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A Notebook of Love: My Story on Mental Health
Luis a U.S. Army War Veteran and his wife are separated and about to divorce after 14 years of marriage. Luis has Bipolar and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and faces a tough question from his wife, who has various mental illnesses: Is she worthy of love? She knows very little of his mental health and history of abuse, leading Luis into a mental whirlwind and trying to find a valid answer. Luis reveals his true love and worthiness by providing his story and perspective from his beginning to the present. Luis provides details about being a victim of child abuse, alcoholism, Bipolar Disorder, and PTSD and strives for self-improvement, from a Male's perspective.
Love - Borderline Personality disorder - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Bipolar Disorder - Anxiety - Depression - Marriage
Love - Borderline Personality disorder - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - Bipolar Disorder - Anxiety - Depression - Marriage
- GenresMental HealthPsychology
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2021
9 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
Luis Trivino
2 books51 followersLuis Trivino is of Spanish and Pueblo Indian descent and has spent all his life in the US. Raised in Northern New Mexico. Luis spent 10 years of service of his life in the US Army, fighting for the country. He is a war veteran currently working for a US government agency as well as for a local university as a part-time teacher.
https://linktr.ee/anotebookoflove
https://linktr.ee/anotebookoflove
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 19, 2022
I really learned a lot from this book. The message is one of love of family and I think everyone should read it. We all either know someone or have a mental illness of our own. We need to bring it into the forfront and help one an other recover and cope.
I thank the author for a free coppy of this book and wish him and his family many blessings.
I thank the author for a free coppy of this book and wish him and his family many blessings.
November 18, 2025
Thank you to Luis Trivino, the author of A NOTEBOOK OF LOVE, for my digital review copy.
In NOTEBOOK, Trivino tells an important story. It's important for a number of reasons, but most obviously, it's a far-reaching story of trauma as it travels across generations. It is also story of love, patience, and acceptance. About how to love the human who may be made unrecognizable by the illness. It's a story about brotherhood, a story shared by many soldiers and men, who need relief and simply don't know how or who to ask for it.
(Consider this my trigger warning for accounts of violence against women and children, and accounts of excessive consumption and intoxication.)
Luis's story is not only moving, it sets an example for how to strive for the connection one needs to rise above the terrible symptoms of trauma and mental illness. For me, this was a moving read. I am proud of Luis for his every day courage and his intrepidness to follow his experiences into this book and light a fire for others to guide them.
Rating: ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 / 5 healing hearts
Recommend: yes, especially to those who want to know more about how PTSD and other mental illness affects relationships
Finished: April 11 2023
Read this if you like:
🗣 Memoirs
👤 Mental illness rep
🥃 Addiction stories
🌅 Redemption stories
In NOTEBOOK, Trivino tells an important story. It's important for a number of reasons, but most obviously, it's a far-reaching story of trauma as it travels across generations. It is also story of love, patience, and acceptance. About how to love the human who may be made unrecognizable by the illness. It's a story about brotherhood, a story shared by many soldiers and men, who need relief and simply don't know how or who to ask for it.
(Consider this my trigger warning for accounts of violence against women and children, and accounts of excessive consumption and intoxication.)
Luis's story is not only moving, it sets an example for how to strive for the connection one needs to rise above the terrible symptoms of trauma and mental illness. For me, this was a moving read. I am proud of Luis for his every day courage and his intrepidness to follow his experiences into this book and light a fire for others to guide them.
Rating: ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 / 5 healing hearts
Recommend: yes, especially to those who want to know more about how PTSD and other mental illness affects relationships
Finished: April 11 2023
Read this if you like:
🗣 Memoirs
👤 Mental illness rep
🥃 Addiction stories
🌅 Redemption stories
May 31, 2022
One of the most courageous books I have ever read. Luis Trivino has written a book that will help others dealing with mental health issues understand how to navigate the problems they face. We often fail to take into account the 'ripple' effect that mental illness has - and how that effect can touch us (and others) in unforseen ways. Luis gives us examples of the cumulative/chronic stressors that often 'cascade' down when we are just trying to deal with day to day life. I have already recommended this book to a friend dealing with PTSD. Highest recommendation.
May 4, 2022
Great read.
A notebook of love is the author's journey about mental health. He speaks about the significance of men's mental health and to fight the stigma in order recognize it before it take control of you.
