Reviews

Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood

missjadecrystal's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

Many if not all of our experiences really begin from childhood, especially when it comes to our attachment styles

bubblybookie93's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

quartzmaya's review against another edition

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4.0

"Passion literally means suffering, and it is often the case that the greater the suffering, the deeper the passion. The price we pay for stable commitment is the boredom of safety and security.”
“The more difficult it is to end a relationship that is bad for you, the more elements of the childhood struggle it contains.”

Reading "Women Who Love Too Much" by Robin Norwood has been an eye-opening experience for me. Even though I am in a happy marriage, this book made me reflect deeply on my past patterns, especially within friendships. The author's insight into the self-destructive behavior of loving too much resonated with me, highlighting how such patterns are often rooted in our childhood experiences.

Norwood's work is both comprehensive and accessible. She presents the idea that women (and men) can find themselves repeatedly drawn to emotionally unavailable partners due to unresolved issues from their past. The book is filled with case studies that bring these concepts to life, making the theory relatable and the reading experience engaging. One of the most powerful aspects of the book is its ability to make readers feel seen and understood. As I read through the stories and scenarios, I found myself nodding along, recognizing behaviors I have exhibited in past relationships with friends. The realization that seeking validation and happiness from others can lead to unhealthy dynamics was a crucial takeaway for me.

I especially found her section on how media is typically about dramatic relationships, songs about heartbreak etc. because those are more interesting and engaging... and how being exposed to this view of love/romance being painful normalizes toxic relationships and makes it even harder for people to recognize when their relationships are not healthy.
However, I was a little put off by her sections mentioning God, spirituality, and meditation. It felt out of place and unscientific.

Norwood's advice on finding happiness within ourselves and breaking free from these toxic patterns is both empowering and practical. The book doesn't just point out problems; it offers a step-by-step guide to healing and creating healthier relationships.
I appreciated the balanced perspective that, while some responsibility lies with the women in these scenarios, it's equally important to understand the dynamics at play, including the behaviors of the men involved.

Ultimately, "Women Who Love Too Much" encourages self-reflection and personal growth. Despite some emotionally challenging moments, the book is undoubtedly worthwhile & has given me valuable insights and tools to foster healthier, more fulfilling connections in my life.

ohlala_kaylala's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

2.25

hasb's review

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

luisafls's review against another edition

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No quiero puntuar un libro de autoayuda, estuvo bien pero me demoró mucho terminarlo.

alanadono's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

This book forced me to tear open my heart and take a good look inside it. I am incredibly lucky that I found this as I related to so many of these women's stories and struggles. Although it took me forever to get through as the topics were heavy, it was worth it to gain so much clarity on the psychology of how I relate to others, particularly romantically.

nicoleroche's review

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informative reflective slow-paced

2.0

luciabf27's review against another edition

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4.0

Necesario en el momento en el que lo he leído. Esclarecedor. Si bien no perfecto, útil y acogedor.

vonhelmstein's review against another edition

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4.0

At first look, I didn't seem like the target demographic for this book. And while I do wish there was an updated version that is more gender neutral, there is still plenty of worth to be found in this book for the men who love too much as well. This helped me recognize some patterns that existed in my own life and in my recently ended relationship which I thought were noble but were actually completely unhealthy. If you ever find yourself thinking "if just this one thing would change with my partner, this relationship would be great again," you will probably find some worth from this book.

As other reviewers have noted, this book also has a tight focus on people that grew up in abusive situations, or with parents who were alcoholics. I did not grow up in any of these situations, but I still recognize most of the characteristics of people who "love too much" in myself. I think the book can be useful even if you don't fall within that narrow focus.

All in all, it's given me a lot to think about and to bring up with my therapist and was ultimately helpful in my situation.