Love Life Hardcover – April 8, 2014

I enjoyed Rob Lowe's first book very much so expected his second to be almost as good and thankfully I was not disappointed. It is apparent in both books that Rob is a bit of a narcissist with a little histrionic thrown in but this is all ok with me because I still like him. He comes across as self-serving and somewhat of a know-it-all but still likeable, loving, insightful, intelligent, funny, kind and interesting. Best of all though is the fact that he doesn't mind dishing on Hollywood. He makes his memoirs interesting and doesn't mind name-dropping even when he doesn't actually use a name but you know the name just the same. His life is a little too perfectly tidy at times though and I found myself resenting him just a little for his obvious satisfaction with himself and all his acquired wisdom. He seems to want to portray himself as this enlightened individual who has achieved such happiness and understanding of which you can tell he is very proud. This is fine- I know I am just jealous of someone who seems to have it all. I don't begrudge him, I just found myself wondering at times: DOES HE S---? And how about his even-more-perfect-than-he-is wife- does she??? I am straying from the "review" here, I know...This book is definitely interesting and a fun read if you are into Hollywood memoirs. Like I said before, he does a lot of name-dropping and interesting story telling about such topics as Vegas, Washington DC politics and presidents, the Playboy mansion, the Revolutionary War, Madonna, Bigfoot and so on and so forth. He talks a lot about his family and rehab and sobriety. A lot about his tv shows and characters as well as his experience with others on set. He seems to have gained a lot of insight through deep introspection and the transformative love of his wife and empowering relationships with his sons. One thing he could probably learn more of though is humility. Just a thought. He just seems to brag a lot. He comes across at times a little snobby and stuck up but at other times is rather insincerely self-depracating.I found this book entertaining but it is a little confusing that he seems to go out of order- I couldn't tell much of the time what year he was discussing. Also, he uses the word "clearly" a little too much- his narratives could've possibly benefitted from some editing here. As in "Clearly, Rob Lowe needs a thesaurus so maybe he could make use of words such as 'apparently' or 'obviously' instead during some of these times."He also seems a little cynical over the way Hollywood and the world have changed. I can understand and appreciate that- maybe not Hollywood since I don't work in that industry but as someone who has watched how movies and television have been changed (not always for the better) by advancing technology and social media and the internet and all that stuff...This book is a quick read- someone could probably read it in one sitting. It could have used some more pictures. I always like seeing pictures. His little stories are amusing, especially when they involve other celebrities. I heard recently on the director's cut of the "MASK" dvd that Rob Lowe was seriously considered for the role of Rocky Dennis but lost to Eric Stoltz. I wondered why Rob Lowe didn't mention that in one of his memoirs? Maybe he's saving it for his third book which I will certainly buy. CLEARLY I love me some Rob Lowe despite all I've said here! Forgive me Rob for anything I've said which may come across as rude and offensive- I do love you!!!If you find the price of this book a little high then you'd be just as well off waiting for it to come out in paperback. Used. In whatever condition is cheapest on Amazon. (Acceptable?) Rob's first book was worth paying the hard-cover price but this book can wait. That being said, I do think Rob is a great writer/storyteller. He is fun to read and I don't think there was ever a dull moment. Except when he gushes about how wonderful his wife and kids are. (VOMIT!) They come across as perfect and boring and not real- you almost want something evil to happen, if not to them then maybe at their hands... Again, my apologies, Rob, to you and your perfect family.

'Creating your own memories will give you something to share with the rest of us,' is one of the many pieces of advice Rob Lowe shares with his two boys. "Just say yes to life, and get out there and make those memories," is exactly what Rob Lowe has done. In his new memoir, he shares his life with his family, his career, and the current issues that encompass his life. This is a book that flows well, and keeps your interest.Rob Lowe is not afraid to share his foibles along with the assessment of his own strengths and what he has learned in the business he loves. His stories are filled with well connected friends and names we will all recognize. One of his most poignant stories is about his time in rehab for his alcoholism. Another one of the people with him, well known with a great athletic career going for him, could not keep away from drugs, finally breaks down in the throes of the love and acceptance the group shows him. His story is so sad and powerful that complete silence follows, tears flow, and we hope this man is helped. This kind of story telling is laced throughout the book. Rob Lowe is a writer, with tales to tell.We hear about Rob's romance with his now wife, Sheryl, and what it took for him to recognize that she was the woman for him. The stories of his days as a young male on the prowl is interspersed with stories of his professional life and what he has learned in his business. Ron's Lowe loves his life as an actor, and he is not afraid to take chances with roles that come his way. Dr. Startz in 'Behind The Candelabra' is one role with many fascinating stories behind it. The television series he has been part of, and what television has given to the acting business, contains a lot of wisdom and insight.The most important role for Rob Lowe is that of a father. He loves his two sons, Matthew and Johnowen with every cell in his being. What he divulges is his life as a father, and how it has affected his life. The story of 'Bigfoot' and the summer in the Northwest, the day his son, Matthew leaves for college, and Lowe's crying jags, all reveal a man who so loves his family.No real gossip, but a peak into a night at the Playboy Mansion is enlightening. He shares a little of his political life. He campaigned for Arnold Schwarzenegger, and still has ties to Maria Shriver and her family. He could be called a Libertarian if he accepted a label. However, he tells us he has no party affiliations, he votes for the best candidate. He believes in less government and personal freedom. His good looks have often been in the way for some of the roles he wanted, but he learned to compensate and to fight his way for what he wanted. One irritation I felt with the book is the introduction to his friends, they are old pal, long time, best buddy, most of them very well known and famous. I realize those are the people he knows, but he does not need the clarifiers.Rob Lowe has a great wit, charm and ease within himself. His storytelling manner is filled with more insight than most people. And, once into this book, you realize this is more than just a pretty face. An actor, businessman, family man and husband are his achievements, and he lives for today.Recommended. prisrob 04-08-14

