Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over

Getting sober was one thing. Discovering who she was without alcohol was another.

For three decades, alcohol helped Mary Alice Stephens escape her lonely, self-critical teenage self and become Fun Mary—the outgoing woman who could always be counted on for a good time. But Fun Mary came at a cost: debilitating hangovers, blackouts, and increasingly dangerous behavior. Not even a three-story fall that left her in a body cast could make her stop.

When drinking puts her young son’s safety and her marriage in jeopardy, Mary finally gets sober at forty-five. But putting down the glass is only the beginning.

Date nights with her husband. Friendships built around wine. A father who expresses his love through alcohol. Suddenly, the familiar rhythms of her life become reminders of everything she has given up. Without Fun Mary to hide behind, she must face the loneliness, vulnerability, and self-doubt she spent years drinking away.

Who is she without alcohol—and how does she build a life she no longer needs to escape?

Told with candor, heart, and humor, Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over is a sobriety memoir about marriage, motherhood, identity, and second chances. It is an honest look at the messy work of beginning again in midlife—and discovering what might become possible on the other side of the last drink.

Winner, 2026 International Book Awards — Health: Addiction & Recovery

“A valuable, enlightening window into one woman’s decision to quit drinking.”—Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Mary Alice Stephens is a creative nonfiction storyteller. As a television writer-producer for HGTV, Food Network, and other media outlets, she has shared others’ stories on everything from outdoor adventures to home improvement. In her debut book, Uncorked, Mary shares her own powerful story of alcoholism, recovery, and starting life anew at 45. She earned her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Dominican University of California and resides in Northern California.

Praise for Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over

“Don't be fooled into thinking this funny, open-hearted, soulful howl of a book is only for those on a sober journey—this is a universal grab-you-by-the-collar-and-hold-you-wide-eyed-close kind of memoir that can inspire all of us.” —Kim Culbertson, award-winning author of The Wonder of Us and Other People's Kids

“Her journey from the death of ‘Fun Mary’ to the birth of ‘Sober Mary’ is at turns deeply moving and amusing, and many readers will see themselves in her story. I was rooting for her the entire way.” —Kirsten Mickelwait, author of the novel, The Ashtrays Are Full and the Glasses Are Empty, and the memoir, The Ghost Marriage

“...a must-read for anyone who struggles with alcohol use or is close to someone who does. And, let's face it—that's all of us.” —Joanne Greene, author of By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go

“...searingly honest and refreshingly unapologetic. Infused with humor, and without a hint of self-pity, Uncorked is immensely readable.” —Janis Cooke Newman, best-selling author of The Russian Word for Snow and A Master Plan for Rescue

“Beautifully rendered and bravely written...” —Suzy Vitello, author of Bitterroot and The Bequest

“Uncorked is a lively read, written by a consummate literary professional able to disguise her skill under an engaging veneer of vulnerability and rigorous honesty. Well done!” —BC Cowling, author of Leaving San Francisco