Sadly, couldn't even get through the first half...

What was most disappointing about Melissa Ambrosini’s story?

I honestly had high expectations for this book. I am not a huge self-help/development book person but this seemed right up my alley but the reason I don't go for these books was the exact reason I disliked this one. I felt like she talked about her struggles and issues that, really, every person can relate to. However, instead of truly giving any insight on how she's happier and more fulfilled she just recites her same little quote "becoming wildly wealthy, fabulously healthy, and bursting with love." Which to be perfectly honest, makes me want to puke and has literally no substance behind it. I may be coming off harshly, but if I am going to listen to hours of a book, I expect to get something out of it.Bottom line is that this is not a helpful book. I couldn't even get past the 2nd chapter because she kept babbling about things and basically repeating herself. It's a total fluff book with no true value underneath. I am sure this girl is living an amazing life and can be helpful, but probably more in a Youtube channel sort of way for teenage girls, than for a whole book for everyone.

169 people found this helpful

Not good

She repeats wildly wealthy, fabulously healthy and bursting with love constantly!!! It drove me cray. She doesn’t really teach you anything you wouldn’t hear from a yoga teacher or meditation class.

124 people found this helpful

First self-help book to really resonate with me!

Any additional comments?

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Compatibility Stuff
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This book might fit exceptionally well if you ...

- are 20 or 30-something

- are more on the girly side and/or like sweet, enthusiastic people

- haven't responded well to the whole "just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and fight harder and push through the pain" approach to self-help (maybe it was just off-putting or seemed too superficial a fix, or maybe you tried that and it actually backfired)

- can relate to having experienced highs and successes in life before crashing or falling into whatever situation that led you to this book

- are desiring a total life overhaul and not just some casual tips (it's her tone; someone looking for something more casual or purely practical/methodical may find it a bit too ... epic?)

- enjoy hearing from people with different life experiences than your own

- don't mind listening to the author talk about some occasionally hippie-like concepts (e.g., holistic living, mind-body connection)

- aren't necessarily looking for a story about rags-to-riches or exceptionally traumatic circumstances

- could use some CBT/positive affirmation-type stuff (just sort of occurs naturally in her writing and might actually be more effective because of it)

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First Impressions
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I'm only at Chapter 3, but so far, I am loving this book.

I've found many other books in this sort of self-help kind of category to be overly fluffy or markety or self-indulgent, but this one feels substantial and sincere.The author is relatable and has a very warm personality. Her narration kind of feels like how I would imagine it to feel if my best friend was a motivational speaker and wrote me a book to encourage me and walk through some tough stuff with me.

I love the way she shares about her past without being melodramatic. She shares it with self-awareness and a clear aim to use her story to help others (instead of just taking her book as an opportunity to talk about herself or advertise her brand).

I also love how understanding she is. I have found other self-help types of books to also be condescending or overly harsh and tell you advice you've already heard or maybe already know to apply (but just haven't been able/willing for whatever reason to implement) as if you don't know anything about life and are totally clueless and irresponsible, but Melissa's philosophy is very different; instead of starting by judging you, she talks about your potential and your value as a human being. She emphasizes that identities are not composed merely of our past hang-ups and actions and other experiences or even our greatest achievements but that there is more to us; this makes changing so much easier.

And often, in other self-help books, there will be author comments like "just get over it" or "just do it", but this author is much gentler and more tactful; she helps you help yourself figure out what is actually holding you back and helps you work out HOW to work past your demons in a healthy way (which includes facing those hurtful memories and thoughts instead of fighting or ignoring them) so that you can make a change that feels true to you and actually makes you happy and lasts in the long run.

She also has these checkpoints where she asks you to pause and reflect on some things before continuing; I've found them really useful in helping me to make the most of her words and apply them to my life.

Last but not least, her philosophy: It focuses on living life with a love-based perspective instead of a fear-based one. Something about it just clicks and feels like the stuff that people are supposed to say to you (but perhaps don't) when they try to help. It's refreshing and so therapeutic and just resonates.

All in all--great book so far. It is seriously the best self-help book I've ever read, and I really think this might be the book that helps me get to where I want to be!

If this book sounds at all like something that might be helpful to you, I urge you to check it out for yourself. It could truly change your life. :)

43 people found this helpful

surpassed my expectations

I passed over this book for a long time because I saw this beautiful woman on the cover, and I though, "there's no way this beautiful woman can understand what I've been through, what I'm going through." but Melissa SURPASSED my expectations. this book was the first to teach me true action steps that i could use to overcome that mean voice in my head that made me doubt myself, and treat myself like I wasnt worthy.

if you are feeling lost, hate your body, addicted to food, unworthy, PLEASE read this book. I actually listened to it on repeat when I was going through some very hard times, and Melissa's voice was so lively and reassuring. like I was listening to my best fried.

28 people found this helpful

Unfortunately not worth the $

I don't need to be called beautiful over and over again by an author. Too lovey dovey.

18 people found this helpful

LOVED! Highly recommend to anyone!

I Loved this audio book...couldn't stop listening. wish I had something like this year's ago! I know it came at the perfect time though and have already started to implement so many things and already noticing a difference! will listen too again and again! Highly recommend!

18 people found this helpful

Love is Life Changing

Yes, this is fluffy, but by God did I need fluffy to reach my true self. When I finally let go and let her kind words of love get inside my soul, I was able to make some steps towards loving myself. Just read it already.

11 people found this helpful

She's like the best friend you need.

It's like having a sit down conversation with your most favorite girlfriend who's giving you all the love, support, and amazing insight you need to rock your life and your business.

7 people found this helpful

You will tire of her catch phrase

I had hoped that this book would help me get negative thoughts out of my head. I tend to imagine bad things will happen like a motorist yelling at me when I'm on my bike or my boss getting upset with me if an email I sent was considered snarky by the recipient. Alas, her advice did not help me. With some of it, I felt like saying "Duh". Another time she contradicted herself by saying you don't appreciate something unless you pay for it, and then says how great it was that the universe sent her a free vacation. Her catch phrase grated on my nerves. I totally skipped the chapter on eating right. Alas, I've had more education in nutrition than she has.

5 people found this helpful

A wonderful reminder of who really is in charge...

Loved the book and happy I listened to it rather than read it. It was a wonderful verbal reminder of who is in control. You are not the fears and everything else we put in our ways to live exactly who we are.
The author is a wonderful story teller. You feel like you’re at the coffee shop chatting with your best friend who tells you ‘to pull your head out of your b*¥¥’ and start living again sister!

4 people found this helpful