TOO MUCH


Non-Fiction - Memoir
336 Pages
Reviewed on 09/11/2024
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Author Biography

Born and raised in Honolulu, Dr. Cindy Lee Neighbors is a retired U.S. Army officer, writer, advocate, and physician. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Theatre at the University of Southern California, she commissioned in the United States Army to pursue a career as a military physician. She graduated with honors from the Uniformed Services University and subsequently trained at Tripler Army Medical Center in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. When she is not writing, Cindy loves to travel.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Too Much by Cindy Lee Neighbors is a powerful memoir that delves into the unraveling of a brilliant physician's life as she becomes consumed by her obsession with revenge. Dr. Neighbors’ relentless pursuit of justice leads her into a downward spiral of addiction and paranoia, distorting her reality and endangering everything she holds dear. This harrowing true story explores the devastating consequences of vengeance, questioning the limits of human endurance and the cost of obsession. Neighbors bravely shares her deeply personal and turbulent journey, offering readers an unflinching look into the dark side of obsession and how dangerously it can deflect us from what’s really important in life.

I adored the bold storytelling style, with a no-nonsense narrative voice that is both raw and compelling, making the emotional weight of her experiences resonate on different psychological, emotional, and dramatic levels. You get a real sense of who the author is and what it would be like to meet her in person in the way her confident, honest tone leaps from the pages. It’s sometimes jarring to suddenly remember that this is a true story, such is the gravitas of Cindy Lee Neighbors’ vivid exploration of addiction and mental health, and the book raises important questions about how we can try to understand when people get stuck in such dangerous bad patterns. The memoir’s introspective nature and reflective tone encourage readers to consider what they perceive about justice and revenge, and there’s a powerful warning about self-destruction when we let those negative motivators take over. Overall, Too Much is a powerful and well-penned memoir that is interesting, moving, and fascinating to explore.

Makeda Cummings

Too Much by Cindy Lee Neighbors is a heartwarming memoir that provides readers with insight into the intricacies of the human condition. This candid memoir outlines Neighbors' incredible childhood experiences in Honolulu and her career as a military physician. To onlookers, Neighbors appears to be a well-adjusted physician living a fulfilling life. But unknowingly, she was wrestling with severe trauma and pain caused by a devastating incident. This traumatic event affected her ability to cope. In this memoir, the author shares her challenges with addiction, mental health issues, confronting her trauma, and finding peace. Neighbors shares her profound life experiences with readers using many thought-provoking anecdotes. She beckons us to join her on an intimate quest to self-discovery and inner healing.

Too Much is a robust and emotional story about resilience and determination. Using a poignant writing style, Cindy Lee Neighbors describes the traumas and hurdles she experienced and the feelings of hopelessness that often overpowered her. But despite her battles with addiction and mental health issues, she gains the motivation and strength to seek help. Neighbors' path to recovery is heartfelt and touching. Her journey symbolizes her commitment to overcome her hardships and thrive despite them. The author bravely discovers hope during the most challenging period of her life. Through her openness and sincerity, Neighbors leaves readers with an inspirational message. Despite our tribulations, we can overcome any obstacle with the right kind of support. If you love reading memoirs that inspire healing, personal development, and self-empowerment, Too Much is the perfect book for you.

Anne-Marie Reynolds

Too Much by Cindy Lee Neighbors is one woman’s story of retribution and the dark, twisted path it leads her down. The author may be a brilliant physician but it doesn’t mean she has the perfect life. Far from it, in fact. This is her story about the hard slog of medical school, of falling in love and having everything she ever dreamed of within her grasp. But, like a house of wobbly bricks, it only took one shove for the whole lot to start collapsing about her. In her pursuit of justice, her life begins to spiral out of control. Can she regain her footing before it goes too far?

