I love Amanda's books - not that I have read them all yet. But this is something else - something far more personal. I found a majority of the book extremely relatable - she could have been writing about me. A very honest and frank account of her life - some of it cannot have been easy to write. Just makes me love her more. Such an engaging read.

I first came across this author way back in 2015 when I read a Christmas book called The Christmas Café. I wasn’t a part of Bookstagram or any reading community, but I remember really enjoying it , but back then I never thought of seeking out more of her titles. Fast forward 6 years later to February 2021 and I find another of her books on Netgalley, An Ordinary Life which I read and loved. I then read several other titles by her, each one an absolute gem of a read.

Then one year later in February 2022 I had the absolute honour of interviewing her with Holly as part of our podcast, Speaking LITerally. She was an amazing guest and so inspirational, plus we had so much fun, it felt more like a friendly girly chat than an interview. So, when I saw she was bringing out her memoirs I had to read it, having already heard a small part of her past from our chat.

Women Like Us is not just a memoir, it is an inspirational work to show other women who are struggling with either their weight, self-confidence, addiction or body image that they are not alone and there is always a way forward.

This is potentially one of the most open, raw memoirs I have ever read, the emotions which Amanda pours into this is astounding and she doesn’t leave anything out. Her life story is full of pain (physical and emotional), challenges and hurdles which many of us haven’t experienced and couldn’t imagine. But at the same time, it is also a tale of hope, overcoming and success. It is a beautiful book about how she overcame her issues with food and her body to become the person she is today, as well as many other aspects of her life.

With over 28 novels written and many more under her belt, she is a highly established author who has been published across the world from Europe, South Africa, Australia and beyond and this is a story which all women need to read. I am absolutely honoured to have spoken to her (and seen her adorable dogs on video) and after reading about her life, I have so much more respect and love for her.

There are so many times that women can relate to throughout the book, from heartbreak, to feeling insecure about weight to family issues. I think one of the biggest parts of this title which makes it so important is that this isn’t some A-list celebrity who is living this million-dollar life in a big mansion with 5 holiday homes. It is about a woman who wasn’t born into wealth, had to work hard and had a lot to prove to herself. Amanda Prowse is very relatable and down to earth which is reflected in all her stories and especially her own. There are many books of hers I am yet to read but she is an author I would always go back to and this book, is potentially one of her best books, as it can teach us all so much about how to overcome negative feelings, as well as putting a lot of things in perspective.

Whilst reading this book, there were so many parts which I related to from the struggles with weight (I have always struggled with my weight) to the issues and relationship she has with food. However, there are also many fun, happy times I can relate to, such as her first experience in a library. I too felt the thrill and excitement when first going to my local library. The idea of being able to borrow several books at once and for free was a feeling which never dulled.

As this is a memoir, I don’t want to rate this book, because it isn’t a fictional work. However, what I will say is that whether you have read her previous novels or not, this is a book not to be missed. There are times where you will laugh, other times when you will cry or become annoyed but the feelings of hope and the strive to succeed is so strong in this that it is hard to not take a bit of these feelings away with you. You can tell there were so much heart and soul put into this book and the courage to put yourself out there to this degree is so admirable. Whether you are 20, 30, 40 or older, there will be aspects which you will be able to relate to.

This was such a raw and honest novel! I love her fiction novels so it was really interesting to read her memoir and I felt it really gave insight into the character and stories of her other novels. Amanda did not hold anything back in this novel and often I felt very connected and completely understood what she had gone through during various events in her life. I also loved that she had included photos in the chapters. This novel brought about all of the emotions; connection, tears, understanding of pain and hurt, as well as laughter and not feeling as if you were the only one who dealt with the in life. I enjoyed this very transparent novel of Amanda's and look forward to seeing her in more of her characters and stories to come. Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite and to the author for putting this down for other women to know they are not alone in the struggles in life, and for sending me a free novel!

I have only read a couple of Amanda Prowse’s books, but one thing I love about them is I connect with the characters. She makes them feel real with everyday problems that women face. Now after reading her memoir I connect more with her and not just as the other of good books. She, like many women, had self doubt and wanted to change the way she was perceived in order to feel like she belonged. She overcame many obstacles and changed her outlook on life. I love learning about authors and how they got their inspiration to write. The way Prowse talks about stories and her character truly shows her passion. The filing cabinet system she has I think is cool. I didn’t know how many books she wrote until I read this and now I want to read her backlist.

Thank you @mrsamandaprowse @netgalley and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

Amanda Prowse knows how to keep the reader hooked and this book is no exception. A very enjoyable read that makes you want to read to the end

What happens when a writer tells her story? I must admit I haven’t read any of her books, but am always intrigued by someone’s story. And I always say you can never know what someone is going through and this book reminds me of that. She tells a no holds barred all of her struggles and that she still ends up a writer loved by her fans.

