Lauren writes touchingly of disrupting cycles of addiction and toxic thought patterns. Her devotion to her children becomes the catalyst for the determination and discipline to pursue the less-traveled road to healing. In a narrative that leans more towards catharsis than structure, Lauren discusses an array of rehabilitation techniques, including positive self-talk, acupuncture points, frequency-inducing sound therapy, plant medicine, Divine awareness, and education—which, she notes, not only raises awareness but also increases dopamine levels. A chapter on the transformative potential of psilocybin is upbeat and possibly surprising, describing the treatment as a catalyst for an "ego death" that liberated her from feeling like a victim of external forces. With newfound clarity, Lauren asserts, "My ego can drive me toward addiction and destruction if I allow it to direct my choices."
Lauren offers hope to others when she reveals how her awakened spirituality dismantles the blueprint of trauma: shame, guilt, rage, despair, and pain. She inspires readers who have faced humanity’s worst with a reminder that there are paths, however circuitous and surprising, to acceptance, forgiveness, and love.
Takeaway: Insightful, poignant story of finding a path to healing after abuse.
Comparable Titles: Louise Hay's You Can Heal Your Life, Sheila Hamilton's All the Things We Never Knew.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
