l3m0nad3's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.5
How is this train wreck of a woman a therapist? this entire book is a dumpster fire about her life and yet shes a PhD in Clinical Psychology? I hope her clients are fully aware of her behavior and run fast and far. This book is 100% 'poor me' 'life is being horrible to be'
this book is barely worth the $1 is spent, no wonder it was at the dollar tree
this book is barely worth the $1 is spent, no wonder it was at the dollar tree
kjboldon's review against another edition
1.0
This book is about an important topic--the unrealistic expectations that society places on women as mothers and humans, and the ones that mothers place on themselves. But the topic is not the book, and this book didn't work for me. It was repetitive (she drank, she smoked, she screwed, she fought with her guy) and so much of it was recounted, rather than told as a compelling story. Good memoir requires a balance of tone, some self deprecation, and a lot of insight. This book lacked all those. The story of a woman who develops a drinking problem in midlife that complicates and is complicated by unhealthy relationships with men isn't enough to carry the book. And while it might feel refreshing that the ending bucks the tidy recovery narrative, there is embracing messiness and there is simply stopping; this book does the latter.
dommdy's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t like this book. The author is self indulgent, self obsessed and never learns from her mistakes. She seems to admire her promiscuity and is awful about her step children.
wubledoo's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the brutal honesty. not a lot of fun to read
hainyh's review against another edition
4.0
Author Kerry Cohen reaches her early 40s and realises she has a drinking problem. Despite functioning perfectly normal and managing to maintain her job (as a therapist no less!) and dropping her children off to school every day, she's using alcohol to cope with all of her emotions. I devoured this book in just a few hours - I found Kerry's account absolutely fascinating. From reading her perspective, it's easy to see how someone can find themselves in this place without even realising, as the slide from regular social drinking to daily problematic drinking is pretty steady but at the times so gradual that alcoholism seemed to creep up on her.
This is a very easy read in terms of the writing style, as well as Kerry's frank and up-front honesty. I think I expected some drastic change at the end but it seems Kerry's changes to her behaviours were rather less dramatic and theatrical than I had hoped. I was so pleased to see a positive slant to finish with, but somehow I just expected a little *more* to round off Kerry's book.
This is a very easy read in terms of the writing style, as well as Kerry's frank and up-front honesty. I think I expected some drastic change at the end but it seems Kerry's changes to her behaviours were rather less dramatic and theatrical than I had hoped. I was so pleased to see a positive slant to finish with, but somehow I just expected a little *more* to round off Kerry's book.
bford16's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting enough to hold my attention, but I didn't feel any really epiphany occur. It lacked the focused I wanted to see on recovery. Author sounded self absorbed.
clwojick's review against another edition
4.0
I was nervous when originally requesting this book, as some books about additional and alcoholism can be played off as too nonchalant for my liking, but I found this book to be done really well. Cohen has a way with words, and was able to get her story across without being too serious or care free about such a touchy topic. I read the whole memoir in two days, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I will be recommending to my non-fiction loving friends.
I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
clwojick's review
4.0
I was nervous when originally requesting this book, as some books about additional and alcoholism can be played off as too nonchalant for my liking, but I found this book to be done really well. Cohen has a way with words, and was able to get her story across without being too serious or care free about such a touchy topic. I read the whole memoir in two days, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I will be recommending to my non-fiction loving friends.
I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have received a much appreciated digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
lesley's review
3.0
An interesting memior from an over drinker. Cohen has an authentic and unapologetic voice.
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