Myles deals with a lot of mental health issues—anxiety, panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, and OCD. She documented the events and her feelings surrounding these struggles.

To me, it felt mostly like an anxiety diary—many events centred around anxiety and panic. I can see people reading this and recognising themselves in these pages. It might even inspire a journey towards healing.

The author’s experiences made me reflect on myself. I’m a very anxious person, so reading about Myles’s experience of living with anxiety was interesting. Her exploration of why her anxiety developed in the first place made me think about my own childhood and evaluate my life as a child, a student, and even a mother. The book prompted me to reconsider some of my own experiences—maybe there was more to them than I’d realised.

I really enjoyed the beginning and the first half of the book. It was bold, open, and didn’t lack depth. However, the second half felt more like a documentation of life events, with less and less self-reflection. I would have liked the author to delve even more deeper into her therapy and how she dealt with her problems. For me, the balance between describing the events and addressing the disorder wasn’t quite right. By the end, I found myself growing tired of the stories.

I liked the writing, and I’m hopeful for another Myles book (she might publish another one soon). I would definitely read her work.

Very relatable and vulnerable story. I have experience with OCD, dissociation and anxiety and this book felt normalizing to read. I sometimes felt I wanted more detail. Or just as I was getting into a storyline, the chapter would be over and we'd switch into the next subject. Overall, very interesting book and important for others to read to understand themselves or anxiety/OCD.

Thank you Xpresso Tour Books for the ARC!

Coleman is upfront, realistic and casual in her tone about mental health. I like this memoir because it destigmatizes and humanizes mental illness for its readers. The prose is straightforward and our narrator makes sure to explain all of her inner machinations while describing her memories (to the best of her ability.) The facetious and humorous insight is familiar to those of us who suffer from anxiety, and I loved being able to relate to some of the universal themes, despite not sharing Coleman's exact experience. I like that she is able to tell ghost stories and have that build up from the liminal/imaginal to the ghosts in her mind, haunting her.

I enjoyed this book and thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Temporary Beauty offers a raw, intimate glimpse into the author's journey with anxiety and depression, presented through snapshots that feel deeply personal and relatable. The narrative, much like a journal, resonates with anyone familiar with the struggles of mental illness. Coleman's exploration of these themes is poignant, and the accompanying photography adds a beautiful layer to the story. For those who wrestle with their own mental health, this book offers comfort, making readers feel understood and less alone. A must-read for anyone seeking a deeply human connection through the lens of mental health.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

I feel like me, many that deal with mental health issues will be drawn to this title. Each chapter a snap shot of the author’s life chronically their life with anxiety and depression. It was relatable, at times it felt like I was reading my own journal. The gorgeous photography was a plus.

This felt deeply relatable in a way I wasn't expecting. Anyone struggling with mental illness will not only see themselves in these pages, but discover a whole new person that makes you feel less alone.