Once again Rob has opened his heart & soul to share a lot of his most intimate & emotional times in his life while becoming the man he is today by truly telling why you should join him and "Love Life". Make no mistake the title of the book is not a noun but a verb. Yes of course there is a portion of us all that would like to hear some more of his interesting stories over the years without even any extra curricular detail but that's not the way this book goes. If you leave those types of thoughts behind and just read his story it's quite interesting and you start to realize that he's not who many thought he was or still is. He has been in the celebrity realm for over 40 years I grew up with him many others did and then there's many others who were finding him now in funny movies he's done like Wayne's World, Austin Powers and dramas on cable or regular television like the famously successful West Wing, Code Black, The Grinder ( major funny comedy) , my favorite drama Brothers & Sisters & yes Parks & Rec. Even Wild Bill released on BBC (kind of an American detective show but set in England). There are many more during these years that I haven't even listed here he's a hard-working guy even though he probably could have retired many years ago he still continues to make movies, television shows, made for Netflix new stories & movies. He never seems to stop acting, directing, and producing. More stories to hear about ..I wish there were more.

This is the second book I have read from Rob Lowe. I really enjoyed his first one and really enjoyed this one as well. There were a few sections that brought me to tears when he was talking about his son going off to college and their dog. Great story tellers can make you cry. Great read and I really enjoyed learning more about Rob Lowe. Seems like a down to earth guy.

I have always been an unabashed fan of Rob Lowe, since my teenage years when I would gorge myself on his movies and everything 'brat pack', and I also enjoyed his first autobiography 'Stories I Only Tell My Friends', which went into detail about the Outsiders and all the actors involved in it.Love Life is a more emotional read, mostly due to it being written when Rob Lowe's son was about to go off to college. He shares his feelings with the reader about fatherhood and how much it means to him, and the love he has for his children. Such openness prompted me to shed a tear or two. But it also contains humour: I found myself laughing out loud at the thought of the headline 'Rob Lowe shot dead in forest, mistaken for Big Foot' or 'Rob Lowe's secret fetish: dressing up as Big Foot and roaming forest making wild mating calls'. Hilarious tale.Rob Lowe writes fluidly, easily engaging the readers with lots of little anecdotes and a ton of name dropping. And he hooks the read in within the first few pages with a story about a vibrator. He clearly knows what he is doing as a writer as well as an actor.In Love Life he speaks a great deal about his acting career and goes in to detail about acting itself. As a Drama Student back in my college years, I found this interesting and it gave me further insight into what life as an actor is truly like.The book finishes off on another emotional note, when he talks about his marriage and his wife, and gives some profound observations on life and relationships. Rob shares deep feelings and thoughts with the reader, bringing them that little bit closer. I found his open, vulnerability endearing and special.I would definitely recommend this book.

Despite being written by Rob Lowe (i.e. a very famous actor), this is not an autobiography or even a book about Hollywood and it is all the more thought provoking and valuable for it. With each chapter I found myself reflecting on my own life and thoughts and behaviours. I picked up tips for work from his thoughts on coaching his son's spot team, tips on self-esteem from his advice to his sons, tips on relationships from his thoughts on his marriage and even tips on memorising long speeches. An incredibly interesting and powerful book and I am thankful I stumbled across it.

Laugh out Loud moments all the way through. This book goes a bit deeper into the rehab season of his life. It feels like to me, that the 2nd book LITERALLY takes off another layer about him as a person. I also love all the wisdom gained by taking the decsions he chose to take, good or bad, he owns them, and he writes so beautifully when detailing these little nuggets. I had an emotional moment when reading the story in his rehab, counter balanced by his humour. Honestly, I missed a few stops while travelling on a train to work, while reading. Its honest, funny, thought provoking and real. FYI, it has a lot of film and acting references, which I appreciated as I worked in the industry myself. But because he writes its so well, you don't get lost, you appreciate it the complexity of it. An easy read, super funny and real. End of.

As he said in an interview once that, he can’t easily answer some questions with a simple answer, in his book he can explain the background to the question and give a full answer. Such an interesting, intelligent and charismatic person. Plus opened up films and programs he’s done in a whole new light. School boy Father is actually quite good!

I really enjoyed this read, its extremely easy reading and interesting in parts. However, I didn't find it as interesting or fun to read as Rob's first book 'Stories I tell my Friends'. I really enjoyed that one more. Still, if you're a fan of his like I am and even if you'd like an honest easy read about like for an actor in Hollywood, you'll enjoy this book.