True to You by Kathleen Smith is witty, bracingly honest, deeply humane and piercingly insightful!
A very informative book that I absolutely enjoyed reading!

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Essentials for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I really enjoyed this book! I think it is a must read for overthinkers + people pleasers! I found myself highlighting a ton. The author writes in a very conversational way which I really liked. I'd recommend this to anyone even those who don't typically read non-fiction.

Very informative and easy to follow. As someone who is a constant people pleaser, this book can help establish the boundaries you need to live and happy, and successful life.

“True to You” is, as the title suggests, a guide to figuring out what you want and protecting that via boundaries and kind but assertive communication. It’s accessible and, though written by a therapist, is free of a lot of the psycho-babble that makes similar books a challenge to read. Dr. Smith uses examples from clients to offer actions and exercises that can help us be more responsible for our selves and less responsible for others.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Kathleen Smith's "True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself" is a refreshing and insightful self-help guide that speaks directly to anyone grappling with the pressures of modern life. This book is a beacon for those feeling the weight of burnout and seeking a path to a more authentic existence, less tethered to the expectations of others.

Smith, drawing from her rich experience as a therapist and grounded in Bowen family systems theory, dissects the common human tendency to borrow confidence, calmness, and beliefs from our relationships. The book opens with a relatable premise: the discord between the composed facade we present to the world and the turmoil we often feel inside. This theme resonates deeply, as many readers will see their struggles reflected in Smith's candid anecdotes and those of her patients.

The book excels in its practical approach. Smith doesn’t just identify the problem; she offers actionable steps to address it. Whether it's redefining career success away from parental expectations or learning to let go of overfunctioning for others, Smith provides clear, compassionate guidance. Her advice is rooted in solid research and enriched with personal and professional anecdotes, making it both credible and engaging.

One of the book's standout features is its accessibility. Smith's writing is warm and approachable, devoid of the jargon that often plagues self-help literature. This makes complex psychological concepts understandable and applicable to everyday life. The comparisons to "Burnout" by Emily and Amelia Nagoski and "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab are well-deserved, as Smith’s book complements and builds on these works, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of self-care and social dynamics.

While the book is highly informative and practical, it occasionally leans heavily on examples from therapy sessions. These are undoubtedly useful but can sometimes feel repetitive. A broader range of examples might have enriched the narrative further.

Despite this minor critique, "True to You" is a valuable resource for anyone looking to reclaim their sense of self in a world that often demands conformity. Smith’s insights into our social nature and her strategies for interrupting anxious relationship patterns are particularly timely and relevant. By the end of the book, readers will feel equipped to build more authentic relationships and live by their own principles, fostering a solid sense of self amidst life's turbulence.

In summary, "True to You" is a four-star gem in the self-help genre. Kathleen Smith offers a thoughtful, practical guide to shedding the mask of perfection and embracing a life true to oneself. Highly recommended for anyone ready to stop pleasing others and start being authentically themselves.

As a therapist, I rationally know how to set boundaries, but to implement them is another thing. Reading a book written by a therapist about the importance of therapists utilizing the skills we teach everyday was a breath of fresh air. I have read a few books written by therapists that seemed very invalidating, but this book was helpful and supported by Bowen therapy. I enjoyed the attachment theory portion—it makes perfect sense how people pleasing goes hand in hand with your attachment style.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an advanced readers copy for an honest review

True to You offers a compelling blend of storytelling, research, and practical advice for therapists looking to break free from people-pleasing habits and embrace authenticity. Through her expertise, Smith provides valuable techniques for setting boundaries that can improve our connections with others and with ourselves.

True To You by Dr. Kathleen Smith was a great resource for me! I am prone to please others much more than effectively believe in myself and the worth I acquire.
I spend tok much time worrying about what others may think rather than following my heart to happiness. If I spent the time I do for others, I would successfully fulfill my aspirations and improve the effectiveness of the quality of my life. With True To You, I have now built more confidence within myself, believe in who I am as a person in society as well as strived to achieve my goals with all my might.

Tue to You by Kathleen Smith is a great book with lots of insights. I think it goes beyond helping those who identify as people-pleasers and simply teaches you to slow down and look at why you do certain things in certain ways and then with eyes opened how you can act differently. I think it's a worthwhile read for anyone. The exercises at the end of the chapters will guide you to some deeper thought.

#TrueToYou #NetGalley

A great book on building a more authentic life, especially for those with people pleaser tendencies or who feel pressured to fit in a box.

I like the pop culture references included in each chapter.
The book is easy to read but everything in it is so basic. It doesn't give much to go about making changes. This might be good for people just breaking into self-help or therapy. But it won't help those who are deep into these topics.

Absolutely loved this book. Very informative. I will recommend this book to everyone.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for this copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

"True to You," by Kathleen Smith, is a refreshing and insightful guide for those of us who often find ourselves bending over backwards to please others. Smith skillfully breaks down the patterns that keep us stuck in people-pleasing mode and offers practical strategies to reclaim our sense of self. Drawing from real-life examples and her own therapy practice, she provides actionable steps to break free from the cycle of people-pleasing and cultivate more fulfilling relationships. Smith's emphasis on self-responsibility resonates deeply, offering a path to freedom from the exhausting cycle of seeking validation from others.

Overall, "True to You" is a game-changer. It's not just another self-help book; it's a roadmap to reclaiming your life and finding authenticity in a world full of expectations. Whether you're a chronic people-pleaser like me or simply seeking guidance on building more meaningful relationships, this book is a must-read.

This could be a good book for people pleasers who struggle to set healthy boundaries. The author lays things out in a clear, albeit somewhat repetitive, manner. Bulleted questions encourage readers to go a bit deeper. It's easy to follow with items that would be easy to put into practice.

Boring repetitive.. did not like it overly self helpy. Just not for me. Thanks for the advanced reader copy. Won’t be reading this author again.

"True to You" is a book I didn't realize how badly I needed, and now I'm excited to make some much-needed changes. It is written clearly with examples, exercises, and action steps to become stronger in building a life based on who you are, rather than based on the lives of those around you. I highly recommend this for anyone who struggles with boundaries and/or people-pleasing. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

As a people pleaser, I found this book to be very helpful in starting to create healthy boundaries. It is very easy to be taken advantage of.

Definitely will be revisiting the authors bulleted questions to work through them in a deeper way.

Such a great read for people knew to boundaries and interrupting people pleasing cycles. I found this book very insightful and packed with useful advice.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Engaging and accessible. A recommended purchase for collections where self-help and psych titles are popular.

This was a very accessible, well-structured, and thorough guide to exploring healthy boundaries, self-knowledge, and assertive communication. I really enjoyed the format of this book and found it easy to follow and very helpful. I will use a lot of these insights in my therapy work with clients!