Preview
  • Only Say Good Things

  • Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself
  • By: Crystal Hefner
  • Narrated by: Crystal Hefner
  • Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,172 ratings)

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Only Say Good Things

By: Crystal Hefner
Narrated by: Crystal Hefner
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Publisher's summary

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A JANUARY 2024 APPLE BOOKS STAFF PICK AND AUDIBLE EDITORS SELECT

NAMED A BEST BOOK TO READ THIS JANUARY BY THE GLOSS

A raw and unflinching look at the objectification and misogyny of the Playboy mansion, a woman’s stolen young adulthood and her journey to self-acceptance, and a rare look inside Hugh Hefner’s final days.

At just twenty-one years old, Crystal Harris’ life changed forever when she attended a party at the notorious Playboy mansion. Picked out of the crowd by Hugh Hefner, she became one of his infamous “girlfriends,” attending glamorous Hollywood parties and traveling the world. Yet this seemingly alluring lifestyle had a dark side. Hef controlled his girlfriends with strict rules regarding everything from their hair and makeup to their curfews, and Crystal was forced to compete with other women for her spot in the highly hierarchal system. Living at the mansion, she felt more like a fixture than a resident.

She quickly rose to the top, but being Hef’s number one girlfriend came at the cost of Crystal’s identity outside her role in the Playboy universe. Her fate seemed sealed when Hef surprised her with a marriage proposal she could not imagine refusing. But as Crystal Hefner, she grew increasingly restless to understand who she truly was away from what she saw as Playboy’s toxic culture.

In ONLY SAY GOOD THINGS, Crystal offers a vulnerable and clear-eyed look at how her experience with Hugh Hefner catalyzed her transformative journey from someone who prized external validation over all else to a person who finally recognizes her true worth. This candid memoir provides a fascinating look behind the scenes at a powerful cultural icon and brand, and an equally empowering perspective on hard-won lessons about who we allow to determine our value.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Crystal Hefner (P)2024 Grand Central Publishing

Critic reviews

"[Hefner's] frank memoir scratches some of the glitter off Playboy’s notorious legacy of sexual freedom, luxury, and excess. An illuminating tell-all." —Kirkus Reviews

"[A] juicy debut memoir. . . This tell-all is surprisingly empowering." —Publishers Weekly

"We've heard stories about life in the Playboy Mansion, but we've never gotten such piercing insights into the darkness that underscored Hugh Hefner's fantasy world." —Apple Books

Editorial Review

A compulsive memoir elevated by performance
I listen to memoirs for one of two reasons: to hear stories similar to my own, and to hear about lives so different from my own. I’m not sure what exactly made me pick up Crystal Hefner’s memoir—I’d never been particularly interested in the mystique of Playboy and its patriarch, the late Hugh Hefner—but I’m sure this time it was the latter. Before the narrative even ventured into any of the shocking, salacious details of her time at the infamous Playboy Mansion, I was impressed by Crystal’s performance. There’s a real warmth and vulnerability to her voice, amplified in those moments she breaks into a self-deprecating chuckle as she recounts her misguided exploits or audibly chokes up recounting the heartache she experienced. Before I knew it, I had listened to the whole thing, and it had turned out to be not only a fascinating (often horrifying) glimpse into a life few could imagine—I certainly never had!—but an earnest personal reckoning. Only Say Good Things is a great example of a memoir that’s meant to be heard. —Sam D., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Only Say Good Things

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Bold statement

Great book! Sad to hear Hef was an extremely controlling tyrant. But he had it his way or no way. I’d imagine when he was younger he was probably worse then. Compared to being much older. But still did his way. So sad for all the ladies he mentally and emotionally tore apart.

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what a bizarre world that for decades was seen as the epitome of "having made it."

the story was heartbreaking. watching Crystal evolve was beautiful. truly an unforgettable story. the end.

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The other side of the story.

I’m sure there might be people that have a negative opinion of this book or of Crystal Heffner in general. However, I thoroughly enjoyed her, taking the time to explain her decisions and help us understand her perspective of what it was like to live at the Playboy mansion. This is quite the incredible story and I’m glad I took the time to listen

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A look at the saga after GND

I came into this book apprehensively because I’m a big fan of H&B. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the book and the maturity and thought put into it. It’s a tragic story with an inspiring end. I’m a big fan of Crystal now as well.

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omg.

Thank you for telling your story. Thank you for the transparency. Thank you I have struggled with weight issues due to my hypothyroidism. I too, enjoyed watching the TV show and constantly thought about what I could do in order to 'look beautiful. I truly had no clue about the real life of living in that mansion and living that life.

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So Beautifully Written

When I first heard that Crystal was coming out with her version of life with Hef I was certain it would not be good. I'm a huge fan of Holly and Bridget's podcast and while they say very little about Crystal I just assumed that her part was insignificant. Wow was I wrong. It was so beatifully written and narrated. I found out SOOO much I did not know about her time at the mansion. In fact it seems like the first few years living with Hef paralled Holly's experience. Crystal's experience went further with the marriage and ultimately becoming a caregiver. I actually think that she and Holly would have so much love for each other having gone through what they went through. Maybe eventually they will become friends.
But in the meantime I am glad she told her story and I am glad she is finding the value in friendships with women that you can trust. I highly recommend this book.

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Crystal herself.

A stunning revelation of endurance and honesty. Crystal is a riveting writer and the story is beyond words.

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Loved it

Beautifully written (excellent ghost writer) and compelling look at the underbelly of Playboy. Dishy and fun.

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Shocking, raw, and honest

Thank you for sharing your truth Crystal. It’s very telling of what so many thought was such a seemingly glittering world. Women need to tell the world what it is really like and I think your story will help shed light that not all that glitters is gold and beauty, wealth and fame does not mean happiness. Wishing you peace and true love in your future.

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Fantastic until the end of chapter 13

This is a fantastic listen up until the end of chapter 13. Crystal is open and honest and insightful about herself and the situation with Hefner at the mansion all the way until she makes her escape. Then at the end of chapter 13, after having escaped the mansion, she decided after a year to return? Her explanation in the book is missing something. It does not add up or make sense. As a listener she lost me. I felt the deep honesty I had from her in the first 13 chapters just vanished. I don't know if she went back because Hef offered to leave her a certain amount of money in his will? Whatever it was, she wasn't forthcoming. All of a sudden, she goes from being disgusted by this narcissistic man who treated her like less than human who had to beg for her allowance, who felt she needed to escape to get away, decides after a year to go back and then to marry him? She did not love him. I'm not judging her, I'm saying her story does not add up. The whole tone of the book after chapter 13 changes and I just felt like it was insincere.

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