This Is Me: A Reckoning

· Hachette Audio · Narrated by Hayden Panettiere
43 reviews
Audiobook
8 hr 47 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER 

Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere reclaims her story in a remarkably candid memoir.  Read by the author.

Hayden Panettiere’s career in entertainment began before she was old enough to walk. From early commercials to film and television roles in hits like Remember the Titans, her career unfolded in the public eye, resulting in tremendous success by her early teens. She had become a fixture of early-2000s pop culture, earning acclaim for performances in Heroes, Nashville (which earned her two Golden Globe nominations), and beyond—while quietly carrying the weight of expectations that came with being Hollywood’s “It girl.”

Behind the image was a far more complicated reality. As Hayden entered adulthood, the industry that once felt playful grew unforgiving as she learned by experience the pressure placed on young performers, the hefty price that often comes with fame, and how quickly someone else can take control of your story. She recounts being scrutinized by tabloids, watching her body and private pain become public property, and performing storylines on-screen that echoed trauma she was living through off-camera.

In this memoir, Hayden shares a rare and intimate glimpse into her life behind closed doors, opening up about postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse, and loss. She holds nothing back as she reflects on the moments she calls “lifequakes”— experiences that fractured her sense of self and forced her to rebuild it from the inside out. In This Is Me: A Reckoning Hayden showcases her most vulnerable role yet. . .this is her story, on her terms.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere reclaims her story in a remarkably candid memoir. Read by the author. Hayden Panettiere’s career in entertainment began before she was old enough to walk. From early commercials to film and television...

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Ratings and reviews

43 reviews
Erica Jae
May 22, 2026
honest, open and oh so relatable. we live in a world where judging freely is so much easier than knowing someone's truth and understanding instead of judging. Hayden is giving us her truth. the emotional abuse, the stage mom, loss, love, heartbreak, physical abuse, alcoholism, being young and unprotected in Hollywood, depression, motherhood, and anxiety. You see how a parent built a child star and then demanded to participate in the riches of her success more as a manager than her parent. You see how she became prey, even to the writers of the TV shows she worked on. But most of all, you see her survive it all. This book is her survivor story. it's a great book and she narrated it so well too. I'm her cheerleader more than ever after hearing her story and hope she takes over Hollywood again, but this time better prepared to say "no" when those lines are crossed.
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Mia Marie Galore
August 29, 2026
I love this book I wish I would have known more about audio books cuz I would have done it sooner very personal very touching it's an amazing book and it takes you on an amazing adventure it takes you into what obviously she has gone through but you can hear every breath every tone in her voice it's amazing it's a good book it's more than a good book 😂
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Michael Babey
August 23, 2026
growing up, Hayden Panettiere was one of my first celebrity crushes during her performance in Bring It On. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet her, as I had one day hoped to get my pre-release Until Dawn poster signed by her. In her narration, you can hear the sincerity in her reflection of her trauma and varying difficulties she experienced while being in the spotlight of Hollywood. The thoughts and scenarios she shares are told and written very clearly so that her audience can easily understand what is being told. The book does an incredible job at reminding us that we can navigate any challenge life throws at us as long as we strive to better ourselves using strength and perseverance. It is devastating that such a beautiful and caring soul was robbed of time. On the positive, this book really hows us what Hayden was all about, overcoming those struggles, and leaves behind the message that, as she was able to navigate through life's challenges, so to should we.
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About the author

Born and raised in New York, Hayden Panettiere seemed destined for superstardom from the moment she could walk. By the age of four in 1993, she had already landed her first on-screen role, and the spotlight has never left her since. Hayden is likely best known for her roles as Claire Bennet on the NBC series Nashville, which earned her two Golden Globe nominations. She was memorably seen starring in Scream 4 and reprised her role in Scream VI. Hayden was the cover girl for Neutrogena's worldwide campaign and remained a brand ambassador for nearly ten years. After recently tplining a feature film from Appian Way and Verdi Productions, she's looking to executive produce more projects in her own right. 

Born and raised in New York, Hayden Panettiere seemed destined for superstardom from the moment she could walk. By the age of four in 1993, she had already landed her first on-screen role, and the spotlight has never left her since. Hayden is likely best known for her roles as Claire Bennet on th...

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