guilty pleasures. Hearing things from her perspective makes me think back on those episodes totally differently. A must read book.

Michelle Boyea

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book as I have never really followed Hugh Hefner or the Playboy bunnies or anything of that lifestyle. Of course I knew of them and the reputation.

I enjoyed this book as it provided a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic brands. Going into it with an open mind, allowed me to just listen to her story without any preconceived notions about Holly specifically.

I appreciated that she told her story without diminishing her naïveté regarding the situation she got herself into. I am very happy that she was able to get out of that lifestyle and created a successful and happy life for herself.

I found her story to be candid without trying to make herself seem better than anyone else. I felt that she stuck to the facts as she saw them and that she was not trying to hurt anyone else in order to make herself seem better

Megan Leprich

Normally this wouldn't be the type of book I'd be interested in but I picked this up on a whim and I'm glad I did. I do love memoirs and this one was actually pretty good. I never really got into the Playboy thing and never watched the show but to hear the backstory and what really went on in that mansion honestly turned my stomach a little. Holly Madison is honestly a pretty good author and I enjoyed reading this.

Kourtney

I don't know what I was expecting with this book. I just felt really disappointed in this as Holly keeps trying to show what a great person she is in one paragraph, but then in the next she slams someone and explains why she is better than them. While I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look, I didn't like the constant need to put others down. We get it. You don't like Kendra. Or Crystal. Or any of the old playmates. Or Hef. Or Criss. Is there anyone you do like besides Bridget? 

I couldn't shake the "I am a victim! Sympathize with me!" tone this book took with every aspect of Holly's life. I didn't know Mary had died though, so that was a sad part for all GND fans.

Kelsey Colvard &
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison

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Kelsey Colvard &Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison

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Kelsey Colvard &
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison