Cover Image: Girl, Wash Your Face

Girl, Wash Your Face

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Member Reviews

Overall, I am not a huge "self-help'" or "inspirational" book reader, unless the book is from someone I already know and trust or comes highly praised. With that said, my book club was reading this so I gave it a try. This ebook-ARC was difficult to read. However, overall, the book was decent. I think her attempts at humor or sarcasm, I enjoyed because I am that way myself, but I don't see that as suiting everyone. She makes some good points and overall it was an okay read for me.

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I found it interesting, after meeting Rachel I wanted to read one of her books. I like how she narrates each part. It took me on a ride of her life and so I now know her a bit better to understand what she posts. This book has some inspirational situations, but most I think is funny, a great way to tell the story, it seemed we were getting a coffee. I will read another of her books, perhaps even get the audiobooks.

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As the founder of the lifestyle website TheChicSite.com and CEO of her own media company, Rachel Hollis developed an immense online community by sharing tips for better living while fearlessly revealing the messiness of her own life. Now, in this challenging and inspiring new book, Rachel exposes the twenty lies and misconceptions that too often hold us back from living joyfully and productively, lies we’ve told ourselves so often we don’t even hear them anymore.

With painful honesty and fearless humor, Rachel unpacks and examines the falsehoods that once left her feeling overwhelmed and unworthy, and reveals the specific practical strategies that helped her move past them. In the process, she encourages, entertains, and even kicks a little butt, all to convince you to do whatever it takes to get real and become the joyous, confident woman you were meant to be.

I think after reading all of the hype for this book, I got too high of expectations and because of that I think I wanted to so badly like this book. I personally didn't really agree with or relate to everything she wrote about. The one quote that I did really like was "Someone else's opinion of me is none of my business." and the chapter about how we should love people regardless of their race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. I agreed with but everything else just seemed a little redundant and cliche. I felt like this should be an autobiography instead of a self-help book.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #GirlWashYourFace
Pub Date: 06 Feb 2018

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I do not understand how this book has such high reviews. I'm guessing the author has asked her readers to all leave great reviews. I had never heard of her before reading the book, though she spends the whole book telling you how famous and successful she is. She uses words like "my tribe" to refer to her readers, who she says are in the millions and who adore her. Okay. The book is basically life lessons from her specific life that just aren't going to transfer over to most of us. Yes, she was able to create a big following online apparently, but she married a really rich husband who supported her all the years it took to get there.

I also feel really sad for her kids. She makes references to the way they parent like the fact that they work hard to be there from them "every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. " -- with a baby and other small children, you don't get to just shut their door and leave them on their own for 10 hours every day so you get sleep and alone time.

She also writes about when a social worker asked her little boy what made him sad and he immediately said, "when daddy scares me in the night." She says they realized it was because her husband put him back in his bed over and over again every night when he tried to come and get in bed with them, and that "daddy was grumpy" but all I could think is how sad and lonely that little boy must have been if even though his dad was angry and scary he still kept trying every night again and again to just be comforted. She writes that they found it "hilarious" afterwards. It's a good thing she's such a fan of therapy, as I have a feeling all of her kids are going to need it.

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This is an accessible and conversational self-help book with a Christian outlook, but it's not so over-the-top and in-your-face about it that it would turn off most non-Christian readers.

It's like having a long and frank discussion with a real person about mistakes they've made in life and how to avoid the same mistakes in yours. Not all of it will apply to everyone, and maybe you might have some challenges the author didn't have. And reading about someone else's way they solved their problems isn't going to miraculously make it easy to solve even the same problem in your own life. It's still going to be hard work.

But I feel the way the problems are laid out and the "what helped me" sections. I think this is a very accessible and easy to read book that may help some people get a different perspective on a problem they are having when they don't feel they have anyone to talk to about it.

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3 stars
My rating scale:
5☆ - I loved this book and it brought out true emotion in me (laughter, anger, a good cry, etc)
4☆ - I loved this book.
3☆ - I liked this book.
2☆ - I didn't really care for this book.
1☆ - I did not like this book at all and probably did not finish it.

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Rachel Hollis is such an inspiration. This book was just what I needed and I hope that fire it lit within me remains burning for a good long time. This book is down to earth about the struggles we go through and how to push past and overcome them. I feel stronger just having read this. It is relatable and inspirational.