The author, Luis is a U.S. Army War Veteran, therefore he knows what it felt to fight the battles both inside and outside. Sharing his experiences and memories of his childhood, teen years, the eventful situation that demanded him to "Be a man" about it. His time spent in training and the things he learnt and transiting from there to the dark phases of his life when stress, anxiety took hold of him but then the journey began, the journey of healing and recovery, filled with highs and lows, breaking the vicious cycle of frustration and irritability. As we move deeper into book, he explains the factors and statistics as well as access to information regarding an emergency crisis help and assistance.
While I have read many books where women talk about the struggles of their mental health, it is rare to find books on men's mental health because as the author of this book aptly says "we have been raised knowing we are fine and be tough" they fed with a mindset of what ever it Be a man, showing emotions makes you weak and pathetic. These blinkered attitudes are beginning of an endless cycle of negative character building and derogatory behaviours. He explains the general causes, stages, signs and symptoms of mental illness that negatively impacts our overall well-being and thinking. Every detail is accurately and systematically presentation in order to avoid any confusion.
It is really encouraging to see people are making mental health a priority. Previously disregarded and mocked, our society is changing its attitude and willingness to understand the importance of mental health, counseling, therapy and other significant information are being circulated among the public to help them acknowledge and spread awareness about it rather simply being ignorant. Through the author's story I'm sure you will learn new things. Insights on various topics such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and many more were discussed as he narrates his story from the beginning. He speaks how his marriage was about fall apart which lead to the birth of this book. Self-worth and self-esteem are a few of the salient things that a person needs to have in order to feel safe and secure, they grant a sense of freedom unlike anything.
The writing style is one of the best feature of the book because he truly understand how important it is, every event and situation he narrates shows that even though they are personal, he wasn't going to keep his traumatic experiences in cloak and dagger just to avoid people talking about it, he has single-handedly paved the way for new thinking about men's mental health.
Highly recommended it to everybody, men who is dilemma of acknowledging the emotional stress, questioning their mental health and want to understand it better, this is the book for them. I'm sure you are going to gain great insights from here.
A notebook of love is the author's journey about mental health. He speaks about the significance of men's mental health and to fight the stigma in order recognize it before it take control of you.
The author, Luis is a U.S. Army War Veteran, therefore he knows what it felt to fight the battles both inside and outside. Sharing his experiences and memories of his childhood, teen years, the eventful situation that demanded him to "Be a man" about it. His time spent in training and the things he learnt and transiting from there to the dark phases of his life when stress, anxiety took hold of him but then the journey began, the journey of healing and recovery, filled with highs and lows, breaking the vicious cycle of frustration and irritability. As we move deeper into book, he explains the factors and statistics as well as access to information regarding an emergency crisis help and assistance.
While I have read many books where women talk about the struggles of their mental health, it is rare to find books on men's mental health because as the author of this book aptly says "we have been raised knowing we are fine and be tough" they fed with a mindset of what ever it Be a man, showing emotions makes you weak and pathetic. These blinkered attitudes are beginning of an endless cycle of negative character building and derogatory behaviours. He explains the general causes, stages, signs and symptoms of mental illness that negatively impacts our overall well-being and thinking. Every detail is accurately and systematically presentation in order to avoid any confusion.
It is really encouraging to see people are making mental health a priority. Previously disregarded and mocked, our society is changing its attitude and willingness to understand the importance of mental health, counseling, therapy and other significant information are being circulated among the public to help them acknowledge and spread awareness about it rather simply being ignorant. Through the author's story I'm sure you will learn new things. Insights on various topics such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and many more were discussed as he narrates his story from the beginning. He speaks how his marriage was about fall apart which lead to the birth of this book. Self-worth and self-esteem are a few of the salient things that a person needs to have in order to feel safe and secure, they grant a sense of freedom unlike anything.
The writing style is one of the best feature of the book because he truly understand how important it is, every event and situation he narrates shows that even though they are personal, he wasn't going to keep his traumatic experiences in cloak and dagger just to avoid people talking about it, he has single-handedly paved the way for new thinking about men's mental health.
Highly recommended it to everybody, men who is dilemma of acknowledging the emotional stress, questioning their mental health and want to understand it better, this is the book for them. I'm sure you are going to gain great insights from here.
December 13, 2022
Love and Mental Health
An honest and relatable account of various aspects of mental health and the ripple effects it can have. Through the glimpse into Luis’ own life from a small boy to a present day he has shown that you can’t ever give up finding what makes you healthy and happy. Life is hard but with some understanding and acceptance that it’s okay to struggle you may just make your own or someone else’s life a life worth living.
