She grew up in front of the world on the beloved sitcom Full House, but then actress Andrea Barber abruptly left Hollywood. Why did she leave and what did she do for twenty years out of the spotlight before returning to television? This is her funny and inspiring memoir of fame, heartache, resilience—and the reboot of a lifetime . . . When Kimmy Gibbler burst into the Tanners’ home on Full House Tanners’ home on Full House in 1987, audiences immediately connected with the confident and quirky pre-teen character, played by ten-year-old actress Andrea Barber. During an eight-season run on one of the most popular series of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Andrea came of age in front of millions. But she was as far removed from her character as a girl can get. The introverted young star was plagued with self-doubt, insecurities, and debilitating anxieties that left her questioning her identity after the show’s cancelation. Andrea wouldn’t return to the public eye until 2016, for Fuller House. So what happened in those intervening decades that Andrea jokingly calls “the lost years”?
For starters, Andrea never stopped working. But it was on a series of life-changing transitions: earning a college degree, then a Master’s, building a career in international education, getting married, and starting a family. She also faced some unforeseeable transitions: navigating a sudden divorce after nearly twelve years of marriage, and second-guessing her capabilities as a single mother. But it was her devastating bout with post-partum anxiety and depression that derailed Andrea’s life—and became a crucial turning point.
Full Circle is a raw, refreshingly honest look into the life of a celebrity who has never been fully comfortable in the spotlight. Here Andrea shares her deeply personal struggles with mental health in a way she has never done before. She opens up about fighting her way back and finding solace—while finding herself—all before her life came full circle with her costars and lifelong friends on Fuller House. Sharing her journey from child star, to champion of mental health, and back to stardom, Andrea writes in a way that feels like catching up with an old friend.
You’ll laugh, reminisce, and finally get to know the woman behind the zany next door neighbor.
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This is a must-read for every girl and now woman who grew up watching Full House. I really enjoyed a close look into the life of Andrea Barber. I appreciated her honesty about her struggle with anxiety and depression and enjoyed getting to know the real person she is who is so different than Kimmy Gibbler, the character she portrayed on Full House and Fuller House. Readers will appreciate learning about what life was like as a child actor, her accomplishments post full house, her travels, her marriage, becoming a mom, her struggles through a divorce, and the value running has had in her life.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I don’t usually give out 5 stars for celebrity memoirs, but I did for this one. Here’s why: I laughed, I cried, I felt genuinely understood. Andrea is so much more relatable than I ever would have guessed from watching her portrayal of Kimmy. I enjoyed her insider view of Hollywood, as well as her real and vulnerable tales of mental health struggles. I applaud her for her openness and willingness to let us into her life. There was so much wisdom in this book. For me, the part about two being the loneliest number really struck a chord.
If you’re a full house or fuller house fan you may want to check this out, but honestly, there’s not much here.
I literally grew up with Andrea — in front of and behind the camera. Her memoir perfectly captures the funny, smart, inspiring, raw, and honest heart of my dearest friend.
I could not be more proud of my friend and fellow ‘She-Wolf.’ She is truly one of the most genuine, loving people I know. Her struggles with anxiety and depression, and how she broke through, are so incredibly relatable. As someone who has fought those demons myself, I found her candor both poignant and funny. A great read from a multi-talented actress, author and comedienne! The millions of fans who love her will not be disappointed!
Andrea is brave, open, and so very human. In between the laughter, her memoir highlights her imperfections and struggles, and her journey to acceptance. Her fans will find stories about their favorite girl-next-door, and everyone will be inspired to embrace their uniqueness and keep looking forward with humor and strength.
In this very funny, relatable, and refreshingly candid memoir, Andrea Barber does something brave: She gracefully shares her struggles behind her celebrity—her anxiety, her life as a single working mom, and her hard-won transformation—and in the process makes us see what’s possible in our own lives. Prepare to be entertained and inspired.
Amazing Story. Barber is obviously known to millions as Kimmie Gibbler, but here for the first time those same millions meet Andrea. And Andrea is full of the dichotomies that plague many of us. An introvert who happens to be a “celebrity”. Someone plagued with anxiety who is known for portraying the zany neighbor that always has a plan. The mother that slipped so far into anxiety and depression that she couldn’t take care of herself and nearly lost everything. Barber does an excellent job of easing the reader into the darkest moments of her life and explaining how she was able to come out of them and come… Full Circle. Very much recomended.
I’ve always been a fan of Full House but don’t really know a lot about the stars’ personal lives so I was excited when I got the opportunity from Netgalley to read this book by Andrea Barber. Of course, this book is not only about her FH experience, nor would I want it to be, but is instead a telling of the high and low points in Ms. Barber’s life thus far. She talks very openly about her struggles with anxiety and mental illness and depression and how she has found ways of dealing with them while also being famous or at least in the public eye. I commend her for being so honest in the hope that it may help and encourage others going through similar situations.