Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC, which apparently stands for "A Really Confusing" experience.

Well, well, well. Where do I even begin with this literary adventure that left me feeling like I'd accidentally wandered into someone else's therapy session without the courtesy of being offered tissues or coffee?

I requested this book because my reading group couldn't stop buzzing about it. What I discovered was a memoir masquerading as self-help faster than a diet book hiding in the psychology section. It's like ordering a salad and getting served someone's personal diary with a side of questionable life choices.

As a proud child of the 60s who learned that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me," I approached this book expecting to find a kindred spirit. Instead, I found an author who apparently missed that particular childhood lesson and spent decades letting other people's opinions rent space in her head - without even charging them market rate!

Don't get me wrong, I understand body image struggles. After my first daughter, I went from skinny tree-climbing tomboy to someone who could barely climb the stairs without wheezing. Thyroid issues turned my metabolism into a hibernating bear, but you know what? I never let my bathroom scale determine my worth. That would be like letting a toaster decide my career path.

The author, however, seems to have handed out scorecards to every person she's ever met, then spent years tallying up the results like she's competing in some twisted Olympic event called "How Badly Can Strangers Make Me Feel About Myself?"

Now, if you're looking for practical self-help advice, I'd suggest looking elsewhere - perhaps at a Magic 8-Ball, which would probably give you more reliable guidance. Some of the author's suggestions had me wondering if she confused "self-care" with "self-destruction." Suddenly stopping thyroid medication? That's not "listening to your body," that's playing Russian roulette with your endocrine system! The fad diets and surgical solutions read like a greatest hits album of "Things That Make Medical Professionals Weep."

The writing style itself was... interesting. The constant references to "programs" made me think I was reading about an AI robot learning to be human. "Program initiated: Feel bad about breakfast. Program complete: Schedule emergency workout." I kept waiting for her to mention downloading an update or rebooting her emotional software.

I'll give credit where it's due - the book does shine a spotlight on society's ridiculous beauty standards and the pressure we put on ourselves to conform. It's a valid topic wrapped in a package that feels like it was assembled during a particularly chaotic episode of "Extreme Makeover: Life Edition."

If you're looking for insight into someone else's journey of self-discovery, complete with all the wrong turns and questionable GPS directions, then sure, give it a read. Just don't expect a roadmap you'd want to follow yourself. It's more like watching someone navigate through a maze while wearing a blindfold and ignoring all the helpful people shouting directions from the sidelines.
In conclusion, "Unapologetically Me" reads more like "Apologetically Confused About Me." The author spent so much time trying to please everyone else that when she finally decided to please herself, she seemed genuinely surprised to discover she had preferences and opinions. It's like watching someone taste chocolate for the first time at age 40 - touching, but also makes you wonder where they've been all their life.

Two stars because hey, at least she eventually figured out she was worth more than other people's opinions. It only took a few decades and some questionable medical decisions to get there, but who's counting?

Would I recommend it? Only if you enjoy memoirs that read like cautionary tales, or if you're looking for a book that makes you feel better about your own life choices by comparison.

Final thought: Sometimes the most unapologetic thing you can do is admit when a book just isn't for you. And unapologetically, this one wasn't for me.

I felt empowered while reading this book. It is not a cure all , but a guide for thinking of how you can make the rest of your life your best most authentic life possible. I highly recommend this book.

With thanks to Heather Mercier, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Heather Mercier’s Unapologetically Me is like sitting down with a wise, no-nonsense friend who’s lived through it, come out stronger, and wants you to do the same. Raw, honest, and gracefully written, this memoir guides readers through the messy maze of self-worth, identity, and the constant pressure to be someone else.

Mercier doesn’t sugarcoat her journey — years spent chasing perfection, wrestling with body image, and the exhausting loop of external validation. But she also doesn’t leave you in the struggle. With warmth and clarity, she pulls back the curtain on what it takes to step out of that performance and into authenticity.

Each chapter offers not just storytelling but transformation, with insights that nudge you to question the scripts you've been living by. It’s equal parts reflection, inspiration, and permission to be exactly who you are — flaws, fire, and all.

Whether you’re quietly seeking change or loudly craving freedom, Unapologetically Me offers a mirror and a map. No preachiness, just pure empowerment.

The cover, blurb and title appealed to me but when I started reading it, it became clear that this wasn't for me. This is definitely more memoir than self help. I wouldn't market this as a self help memoir and I think doing so is a risky move. Alot of the things the author does are very dangerous e. g suddenly coming off her thyroid medication, faddy diets, surgery. But it does highlight the societal pressures on body image and self worth.
If reading this as an insight into someone else's experiences, journey, exploration of themselves, its OK. I did find it hard to follow, and a bit frustrating at times, the references to "programs" made me think of an AI robot.
The section where the author talked about her personal experiences during 9/11 I found very moving, and the writing really brought those feelings to life.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Amplify Publishing for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I got about 60% through this book. It was interesting in parts but much more of an autobiography than I was expecting. I was thinking it would be more self help/guided journal and whilst there’s always things to learn from others life stories, it just didn’t hold my attention.

This book was meh for me. I can relate to some parts but I don’t feel it offered me any different insight that I haven’t read from other books.

I didn’t care for the use of “programs” “my programs” just didn’t make sense to me.

I didn’t find any profound statement that really rocked my world or really stopped and made me think differently.

Overall this book was just not for me but that doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t find it has more to offer them.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. This opinion is my own.

I found some parts interesting of this book however I really struggled to connect with the writing and the content for the most part. I struggled with connecting with the stories and experiences and felt that it didn't really focus on tips to help readers as opposed to the stories

This book prompts you to pause, examine, and ultimately rebuild the mental structures you’ve carried through life. Those structures may have once helped you survive and thrive—so much so that they feel like part of who you are—but a closer look shows that some now stand in your way. Although a few sections didn’t resonate with me, the book still delivers practical tools and insights that can spark genuine growth.

I feel a little conflicted about this book. On the one hand it’s interesting and really easy to read, but on the other hand it’s not that helpful in terms of practical advice or tips. Some things seem to be made to look quite easy - like moving to a different country - and with little consideration of the consequences for others. What we would do if we were all unapologetically ourselves is a good question, but whether these were the right things to do is another. A thought-provoking read in that sense. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance review copy.

This is the book I needed years ago! However, maybe the timing is just right. Heather gets it—and inspires as she writes about being oneself, just as one is. It's something I've always been striving for, and this book explains the importance of it and how to achieve it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.