awesome book about friendship

I wanted to like this, but was really disappointed by how dated it feels, even though this edition was published in 2019. Maybe when the first paperback came out in 2008 the jokes about women loving chocolate were radical. There are a few references to #metoo but they aren't integrated into the text.

This makes Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In look woke af.

If I could buy a copy for all my friends and relatives of the feminine persuasion, I would.

I wish I could give this book 2.5 stars. This book was completely underwhelming as a self-help book. It had no sense of direction. It was not obvious to me what lesson I was supposed to be learning in each chapter. The book gave little to no practical advice. It was simply a book of anecdotes. Essentially saying, "Here are all these women who have overcome. You can do it too. But we won't tell you how, you'll just have to figure that out yourself." For some reason, each mini-section within the chapter was set off by two quotes, which I found strange and distracting. And I love quotes, but they weren't used effectively in this book.

If you are going to buy this book to read, I suggest skipping all of it except chapter 5. Chapter 5 was the only time in the book that my mind felt like it was getting practical information. The rest is purely anecdotal and not all that useful.

I would NOT recommend this book.

If you have ever felt like your life is totally out of control, you're not where you want to be, you've encountered more challenges than you think is your fair share - this book will help you put it into perspective.
Told by some very smart and accomplished women who found themselves facing some pretty outrageous circumstances, it offers some very personal stories and then some exercises to practice at the end of each chapter. Personally, I found the exercises a little forced (like a work seminar - no thanks), but the stories were amazing. Take Jackie Speier, for example - she was shot and left for dead at Jonestown. Think that would be enough for one person? Oh, no, there is more. But she survives, and in fact, thrives.
Great if you need to find some personal strength, and to reinforce the value of a solid network of friends.

Every female should read this book.

I hate self help books. I picked this up because of the clever title, and I knew better but read it anyway. I didn't find it in the least bit helpful or inspiring. Told the story of 4 women who toughed out some bad times & were lucky enough to make it through intact.