Surviving Agent Orange: And Other Things I Learned From Being Thrown Under the Partridge Family Bus

(Paperback)

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Hello world! Gretchen Bonaduce came onto the scene in the mid-00s, starring in Breaking Bonaduce, a VH1 reality show with her former Partridge Family star husband Danny Bonaduce.
Soon after the show ended they divorced and Surviving Agent Orange focuses on the rest of the story: her eighteen year marriage to Danny and all that entailedaddiction, infidelity, and the chaos of celebrity, as well as their divorce and her life as a single mother. Musician, reality star, and mother of two, Gretchen's story takes a fun and funny look at a life in and around the spotlight.

Reviews

I love this book, and could not put it down. Gretchen Bonaduce is one of the coolest chicks I know. A terrific mother and an even better friend, her life is been fascinating and crazy at the same time. There are many life lessons in her story. To top it off, it is written in a conversational and relatable way.
Jackie Kallen, Author of Hit Me With Your Best Shot and Between the Ropes

"What a fantastic read. I laughed out loud on so many pagesand then on others, all I wanted to do was reach out and give [Gretchen] a hug. I love the truththe no holds barred of it all. It is light in the heaviest of ways and I am honored to know and love the writer. I cant wait to read it again!"
Marie Currie, artist, singer, songwriter, and actress

"I'll never forget the first time I met Gretchen Bonaduce. I went to the Gower Street Fair where I knew she was playing. I don't normally seek out singers or actresses but she, I was not going to miss. I saw her on the Dr. Phil show and was so taken by her inner strength to stand her ground even when Dr. Phil tried to sway her to give her marriage another chance. I loved her immediately and respected her deeply. Little did I know that we would become as close as sisters and she has helped me through good times, and bad. Gretchen is force to be reckoned with. She is love, she is talented and strong. I am so proud to call her my sister and having written an auto-biography myself, I know the guts it took for her to write this. Now she can add another category to her vast resume. Hell of a writer!"
Cherie Currie, author of Neon Angel, lead singer for The Runaways

"Gretchen's story is a "must read" for anyone surviving a marital breakup with anyone, famous or otherwise. I know Gretchen personally, and she is one of the kindest, loving and honest person I know. Surviving Danny with grace and dignity - not many could do. This is NOT a trashy Hollywood tell all, but rather a glimpse into her side of Danny's story. Loved the book and love Gretchen."
Geri Jewell, actress from The Facts of Life

"With wit, charm, and grace, Gretchen Bonaduce documents an unconventional courtship and marriage in her debut tell-some memoir. She is the rock star in this tome figuratively and literally who stood by a former child star in the throes of an escalating addiction. Inevitably, along the way and on shaky ground, she learns about love and loyalty and finally, when to walk away. With a forward by Americas Next Top Models Adrianne Curry (who was married to a Brady while Gretchen was married to a Partridge), the story and message are clear. The greatest gifts can result from even the most turbulent times: lifelong friendships, love, self-respect, independence, a heightened sense of humor and family bonds. Youll cackle, youll cry and youll say thats insane! while readingyet it all really happened. Gretchen survived Agent Orange and she lived to laugh about it. YOU will too.
Shira Weiss, former Huffington Post writer and reality blogger

"Heres the thing about Grechen Bonaduce: Shes a real person whos lived a surreal life. I watched every minute of Breaking Bonaduce when it exploded on to the reality TV scene, and Ive never seen a show come close to being as raw or realbefore or since. As a reality TV editorial writer and podcast host, I was riveted by Gretchens account of what went on behind the scenes of filming that show, and the decisions that led her into marrying and eventually divorcing Danny. But Gretchens memoir isnt just about her marriage; its about being a woman. Shes a child whos lost a parent, a sister, wife, friend, and single mother reinventing herself with every breath she takes. Reading her memoir is like sitting down with a good girlfriend and playing a kick ass game of Never Have I Everexcept in Gretchens case, she most likely HAS! Warm, funny, vulnerable, and 100% relatable in its emotional impact, Surviving Agent Orange is a must-read for all of us who are just trying to figure it out, and learning to let go along the way."
Erin Martin, Writer and host of the Pink Shade With Erin Martin podcast

"Being on TV Shows from the same time one can acquire a strange familial association. The Brady Bunch and Partridge Family are like television cousins. I've known Danny Bonaduce since we were children and while never close friends, our paths have crossed many times over the years. I've always liked the guy and enjoyed doing his radio shows and other projects we were paired up to do. When he married Gretchen after just one date, I figured she must be insane but that was sort of fitting. Over the years, I would see her, casually, and we would chat and that label of mental illness just didn't fit the picture. She was smart, she was wise, she was funny, she was a great Mom and this marriage was lasting! She was not some crazy person or some gold digger (believe me, the only gold Danny had to dig was acquired after her wise input and hard work in his life and career). In recent years I have come to know Gretchen and she has become a very valued friend. I have marveled at how someone can be so perfectly feminine while having the capacity to completely kick ass when she needs to. Her strength comes from a keen sense of ethics, fair play and the golden rule. Gretchen proves that all those things we learned when we were little really do work. She's made of The right stuff. Throw that into a crazy mixture of sex, drugs, rock and roll and total chaos and you have a fascinating story. I am so glad she is sharing her story with us all. May she inspire others to find their own inner strength. I'm sure that is one of her main reasons for writing thisto help others; because, yes, she really IS that nice!"
Susan Olsen, actress from The Brady Bunch

Author Bio

With talent, tenacity, and charisma, Gretchen Bonaduce has proven time and again that she can overcome adversity and make her dreams come true. Her first associate producer credit came from the 2003 NBC show Life Moments. That same year, she was picked to shoot a pilot for the soap network with daytime soap star Lisa Rinna.

Learning she had a knack for producing shows, she then when on to Executive Produce two seasons of the Vh1 hit show, Breaking Bonaduce in 2005/2006.

Not only did she executive produce on the show, but she also appeared as a cast member alongside her then husband Danny Bonaduce and their two children. The series showed her positive attitude and strength, while trying to balance a family with a chaotic marriage.

In 2008 Gretchen executive produced on another VH1 show, I Know My Kids The Next Child Star.

Also in 2008, she was invited to be a contestant on the game show, Gimme my Reality Show where celebrities competed with each other to win their own show. America voted, and she won by a landslide! Proving without a doubt her popularity and ability to connect with an audience. She then went on to present at the 2008 Really awards for Fox Reality.

She has appeared on numerous talk shows over the years including, Oprah, Phil Donahue, The Other Half, Love Lounge, The Big Idea with Donny Deutch, Biography, and Dr. Phil.

She also is quite sought after for guest spots and has appeared on many hit shows like Million Dollar Listing, Inside Hollywood, Ex Wives of Rock, Beverly Hills Pawn, E! True Hollywood Story, and most recently the Hollywood Hillbillies for the Reelz network.

Currently she has two shows with Core Group (producers of American Idol) that she is Executive Producing on and several more that are being pitched at the network level. Two movies (one based on this group) are also in the works.

In her spare time, she fronts the Los Angeles based band The Fatal 80s. The band has opened for several 80s groups including. Missing Persons, The Tubes, Flock of Seagulls, and the Motels. The Fatal 80s are currently being considered to play international resorts around the globe.

Over the last year she has been working hard on her memoir.

She is the proud mother of two children, Countess Isabella, and Count Dante, two kitties, David Bowie and Ini kitty, dogs Harley, Joffrey, and Brooklyn, all rescues.