*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
1-girl-wash-your-face

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This book was the kick in the pants I needed to get over myself and my excuses! I got the audio book at first, but had to buy the written version so I could take better notes! She has a morning Facebook live that is so real and down to earth. Her honesty is refreshing. I look forward to reading her future books!

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Note to publisher: My copy of the book was very disjointed and hard to read. Words like “Copyrighted” “Material” “Do not duplicate” were within middles of paragraphs and other words, all out of place. First letters of chapters were out of place. I’m assuming it was all due to being an arc, but it made it worse. Quotes in the middle of the pages also were badly places and bled into the other paragraphs. I tried fixing it different ways, but it just didn’t work for me to read.

(I will not be posting a review on Goodreads or Amazon at this time, because I could barely get through a few chapters.)

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I was excited to receive a digital copy of this book to read it. Honestly, I am not the target audience for this book. It is just another self-help book nothing special and new was added in this book. Once thing I noticed was that there was a lot of Christian talk which is not what I am personally interested in.
I found the author being pretty much self-centered writing this book. I didn’t find anything new for me in the book. And the author didn’t really offer any advice in this book. I didn’t find it as exciting as I heard about it in social media.


Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a kindle edition to read and share my review.

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Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis is the best self help book I have read in a long time. This books offers smart and witty practical advice on achieving your goals despite the inevitable obstacles we all face. One of the best quotes is in page 129 and reads, “I am not the only woman who is making herself small to makes others feel more comfortable.” On page 182 Hollis also says, “Childhood trauma is not a life sentence.” #netgalley #rachelhollis #girlwashyourface #nonfictionbooks #selfhelpbook

Posted on Instagram @janetreads

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Thank you NetGalley, Rachel Hollis and Thomas Nelson for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Each chapter is a different lie that we have all once believed in our lives that made us feel overwhelmed or unworthy and Hollis talks like a BFF having a glass of wine while discussing these very lies and what you can do to combat them.

This is my first ever non-fiction book and I was very nervous that it was going to be tough to get through because it wouldn’t be my type of thing, but I was pleasantly surprised by the mostly short chapters and the insights that actually really applied to my life. I found it really did seem like you were talking to someone close to you because she is so real and so honest with her life and makes you feel like you can do this because you aren’t alone in these experiences. I also felt bad reading some of these chapters, because I have been guilty of some of the things she’s discusses in her book. For instance, I judge people too quickly sometimes when something is going on in public, when really I should be thinking about how much they are dealing with and they need help instead of judgment. I also am guilty of the negative self talk and sometimes I find myself even doing it out loud to my girlfriends and I found some of Hollis’ ideas on how to combat those have already come in handy. There are so many quotes in this novel that I adored and will be keeping close by so that I can use them to battle the tough days.

Out now! I definitely recommend giving it a try!

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I have heard all the hype with this book and was curious. It was so good that I will be re-reading again for a book club. Rachel is honest and frank. I feel empowered after reading this book.

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Rachel Hollis' hearty experience and vibrant advice is like a light in a dark room. Her positivity is a sunny reminder to take control of your destiny and grab hold of your dreams.

The thing that I love about Hollis' stories is that she is honest about her struggles. But even in her struggles, she encourages us all to accept nothing less than our best. She asks all of to think of ourselves as more than mere mortals. We are creative souls who need an outlet.

Her sage admonitions ring in my ears daily. I can't wait for her next book.

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I was given an electronic copy of Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

With the exception of addressing her readers as "girl" way too many times, Rachel Hollis has a real winner with this book. Girl, Was Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be is a book that I would recommend for mothers to both read and to give to their daughters. I definitely identified with many of the situations that Rachel has found herself in and I wish that I had been given a book such as this one to give my self esteem a boost.

Between contributing to her own successful lifestyle website and managing her own media company, Rachel has raised a family with the help of her husband. This book was born out of the insecurities and feelings of inadequacy that left the author feeling overwhelmed. Rachel's story is inspiring, as she shows that even the most successful people have problems. Rachel lays herself bare in this book, giving readers her way of dealing with the situations that have arisen in her life. I found the book refreshing, funny at times, and uplifting overall, so I would definitely recommend Girl, Wash Your Face to other readers.