It is such a relatable read. The relationship with food and love of Duran Duran, I really could relate to moments in her life. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, she doesn’t sugarcoat anything. While her writing was easy to read, the journey wasn’t always.

This is a brave story of how she came to be who she is. I am off to look up one of her fictional books to read.

𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵, 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨!

This is the perfect read for Non-Fiction November, what a beautiful, raw and powerful story. I loved her honesty and message. A relatable and inspirational story. Loved it.

Thank you lSuzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗨𝘀 by Amanda Prowse released September 6, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

I loved Amanda Prowse as an author. I read WaIting to Begin last year and felt such a strong connection to the story. I jumped at the opportunity to read her memoir Women Like Us.

It should be no surprise that I loved Women Like Us. The same heart that Prowse writes with in her fiction bleeds into her memoir as well. She tackles her issues with body image and self worth and puts into words feelings I have struggled with for years. I finished this book and felt like I had a long conversation with a good friend.

This memoir is funny, candid, and an overall enjoyable read. I highly recommend!

I finished November with a memoir, Women Like Us by @mrsamandaprowse - a popular British author. The memoir details Prowse’s life from chronic health issues, miscarriages, the never ending pressures to look young and weight struggles to love, health and happiness. I want to hug this book and I absolutely need to do a deep dive into Prowse’s fiction because I love her writing style. I so appreciated how she tackled the issues that women face in trying to keep up with pressures to look young, be thin, have a successful career but be able to balance it all graciously and still be a good mom and a good spouse. Prowse captured it perfectly with humor, emotion and a raw realness that was so relatable. What a perfect way to end Nonfiction November.

Thank you to Netgally for an early copy of this book. I am a big fan of Amanda's and although this book was different I still thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a memoir of her life and I really enjoyed the honest way Amanda addressed subjects that affect many of us over a lifetime. To hear someone talk about feelings and thoughts we often experience helps to normalise them and gets you thinking about what others are going through too. A great read.

Amanda Prowse has written many incredible novels about women and their lives, but today I’m here to share with you Amanda’s own life, her memoir called Women Like Us.

Amanda grew up always wanting to be a writer and when she was young, a teacher embarrassed her for this dream and asked if she had a backup plan. She didn’t think she had what it took, and didn’t write her first book until she was in her forties. It’s heartbreaking to read that a dumb comment from some teacher discouraged her. We should be encouraging all young people to achieve their dreams, no matter how big or small they may be.

Amanda also struggles with her looks and especially her weight. She is incredibly vulnerable when discussing her lifelong struggle with her weight and just general insecurities about her looks. She discusses a lot about society’s expectation for women’s appearances and balancing how to keep yourself happy while ignoring judgment. We only have to make one person happy in our lives: ourselves!

I admire Amanda for her openness and honesty throughout the book. You can tell it’s incredibly personal and I feel like that will speak to many people. Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @mrsamandaprowse for my gifted copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“My blood type is Americano with an extra shot.”

I LOVED this memoir by Amanda Prowse. I loved her honesty and her vulnerability to share her story of self-acceptance. I also grew up feeling like I didn’t “fit” into this world and I wasn’t good enough. I really thought I was the only one who felt that way when I was growing up. I really connected with Amanda’s story.
“I’ve spent a large chunk of my life feeling a little uncomfortable in my skin, a little less than…as if all the good stuff like success, happiness, sexiness and self-esteem were the right of other people but not me.” This quote really resonated with me. I just wanted to stop reading and give her a huge hug! This was such a beautiful memoir and I highly recommend reading it ASAP!

Women Like Us
Author, Amanda Prowse
Available now!

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @mrsamandaprowse @netgalley and Little A Publishing for my #gifted copy and for the e- arc!

"I guess the first question to ask is, what kind of woman am I? Well, you know those women who saunter into a room, immaculately coiffed and primped from head to toe? If you look behind her, you'll see me."

Women Like Us is the memoir of a resilient women who takes her readers on the journey of her battle with surviving in a world where the expectations of beauty and body weight are the grounds of which her low self-esteem and shame were built. As an awkward and clumsy child, to a teenager who experienced physical pain and multiple resulting surgeries, to a young woman who dealt with isolation, poor body image, and consequently alcohol abuse, impulsivity, and a toxic relationship with food, Amanda embarked on her fragile adult life fully loaded with shame and a constant fear of failure.

She then dealt with the loss of beloved family members and a divorce after multiple miscarriages, and then finally, her miracle baby Joshy. It was later that she met her current husband only to deal with more devastating loss, pain, mental health crises, and obesity.

Amanda's story is insightful, candid, emotional, and raw. She shares her struggles, challenges, and triumphs to engage and help her readers see that against all odds, many years, and a myriad of obstacles along the way, she discovered her road to happiness, self- acceptance, and love. She managed to find her happy while trusting her process, and she even kept it nice darling, as best as she could, along the way.

