Kyle Richards: The Reunion Is Torture

Kyle Richards: The Reunion Is Torture

This was a particularly trying Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season -- and not just for the women who endured the verbal torment, domestic abuse, alcohol addictions and fey wedding planners. It was also particularly taxing for fans, who were forced to live vicariously through every one of these shockingly uncomfortable moments.

And part one of tonight's RHOBH reunion episode will not shy away from rehashing a single one of these watercooler moments.

To find out what you can expect, I chatted with Kyle Richards at Barnes & Noble where she was signing copies of her new book, Life is Not A Reality Show.

Insider.com: What inspired you to write this book?
Kyle Richards: Growing up I was the youngest in a house filled with women and I used to listen to all the stories about when they would go on dates -- what they would do wrong, what they did right, why the guy didn't call back. So as I got older, I was kind of like a pro and all my friends would come to me with relationship questions. Then when I got married, and my marriage was so good, I became like this guru to my friends. So I decided to share what I know with everybody. I want to empower women. I think my book really teaches women to be confident, to learn to speak up for themselves and how to look and feel their best – plus I talk about fashion, beauty, and all of the things that I love.

Watch a Preview Of Tonight's Reunion

Insider: Was it easier or harder to write than you expected?
Kyle: Much harder – I've always wanted to write a book, and I would get halfway though a book and something would come up. This time, I was so focused but I would have to do it in the middle of the night, squeezing it in between shooting and my four kids so a lot of times it was late night writing or waking up at 3 a.m. with a thought and I'd have to open my blackberry and write it down.

Insider: We spoke at the end of season one and you remarked how difficult it was to relive that limo experience -- how did watching season two compare?
Kyle: The end of season one last year was extremely painful, it was a very deep, personal pain between my sisters. It hurt all of us, so that was very difficult. This season, game night was very difficult because I was upset with myself, because that wasn't who I am. I wasn't true to myself -- and that's something I try to teach my children: always stay true to who you are. I was disappointed in myself. And then, to see people judge me based on something I know I'm not, hurt. So, it was painful.

Kyle Richards Talks Reality Regrets

Insider: Does it upset you that the struggles Kim went through this season are forever immortalized on film?
Kyle: That's very hard. I said to her, "Don't beat yourself up because you took the initiative to go and get the help. We're all proud of you. We all want you to look forward and not look back." So she's not watching this season or the reunion.

Insider: How is she doing -- and how is your relationship doing today?
Kyle: Our relationship is the strongest it has been in years. And Kim is doing wonderful. She's strong. She got the help she needed. Which I'm proud of her for. We're happy she's home, and the real Kim is back.

Insider: Lastly, tonight kicks off the three-part reunion -- how was that experience?
Kyle: The reunion was like a mental torture chamber [laughs]. It was just rehashing everything that has happened, and thing is we've gotten past all of it but had to get back and relive every fight, every comment, every moment. It was difficult to sit there. It was like a torture therapy session.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion kicks off tonight at 9 p.m. on Bravo.