Venus Juice

When I Tried to Live in LA

By: Luke Simon

Narrated by: Luke Simon

Length: 4 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

With his memoir, Venus Juice, author and mystic Luke Simon takes listeners on a neo-nostalgic trip into the LA wellness scene of the late 2010s, a land of luxury juice, natural healing, and digital hookups. Looking for love, creativity, and filled with questions about how to make it as an Instagram healer, on the surface, the City of Angels seems to hold the keys to all that he seeks - but is everything what it seems?

Known among wellness circles as a cofounder of the popular Maha Rose Center for the Healing Arts in Brooklyn, Simon’s story takes in themes of friendship, celebrity, queer romance, and the social media hustle that has come to color our experiences of love and creativity in the new millennium. From $29 tonics, to a trip to New Age church, to a series of unforgettable dates that only end in self-doubt, Venus Juice is part love letter, part break-up Post-it with a scene too easily spooked by its own shadow.

Known for his humorous IG memes and Sedaris-esque worldview, the book is part incisive portrait and part loving parody of a city - and a culture - where a glossy facade often conceals darker hidden truths. Populated with a colorful cast of coaches, artists, hunks, healers, influencers, nighttime flowers, and health food connoisseurs, at the center of it all, we find one soul learning the meaning of self-love in our increasingly divided and digitized world.

“Luke Simon has written a queer romance for the now age! Any spiritual seeker who has ever questioned the nature of love, healing and success in the age of IG will relate to this book. It’s hilarious, deep, and real.” (Sah D'Simone, author of Spiritually Sassy)

“Luke's heartwarmingly honest depiction of the ups and downs of modern day spirituality from the queer perspective is so needed! Stripping down the facade and superficiality within L.A.'s spiritual scene, Venus Juice is a loving reminder that what we are truly searching for is ourselves.” (Bunny Michael)

“Luke’s debut is both inspired and inspiring. More than a memoir, it’s a poetic manifesto that isn’t afraid to pine for love. Not the easy love and light that so many new-age gurus sell, the tough as nails, honest and unconditional love that only comes from years of self inquiry and courageous honesty. So much more than just a send up of healer culture, Luke inquires deeply into the woundedness that lies at the heart of this niche LA lifestyle. Venus Juice is a robust celebration of vulnerability that reveals the author’s literary talent is as huge as his heart.” (Brandon Alter, cohost of The Spiritual Gayz)

©2021 Luke Simon (P)2022 Luke Simon

Like eating candy (but spiritually connecting)

I read the paperback book and then listened to the audiobook (which saved me a long flight), riveted by every word and sometimes chuckling aloud from under my headphones. Luke's writing style is so tantalizingly descriptive and familiar. It feels like you're sitting over a coffee table hearing juicy stories recounted directly from the author -- deeply personal stories crafted for the listener to hang onto. Like I said in the title, reading/listening to Venus Juice was like eating candy -- but with spiritually connective tissue growing throughout. The protagonist grows in the book, and I feel that I did, too. A modern-day heroes' journey. I highly recommend it.

Like a chat with your bestie

This book is so special. The author’s humor and vulnerability make you feel like you are at his side as he navigates the ups, downs, and in betweens of life. I was sad when it ended but felt so inspired and reinvigorated on my own healing journey!

Lightly plunging into self discovery

Luke Simon has crafted a fun and meaningful memoir out of the deep soul-searching of deciding to continue evolving through self-discovery in a fresh environment. I grew up a little with him, and connected with the bittersweet reflection of a misfit in today’s cultural wasteland.

It left me wanting more and I eagerly look forward to the next installment!