In the confident tone of someone who has overcome significant hurdles and challenges, Pappas shares her mission of developing a sense of self-awareness and integrity, distinguishing between one’s personal and professional self, and making oneself a top priority with the power of WIIFM (what’s in it for me?). After each chapter, Pappas offers DREAM (desire, reflect, explore, acknowledge, mantra) activities to help readers experience greater happiness and delight. Pappas also presents encouraging stories from a sisterhood of wise women, such as *In Your Own Skin* well-being facilitator Katheryn Trenshaw, and Compost Happens author and psychologist Diana Dean.
After becoming a successful businesswoman, Pappas worked in Ethiopia distributing medicine. Some of her stories about the inexcusable abuse that African women faced are difficult to read, but their courage to better their lives is captivating. The numerous stories of women overcoming abuse and adversity offer compassionate advice, reminding readers that they are not alone in their individual experiences—and serving as heartening reminders that cycles of abuse can be broken. Pappas provides contemplative wisdom, grounded advice, and practical lessons for women of all backgrounds who desire self-determination.
Takeaway: Advice and encouragement for women in healing and saying “yes” to wisdom and growth.
Comparable Titles: Karena Kilcoyne’s Rise Above the Story, Stephanie Foo’s What My Bones Know.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
