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Bad Mormon Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Heather Gay (Author, Narrator), Simon & Schuster Audio (Publisher)
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,659 ratings

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Named one of Entertainment Tonight’s Best Celebrity Memoirs of 2023

As seen in The New York Times, People, The Cut, Vulture, TheDaily Beast, Today, Bustle, Us Weekly, Life & Style, and Interview

“No stone goes unturned” (People) in this memoir about The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Heather Gay’s departure from the Mormon Church, and her unforeseen success in business, television, and single motherhood.

Straight off the slopes and into the spotlight, Heather Gay is famous for speaking the gospel truth. Whether as a businesswoman, mother, or television personality, she is unafraid to blaze a new trail, even if it means losing family, friends, and her community.

Born and bred to be devout, Heather based her life around her faith. She attended Brigham Young University, served a mission in France, and married into Mormon royalty in the temple. But her life as a good Mormon abruptly ended when she lost the marriage and faith that she had once believed would last forever.

With writing that is beautiful, sad, funny, and true, Heather recounts the difficult discovery of the darkness and damage that often exists behind a picture-perfect life, while examining the nuanced relationship between duty to self and duty to God. “An eye-opening firsthand account of religious indoctrination told with candor and sincerity” (Interview magazine), Bad Mormon is an unfiltered look at the religion that broke her heart.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 47 minutes
  2. Author
    Heather Gay
  3. Narrator
    Heather Gay
  4. Audible release date
    February 7, 2023
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster Audio
  7. ASIN
    B09MV6TQ5K
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 47 minutes
Author Heather Gay
Narrator Heather Gay
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date February 07, 2023
Publisher Simon & Schuster Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09MV6TQ5K
Best Sellers Rank #8,424 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#71 in Rich & Famous Biographies
#189 in Biographies of Celebrities & Entertainment Professionals
#477 in Success Self-Help

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,659 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this memoir a fantastic read with perfect prose that's detailed and relatable, making it a must-read for Bravo and RHOSLC fans. The book is laugh-out-loud funny, incredibly insightful about the Mormon faith, and authentically honest. They appreciate the wonderful insight into Heather's life and find it heartwarming, though some mention it becomes a bit slow towards the end.

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87 customers mention "Readability"87 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining, with several noting it's a must-read for Bravo and Real Housewives of Salt Lake City fans. One customer mentions it held their attention from beginning to end.

"...Her story is an interesting one and a fun read. I enjoyed it much more than I anticipated...." Read more

"This was an interesting read for me...." Read more

"...Informative, funny, and easy to read." Read more

"...of imperfection and failure and inadequacy as well as joy and gratification and accomplishment and acceptance into words...." Read more

40 customers mention "Writing quality"37 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its perfection in prose and detailed storytelling, with one customer highlighting how the author explains things in a way that's easy to understand.

"...they are true or myths, this book calls them out and gives a very accurate description of them. Informative, funny, and easy to read." Read more

"...And those words were beautiful. The story is so well written. Loved all the subtle movie and musical references and the honesty throughout...." Read more

"...She's complicated and beautiful, and I feel like I know her after reading every page of the book...." Read more

"...She explains things in a way you can understand but still is respectful to the LDS church...." Read more

35 customers mention "Humor"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, describing it as laugh-out-loud funny and witty.

"...Her story is an interesting one and a fun read. I enjoyed it much more than I anticipated...." Read more

"...I don't exactly relate, but she's fun to watch and because of this book I'm always rooting for her." Read more

"This book was very engaging. As someone who grew up in Utah and is aware of the mormon culture it provided me with many laughs...." Read more

"...And those words were beautiful. The story is so well written. Loved all the subtle movie and musical references and the honesty throughout...." Read more

33 customers mention "Insight"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the book incredibly insightful, particularly about the church, and one customer notes how the author opens up about sacred beliefs.

"There is a reason Heather Gay is a RHOSL fan favorite. Sbe is smart, charming, honest, insightful and funny as hell...." Read more

"...Informative, funny, and easy to read." Read more

"...Heather did an amazing job shining light into the Mormon faith, and her experiences...." Read more

"...It was super informative about the church and gave great insights for those of us who have friends in the LDS faith but are never clear about what..." Read more

22 customers mention "Honesty"22 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty, with several noting its authenticity, and one customer highlighting how the author shares her struggles and challenges openly.

