As MANY of the other reviews have pointed out, the author soliciting for reviews not once but TWICE during the book is beyond annoying. Not sure, Mia, why you would want a review before I’ve even finished your book. And then to have the audacity to sit there and instruct me how to leave a review, and wait for me to finish? Good grief. The last chapter being a “preview” of another of her books is also a let down. This frustrating business is not a review of the book, per se, but a review of the author. As such, it would be unfair to give a one-star review merely for this reason.
In regards to the actual product, despite being a “book” of mostly extensive lists and few real world examples, it was not terribly awful. It might serve as a fair introduction to Narcissistic Personality Disorder if one has never heard of such a thing, and in fact the introduction of the book has some decent information.
Beyond that, it never truly delivers what it promises on how to recognize BPD and how to heal from abuse. It is in no way a “Survival Guide.” The author (whose credentials are never presented) recommends a mind set change and gives some very general mindfulness guidance. She also recommends seeking out therapy and reading other books on the subject, which certainly is good advice, but feels like she’s passing the buck a bit. The material never dives very deeply into the drivers for both the abuser and the abused. It touches psychology VERY lightly, in a sort of WebMD way.
Between the disingenuous “you are special” platitudes and the unfocused strategies, I’m left wondering who this book is actually for. Perhaps a young adult, having just left home? A very young mother not wanting to make the same mistakes? Either way, it certainly wasn’t for me.