Rating: 3.5 stars

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir

Hamilton’s story is heart wrenching and made me feel absolutely SICK to my stomach at times. The abuse, self-gaslighting, and cruelty she suffered is horrible. I appreciate the insight that she provided in looking back on her life. You can get a real sense of the work that she has done to unlearn the harmful beliefs that made her feel stuck in her abusive marriage. 

I don’t think you have to agree with everything someone does in order to enjoy a memoir, so I won’t go into a rant about monogamy and cheating - which are typically big turn offs for me. She displayed a lot of bravery by showing the ugly parts of her life in this way and how she deeply hurt others, even when she was in a horrific cycle of abuse with Rick.

My favorite parts were about the process of her divorce and her leaving and what taking back her agency and sense of self meant for her. Those felt like the strongest parts narratively, and they were the most impactful for me. I thought this was well written but the pacing felt off in some parts, especially towards the beginning.

The material in this book is heavy, so please check content warnings, which I have listed below.