[25] The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Self-Help / Personal Growth / Success, read for book club, hard copy

Synopsis: In The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins shares a powerful two-word mindset shift that helps you stop trying to control others and start living with more ease, clarity, and joy. Robbins explains how the “Let Them Theory” can improve your relationships, lower your stress, and help you focus on what really matters – “Let Me.”

Review: Okay, I have a lot of thoughts. First, I am not even going to touch the plagiarism discussion. If she stole this all from a poem, very NOT cool.

Alright, I have two main thoughts:

1. Everyone needs to read some version of this theory (it doesn’t have to be this one). So many people waste time being agitated about the choices other make and what they do or don’t do. Personally, I have discovered so much peace, through therapy, in accepting people as they are. Reading this made me realize I need to apply that more broadly – meaning I have accepted some people but not all. I liked the advice “You have to decide whether or not you’re going to accept people as they are, or create distance that you need.” and also, “The most fulfilling friendships, the most beautiful love stories, and the most incredible bonds with family members are waiting for you if you learn to accept people for who they are and stop trying to force a relationship to be something it’s not” – but again maybe distance is what you need.
2. This book is an easy read, but is bloated and repetitive. Hey, it gets the point across though!

Other thoughts (please note these are more “let them” than “let me” focused – the let me part is that you get to choose how you are going to react to everything and live your life):

• I appreciated that the inspiration behind this was trying to quit racing through life and actually enjoy it, rather than getting so worked up about things that don’t matter that you can’t enjoy what little free time you have. Relatable.
• I liked the reminder that control is an illusion – feeling in control makes us feel comfortable and safe – but we’re never really in control.
• I liked the reminder that people are often doing the best they can with the resources and life experience they have and that they might be incapable of showing up in the way we deserve. There was a lot on people not having the tools to handle their emotions maturely.
• I liked reading the science behind why people resist change – “human are wired to move toward what feels good right now, and to move away from what feels hard in the moment.” But I felt like the “influence” section on getting people to change felt hella manipulative. It was giving “I went on a diet hoping they would see it and be inspired to.“
• The section on adult friendships being so challenging was insightful. There was a lot of talk about “let them” in regards to not responding back to texts/email/etc. Ah, where was this advice when I needed it before the pandemic.
• I will love quotes like this every time I read them “Isn’t that exciting, to live your life knowing that there are so many incredible people and connections and experiences, just waiting or you to be the one to go first and say hello?”

Recommend? Yes

[26] Look Closer by David Ellis
Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological, rec from Ene, audio

Synopsis: When a socialite is found dead in a nearby mansion, suspicion falls on Chicago couple Simon, a law professor, and Vicky, a domestic violence advocate. With a tangled web of lies, a secret affair, and a massive trust fund in play, it becomes clear that one of them may be a killer – and the biggest question is who’s deceiving whom.

Review: Okay, wow. This took a couple of chapters to get into and understand what the heck was going on, but then I was hooked. This is super twisty and fun! The story kept getting crazier and crazier. I had a suspicion about what was going on, and I was right, but it turned out to be way more intense than I imagined.

Recommend? Yes

[27] First Time Caller (Heartstrings #1) by B.K. Borison
Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, saw in BOTM ad, Kindle

Synopsis: When a young girl calls a romance radio show seeking love advice for her mom, the clip goes viral – launching host Aiden Valentine and single mom Lucie Stone into the spotlight. Suddenly, all of Baltimore is invested in Lucie’s love life, including the guarded host determined to play matchmaker on-air, even as he starts falling for her himself.

Review: As I was reading this, I was like “wait, didn’t I read something else from this author and not really care for it?” Yep, Lovelight Farms, which I called slow-moving and dull. Well guess what? This book is too. The chemistry wasn’t developed between the characters and their backstories weren’t explored as deeply as I would have liked. Lucie’s parents disown her at a young age and that is NOT a plot point (?!?!), and Aiden is guarded because of family stuff that is casually mentioned until it becomes more convenient to the story at the end. It’s a cute idea, but I wanted more. Also, negative points for being based off of Sleepless in Seattle, which is so creepy and stalkerish.

Recommend? No