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chloereadds's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Physical abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Ableism
ccwingreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Eden takes the reader through her life in a memoir that unfurls the emotional, verbal, and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. The consequences of this abuse permeate her life, and greatly affect her sense of self-worth.
The first chapters read like you're right there with her and in the mindset she had at the time. There were many moments where I was willing her to realize the abuse for what it was. It isn't until the later chapters where there is realization and a journey towards healing. In that journey, there is hope. The book also has some very powerful statements about not having to forgive your abusers.
For such a short memoir, it is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is honest and unflinching. It is pretty to-the-point, which made it a quick but compelling read. Please be aware of triggers going into this including sexual assault, eating disorders, and homophobia (external and internal).
I've also never wanted to rip apart the Enneagram more in my life.
I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to read a self-published work especially one where the author bares her soul. If you can handle the subject matter, it is a read I recommend!
Eden takes the reader through her life in a memoir that unfurls the emotional, verbal, and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. The consequences of this abuse permeate her life, and greatly affect her sense of self-worth.
The first chapters read like you're right there with her and in the mindset she had at the time. There were many moments where I was willing her to realize the abuse for what it was. It isn't until the later chapters where there is realization and a journey towards healing. In that journey, there is hope. The book also has some very powerful statements about not having to forgive your abusers.
For such a short memoir, it is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is honest and unflinching. It is pretty to-the-point, which made it a quick but compelling read. Please be aware of triggers going into this including sexual assault, eating disorders, and homophobia (external and internal).
I've also never wanted to rip apart the Enneagram more in my life.
I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to read a self-published work especially one where the author bares her soul. If you can handle the subject matter, it is a read I recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Physical abuse
abigailwantstoread_01's review
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you to Eden Simchah for the Earc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very poignant and raw story of Edens life beginning at her childhood detailing all the hardships and abuse she faced at the hands of her mother and her journey to self love. It was heartbreaking and compelling and I couldn't put it down.
This was a very poignant and raw story of Edens life beginning at her childhood detailing all the hardships and abuse she faced at the hands of her mother and her journey to self love. It was heartbreaking and compelling and I couldn't put it down.
sarahmcg's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Thank you to the author for the eARC and opportunity to read her memoir ahead of the release date, 2/22/23!
This memoir detailed Eden’s life, initially from the perspective of her young childhood self. She had a complicated relationship with her mother who would berate her for the smallest perceived slights or mistakes, reminiscent of Jennette McCurdy’s account in her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The way Eden’s mother treated her broke my heart, but her storytelling was honest and compelling.
It was lovely to see how Eden progressed from living with her mom to getting out and away and slowly discovering more about her identity, self-worth, and sexuality, including coming out as a lesbian at 27 years old. There are some important perspectives on sexual assault, internalized homophobia, and binge eating disorder, so please be aware of those triggers/content warnings.
I loved to see her growth and takeaways at the end of the book, including finding a healthy relationship, going to therapy, and finding her passion as a body positive and LGBTQIA+ inclusive personal trainer. There are also a lot of fun music references to Jewel, Avril Lavigne, and P!nk :) oh and references to tumblr! I think Eden & I must be close in age (early 30’s).
Some notable quotes:
- “Hating my body hasn’t helped at all. If anything, the more I think about how wrong my body is, the more I want to binge until I can’t feel anything anymore. Maybe learning to like my body will be better.”
- “But no matter how much I empathize with her inner child, I have to honor my own.”
- “We are not things to be fixed. We were never broken.”
- “Sometimes, healing is just letting yourself be.”
This is a quick and honest memoir that I think you’d enjoy! Note: I don’t typically give a star rating to memoirs because they are so personal. But know that I felt honored to read & witness Eden’s story!
This memoir detailed Eden’s life, initially from the perspective of her young childhood self. She had a complicated relationship with her mother who would berate her for the smallest perceived slights or mistakes, reminiscent of Jennette McCurdy’s account in her memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” The way Eden’s mother treated her broke my heart, but her storytelling was honest and compelling.
It was lovely to see how Eden progressed from living with her mom to getting out and away and slowly discovering more about her identity, self-worth, and sexuality, including coming out as a lesbian at 27 years old. There are some important perspectives on sexual assault, internalized homophobia, and binge eating disorder, so please be aware of those triggers/content warnings.
I loved to see her growth and takeaways at the end of the book, including finding a healthy relationship, going to therapy, and finding her passion as a body positive and LGBTQIA+ inclusive personal trainer. There are also a lot of fun music references to Jewel, Avril Lavigne, and P!nk :) oh and references to tumblr! I think Eden & I must be close in age (early 30’s).
Some notable quotes:
- “Hating my body hasn’t helped at all. If anything, the more I think about how wrong my body is, the more I want to binge until I can’t feel anything anymore. Maybe learning to like my body will be better.”
- “But no matter how much I empathize with her inner child, I have to honor my own.”
- “We are not things to be fixed. We were never broken.”
- “Sometimes, healing is just letting yourself be.”
This is a quick and honest memoir that I think you’d enjoy! Note: I don’t typically give a star rating to memoirs because they are so personal. But know that I felt honored to read & witness Eden’s story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
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