"...Sbe is smart, charming, honest, insightful and funny as hell...." Read more

"...Loved all the subtle movie and musical references and the honesty throughout...." Read more

"...She wrote honestly and respectfully and I don’t think she told us anything about the LDS church we didn’t already know or suspect. Patriarchy- check...." Read more

"Loved it, loved it, loved it. Such genuine, raw honesty. Heather lays it all bare & continues to keep it real, which makes her inspirational...." Read more

21 customers mention "Relatability"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book relatable, with wonderful insights into Heather's life and talent. One customer particularly appreciates the back story, while another notes how true it is to her personality.

"I enjoyed the book and getting a different, more full picture of Heather than RHSLC...." Read more

"...As a RHWSLC fan, I thought this was a great autobiography and the quality of the book from the seller was good" Read more

"...It was very interesting to hear her back story and hear her verbalize her perceived short-comings, and to know that she is not the only one that..." Read more

"...woman in the Mormon church, honest observations and much admiration to Heather for speaking out." Read more

11 customers mention "Heartwarming"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and thoughtful, with some describing it as heartbreaking.

"...The book is funny , interesting and heartwarming just like her." Read more

"...Sounds like she had a very loving and privileged childhood, and marriage...." Read more

"...and delivers a combination of vulnerability, honesty, humor, and empathy that is hard to come by in today's day and age. This is a STELLAR READ!..." Read more

"I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I recognized myself in this biography...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pace"5 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pace of the book, with some finding it easy to go through while others note it becomes slow towards the end.

"...It is a great read, easy to go through without being stuck in any section." Read more

"...And the time line seemed slightly off...." Read more

"...The book moved along at a great pace and I read this in two days because I couldn’t put it down. Definitely a must-read for all Bravo and RHOSLC fans!" Read more

"Delivered in great condition. Love reading the book gets a little slow towards the end, but worth it...." Read more

Parts missing?
4 out of 5 stars
Parts missing?
Heather Gays confirmed a lot of things I heard and experienced while living in UT. It’s different anywhere you go… period! But, there was a huge culture shock and being that majority of UT is Mormon - and big white temples everywhere and everything closed on Sunday’s… and not being able to buy alcohol during certain times/ days…. Each county has their own rules. Anyways- there is something missing- some parts didn’t make sense or left you confused. I had to go back a page or two and read it again and I was still like huh?!? The hotdog joke is redundant as others below me mentioned along with movie lines. I had no idea what a sizzle reel was, so I had to google it. I don’t quite understand over the scream movie is where their marriage went wrong? From there… it was doomed? Heather, will have you reflecting back on your own life. I’d like to see another book -about business branding, the steps she had to take, errors, accomplishments in the business etc.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • scrapsofoz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heather Flex
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    There is a reason Heather Gay is a RHOSL fan favorite. Sbe is smart, charming, honest, insightful and funny as hell. I wasn't sure I was going to get this book, but then the LDS church went after Heather to try to stop the book from being published and to keep her from using the term "Bad Mormon" on merchandise and such. It really made me wonder why they were so afraid of Heather Gay and what she had to say, so I got the book. Most of what I read about the Mormon church, I already knew: Some odd rituals , the sacred undergarments, that sort of thing. However there are serious and questionable boundary violations against young people. I was taken aback when Heather discusses how when middle aged male member of the church, with no training, but the church's blessing, "counsels" teenaged boys and girls about their sexual feelings, particularly masturbation. The inquiries they make are really creepy and quite inappropriate for anyone but a licensed therapist to be making. The only reason the LDS can get by with this sort of thing is because of proteccted "religious liberty", but it is an abuse of their authority as a religious institution.

    Heather discusses the patriarchal nature of the church, the stiffling role women are required to play. Heather is bright, ambitious and a natural entrepanuer. These talents are neither nurtured nor encouraged by the church. What a waste. Fortunately, Heather somehow manages to do her own thing and find a level of success on her own terms. So indoctrinated into the church she struggles to find pride in her acomplishments. Heather's couragous honesty and natural wit get her through, but not without struggle.

    Her story is an interesting one and a fun read. I enjoyed it much more than I anticipated. Heather will make you laugh outloud and then cry at the same time. I wish her much luck with her journey! Sometimes you have to be a bad Mormon to be a good person.