An inspirational and moving memoir that ultimately asks, what kind of woman are you? And no matter what kind of woman you may be, you better "dive into that bloody swimming pool!"

Women Like Us by Amanda Prowse
Ms. Prowse has written a book that most of us can relate to. We often paint a picture of authors, or anyone who is successful, as a person who is bigger than life itself and has no issues. However, truth be told, they are just like the rest of us.
No one is perfect. No one is without faults. And that is okay. We all struggle with something. Comparing ourselves to others kills our happiness and confidence. No one is you. So stop comparing yourself to others. Do what is right for you.
I love reading books by Amanda Prowse. She has such a way with words that really hits home and gives you all the feels. In this book, Ms. Prowse turns the pen on herself. She tells an autobiographical story about what it takes to learn to deal with yourself – the good and the bad. She opens up her life to the reader in a genuine reflection of what it has taken her to get the point that she is at now. This is a deeply personal story of growth.
I, for one, am thankful that I was given the chance to read this book. I learned about myself and about an author that I now feel an even deeper connection with.
I highly recommend this book!!

Amanda writes some of the most beautiful women’s fiction that I’ve ever read so to read her own memoir where she shares her life felt very special.

If you’ve never read any of Amanda’s fictional books, this memoir will still spark your interest.

I felt like this book is written not just as a memoir but as a tool to reach other women that have felt self doubt at any time which caused missed opportunities.

Amanda shares her teen years and having a congenital defect in her pelvis region causing her to have multiple surgeries. She shares her toxic relationship with food and alcohol. Amanda tells of marriage, divorce, and motherhood as well as her lifelong desire to be an author.

Amanda shares a lot about her weight and that really hit home for me as that has been such a struggle especially the last few years after having part of my thyroid removed.

I’m a big picture in memoirs person so the fact that Amanda scatters pictures with captions all through her memoir is one of my favorite parts.

A great memoir by an amazing writer!

I have read quite a few of Amanda’s novels, together with the brilliant, but gut wrenching, The Boy Between, written with her son Josh. I have read articles about Amanda in newspapers and magazines, and seen her on TV, so I had begun to build a picture of my favourite author in my head, however, nothing prepared me her the raw, brave, emotional, and entertaining memoir "Women Like Us"

I am a few years older than Amanda, so school days were similar. I loved reading about Amanda’s family and welcomed the photos that were interspersed throughout the book. I also loved reading about baby Josh and the story of how she met her Husband, Simeon, and I cried buckets learning of Amanda’s relationship with food. I could go on, and on, talking about chapter after chapter but I want everyone to read this for themselves!

Women Like Us is such an honest, well written memoir and I give it 5 stars.

There were some quotes coming out of this book that I so deeply resonated with. From her childhood, where there was no blueprint for success to building a career as a bestselling novelist against all odds Amanda Prowse takes the reader on a journey exploring what it means to be a woman in a world where popularity is defined by slimness and beauty is currency.

This must be one of the most candidly honest memoirs I have ever read.

I have been a fan of Ms. Prowse's writing for a while now. I have read and reviewed The Day She Came Back, and you can read my review by clicking here. The Food of Love also featured as one of my Tuesday Teaser posts and you can read that post by clicking here.

Prior to reading this book my impression of the author was that she is talented, intelligent and successful, and I still hold to that view. However, having read this book in which she describes her own view of herself, it could not be more different to mine. Amanda sees herself through utterly self-critical lenses and has struggled with not being able to judge herself by the beauty that she radiates from within.

She has written with courage and bravery and this book will touch many people. I suspect many of us judge ourselves critically for a whole plethora of reasons. There are many issues that I could identify with, and I have no doubt that this book will effect others similarly.

Unsurprisingly, as it has come from the pen of this inspiring author, the book is well written, and even though she takes us through her inner dialogue of self-criticism throughout, it never became repetitive to read and was engaging throughout. Instead, it was sad to read about the way she had viewed herself; how she never felt content to be the woman that she was and what a difficult journey she has been on.

I would encourage anyone who has ever felt lacking in some way, anyone who has struggled to see what a beautiful person they really are, and anyone who has judged themselves by the caustic comments made by others to read this book. Amanda's journey of self-acceptance is humbling to read and I applaud her for her courage and bravery in writing and publishing this book.

So many things hit hard when reading this book, I would need a day to write them all into this review.
On finishing this book I promise to be kinder and listen more to my body and hopefully from this day forward I can stop beating myself up for hating my body and mind.

Thank you Amanda. Xx

Wow, wow, wow. What an incredible but touching and hard read. This book really blew me away. Honest and raw, tough to read at times, but so well written. Highly recommend