So, let me start by saying that I appreciate the style of the author, her humor and sarcasm, and her perspective on life especially given the circumstances she's lived through. That said, something about this book just didn't sit well or resonate with me. I think part of the problem is that she begins the book explaining how, despite having an epiphany about life and sharing it with the world in her first book, she still found herself in the throes of a panic attack and her life spiraling out of her control. While I appreciated her honesty, it made me feel a bit like whatever she had to say for the rest of the book couldn't be taken seriously as she clearly didn't come out for the better from her first go-around, if that makes sense. Maybe it's just me, and again I did like her writing style and perspective, I think I just wasn't able to really get into it or take her advice to heart.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.**

Tara did it again ✨ She’s vulnerable as she explores her own healing and inspires others to start their own healing journey.

I have been on a journey for a few years on my mental health and healing hurts from deep inside. One of the pivotal moments that validated my road was when I read Tara's first book "Buy yourself the f*cking lilies". It was pivotal for me because of how real and intimate she writes, as if you're just having a deep conversation with your best friend over some drinks. It allowed me to actually make a connection with my emotions in a way I hadn't before and I was able to leap off of that progress and do some REAL healing! So of course when she announced her second book, I pre-ordered 2 for good measure. You never know who may want to borrow and what if I don't get it back?? Last month Tara sent out a call for "glow getters" to pre read the book and I immediately signed up, because duh. I have now finished the book and am thoroughly impressed by how raw and real Tara gets. She really places her most vulnerable self out there and chooses to heal and love herself, which just makes you want to heal and love yourself. Glow in the F*cking Dark continues the work from BYTFL and helps you dig even deeper. Its hard but the book is relatable and promotes my favorite trope, which is self acceptance and love, of course. Okay, one of my favorite book tropes. Buy this book right now. It is probably just what you need.

I have recommended this book to so many of my friends! This is the first "self-help" book that I felt was truly helpful!

I started my mental health journey and was immediately recommended her other book, Buy Yourself the F**** Lillies." Even then, she helped me understand my feelings and feel validated. "Glow in the F***** Dark" is every bit as good. She tackles what to do when you've built the routines, gone to therapy and done the work but STILL find yourself in a sh****y plateau! She offers ACTUALLY USEABLE advice and is a great reminder that there is always work to be done. Her writing style is so easy to read and feels like a talk with a friend rather than a self-help book!!!

Tara Schuster can do no wrong for me. This is one of my favorite books to date in the memoir category. I spent a lot of time with this book and I have picked it up again to reread when I felt like I needed it. It's been a constant book that I have recommended to friends. I can't wait for possible more reads from Tara!

Love the concept but the F*cking has been overdone and is too much. The spirit of this book is right but the trend is difficult to get behind except for a linimted audience. Looking forward to seeing more from this author.

As a huge fan of her first book, this second one follows along nicely with her great story telling and overall very helpful methods.

What I found most captivating about both Glow and Lilies is Tara's dynamic, almost chatty writing style. Immersing yourself in her books feels akin to exchanging secrets with your closest confidante! Prepare to experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from hearty laughter to heartfelt tears, all the while feeling truly understood and acknowledged.

“Glow in the F*cking Dark” by Tara Schuster was the perfect sequel to her “Buy Yourself the F*cking Lillies”! I am honored that Penguin Random House reached out to me to review an ebook copy of this book! I've additionally purchased the hardcopy and Audible audiobook. Thank you!

What do I love the most? How f*cking REAL Tara comes off to her readers. She talks directly to us, the reader as if she were our legit friend. As an OG Lillies reader, I was 100% excited that Tara was back with a follow-up on herself as well as even more honest, hysterical, and real-world advice that anyone can and should implement into their everyday lives. If T$ ever writes a book 3, sign me up! Lastly, if you can, check out the audiobook(s) as well - they're self-narrated by Tara Schuster herself!!

This review was also left on Amazon.

Tara's humor and wit is the best. I loved her first book and enjoyed reading this one slowly over time to get the maximum effect of her experiences.