    (Spoiler Alert: There is aabsolutely nothing in this book about how she got the black eye.)
    112 people found this helpful
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  • Jeanmarie Todd
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was an interesting read for me. I'm a former Mormon, quite a bit older than Heather but I still could relate to a lot of the cultural Utah Mormon experiences she wrote about. Unlike Heather, my parents didn't stop talking to me when I left the church, I'm sorry they, like so many Mormons, are more loyal to the church than to their own family members. That's the price of being in a cult. I really don't get the extreme materialism and Mean Girl vibe of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, which I guess is typical of the RH franchises, but Heather is definitely the main reason I watch it. She is both wise and dumb at the same time. I don't exactly relate, but she's fun to watch and because of this book I'm always rooting for her.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • julie o.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book was very engaging. As someone who grew up in Utah and is aware of the mormon culture it provided me with many laughs. For those who have heard of some of the "unique characteristics" of the religion but were wondering if they are true or myths, this book calls them out and gives a very accurate description of them. Informative, funny, and easy to read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Aleigh
    3.0 out of 5 stars Basic memoir with not much “bad”
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Eh, this was a pretty boring book, and definitely didn’t share as much as it was publicized that it would share. I finished it, and it was fine, but I wouldn’t recommend people spending this much money on it.
    26 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Killing me softly with her song
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I could NOT put this book down. I felt like I was reading my own story--less the money and high-class acquaintences. Someone has finally put all my thoughts and feelings of imperfection and failure and inadequacy as well as joy and gratification and accomplishment and acceptance into words. And those words were beautiful. The story is so well written. Loved all the subtle movie and musical references and the honesty throughout. I love that she "went there" in describing the temple ceremony and other supposedly sacred experiences. Because without it, no one can understand the lengths we went through to try to be obedient, to try to be perfect. Thank you for sharing your (and our) story, Heather. Although I'm years ahead of you in this "coming out" experience, I somehow feel a little freer. I feel validated.
    33 people found this helpful
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  • EABlade
    4.0 out of 5 stars into the unknown
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed the book and getting a different, more full picture of Heather than RHSLC. I feel like she was forced to share the secrets of her old church. As someone who lives in Utah and isn’t Mormon it only solidifies the stories you hear being an “outsider.” However, I felt like the book could have done without it. And the time line seemed slightly off. We went from her daughter turning 8 and baptism to the next few chapters her daughters we not 8 which threw me off. I loved reading about how the show came about and wish she would have put more of that into the book. Overall it was a good read to get to know someone’s background. You grieve with her and for sure want to cheer her on on all she has going on.
    22 people found this helpful
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  • H
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for the RHWSLC fans
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. As a RHWSLC fan, I thought this was a great autobiography and the quality of the book from the seller was good
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  • A Easter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely and Brutally Honest
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I've lived a very similar life to Heather, including growing up in similar families, getting a divorce after a temple marriage and now leaving the church. I opened the book, expecting to laugh along with her, but by page 8 I was in tears. The more I read, the more I understood who Heather is and more importantly, how she became who she became. She's complicated and beautiful, and I feel like I know her after reading every page of the book.

    Some of the secrets of the temple left me yelling in my room "YES, HEATHER!" and her bravery is not to be mistaken.

    I couldn't put it down. I ordered takeout for my kids for dinner so I could finish it in one sitting. I recommend this book to anyone who has left the Mormon church, or any high demand religion. In fact, I recommend it to women and men who remain in those high demand religions, so they can see a little bit of what it's like to look from the outside in.

    Heather, you've outdone yourself. Bravo.
    41 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Andi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in Australia on January 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic book. I love Heather's writing style. I hope that she writes more in the future, as I really enjoyed reading this
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Snappy and quick
    Reviewed in Canada on December 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I could almost picture Heather reading it herself. Loved the story of how her little photography hobby took off and how her spirit of entrepreneurship never faded. Enjoyed from beginning to end.
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  • Yvonne A
    4.0 out of 5 stars Honest, insightful, inspiring and Illuminating
    Reviewed in Australia on February 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was the first book I've downloaded the audio for, and it was a delight having you, Heather, accompany me in the car for a couple of weeks. Thanks for highlighting the secret/sacred covenants in this way and uncovering some of the whacky sides of this religion which I hadn't quite understood until now. It's been such a delight learning more about you and watching your journey on RHSLC. You go girl.
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  • Shirley smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one the must read
    Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love the show she is on and I Love this book nailed it, I could not put it down that good
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