An honest and relatable account of various aspects of mental health and the ripple effects it can have. Through the glimpse into Luis’ own life from a small boy to a present day he has shown that you can’t ever give up finding what makes you healthy and happy. Life is hard but with some understanding and acceptance that it’s okay to struggle you may just make your own or someone else’s life a life worth living.
July 19, 2022
Just like artists effortlessly pick and mix color on a canvas to create something beautiful, so do poets. Choosing and rearranging words on a page, they give us the language we didn’t know we needed to describe our inner world. Creatives and poets are renowned for using the subject of mental illness in their work, often because they’ve experienced it themselves and need a way to make sense of it. We all have our own ways of processing and coping with difficult times, and for creatives, this often involves putting words, shapes, music or color onto paper. Here we want to look specifically at poetry and with so many incredible poems out there on the subject; it’s difficult to choose which ones to share but I have got it figured it for you. I have brought a very different concept for you as a book which will tell you story with a twist that is a touch of poems. The book I am talking about is called “A Notebook of Love: My Story on Mental Health”.
I usually start with the title and the cover of the book majorly because it's the most exposed part of the book to the viewer’s eye. May be not to all but the readers do notice the appearance of the book which sets the vibe before reading. When it comes to “A Notebook of Love: My Story on Mental Health” it says it all by the title and the description. It definitely attracts the audience towards it. When I saw the description I wanted to read it right away because all of us at some point of life have gone through heart breaks, mental issues where you are going through a lot but you cannot tell anyone. You can’t explain the feelings and honestly if you do no one understands the way you do. So I feel for me the description bridged the gap between wanting to read and actually read the book.
Talking about the content of the book, as mentioned above this book is a twist which has words which explain the feeling in form of poems and the description in form of a storyline. I loved reading it because when it’s just poems you sometimes mold them according to your situations and the topic gets diverted. With this one there was the story of the author which he explained in very simple and organized way. I could understand every single feeling the author went through and could relate to it. When it is about mental health I am sure a lot of people out there need these kind of books because you don’t just learn through these book you get to know a lot about how other people face it too. When going through PTSD you feel alone and terrified but when you see there are a lot of people out there who are going through the same you get a sense that you are not alone then it is about connecting and reading a book like this is just a therapy. I would say I loved it and I am sure you guys would too. am recommending it to all the readers here please go and check this because this is a great read. There's absolutely no point left to not pick this one. So if you haven't bought it yet what are you guys waiting for go grab your copy fast.
I usually start with the title and the cover of the book majorly because it's the most exposed part of the book to the viewer’s eye. May be not to all but the readers do notice the appearance of the book which sets the vibe before reading. When it comes to “A Notebook of Love: My Story on Mental Health” it says it all by the title and the description. It definitely attracts the audience towards it. When I saw the description I wanted to read it right away because all of us at some point of life have gone through heart breaks, mental issues where you are going through a lot but you cannot tell anyone. You can’t explain the feelings and honestly if you do no one understands the way you do. So I feel for me the description bridged the gap between wanting to read and actually read the book.
Talking about the content of the book, as mentioned above this book is a twist which has words which explain the feeling in form of poems and the description in form of a storyline. I loved reading it because when it’s just poems you sometimes mold them according to your situations and the topic gets diverted. With this one there was the story of the author which he explained in very simple and organized way. I could understand every single feeling the author went through and could relate to it. When it is about mental health I am sure a lot of people out there need these kind of books because you don’t just learn through these book you get to know a lot about how other people face it too. When going through PTSD you feel alone and terrified but when you see there are a lot of people out there who are going through the same you get a sense that you are not alone then it is about connecting and reading a book like this is just a therapy. I would say I loved it and I am sure you guys would too. am recommending it to all the readers here please go and check this because this is a great read. There's absolutely no point left to not pick this one. So if you haven't bought it yet what are you guys waiting for go grab your copy fast.
September 1, 2022
‘A Notebook of Love’ has been one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time—I feel blessed to have come across it!
January 14, 2023
Thank you to the author and Goodreads! I won this book in a giveaway.
This is a very honest account of war, mental illness, and the toll that has on relationships. If honest accounts like this keep coming maybe one day soon we will break the stigma and the United States will start working on some actual mental healthcare. Too many people have been lost in the fight against mental illness. I’m so happy this author is still here to tell his story so that others may hear it and not feel so alone.
