Overcome

A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction, Sex Work, and Recovery

By: Amber van de Bunt

Narrated by: Amber van de Bunt

Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

From an early age, Amber van de Bunt knew she wasn't like the other girls in town. From childhood struggles with depression and eating disorders, her years as a topless dancer in Florida, and an eventual abortion and suicide attempt, to her rebirth in Los Angeles as a porn star named Karmen Karma, overcoming her relationship with her abusive mother, and her struggle to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle - van de Bunt's life has been a wild roller coaster. With humor, alacrity, and profound insight, she reveals her deepest, darkest secrets and pulls no punches - least of all with herself.

©2019 Amber van de Bunt (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Talk about Owning and Living for YOURSELF

I was into reading/listening to this at first, just out of curiosity regarding the porn star/addiction thing and how it generally comes as a package, or so I have otherwise read/heard! But then I quickly realized how relatable and humanizing Amber really is! And not just as a Woman but as an overall human being! I love how open she is about her sexual desires yet unashamed and honest!

Her husbands role in her life but also in the book as an excerpt totally surprised me but also made this book so relatable to all types of women (those having experienced a lot sexual encounters to those who have not, to those who have not but still wanting to- to those who have not had good experiences) which is what makes this candid honest memoir so relatable to all types of women!

Sometimes it’s hard for me to listen to audiobooks just strictly on the narrator or voice too, but Ambers candid approach makes it feel like your listening to a close friend tell you their personal story one on one!!

🙌🏻 Well done Girl! I’m already looking forward to your next Audiobook, regardless!!! Also just wanna give your Hubby props! The love you two share and describe sound authentic and pure, and what everyone should strive to achieve in a relationship!! Also, sounds like your going to be one AMAZING momma!

Celebrates a destructive wounded selfish life

Amber s a smart and gifted performer. She does all she can to get attention from as many people as possible. Her ruinous lifestyle seems almost celebrated in this book. She did whatever she desired with little remorse expressed over stealing, cheating, seducing, abusing, lying.and destroying. She repeatedly expressed how much fun she had in this hypersexual drug addicted lifestyle- even though it almost killed her repeatedly and left a wake of destruction all around her. So many abused and mistreated her, she did the same to others.

There is a hero in every story. Amber's Dad driving cross country when she tries to take her own life is the only one I could find. He sounds like a remarkable person.

Her stories are explicit- I kept expecting to hear an epiphany of a turned around life. Instead she finds more ways to do what she desires and get as much attention as possible. I'd not recommend this book.

My hope is she can heal and thrive in a healthy life and see her true beauty, value, and great worth.

Provocative, raw, and beautiful

I was not sure what to expect going into this book. I had never read/listened a book in this genre before. Within minutes, I couldn’t stop listening. The story is genuine and beyond captivating.

Great listen, I finished in one sitting

I was given a glimpse into the life that helped shape the wonderful person Karmen is today. The best stories always have long tough roads, many ups and downs. Hearing the strength she has is beautiful and amazing. I couldn't help but feel the emotion alongside her.

Mam'a's fault adult child rant whaa whaaa

At so point in a child's life they learn right from wrong. 18 is an adult and you must own your own shit. Your mom lives rent free in your head.

A powerful tale of Sex Work that defies expectations.

It’s incredible to hear a story from a sex worker who has persevered because of their work, not in spite of it. This is the chance to hear directly from a porn performer how their experiences and life choices lead them down a destructive path and how the “overcame” (not a spoiler, it’s the Title). Amber gives us the honest truth of her life as a young person, their trials as an adult and how becoming “Karmen Karma” was both destructive and a savior.

The author is not a professional audio book reader, and it sometimes shows. However, her brutal hint and emotion comes through that much more because it’s actually her and it’s so much more preferable.

If you have any interest in sex work, or just the entertainment industry, adult or otherwise, I very much recommend the experience.

Great story!

This was a fast listen and once I started I did not want to stop! Amber has such a knack for storytelling!! I found my heart racing for her during crazy times in her book and literal sadness for her at other times. She overcame many obstacles and takes you along for her wild ride! I was sad when this book was finished! I would recommend it ten times over!

😈2 😇😎

Devil to Angel with a side eye! I really loved this book. Sexwork is probably the home styled work anyone could do now lol. I applaud Amber for her coming to realization moment. Alain being the best mommy!

A fascinating insight into the world of an addict

This book is not the sort of book I would ordinarily turn to, but it came up as a recommendation after listening to a somewhat related audio book. I found this book quite fascinating in that it gives you an insight into how a drug addict thinks and what drives their behavior. The insight into how the pornography industry works was also something I had not given much thought to before. I think the only reason I did not give this book a 5 is because the author uses the book to continually air her grievances with her mother. I felt this was a little excessive and probably one sided.

Very immature, don’t waste your money

Not worth your time. She can’t write, she can’t read. My 6 th grader could have written this. It’s about as deep as......well, it’s just not deep. It’s not profound, it’s just childish.

fast listen, very fun, highly recommend.

Loved it, great listen with a wild fun story. Sometimes you need to remind yourself that it's real.

Really inspiring.

Life can be hard sometimes but that's what life is about. I am glad she had been able to find happiness at the end.

Addiction is a chronic brain disease. People need to be really strong to avoid relapsing during their entire life. There is always a reason behind the use of drugs. In this case seems to be due emotional pain caused by the difficult relationship with her mother. It is very sad when a child is suffering and usually this can cause long term mental health issues. It is important to treat and help these kids with therapy before they decide to self-harm or self medicate with alcohol and drugs.

Thank you very much Amber for sharing your story. It will help many people who are struggling with chronic emotional pain and addiction. They are not alone. You are not alone either.

You are a brave, strong woman and true to your heart. I hope you enjoy the happiness we all deserve.