I adore Tara and her writing and look forward to her email newsletters even! Everyone, regardless of if you’re going through some shit or chill, would benefit from her writing. Women maybe more so but it doesn’t matter. It feels like learning together with Tara through hard things.

A story of self-love, however this one missed the mark for me. There might be a few gems that others will find helpful within this book.

Poignant and really endears the reader to the author. Easy and quick to read. Glow in the f*cking dark!

One of the things that separates Tara’s book from other self-help books is the way she talks to you. Reading her books feels a lot more like chatting with a friend than reading. By the end of the book you’re left feeling not only motivated and on top of the world, with new tools to help you to continue to heal your past trauma, but you’re also left feeling like you’ve gained a new bff.

I love Tara Schuster. She has a way of breaking things down in an easy to understand, relatable way. This book is one of the ones I refer back to often.

𝑰 𝒓𝒆-𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔, 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒕-𝒐𝒇-𝒕𝒉𝒆-𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚-𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒄-𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒌-𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒎-𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆.

If only there were a book that could give me more time. I am writing this review a few months late, but I won’t go into the boring why of medical appointments and all the time suckage that keeps happening. This self-help book isn’t your usual practices for restoring mental health, and Tara is candid about the hits she has taken, from the crushing reality of losing her job at Comedy Central, to the painful wounds she still carries, despite her success. As most of us grow up, we take a tough skin, tight lip approach to the past, and often the present, pushing through the demands of our days without time to stop and deal with how we are feeling and what going through the motions is doing to us. She touches on the different meanings of trauma, and that burying problems doesn’t mean they are dead, those creatures are still screaming at us. I agree with her on this one, our emotional state will be felt in our children, partners, friends and others, it is important to confront ourselves. You can only fake perfection for so long. We have to learn how to do more than just endure life at any age, easier said than done.

Most people can’t leave their lives to attend a retreat, or afford it, but we can read about Schuster’s experience in Ojai, California and take or leave the tips for meditation. She approaches the memory with humor and those who struggle with silencing their mind can relate. Anxiety is a beast, it’s depressing how many children are overwhelmed in these times, I don’t think of my childhood as idyllic in comparison, but there seems to have been a shift, we are bombarded by far more information and those who grew up with technology those my age didn’t have often struggle to be silent, still. Is it any wonder they feel like they are spinning, unable to unplug as they reach adulthood?

Covid aside, there was already a distance growing, it is a connected and yet lonely world at the same time. This book, which for me reads like a memoir, is more for a younger audience, someone in their 20’s and 30’s, I am far past those days, not to say her advice isn’t helpful- I’ve been journaling since I was 9 but I am in a different place. I know there are readers who prefer a self-help book minus the personal stories, but I enjoy reading how she relates her life to the mental anchors she provides. I know I may not be the audience for this book, but we can glow at any age. If you didn’t grow up feeling safe, Tara speaks a language you may relate to. A book about setting boundaries, attuning oneself, facing your emotions that cause anxieties, opening yourself to your potential, as well as how to define what a full, rich life means for you, not what we’re sold to believe.

Published July 31, 2023

Random House Publishing

I recieved an early copy of this book and my initial thoughts were it wasn't as quick as her first book, BUT this is a deeper book. There is almost a homework feel that helps you breakdown your feelings and get to the root of some of your trauma and emotions. An amazing follow up to BYTFL!! Love Tara's energy.

I read Tara Schuster's first memoir, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lillies, and instantly fell in love with her sarcastic charm. When I saw she wrote another one, it was an automatic yes for me. This one takes place after the COVID pandemic in which Tara lost her job, which was pretty much her entire identity after her traumatizing childhood. One day, she was driving down the highway and disassociated a little too much and decided that was enough and she needed to do some more healing. I just love how raw and open she is with everything. Nothing is too much for her to say. I'd say this book is part memoir, part self-help because there are some truly great ideas in there that anyone can use, but it's wrapped up in her telling about her life and how she came to each conclusion.

Love her approach about listening and becoming more yourself through all of life’s biggest transitions. So pivotal for me in my current season. I appreciate her honesty, her humor and her advice after healing her own trauma. Would definitely encourage you to pick this one up.