This is a book I never knew I needed to read, until I was reading it. I felt such a connection with the characters and their body issues that I felt like the author had written this book just for me. Women struggle with how we view ourselves and many of the body positive books are written by those that make us want to hide in shame. Even though this book is a work of fiction meaning characters, and setting are made up, the plot is very real.

If you're a woman feeling unsure, lost within yourself shamed, read this book. It will speak to you. It is not an issue topic to cover but it was covered beautifully in this book.

Firstly thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

I also feel I need to put a warning for this book. This book deals with is hard issues including self harm and may be a trigger for some people who struggle with this issue.

This book is different from the books I normally read. I did enjoy the story but did find it confronting in many ways. I could identify with how the characters suffer from low self esteem caused by general perceptions of how we should look or not look etc. I too suffered from a low self esteem due to bullying and also having expectations placed on me that were unrealistic. I felt for Cecily and the more I read the more I felt for her. I also feel for other characters in this book. Cecily thinks she isn't good enough which is where the self harming comes in (hence the warning) from talking with people who have done this I do understand how at the time it numbs the pain. I love how she joins a support group which offers help not a quick fix but help. What I like even better is we see men in this book also having issues. We don't think of men having these issues and while they may not manifest in the same way they do affect them.

This is a book that will help women understand they are not alone and body image issues and distortion issues are universal and that while we may think another woman is perfect they may very well be suffering in their own way.

A good read and a good book for a bookclub read to get the body image discussion started.

LOOKING GLASS LIES is Ms. Denman's most recent novel. A women's fiction, there is a hint of a romance in it, but it is mostly one woman's journey of discovering herself after believing the lies for so long. Lies force fed to her by her emotionally abusive husband -- and wow, I cannot believe she put up with what he did!

Most all of us know that sex sells. And that you can't go anywhere without being hit upside the head with it. That little teenager in the line ahead of you at McDonalds, wearing a super-short miniskirt and a tank top that left nothing to the imagination was sending a message loud and clear to the teenage boys behind her in line. Even to the grown men who were there. It wasn't a good message. And it spoke volumes about her self-esteem. Off-the-charts-low.

The married women who discover after the marriage that their husband is addicted to porn? And now the woman compare themselves -- unfavorably -- to every Barbie doll woman out there. And oh, yeah. That hurts.

Or even worse, the women lose themselves in the emotional abuse. The happy, bright, artistically creative girl becomes dark, gloomy and unhappy. A mere shadow of their former self. Most of us have been there in some way.

LOOKING GLASS LIES needs to be required reading for every female out there. Married or unmarried.

Several lines are coming to me right now. This above all, to thine own self be true. Do something that makes you happy. Find yourself.

And read LOOKING GLASS LIES. You will relate in some way to one of the women in this book. And maybe you'll learn something, too. About yourself. Or maybe about someone else...

Looking Glass Lies is an amazing, amazing read. I’m not gonna lie, some if it was hard to read, really hard. It’s a raw read with vulnerable characters, I think that was why I cared so much for them and kept turning the pages to see what would happen.

Cecily Ross returns home to try to heal from a painful divorce. But, for awhile, she continues down the same road of believing the lies in her head.

This powerful book really makes you stop and think about what lies you believe about yourself. What lies society is telling you. Who you can trust. Grab your copy today!

Good book that deals with the issues of a woman with extremely low self esteem.

The message in Looking Glass Lies is phenomenal. So many women look at themselves with critical eyes.

Cecily returns home to Canyon, Texas after her seven year marriage ended. She has very low self-esteem after years of living with a husband who found her not quite enough.

What I loved about this novel in addition to the main message was the emphasis on support groups, the geography of Palo Duro Canyon (I've never been there, but would love to visit), the text message introductions to many chapters and a peek at the man's point of view with pornography.

While all of the novel was realistic, some Christian Fiction readers may find parts difficult to read.

My gratitude to the author and publisher (Waterfall Press) for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.

Looking Glass Lies
By: Varina Denman
Looking Glass Lies is a story that all women should read. I think that all women at some point has self image issues. Denman writes about a young women who was abused by her husband. She can never seem to please him in her looks, clothes, and her body. This story is well written and the characters were so real. I did not want to put it down. At times I felt tears in my eyes.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Looking Glass Lies is for every woman. Varina peels back the layers of emotional despair and insecurities that most every woman has experienced at one time or another. When we judge ourselves by our looks, what we wear, what other people think about us as an employee, as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister over shadows who we are as a person. As I read this book I saw myself, my mother, my daughters, and friends. We may not all talk about it but we notice other women and we see men looking at other women and wonder if our husbands are too.
The beauty of fiction is we watch a character struggle and become victorious, yet we still stay in our messed up, painful life and don’t see victory. What if we learned from a character, and became victorious in our own life? That is exactly what Varina does in this book. She doesn’t just write a great story, she gives us as readers hope that we could look at ourselves differently and truly see that beauty is who we are not how we look.
I highly recommend this book!!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher all opinions expressed are mine alone.

I love Varina Denman books and this one was no exception. I could not put this book down. It is well written and kept me wanting more. Every girl should read this book as it gives new insight to self image issues. It gave me all the feels! I laughed, I cried and all while reading about an important issue in today's society. Get it. Read it. You will be glad you did.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This book should be read by every single woman. Why? Because I don't know of a single woman who doesn't have any self image issues. We all do. Even, my most beautiful friends will complain about something they are unhappy about. We are bombarded by Hollywood, TV ads, and billboards everywhere that we should be unhappy with the way we look. We compare ourselves. It's human I suppose. But, we are a masterpiece made in God's own image. I want to congratulate Varina Denman in her quest to share this message to women every where. WE have value and we are loved. This book will cause you to think and ponder. This book while a compelling story on so many levels will also make you swoon. I loved the hero, Graham. Absolutely loved him. I encourage you to read this book and share it with your friends.