V Bookish

I work as a domestic violence advocate and read this book as part of my training hours for the year. This book is written for people who have been in abusive relationships; specifically those who have been in relationships with psychopaths. The author themself states that they have been in one of these abusive relationships. The book provide information about what a relationship with a psychopath is like, including what they cycle looks like, and progresses to what a person can do to heal from these types of individuals. he goal of the book is very clear and lived up to what I was expecting given that is was written by a non-academic researcher.

Much of the book seems to be based on personal experience of the author and others on the forum that the author created. This is less of an informative text and more of a self-help book. I did not like that it frames all individuals with cluster B disorders as monsters who will always abuse the people they are in relationships with because they’re “wired” to be that way. Based on my training it does seem like he author was pretty accurate about the cycle of abuse that psychopaths inflict.

I would give this book 2 out of 5 stars. I do not recommend this due to have people with mental illnesses are portrayed. There are better books out there for survivors of domestic violence to turn to for help.