Description

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She grew up in front of the world on the beloved sitcom Full House, but then actress Andrea Barber abruptly left Hollywood. Why did she leave and what did she do for twenty years out of the spotlight before returning to television? This is her funny and inspiring memoir of fame, heartache, resilience—and the reboot of a lifetime . . .
 
When Kimmy Gibbler burst into the Tanners’ home on Full House in 1987, audiences immediately connected with the confident and quirky pre-teen character, played by ten-year-old actress Andrea Barber. During an eight-season run on one of the most popular series of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Andrea came of age in front of millions. But she was as far removed from her character as a girl can get. The introverted young star was plagued with self-doubt, insecurities, and debilitating anxieties that left her questioning her identity after the show’s cancelation. Andrea wouldn’t return to the public eye until 2016, for Fuller House. So what happened in those intervening decades that Andrea jokingly calls “the lost years”?

For starters, Andrea never stopped working. But it was on a series of life-changing transitions: earning a college degree, then a Master’s, building a career in international education, getting married, and starting a family. She also faced some unforeseeable transitions: navigating a sudden divorce after nearly twelve years of marriage, and second-guessing her capabilities as a single mother. But it was her devastating bout with post-partum anxiety and depression that derailed Andrea’s life—and became a crucial turning point.
 
Full Circle is a raw, refreshingly honest look into the life of a celebrity who has never been fully comfortable in the spotlight. Here Andrea shares her deeply personal struggles with mental health in a way she has never done before. She opens up about fighting her way back and finding solace—while finding herself—all before her life came full circle with her costars and lifelong friends on Fuller House. Sharing her journey from child star, to champion of mental health, and back to stardom, Andrea writes in a way that feels like catching up with an old friend.
 
You’ll laugh, reminisce, and finally get to know the woman behind the zany next door neighbor.

About the Author

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Andrea Barber is best known for her role on the sitcom Full House as Kimmy Gibbler, the best friend of D.J. Tanner, which she played from 1987 to 1995. After Full House ended, Barber retired from acting and started focusing on her personal life. In the years since, she has become an advocate for mental health awareness and an avid runner. In 2016 she literally found her way back to the Tanner family home in the spinoff series Fuller House, the #1 family show on Netflix, and continued to make millions laugh as our favorite zany next door neighbor.

Praise For…

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Praise for FULL CIRCLE
 
“I literally grew up with Andrea—in front of and behind the camera. Her memoir perfectly captures the funny, smart, inspiring, raw, and honest heart of my dearest friend. “
—Candace Cameron Bure
 
“I could not be more proud of my friend and fellow ‘She-Wolf.’ She is truly one of the most genuine, loving people I know. Her struggles with anxiety and depression, and how she broke through, are so incredibly relatable. As someone who has fought those demons myself, I found her candor both poignant and funny. A great read from a multi-talented actress, author and comedienne! The millions of fans who love her will not be disappointed!” 
—Jodie Sweetin
 
“Andrea is brave, open, and so very human.  In between the laughter, her memoir highlights her imperfections and struggles, and her journey to acceptance. Her fans will find stories about their favorite girl-next-door, and everyone will be inspired to embrace their uniqueness and keep looking forward with humor and strength.”
—Tan France, Queer Eye and author of Naturally Tan
 
“Andrea Barber writes with equal parts humor and raw honesty. Her willingness to share her struggles along with her joys makes her incredibly relatable. Tackling motherhood, divorce, mental illness, careers, aging, and everything in between, makes Full Circle a perfect read for anyone navigating their own troubles. This book makes you realize you are not alone and that there are many bright days ahead. It leaves the reader with hope.”
—Kara Goucher, Two-Time Olympian and World Champion Runner
 
“Stepping on a stage and playing a part is a craft that can be honed. Opening up and sharing your true self with the world takes a courage that can’t be taught. In Full Circle, Andrea Barber pulls back the curtains and courageously shares her story in a way that’s authentic, real, and raw. She’ll always be thought of as Kimmy Gibbler, but after Full Circle she’ll forever be loved for being authentically Andrea Barber.”
—Desiree Linden, Olympic athlete and winner of the 2018 Boson Marathon
 
"In this very funny, relatable, and refreshingly candid memoir, Andrea Barber does something brave: She gracefully shares her struggles behind her celebrity—her anxiety, her life as a single working mom, and her hard-won transformation—and in the process makes us see what's possible in our own lives. Prepare to be entertained and inspired."
—Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
 
“I love this book for so many reasons. Andrea Barber’s unflinching, candid expression of painful realities creates an authenticity that immediately connects the reader to her journey. She speaks from her heart with language that every mom, every person, can relate to. In doing so, she normalizes anxiety, depression, panic, shame, grief, therapy, and medication, and single handedly de-stigmatizes the high distress that is so often associated with new motherhood. Wonderfully written, her memoir takes us through her unique life experiences all the way to her impressive strategies for coping and building resilience.
—Karen Kleiman, Founder, The Postpartum Stress Center, Author of Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts.

"Guess what? Celebrities are no different than other human beings! They stub their toe, they grow old, and they develop mental illnesses. Thank you, thank you Andrea for writing this delightful and highly readable journey across your descent into loss, and eventually a diagnosable common mental illness: depression with concomitant anxiety. I can relate only too strongly. I too have a Generalizing Anxiety Disorder with a history of panic and depression. These are common conditions, they are highly treatable, and I thank you for writing about them with such clarity. This book will help in the fight against stigma."
—Drew Pinsky, MD