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So I was not aware this was a Christian book, and even after reading it, I was still not too taken aback at the references to religion, but I did find some of her understanding of scripture to be odd. That said, the (mis)understandings certainly do not detract from the main idea of the book: you are responsible for your life and happiness.

While this is definitely not advice I would give to people experiencing tragedy beyond their control: miscarriage, a death of a loved one, or victims of harassment or discrimination, I do think for many this is a good lesson. And the author herself. was born into a very poor family, experienced a great tragedy at 14, and fled to Hollywood and became a successful party planner and lifestyle blogger, so she does understand adversity. I found many of her stories and tips engaging, if a little glib, but that is the nature of most self-help books.

I think while everyone may not want to follow her tough love approach completely, there are enough nuggets of great advice in the book that everyone should be able to glean something they could use to make a situation they do not enjoy a little better and more in their control.

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I received this book in exchange for an honest review, you can purchase a copy for yourself, here: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Wash-Your-Face-Believing-ebook/dp/B072TMB75T/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549377934&sr=8-2&keywords=girl+wash+your+face+books
#GirlWashYourFace #NetGalley


This book needs to come with a strict no eating, no drinking and probably not reading in public during this book! I definitely had water coming out of my nose, spit food out of my mouth and while reading it at one of my child's activities, I laughed out loud! OMG! This book is raw, to the point and just simply real life. We all try to do it all and no one can do it all and do it all well. You need to find a balance between it all, be present when you are there and try your best. Rachel takes us through relationship woes, ups and downs, the reality of adoption and a visit with CPS and the awesome things that our children say at the wrong time. We are also taught that you do not know what is going on behind the scenes. It is very easy to judge, but maybe that child that is screaming at the top of her lungs in the middle of the supermarket just got done with burying her father or out of the hospital from a chemo treatment. Be easy on people and focus more on your life, because your life should be the one you focus on, not what others are doing wrong.
Rachel has achieved so much at such a young age. I strive to achieve half of what she has! This book was so motivating to me and I am eager to get out there and conquer some goals and be involved!

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I enjoyed this book. Rachel is fun to listen to. Many of the principles she teaches in her book I have learned and heard before. I liked to hear her take on them. I loved to hear her stories. she really did motivate me. It is nice to have someone be so open and honest. We hide so much trying to get everything right and be perfect. I love the idea of honesty! Good ugly honesty with myself has got me to where I am today, a much happier heather person. Rachel is Christian so some of her points talk about God, do not let that make you think this is a preachy book, I thought it just the opposite. It had more to do with openness and honesty and a little about being a Christian in an ever changing world. I love anyone who is willing to help mom's in all walks of life feel better and do better and that is her goal. Hurrah for hero's like her.

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I mean what can I say? Rachel Hollis is amazing and this book is incredible and life changing! Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC via netgalley!

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The first time I heard about Rachel Hollis was when a good friend (who is also a distant colleague and not-so-distant accountability buddy) told me about an audiobook she was listening to called Girl Wash our Face. Really quickly I discounted this as a book I would be interested in - talk of vision boards and affirmations are really not my thing. Like really. But then I thought about it and, honestly, this year is all about coming out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Also I have the time now to try books that I wouldn't normally so why not?

The first thing I realised when reading the book was that there was a lot of Christian talk, which normally makes me put a book down and never return. But there was something different about Hollis' talk of God and Faith. Because it wasn't preaching or judging or trying to convince me of anything. It was literally just Hollis telling me the things that helped her, her religious beliefs being one. That to me is what should be at the root of any religious talk in self-help books. This is what I believe and how it helped but you may have opposing beliefs and that's ok. As long as it is legal and moral it's fine by me. 

This really is an uplifting book. Hollis talks about some really personal times and experiences and offers guidance on how she overcame them. Honestly I don't think I would be anywhere near as honest as she when talking about life. But I appreciated it and it is likely part of her brand (honestly I have no idea - this is my only experience of Rachel Hollis). She's had some tough times but came out stronger. 


I enjoyed this book. I did. There were a few moments where I got annoyed with Hollis (mostly around the way she allowed herself to be treated by a man) but I am grateful to her for sharing the story. I'll not be partaking in any vision boards or affirmations but I feel uplifted after reading and motivated to make a difference. A solid 4/5 stars. 

I received an egally from the publisher through netgalley.

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