Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I was surprised that I enjoyed this, especially when it was about mental health and I sometimes feel the subject is tough to read about, but this was well written.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this book. Simply written, accessible, an interesting way to shed light on such a serious illness.
I've been fortunate enough not to suffer from depression to the same extent as the author but I, as probably most people, have experienced some of the symptoms.
Highly recommended to those who suffer from depression or anxiety, also to those who know someone who suffers from Mental Illness.

Am loving, loving, loving this! Now, I must admit that I’m not a huge fan of self-help books, but I think I have found the one that I truly love. The fact that Lucey also mentions emo rock from the year 2003 is an instant 😍 as that is my total life aesthetic.

I love her tone, and her language throughout this, where it’s so easy to read, so chatty, and it just falls onto the page in a blasé approach of talking about something that is actually quite important and terrifying. But I think that this is what it needs. Lucey talks to you through the page, and you feel so comforted, like you’re talking over coffee with a friend. And I love it.

She does not shy away from the horrible bits of depression, she doesn’t glamorise it like the movies do, and we need this.

Would 100% recommend this, no doubt about it. Grab yourself a copy guys!

I am not a huge mental health sufferer, but when I saw this for review I wanted to get involved and give it my time, thanks to the publisher for a copy in return for my honest review.

This touches a lot on mental health and what it means for you as a sufferer, it asks a lot of questions and speaks about what its like for someone who doesnt know how to deal with someone with mental health issues, I learned a lot from it and even though I dont really suffer with it, its a good source of information for anyone to draw on.

Definitely a must read

Although it may not seem like it, because of the snarky and condescending tone, the title of the book is the perfect way to demonstrate certain attitudes towards mental health. If you haven't lived with a mental health issue it's often hard to comprehend how debilitating it can be. As someone with a close family member who has clinical depression I have often had to explain, defend and keep that person safe, due to the lack of understanding of others.

What Lucey does with an acerbic wit and debilitating self examination of mental health issues, is open the doors to a very closed off topic. It's not meant to be a pleasant experience or to make the reader feel better - it's supposed to inform and help give some insight into the daily battle with an all encompassing darkness.

I can't say how often I have heard common tropes used in relation to depression, which comes from a general misunderstanding of the physical and psychological torture and toil of depression. Comments and phrases that only serve to humiliate and question the person who is already going through hell, and often teetering on the brink of ending it all.

I can only recommend it. It might be very dark in places, although the snark helps and gives it a little light at times, however it is an extremely well informed piece of work. It might give a slightly different perspective on a personal battle or someone else who is going through their own daily fight with mental health issues. I can truly say it was an eye-opener for me in certain places.

There is so much talk about Mental Health - and that is a good thing but sometimes it can be a little sugar coated and when you're in the depths of depression the 'help' offered can often make you feel like you're failing and that everyone else is even doing depression better than you. Kate's book is honest and forthright. It's dark at times, it's sweary, she certainly doesn't hold back from the reality of the black dog and what it can do to a person. It made me realise that although each person's depression is entirely unique to them it is also the same. The shame, the sense of failure, the feeling that no-one understands - these I think are common links. Yet for those who want to 'help' the answer seems oh so easy but it rarely is and it's incredibly helpful to have that pointed out.

If you suffer from depression (on any level - it's not a competition) then this book could help you feel a little less alone. It could help you see that you are NOT failing but that you are actually rather incredible and unique. It doesn't promise to cure you but it might just help you find a light in the tunnel and feel you're not alone.

If you haven't suffered from depression (lucky you) but you know someone who does then you need to read this book even more. It will give you a little insight as to what can go on behind the veil of depression. It will also show you that you are not failing when you try to help but that sometimes you just can't help. You just need to be there.

Thank you so much to the lovely people at HQ for inviting me to take part in this blogger day to celebrate the publication of Get a Grip, Love. Thank you Kate for having the courage to write it. This book will make a massive difference to so many people.

Plot

A candid book that uses a mix of colloquial chat, peer and personal experience, and expert advice to talk about tackling mental illness as part of the generation so often poked fun at for having feelings – and who often call themselves out for it, too.

A record-breaking number of anti-depressants are being prescribed each year. While positive steps are being taken and we are speaking more about our problems, in this new age of having conversations about mental health, everyone and their neighbour has a ‘miracle cure’ to throw at those of us who are struggling. There’s an enormous gap in the knowledge and understanding of what depression is and isn’t – not least in that it doesn’t look the same on every person.

Review

For the first book of 2021 I went non-fiction with a subject close to my heart.

Kate Lucey knocks this out of the park as she explores the not so sunny world of depression. Taking a serious subject and approaching it in this way definitely made this book easier to read. As I sat glued to my kindle, every single thing resonated with me. And I also loved The Clapbacks - I will be using these in my daily life from now on!

As a sufferer from depression and its git of a best mate anxiety, I found myself agreeing, nodding and even saying out loud "oh my god that's me!" at nearly every single sentence.

Especially in these times, this book is an extremely important read and also a timely reminder that it is not a weakness to seek help if you feel like you need it.

On a personal note, I honestly wish I had read something like this when I was diagnosed six years ago. Life would have been easier.

Rating

Five Stars

Recommend

Hell yes!

This book was very kindly gifted by the publisher as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.

Antonymous to the title, this non-fiction wonderfully imposes and consoles with the idea that depression is real, definitely existing, and not something that would instantly vanish with the overused, inappropriate, and inconsiderate phrase — get a grip. The clear distinction made between scientific facts and the quick cures spewed by passersby is worth appreciating, especially when supported by a humorous undertone and the constant reassurance that it's completely understandable and okay to feel a certain way.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ stories for the ARC of Get a Grip, Love.

Having never being diagnosed with any sort of mental health issue, I guess you'd say I'm not the targeted audience for this book.

All I can tell you is that not everyone asks for help and I think we all suffer to a degree, no matter how small or insignificant we think our issues are.

What Kate manages to do is highlight that we are all allowed to feel this way. It is totally ok to have these thoughts, emotional outbursts, dark times.

Get a Grip, Love is a book that I will read again. One to look back on whenever I feel down, stressed or even fearful over things in life.

Praise for Kate Lucey!

Full review to come on publication day.

Get a Grip, Love is a truly insightful book into Kate Lucey’s experience with depression. She talks honestly about her journey taking us from her diagnosis, to telling others, to medications to where she is now. Some parts are heavy, some parts are humorous and some parts are just really, really sad.

Depression is an area I don’t know a lot about and thanks to Lucey’s book I feel equipped with helpful tools on how to support people in my life should they ever be diagnosed with it.

Although this book is targeted at people with depression or those who know someone with depression, I would suggest that everyone read it. After all, I didn’t fit into either of those categories and have still taken so much from it. So thank you @hqstories for giving me this opportunity.

Love this book! This is one that everyone needs to read.
This has definitely helped me get a clear head.
Full review to follow

I have read A LOT of books about mental health since being diagnosed with GAD, SAD and depression a few years ago. This book is incredibly honest and true as well as being incredibly funny and witty.

i adored Kate Lucey's writing style, it was just so easy to read and incredibly relaxed in its style. It felt like reading a magazine article, blog-post, or talking to a friend. Something that feels incredibly comforting when the subject matter can be so dark.

I loved how the book was broken up, and laid out. I really enjoyed reading!
I have already followed Kate on instagram, and I will be looking out for what Kate Lucey does next!!