Too Much by Cindy Lee Neighbors is a powerful story that will leave you questioning your own life, especially if you are a person who constantly strives for more. A word of warning – this memoir may contain triggers for some people, as it deals with death, mental health issues, and drug use. This book is written compellingly; the first chapter alone will hook you with its strength, its way of landing you right in the story and making you feel you are there. The memoir is about the struggle against the demands life throws our way, the need for more, and how it can so easily bring us to our knees. Each character has their own unique struggles and each is relatable in some way to all of us. This is an easy-to-follow narrative but it hits hard and is one you will never forget. If nothing else, it should have the power to make you stop and think; is more really worth it? Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster the likes of which you’ve never experienced before.

Anonymous Reviewer

Life has many challenges and this author bravely shares theirs. We should all be this honest in life, we are in a world of so many people superficially glossing themselves in social media every way they can, highlighting only "successes" and very little if any challenges faced to reach what appears to be perfection. Well nothing is perfect as we all should very well know. Many steps in life take a huge toll on us as human beings and it seems we all too often like to ignore that. This account of life is not something to be ignored.

Snehabookshelf

Wow, "Too Much" by Cindy Lee Neighbors is a rollercoaster of emotions! This book dives into the life of a brilliant physician who goes from having it all to losing everything in her relentless quest for revenge. Dr. Neighbors’ story is raw, intense, and downright gripping—it’s the kind of book you just can’t put down.

The way the author unravels Dr. Neighbors’ life is both heartbreaking and captivating. You can feel her world collapsing around her as addiction and paranoia take over, pulling her deeper into chaos. Losing her love, watching her marriage crumble, and dealing with the blame for her father's death—everything spirals out of control, and you’re right there with her, feeling every bit of the pain.

What really sticks with you is the question: How much is too much? This book doesn't just tell a story; it makes you think about the choices we make and their consequences. It’s haunting and stays with you long after you finish.

Two quotes that really stuck with me: "Could Paul be my soldier Ken doll?" and "Sometimes letting go is all we can do." These lines hit differently. This book is packed with moments like these that just make you stop and think.

If you're looking for a read that's equal parts thrilling and thought-provoking, "Too Much" is your next book. It’s an intense ride, and trust me, you won’t forget it anytime soon.

Lindsay DeRollo

This memoir immediately drew me in from the first sentence. Her words perfectly capture her raw emotions, like ocean waves rolling in and out (which happens to be a setting throughout the book and a powerful symbol). I am impressed by her authenticity, clarity and willingness to both share and deal with all the pain she went through. It's definitely not easy to do. I know that her compelling and persuasive story will give others hope and strength, especially those in the workforce who are in a gender-discriminatory environment (which is often well-hidden under prestige and gaslighting tactics).

I could relate to her struggle with anxiety and depression (even though our circumstances were different) and many other people will, too. I really appreciate her authenticity in sharing her mental health struggles without sugarcoating it. The topic of mental health struggles needs to be talked about more and become de-stigmatized.

Cindy's story is one of courage, resilience, loss, heartbreak, forgiveness, hope, and growth that should be shared with all. Writing is something that saved her, and I believe that her unique gift for words will save others as well.

Holly Brooks

For me, this book emphasizes the power of words and karmic energy and (up for debate) - the trendsetting concept of "manifestation" - this book has so many layers and themes to it. Love, vengeance, power dynamics. I really think the strongest theme/topic that recurred and stuck with me throughout was that of love. Love and war. It was really a powerful story and a sad ending. I see other reviews talking about the message being inspirational and this being a story of hope and resilience and while I agree- to some effect - I do find the protagonist arc to be quite tragic in a way. This does speak to the heart of modern times. "Love is a battlefield." I hope the author is finding a better path forward and writes another book.

Priscilla Credico

The title of “Too Much” promises an unforgettable experience, and it delivers exactly that. As someone fascinated by psychological explorations, I found this book to be a powerful reflection on the lengths a person can go to in the pursuit of justice. The narrative is so engaging that I couldn’t stop thinking about the book until I finished it. The author takes us on a personal and emotional journey, delving into the complexity of the human mind and showing how a relentless pursuit can affect our sanity and relationships. The book’s structure, divided into different periods, allows for a clear understanding of the evolution of the author’s experiences and the emotional impact they had. If you enjoy an in-depth analysis of the human mind and extreme challenges, this book offers a powerful and authentic insight that is well worth exploring.