Self-help book titles often entice but fail to deliver. Erica Mather’s book, however, pulls you in and wraps you in a big bear hug, while gently leading you to a place of self-acceptance and empowerment. While reading this book, I often felt a sadness for my body and what it has endured throughout my life, starving it of nutrition and love and empathy, blaming my flesh for all that was wrong in my world – why I wasn’t as happy as other women, why I wasn’t worthy of love, why my life was on hold until I took up less space and fit into smaller clothing. As Mather writes, “I discovered for the very first time how thoroughly bereft my body had been of my time, care and attention. No one had done this to me. I had done it to myself.”
It’s so clear reading this book that Mather is in her element writing about this topic and being able to share her wisdom of self-love with her readers. She is generous with her own story of acceptance; the reader quickly learns that she too has struggled and that she's writing from experience. You feel as if you're in safe hands embarking on this self-discovery with her.
Mather holds your hand, giving the reader tools and exercises - stepping stones throughout the book’s journey. She acknowledges that the “topic is heavy” but that facing our fears and learning to trust and accept this body that we are in right now is the only way we will truly be free of self-objectification. “It’s an act of violence against the self,” she says, and “when we do it to others, it’s an act of violence against them.” I feel ashamed that I have not only judged myself my whole life, but also other women, who are in turn dealing with their own demons of self-image.
This book doesn’t shy away from the importance of living as healthily as you can, through good nutrition, meditation and exercise (the author is a yoga teacher) as a way to honour our bodies, not as a means to achieve the unobtainable notion of perfection. Mather also demonstrates that by investing your energy into all the other attributes that make you you, it “creates a more beautiful being, body included”.
Just as we like to create an environment to live in that makes us feel at home and expresses who we truly are, Mather believes we can equally reclaim our bodies “as a safe home where all [our] wisdom lives” which once achieved, she says, “you will become more and more beautiful.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is not your typical self help book. Not only does this body preach self help it gives you amazing resources in a variety of ways via meditation, journaling, videos, etc. to help you go through this transition of loving yourself. I have never taken so many notes when writing a book before and I cannot wait to start putting some of these practices into motion. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There are a lot of body images book out that talk about how to improve your body image and give you tips. this one is different. The author shares her own body images problems and offers advice from her own experience. I purposely picked this one because i struggle with alot of body issues. i can actually see myself reading this book again just so i can do some of the tips that were suggested. I want to thank Netgalley, the author, and publishers for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I give this book five stars.

A great book, that shows everyone, who to be happy.
With an amazing number of exercises, everyone can learn to love herself / himself - the first step to live a happy life.
I would recommend the book to all people, who struggle with their life and who really want to change something.

Most body image books tell you to love your body, as if it is really just a question of telling yourself that and it will suddenly happen.
Most books about spirituality tell you to delve into the realm of the mind and you don't have to do anything to apply it to the real world, that it will trickle down by itself.
Erica Mather's book, however, bridges the gap between these two states of affairs. She teaches how you can and should love your body by also working on you mind and strengthening that first but at the same time coming to grips with ideas and concepts and beliefs about the female body.
A very good book for any woman who's ever faced their image in the mirror and disliked or even hated the image reflected back. Would also be a very good book for young girls (teens, young adults) before they embark into life