This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Gorgeous Women: Advancing On The Timeline by Cristina D'Riviera walks us through the difficulties faced by women, exploring societal expectations and personal strife through people like Denise, a retired librarian, and the plight of an aging actress. D'Riviera dives into the complex terrain of beauty standards, societal pressure, and the emotional toll of aging, and advocates for mindfulness, self-awareness, and a "personality holiday" as tools to address these challenges. Her book critiques quick-fix solutions, raises the idea of the mind-body connection, and scrutinizes the impact of media on self-perception. Using a combination of satirical humor, diary entries, and reflective narratives, D'Riviera encourages readers to question societal norms, adopt an actor's mindset, and focus on inner well-being. The beauty demerit system is employed as an analogy to underscore societal pressures on women, concluding with a call for self-compassion and inner peace.
I have definitely read my fair share of self-help books, but for the first time in a long while, I actually found something new in Cristina D'Riviera's Gorgeous Women. I thought that the concept of 'personality holidays' as a means to prioritize self-care was unique, insightful, and a step beyond what readers would normally see discussed. The standout for me was the incorporation of ideas like dancing and playfulness as tools for mental flexibility, stress reduction, and shaking off mental stiffness by encouraging readers to remain free and childlike in their lives. D'Riviera's skill as a writer shines in the creative use of analogies and metaphors, like the gratitude tap and the negative stream, to simplify more complex ideas. The writing style is clean, conversational, and accessible, and D'Riviera connects by making us feel that she is a friend as well as a mentor. Very highly recommended.