This is a very honest account of war, mental illness, and the toll that has on relationships. If honest accounts like this keep coming maybe one day soon we will break the stigma and the United States will start working on some actual mental healthcare. Too many people have been lost in the fight against mental illness. I’m so happy this author is still here to tell his story so that others may hear it and not feel so alone.
May 22, 2022
This book by author Luis Trivino is one of those rare and full of effort and good intended books that covers one of the most crucial, vital health issue rather a topic which is very common around us and I wish this book could make its way to each and every household around the world. The story has a married couple as protagonists who are both suffering with multiple health issues related to mind and body but are full of love, care, emotion loyal, blunt with sweet & sour fights, and live their life with full of pride and honor. Once you start reading this 199 page book, you will realise that you are not reading a story but rather a strong phenomenon about deep unconditional love, care, acceptances, differences depressions, anxiety, which at times is annoying but never worth complaining or worth leaving. My favourite part of the book which truely gave me goosebumps and inspired me for a lifetime is the ending part of the 1st paragraph from chapter 1 as follows (We did not keep our mental illnesses private. Many people in our circle know about our differences, disorders and traumas. My wife and I wear them like badges of honor and hope showing others you can do this too). Along with such a inspiring powerful lovely storyline of a married couple, author has also highlighted the statistics of mentally affected populations around the world wo are struggling to live their lives and have mentioned various ways to help them. I have seen and read many books on mental illnesses, depressions, anxiety but author of this book has ensured detailing to optimum extent to help people understand that it is very normal to have a mental disorder and it sould be normalised and taken positively with abundant love, respect and pride.I wish to write and write more in praises about this book but I am just short of words and dont have much verbiage to explain how true and wonderful this book is for all. It is a very important piece of read for all genre of readers and age groups in today's society. Starting from the book cover, design, lucid writing and the social message for such a stigmatic topic topped with relatable language makes it a book for every household. It would be an honour to meet author Luis Trivino and his family and may God give him / her success and power to spread more goodness around the world. Love all Peace !!
November 3, 2022
This book is not only informative but also insightful. The percentages are mind-blowing. The writer Mr. Trivino opened up about his hardships growing up which is never an easy thing to do. Taking a hard look back at the moments that hurt the most. Showing that not only mental illness and the devastating touch of alcoholism can have on a family. Mr. Trivino also showed a strong mother who in her own right was a Fierce superhero at the same time, a delicate rose in a garden of thorns and she was the backbone of her family. Mr. Trivino showed that the most important relationships are the family dynamics. As well as the love between a husband and wife who are both dealing with a mental illness and the love for each other goes beyond the illnesses held with true abiding love. Not to mention the monster of alcoholism even though the monsters at times were front and center he also showed that the monster had many sides to it that also included love. I as the reader could relate to many things that had been said in this book. When alcohol touches life at a young age it holds a lot of childhood fears that are held together with the saddened hold of the illness at the alcohol fill bottles participation, with all its teachable moments that make one stronger into who we are meant to be today. It is a true eye-opener Indeed.
April 7, 2022
I think it’s safe to say that this book found me when I needed it the most. I was drowning in the challenges that life keeps throwing at me—but ‘A Notebook of Love: My Story on Mental Health’ has been my anchor. It’s taught me the art of balancing life and its many challenges, and I highly recommend it. I would like to thank Mr. Luis Trivino from the bottom of my heart for shining his light and helping me and many others like me.
November 7, 2022
7.‘A Notebook of Love’ isn’t just a biography, but it’s also not just a love story. It’s a book so full of love and lessons that it’s hard to place it in one category. A must-read for anyone who enjoys wholesome and inspiring stories.
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April 22, 2022As someone who has been struggling with PTSD for a long time, ‘A Notebook of Love’ was an incredibly relatable read with lessons I didn’t even know I needed to learn.
December 6, 2022
‘A Notebook of Love’ is a book of inspiration, but it’s also a book that heals. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for inspiration or those trying to find themselves.
May 15, 2022
Love has no boundaries ! This is an inspiring read.
This book is written on Mental Health, the ways to deal with it and accept it. Nowadays, several people have stress issues and mental stress, that’s one aspect to deal with life.
