
The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp
How to Survive a Fire and A Chaotic Upbringing (Without Losing Your Sense of Humour)
by Krystal Evans
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Pub Date 19 Jun 2025 | Archive Date 6 Jul 2025
Octopus Publishing | Monoray
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Description
When Krystal Evans was 14, the house that she shared with her mother and little sister burned down. Narrowly escaping by breaking a window and jumping out head-first Krystal suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and the unimaginable tragedy of losing her sister. That Evans has written such a warm and disarmingly funny memoir about what led the family to that fatal night, and how they coped with its aftermath, is nothing less than astonishing.
This is a spellbinding story of growing up poor in America, living with a mentally ill mother, and having a wolf for a pet (really). From the indignities of being rejected from a summer camp for burn victims, to putting up with a succession of her mom's increasingly shady friends and partners, Krystal and Katie's childhoods were marked by adult chaos, inappropriate behaviour, and never knowing what the next day would bring.
But, writing with joy, skill and candour, we witness Krystal growing as a person from the ashes of disaster into the confident, funny, and (reasonably) well-hinged adult, mother and comedian that she is today.
At the same time, funny, tragic and inspiring, it is the story of a family dangerously close to the edge, and of a girl struggling to make her way into adulthood, once the smoke clears.
Advance Praise
'Krystal Evans is a born writer - from the first page you know you are in the hands of someone who knows what the hell she's doing. This a wonderful book: funny, heart breaking, beautifully paced - I don't expect to read a better memoir for a very long time.' ROBERT WEBB, author of How Not To Be A Boy
'Funny and heart breaking in equal measure, Krystal's cool, clear voice cuts through the noise of growing up in chaos' FERN BRADY, author of Strong Female Character
'The guiltiest of literary pleasures: a memoir that you open with trepidation and stay up til 6am to finish' KATE SPICER, author of Lost Dog.
'Krystal's writing is compelling, edgy and always hilarious. Hottest Girl At Burn Camp is so much more than your average comedian's memoir. Absolutely essential reading.' JOSIE LONG
Marketing Plan
If you enjoyed The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp, let Krystal know! You can find her at @krystalevanscomedy on Instagram.
#TheHottestGirlAtBurnCamp
If you enjoyed The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp, let Krystal know! You can find her at @krystalevanscomedy on Instagram.
#TheHottestGirlAtBurnCamp
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781800962729 |
PRICE | £20.00 (GBP) |
PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

Wow what a story. My heart went out to her I can only imagine not only the loss but also the physical side eff era of being so severely burnt from a fire. It was very heart wrenching and inspiring how she dealt with everything and tried to find the positive in it all. This is a story that will stay with me forever

Thanks to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC.
Not normally one for memoirs but the title and synopsis for this was just to too good to pass up. This was such a funny and emotional story about growing up with a mother with mental illness as well as surviving a fire that left burns and trauma and well as the lost of her little sister. Krystal Evans talking about her life with such humour and well as emotions really made me immersed in it. Definitely would listen to this as a audiobook as well. I will be recommending this to anyone who loves funny and emotional memoirs.

I’m honestly not even sure how to begin to review this book. As it’s a memoir/biography type book it’s hard to want to “rate” it. This book was so interesting and so well written. I honestly applaud Krystal for wanting to let the world in on what she went through with her mum and what happened to her sister.
A lot of what happened in this book seemed so far fetched and it’s honestly crazy how many people could have stepped in but felt they couldn’t/didnt want to “upset” the mother even though she was in charge of 2 children when she clearly shouldn’t have been responsible for even herself. What a Fantastic book.

It’s really hard to rate a memoir, because it’s someone’s life and their experience—but this one is so incredibly well written, it deserves the recognition.
I read this in one sitting. Krystal Evans has a voice that is equal parts sharp, honest, and unexpectedly funny. She takes you through a deeply personal journey with such rawness and clarity that you feel every emotion alongside her. Her ability to explore trauma, resilience, identity, and humour without ever tipping into self-pity or sensationalism is masterful.
What stood out most to me was how she balances vulnerability with strength, and heartbreak with humour. Even the heaviest moments are written with a sense of perspective that’s both moving and empowering.
This memoir doesn’t just tell a story—it invites you into a world that’s messy, complicated, and ultimately hopeful. It lingers with you long after the final page.
I’d recommend it to fans of powerful memoirs that blend grit with grace, and anyone drawn to stories of overcoming adversity with honesty and heart.

I loved this book so much! The author has been through so much yet still retains a wonderful sense of humour! This book kept me reading so much I neglected other things lol! Absolute gem!

Believe the hype.
First off, the title. Absolutely inspired.
Although what Krystal went through is some of the most traumatic shit anyone would have to deal with, the book didn’t feel dark or mawkish. Her story is told with real humour, honesty and lightness that made it so compulsively readable I forgot to feed the dog. Twice.
Yes, you might cry several times. But you’ll be better for it. And, like me, you might find much more to relate to in the pages that you’d imagine.
Thank you to Octopus publishing for the E- Arc.

Hottest Girl at Burn Camp is an extraordinary memoir that’s as raw and real as it is uplifting. Krystal Evans turns trauma into triumph, offering a story that’s both heart-wrenching and hilariously honest. A must-read that stays with you long after the final page.
Thanks to Netgalley and Octopus publishing for a review copy.

A perfect mix of emotion and comedy, this was a brave and deeply personal book. Evans tells us in excruciating detail about her childhood, her unwell mother and the first that changed her life. I appreciate how blunt she was when talking about things, she holds her mother accountable for her actions and discusses her grief that she still has for her sister. I thought this book was going to be very serious and I was happily surprised with the humour and sarcasm. Evans balances the heavy emotions with jokes really well, I never once felt that her recount was tone deaf or insensitive. This was truly an entertaining read and one I’m glad to have read.
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