This wasn’t the book for me. Unfortunately I had to stop reading it as it was making me too uncomfortable. I do appreciate that it is probably me and not the book

I have to say, I don't think I've read something quite like this before. Fiction, but also a sort of self-help twist to it. A survivor of childhood abuse and abusive relationships myself, I found parts of this hard to read. I do love Anna's character, I think she's true to what she's experienced, and her path through healing is somewhat familiar. If you've never been in Anna's shoes, then this would be a good way to gain some insight into the world of an abuse survivor who's trying to break the cycle of trauma. An interesting, well-written book overall.

This was a good read and very relatable. The story is about a dysfunctional family and how it affects every aspect of their lives, Thus, creating with children, another generation of dysfunctional adults. The main character does not like her father, loves her mother but cannot understand her or the choices she makes. This in turn causes her to seek emotional support elsewhere. When she does, she starts the familiar dysfunctional pattern she is trying to escape .

A story of narcissism, betrayel and secrets. This story follows Anna from childhood through to adulthood, marriage and more. It shows the highs and the lows - and the impact of a childhood filled with trauma.

I felt so many emotions for Anna, as she goes through her life and different milestones, finding a husband and trying to make her way through life. I was rooting for her the whole way through, hoping that it'll end with Anna the survivor. Fantastic story.

Thank you Net Galley for a copy of What is Wrong with Me by Kristin Hammoud. I hated these characters! Hated them! But since this author provoked sick strong emotion from me, I'll rate it 4 stars.

The Author of What's Wrong with Me portrays Anna the main character as someone we can all relate to through our own trials and experiences.

I couldn't put the book down as I needed to know what happens to Anna and if she is ever able to understand how her choices impact her life.

Kristin Hammoud shares incredible insight and understanding while addressing her extremely complicated cast of characters. The self help, coping skills and wisdom shared in this book is priceless.

This was an unusual book, the narrative is the story of a young woman and her relationships but is also an expoistory discourse on recognising types of abuse such as coercive control, gaslighting, emotional and sexual abuse and narcissism.. The narrative revolves around Anna who is from a home where her mother is deeply depressed and her father is mainly absent but when present is domineering and scathing, nothing is ever good enough for him.. We follow Anna as she works to get into college and how she navigates her way through college romances and an early marriage. Throughout the book the author, who is a clinical psychologist , shows how Anna's choices and outlook on life have been influenced by her toxic home environment and exposure to different types of abuse.. Characters in the book voice concerns to Anna about her choices, advising her to seek counselling or suggest what might happening. It feels a little didactic but I did feel myself pulled in to Anna's world. It fell apart a bit for me in the final third as Anna's situation of marrying into fabulous wealth and a murder mystery in family that was built up and then quickly and rather unbelievably resolved undermined the message that abuse and bad relationship choices can happen to anyone.

My thoughts on What Is Wrong With Me?
I really liked this book because it started with anna at age 9 and then goes up to when Anna is 22ish. I think this author did an amazing job of showing what abuse does to a person throughout their life and how it affects their choices and actions in the future.

I loved reading Anna's story. Following Anna’s childhood experiences into young adulthood was eye-opening and thought-provoking as we've experienced her situation in one way or the other. I throughly enjoyed reading the story and how she learns what it means to stand up for herself. I’d recommend this book to anyone.

A great read. We can all see ourselves in this book.
Self evaluation is important because in that we may identify areas of our lives that need change and seek help to effect the change.









Marie McKenzie, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Things That Keep Me Up At Night

This was a gripping, evocative and emotive read. It was well written with a heartbreaking and yet strangely uplifting in parts storyline. I couldn't put it down and will definiitely be looking for more from this author

TW : Rape , gaslighting, emotional abuse, depression

Like Anna, I also had diaries when I was young. I would pour out all in the diaries. I got to see how growing up in a dysfunctional family from a girl’s point of view. Her innocence while in college sort of reminds me of myself when I was in college. Finding love and experiencing friendships . The ups and downs. Especially the struggles and how confusing it was. The book is very relatable to me.

What’s Wrong With Me? Is often asked by many when they feel that they belong or fit it. That what the book is about. A straight forward fiction for those who wants to get a glimpse of what it feels like to search their purpose in life, feeling insecure most of the time, wanting to belong and much more.

“Could you guys stop talking about me and talk to me instead?”

Above is an example of what Anna ( the main character ) feels most of the time, which I am very uncomfortable with. The way some people treat her made me so angry. The gaslighting was from a few people in life. It triggered me a bit because I know such people exists. Then there are enablers that supports the person who are doing the emotional damages to her.

If you want experience what it is like to be in a very dysfunctional family, bad choices in life, friendships & relationship, this is the book for for you.

P/S : I cried a lot while reading this book because some of the things that happened, happened to me too.

A good book for any one who has suffered abuse or childhood trauma. Great to help overcome and learn to Stand up for yourself.

Kristin Hammoud's thought-provoking book "What is Wrong with Me?" is a must read for anyone that has known the pain of childhood trauma or been in a abusive relationship. From the outside it is easy to assume a victim can escape the "cycle of abuse", but in truth it's much more difficult than it appears.

Synopsis:
Anna grew up with an abusive dad. One might think being raised in a abusive home would teach one how to avoid narcissistic behavior in adult relationships, but for many the opposite is true. Why is this so often the case? Why are victim's of abuse attracted to abusers? Follow Anna on her journey of self-discovery.

This is a difficult topic. The author offer's deep insight into recognizing and healing from abuse through her powerful book. Kristin Hammoud is an author and therapist specializing in helping people become healthy through her medical knowledge and compassion. In Anna's poignant story, the author encourages readers who have ever said "What is Wrong with Me?" to consider taking a closer self-evaluation.

Thank you NetGalley, Kristin Hammoud, and BooksGoSocial, for allowing me the honor of reviewing this outstanding book. It reached out and grabbed my heart! 💘

Following Anna’s childhood experiences into young adulthood was eye-opening and informative. This was a read that I haven’t had in awhile where it sucks you in, and you’ve lost hours of time in the story. I throughly enjoyed reading the story do Anna and how she learns what it means to stand up for herself. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in the counseling world.