This book saved a divorce after 14 years of marriage. This book has everything from the beginning and continues till the end. This book deals with various emotions and phases of the life from the perspective of a male, from the perspective of the author.
This is a definite read for the people who are suffering from mental illness. Love, trust, affection, bond, are the strength of any beautiful and ever lasting love story.
The love letter than author wrote to his wife for real is just beautiful. I literally had tears while reading that, true love never ends.
This is really an inspiring read. You should definitely read this. The cover is beautiful with a vivid title.
Go and order your copy now!
This book is written on Mental Health, the ways to deal with it and accept it. Nowadays, several people have stress issues and mental stress, that’s one aspect to deal with life.
This book saved a divorce after 14 years of marriage. This book has everything from the beginning and continues till the end. This book deals with various emotions and phases of the life from the perspective of a male, from the perspective of the author.
This is a definite read for the people who are suffering from mental illness. Love, trust, affection, bond, are the strength of any beautiful and ever lasting love story.
The love letter than author wrote to his wife for real is just beautiful. I literally had tears while reading that, true love never ends.
This is really an inspiring read. You should definitely read this. The cover is beautiful with a vivid title.
Go and order your copy now!
April 30, 2022
This book was heartbreakingly beautiful and deep. As a person, I don't think I have the verbiage available to explain how wonderful this book truly is. Luis Trivino is both down to earth and reading this book was at times emotional and inspiring. He has such a way with words, he draws you in, sets you down in a comfy chair, and hands you a nice hot mug of tea (or buttered coffee..lol).
The cover is BEAUTIFUL and language is so simple and lucid. this book taught me empathy most importantly, while also teaching me about the intertwining of chronic love, anxiety, depression, marriage issues and mental health issues.✨
I must say that this would make an great addition to your self help reading list. I'd recommend this book to every adult, especially those who are going through this mental health issues.🥀
The cover is BEAUTIFUL and language is so simple and lucid. this book taught me empathy most importantly, while also teaching me about the intertwining of chronic love, anxiety, depression, marriage issues and mental health issues.✨
I must say that this would make an great addition to your self help reading list. I'd recommend this book to every adult, especially those who are going through this mental health issues.🥀
April 7, 2022
I feel like for a very long time, I put parts of my life on hold due to personal trauma, but Luis Trivino’s story helped me address my problems head-on instead of ignoring them—I’d definitely recommend ‘A Notebook of Love’ to anyone who’s struggling with their own traumas.
April 23, 2022
I stopped reading books a long time ago simply because I couldn’t find one that would keep me hooked. ‘A Notebook of Love’ definitely checks that box for me. It’s so heartwarming and beautifully engaging—I’m so glad I stumbled upon it.
October 26, 2022
My wife has struggled with bipolar disorder for years, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that I’ve struggled with her. But ‘A Notebook of Love’ reminded me of all my wedding vows and what it takes to be a genuine partner.
December 17, 2021
💙
Very heart touching 💙This was beautiful thank you for sharing your story with us I was so touched by this 😌
Very heart touching 💙This was beautiful thank you for sharing your story with us I was so touched by this 😌
December 25, 2021
‘Be a Man” and mental health.
Provides insights to real demons many individuals from the 70/80s may have experienced. The author opens up and shares his real life experiences.
Provides insights to real demons many individuals from the 70/80s may have experienced. The author opens up and shares his real life experiences.
November 22, 2022
One thing that Luis Trivino’s story taught me was that life goes on, with all its success, and struggles, and loss and challenges—it goes on. And the only option is to battle through.
February 1, 2023
My relationship was going through a lot when I found ‘A Notebook of Love,’ or maybe it found me. But after reading it, I’ve been able to look at things from a very different perspective. I highly recommend it to everyone struggling in a personal relationship.
February 2, 2023
I find Luis Trivino’s recovery from alcoholism incredibly inspiring. It’s a must-read for people who’re struggling with any kind of addiction
February 8, 2023
I don’t really read books, but my partner made me read ‘A Notebook of Love,’ and I think it’s safe to say that I don’t want to put this one down!
January 26, 2023
My biggest takeaway from this book was that you don’t give up on true love, no matter what. If you truly care about someone, you help them, you get them to a therapist, you hold them, and you write a whole book about them—but you don’t give up on your love!
November 3, 2022
My partner and I went through a lot because of my personal mental health struggles, but Luis Trivino's story helped me put things in perspective, and I think our relationship might have been saved because of it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews