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Being Loved Shouldn't Hurt: Recognize and Overcome Toxic Relationships So You Can Live Your Best Life Now
Stephanie McPhail, M.S. wrote “Being Loved Shouldn’t Hurt” to help inspire others to live their best lives now. She begins with a very revealing personal recollection of her own toxic relationships and describes how they affected her on a deep level. In the wake of her last toxic relationship, she experienced depression, legal issues, and a major health scare. Feeling hopeless and alone, she finally made a conscious decision to begin changing and truly create her best life possible. Stephanie shares her struggles and triumphs with readers. The book also includes three other personal stories of triumph after a very difficult past. Part 2 focuses on defining codependency, understanding why people stay in unhealthy relationships, what are red flags and deal breakers, and how to begin the healing process. Stephanie also reflects on the many lessons that she learned from her life experience. Take advantage of the helpful guides at the end of the book to keep you focused on your healing journey!
170 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 12, 2018
I first heard about this book from the author herself. I am in a codependency group online that she heads. I came looking for support and answers as I have just realized my codependency is an actual thing and it has been damaging my life. I just recently left my husband where there was verbal, emotional and alcohol abuse. And still I stayed...Red flags everywhere and still I stayed.
I turned to the group because I needed answers so that I can heal myself and never do it again. I LOVE reading and requested some book recommendations. Stephanie recommend a couple, one of them being her own. So I started there and by the end of this book I felt I knew more about myself.
The first half of the book is her own story and she really pulls you into her journey, and then the last part is the more "self-help" part. Ways to know if you are codependent, signs you are in an abusive relationship, red flags, and ways to heal. This part of the book I will be reading again with a notepad, which I highly recommend. Chapter 7 is my favorite as it deals with self-healing. I love the advice and examples given and intend to follow them on my own.
The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the inserts of other people's stories...I felt like it was a nice addition one hand but on the other the writing style is completely different in all of them and it through me off and made my inner editor come out lol. The flow of the back stories were not chronological in their telling, in fact they skipped around a bit and it got distracting.
Overall I am so grateful that this book came to me exactly when I needed it most and I can't wait to re-read it. I would love to read more books by Stephanie especially if they centered around the healing process.
I turned to the group because I needed answers so that I can heal myself and never do it again. I LOVE reading and requested some book recommendations. Stephanie recommend a couple, one of them being her own. So I started there and by the end of this book I felt I knew more about myself.
The first half of the book is her own story and she really pulls you into her journey, and then the last part is the more "self-help" part. Ways to know if you are codependent, signs you are in an abusive relationship, red flags, and ways to heal. This part of the book I will be reading again with a notepad, which I highly recommend. Chapter 7 is my favorite as it deals with self-healing. I love the advice and examples given and intend to follow them on my own.
The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the inserts of other people's stories...I felt like it was a nice addition one hand but on the other the writing style is completely different in all of them and it through me off and made my inner editor come out lol. The flow of the back stories were not chronological in their telling, in fact they skipped around a bit and it got distracting.
Overall I am so grateful that this book came to me exactly when I needed it most and I can't wait to re-read it. I would love to read more books by Stephanie especially if they centered around the healing process.
August 29, 2018
A Stepmom
I believe the reason for writing this book was to try and help people. Stephanie needed to vent then her story is followed by others who felt the same need. Sadly I know the story of one of the contributors and it is pure fiction. Life is a rollercoaster ride for most of us. When we finally mature, we can move away from the unhealthy relationships we had in the past and most of us become better people as a result of life's lessons. Unfortunately some never learn.
I believe the reason for writing this book was to try and help people. Stephanie needed to vent then her story is followed by others who felt the same need. Sadly I know the story of one of the contributors and it is pure fiction. Life is a rollercoaster ride for most of us. When we finally mature, we can move away from the unhealthy relationships we had in the past and most of us become better people as a result of life's lessons. Unfortunately some never learn.
April 17, 2020
A must read for those even questioning their relationship!
This is a great book for those questioning wether they are in a unhealthy relationship or questioning their choices why they keep finding toxic people in their lives. Stephanie’s book is very easy reading and relatable to our own stories of crazy codependency!
This is a great book for those questioning wether they are in a unhealthy relationship or questioning their choices why they keep finding toxic people in their lives. Stephanie’s book is very easy reading and relatable to our own stories of crazy codependency!
December 29, 2019
Made me feel like I am not the only one.
This book made me me realize I am not alone. So many other people deal with the same abuse I do. I am on the verge of leaving but I am scared. This book has shown me that leaving is possible and necessary.
This book made me me realize I am not alone. So many other people deal with the same abuse I do. I am on the verge of leaving but I am scared. This book has shown me that leaving is possible and necessary.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews