I am on a roll, not only did you get a review today but here’s another one…
I first came across this author way back in 2015 when I read a Christmas book called The Christmas Café. I wasn’t a part of Bookstagram or any reading community, but I remember really enjoying it , but back then I never thought of seeking out more of her titles. Fast forward 6 years later to February 2021 and I find another of her books on Netgalley, An Ordinary Life which I read and loved. I then read several other titles by her, each one an absolute gem of a read.
Then one year later in February 2022 I had the absolute honour of interviewing her with Holly as part of our podcast, Speaking LITerally. She was an amazing guest and so inspirational, plus we had so much fun, it felt more like a friendly girly chat than an interview. So, when I saw she was bringing out her memoirs I had to read it, having already heard a small part of her past from our chat.
Women Like Us is not just a memoir, it is an inspirational work to show other women who are struggling with either their weight, self-confidence, addiction or body image that they are not alone and there is always a way forward.
This is potentially one of the most open, raw memoirs I have ever read, the emotions which Amanda pours into this is astounding and she doesn’t leave anything out. Her life story is full of pain (physical and emotional), challenges and hurdles which many of us haven’t experienced and couldn’t imagine. But at the same time, it is also a tale of hope, overcoming and success. It is a beautiful book about how she overcame her issues with food and her body to become the person she is today, as well as many other aspects of her life.
With over 28 novels written and many more under her belt, she is a highly established author who has been published across the world from Europe, South Africa, Australia and beyond and this is a story which all women need to read. I am absolutely honoured to have spoken to her (and seen her adorable dogs on video) and after reading about her life, I have so much more respect and love for her.
There are so many times that women can relate to throughout the book, from heartbreak, to feeling insecure about weight to family issues. I think one of the biggest parts of this title which makes it so important is that this isn’t some A-list celebrity who is living this million-dollar life in a big mansion with 5 holiday homes. It is about a woman who wasn’t born into wealth, had to work hard and had a lot to prove to herself. Amanda Prowse is very relatable and down to earth which is reflected in all her stories and especially her own. There are many books of hers I am yet to read but she is an author I would always go back to and this book, is potentially one of her best books, as it can teach us all so much about how to overcome negative feelings, as well as putting a lot of things in perspective.
Whilst reading this book, there were so many parts which I related to from the struggles with weight (I have always struggled with my weight) to the issues and relationship she has with food. However, there are also many fun, happy times I can relate to, such as her first experience in a library. I too felt the thrill and excitement when first going to my local library. The idea of being able to borrow several books at once and for free was a feeling which never dulled.
As this is a memoir, I don’t want to rate this book, because it isn’t a fictional work. However, what I will say is that whether you have read her previous novels or not, this is a book not to be missed. There are times where you will laugh, other times when you will cry or become annoyed but the feelings of hope and the strive to succeed is so strong in this that it is hard to not take a bit of these feelings away with you. You can tell there were so much heart and soul put into this book and the courage to put yourself out there to this degree is so admirable. Whether you are 20, 30, 40 or older, there will be aspects which you will be able to relate to.
Lizzieslittlebooknook 