Perfectly Imperfect Book Review

Growing up, I had a few friends who suffered from various eating disorders.  The girls and their families survived very difficult times--and a couple of those girls, now in their early 40's, still acknowledge their struggles.  As the mother of three daughters, I understand all too well the pressures put on both girls and boys to be fit, to be thin--to be "perfect".  When I had the opportunity to read and review Marion Reeves book, Perfectly Imperfect, I was interested in both reading this book myself and sharing it with my daughters.    What did I think of Perfectly Imperfect by Marion Reeves?

I received a complimentary copy of this book for use in my review.  All opinions are my own.

About the Book

 

In the United States alone, around 30 million people will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. One of those 30 million people was Marion Reeves.  Perfectly Imperfectchronicles Marion’s struggle with an eating disorder and depression.

Recovery from an eating disorder is a long, hard process full of ups and downs. While many people think that someone should be able to “get better” just by eating normally again, that is not the case. There is so much more to the process than just food.

Perfectly Imperfect shows how Marion was able to find freedom through relying on God, receiving help from professionals, and by being loved unconditionally by family and friends.

Her story reminds us of God’s unrelenting pursuit of His children and His faithfulness even in the darkest times.

My Review

 

Reeves Tells Her Story Openly, Honestly and Courageously.  Marion Reeves opens up her heart, soul--and even some of her old journal entries--as she shares her story and all of her ups and downs in her battle with anorexia.  To read her thoughts--and "hear" her describe the internal and external struggles she faced minute by minute--and realize the depth to which the illness affected her life and those lives of her family and friends--was painful.  Marion shares her fears, her insecurities, the lies and deceptive ways she tried to mask her illness, and the emotional and physical pain haunting her during her years of suffering.  She shares her triumphs--but, also shares the many defeats suffered along the way.  She doesn't pretend that recovery from the disease is quick and easy.  She shares a very open, sincere--and inspirational story of courage and hope.
 
Perfectly Imperfect is not a Self Help Book.But..This story isn't a self-help book--though it is certainly an inspirational story of hope and courage. Readers will follow Marion's journey from the onset of the eating disorder through more recent days of her recovery.  While she isn't offering readers a guide to recovery from the illness--she does show that there is a hard-fought path to recovery out there for them.  As a parent, too often, we want to assume that everything is okay--and we make rationalizations to reassure ourselves that everything is fine.  I think this book is not only inspirational and hope-filled for eating disorder sufferers--but, should be eye opening and enlightening for family and friends of those sufferers as well.   This book shows that there is hope.

Would I recommend Perfectly Imperfect by Marion Reeves?  Yes.  If your family is touched by an eating disorder; this book shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  If your son, daughter, or best friend is showing some of the signs noted throughout this book--it illustrates the power of early (and long-term) intervention.  I am sharing the book with my tween/teen daughters because their reading Marion's story will be much stronger than any words that I could say as they face their doubts and insecurities--or face this illness through a suffering friend.  There is a Christian/Faith based element to the book as the author discovers and rediscovers her relationship with God at times.  However, that element is small in comparison to the overall messages of hope and perseverance shared by the author. 

Buy the Book

 Amazon

 

Meet the Author

 

Marion Reeves is from Greenville, South Carolina, and is currently a student at Clemson University, majoring in Psychology with the hope of graduating school and becoming a therapist so that she can use what she has been through to help others. Besides writing, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, watching Clemson football, and eating ice cream. She is passionate about showing others the freedom and joy that comes through recovery from an eating disorder and the infinite love of God.