I've never been inspired by self-help or call to action books. I prefer stories about real humans and their struggles, mistakes, and journeys to self-discovery. I don’t trust writers who tell us that they've figured out the secret to love, life, happiness, and beauty... and all we need to do to know their secret, is to read their book. Doyle’s novel is a combination of her story, her discoveries, her enduring struggles, and her calls to action.

I highlighted more parts of this book than I did my college textbooks. I found myself writing notes about my own history, my own biased view of myself and my world, my quiet thoughts that I haven’t been willing to listen to. Perhaps I’m at a turning point in my life where her words spoke directly to me. Perhaps I just identify with many of Doyle’s battles: addiction, anxiety, disordered eating, trying to stay true to society’s desires, trying to stay true to the self, not being “golden.” Her words put so many of my thoughts on paper.

Doyle doesn’t tell you how to live your life. She describes how she found… no, created a life for herself and encourages her readers to take a deep look within themselves to figure out what that could look like for themselves. 'Untamed' bordered on cheesy at times and was a bit heavy on the metaphors, but I found it wise, honest, introspective, flawed, and real.