What do you think?
Rate this book
Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever: A Raw Journey of Healing
Dating, Divorce, and How Self-Awareness Becomes Your SalvationA raw, faith-rooted memoir of divorce, self-discovery, and the kind of healing that begins when you stop pretending you’re fine.
Joni had the marriage, the ministry, the life she was supposed to want. But behind the facade was a slow erosion of her connection to herself. Married to a man battling addiction and bound by unspoken rules of faith and family, she stayed silent for too long. When she finally walked away, she wasn’t just leaving a husband—she was stepping out of a story that no longer fit.
Relationship and communication coach Joni Woods shares an unflinching and boldly vulnerable memoir about divorce, emotional abuse, and the long, hard path back to wholeness. From surviving church judgment to navigating dating apps and finding her voice, she reveals the silent toll unhealthy relationships take—and what real healing actually looks like.
Told through first dates gone wrong, spiritual deconstruction, co-parenting tensions, and a reawakening of her sense of self, Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever offers a offers a multi-perspective lens for people to explore their boundaries, patterns, and emotional needs.
For anyone who’s stayed too long or felt too broken to begin again, you’ll there’s no merit badge for suffering through relationships that are breaking you.Why healing starts with radical self-awareness—and how to access it.How to communicate your relationship boundaries and stop performing peace.What men are navigating emotionally—and why it matters to your healing too.How to rebuild your identity without roles, titles, or someone else’s timeline.Ultimately uplifting and surprisingly humorous, Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever invites you into both the heartbreak and hope of starting over. Joni shows healing from divorce isn’t a straight path—it’s a messy, beautiful one that starts with self-awareness. This book holds up a mirror and Are you being honest about what you need? And are you brave enough to ask for it?
Joni had the marriage, the ministry, the life she was supposed to want. But behind the facade was a slow erosion of her connection to herself. Married to a man battling addiction and bound by unspoken rules of faith and family, she stayed silent for too long. When she finally walked away, she wasn’t just leaving a husband—she was stepping out of a story that no longer fit.
Relationship and communication coach Joni Woods shares an unflinching and boldly vulnerable memoir about divorce, emotional abuse, and the long, hard path back to wholeness. From surviving church judgment to navigating dating apps and finding her voice, she reveals the silent toll unhealthy relationships take—and what real healing actually looks like.
Told through first dates gone wrong, spiritual deconstruction, co-parenting tensions, and a reawakening of her sense of self, Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever offers a offers a multi-perspective lens for people to explore their boundaries, patterns, and emotional needs.
For anyone who’s stayed too long or felt too broken to begin again, you’ll there’s no merit badge for suffering through relationships that are breaking you.Why healing starts with radical self-awareness—and how to access it.How to communicate your relationship boundaries and stop performing peace.What men are navigating emotionally—and why it matters to your healing too.How to rebuild your identity without roles, titles, or someone else’s timeline.Ultimately uplifting and surprisingly humorous, Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever invites you into both the heartbreak and hope of starting over. Joni shows healing from divorce isn’t a straight path—it’s a messy, beautiful one that starts with self-awareness. This book holds up a mirror and Are you being honest about what you need? And are you brave enough to ask for it?
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
3 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Joni Woods
1 book7 followersJoni Woods is a certified life coach and culture strategist with over 15 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and organizations strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and lead with emotional intelligence. She is the founder of Journey Coaching, where she specializes in guiding clients through personal growth, relational healing, and values-based leadership.
Joni empowers people to develop self-awareness, establish healthy boundaries, and build emotionally safe connections—in life, love, and the workplace. Whether working with individuals, families, or Fortune 500 executives, her mission is to foster clarity, compassion, and connection in every interaction.
Joni began her career in ministry as a youth and young adult pastor and has since expanded her reach through private coaching, corporate consulting, and guest appearances on numerous podcasts and radio segments. She serves as the forum logistics head at the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, an active team member of the Emerging Philanthropists of the United Way, and the membership chair of the Washtenaw Business Association.
She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her two children, Ashton and Scarlett, their dog Lightning, and their cat Orlando.
To connect with Joni or learn more about her work, visit http://joniwoods.com or follow her on social media, @joniwoods.
Joni empowers people to develop self-awareness, establish healthy boundaries, and build emotionally safe connections—in life, love, and the workplace. Whether working with individuals, families, or Fortune 500 executives, her mission is to foster clarity, compassion, and connection in every interaction.
Joni began her career in ministry as a youth and young adult pastor and has since expanded her reach through private coaching, corporate consulting, and guest appearances on numerous podcasts and radio segments. She serves as the forum logistics head at the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw, an active team member of the Emerging Philanthropists of the United Way, and the membership chair of the Washtenaw Business Association.
She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her two children, Ashton and Scarlett, their dog Lightning, and their cat Orlando.
To connect with Joni or learn more about her work, visit http://joniwoods.com or follow her on social media, @joniwoods.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Read
November 21, 2025Filled with raw stories of vulnerability and solid advice for every season of life. Especially good for those going through a breakup or having relational issues (with a spouse, friendship, job, family member, or a church, etc.). Joni provides real life examples and advice to be your authentic self and strengthen your communication in all relationships. Most importantly, knowing your worth in a loving God that isn't boxed into religious rigidity.
November 5, 2025
Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever is a courageous, faith-rooted memoir that bares the complexity of divorce, emotional abuse, and rediscovering identity after loss. Joni Woods shares her story with unflinching honesty and humor, tracing a journey from brokenness to bold self-awareness.
Her voice feels deeply authentic at once tender and empowering—as she explores faith, boundaries, and the long process of rebuilding after leaving what no longer serves. What makes this memoir stand out is its humanity. It’s not about pretending the pain didn’t exist, but about owning it, learning from it, and emerging stronger, freer, and more self-aware.
Readers navigating their own heartbreak or spiritual reckoning will find Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever both validating and inspiring, a reminder that healing may be messy, but it’s also sacred.
Her voice feels deeply authentic at once tender and empowering—as she explores faith, boundaries, and the long process of rebuilding after leaving what no longer serves. What makes this memoir stand out is its humanity. It’s not about pretending the pain didn’t exist, but about owning it, learning from it, and emerging stronger, freer, and more self-aware.
Readers navigating their own heartbreak or spiritual reckoning will find Burned, Blocked, and Better Than Ever both validating and inspiring, a reminder that healing may be messy, but it’s also sacred.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews