Whether or not you are thinking about quitting alcohol/cutting back, this book will change the way you think about how “wine culture” affects women and people from minority groups, the way we view addiction in our society, and ways we can break cycles of addiction in our own lives. Holly includes many honest personal anecdotes and stories about her own struggles with addiction, and the inclusion of these personal details names this a very easy listen that is almost podcast-like. 10/10 would recommend - maybe will even listen to it again.

I didn’t know I needed this. She’s realistic and I connected with her on most things. I’m walking away with some small steps to begin to learn a life without booze.

I enjoyed hearing about her personal sobriety journey as I could relate to her pre-sobriety life (messy, lost, unhappy, out of control). I also liked how she framed alcohol's role in our society and how alcohol is shielded from scrutiny and how we are in denial of its effects on our mental and physical health. Listening to this gave me strength and courage to continue on my own sobriety journey and have faith that it was the best decision for me :) However I struggled listening to her express her personal opinions on the patriarchy / the subjugation of women through alcohol / the male centred approach of NA and AA as though they were facts. Many of her views are actually based on her personal life experiences and these are not my experiences. It bothered me that she lectured and preached as though she was all knowing on these matters. I believe both men and women have egos and it can be useful for us all to let go of control and give ourselves over to be led by a higher power. I would recommend this book but I would also recommend to take some of her opinions with a pinch of salt.

I resonate with the previous comment; I also did not know I needed this book! And yet, here it was. Whitaker describes her own journey to sobriety, naming various obstacles: from struggles with the alcohol and other substances to low self worth and behavioral and habitual mechanisms and limiting beliefs that keep her in the negative spiral. This book is not a self-help piece, but it sure does the work of one! Very inspiring and intriguing, challenges the reader to think through the systemic frameworks of recovery and/or AA. I have since started to follow Whitaker and Tempest on social media, and I hope to support her projects in one way or another.

If you are starting your sober journey, this is a good place to start.

I’ve read many informative books that help to guide you into Self realization,evaluation and tools to understand and implement love and change However, this book is a life changer .. a little slow at first for me but then hooked into my soul and it felt like opening every gift I’ve ever wanted on Christmas morning . I’m listening for a second time with my notebook!!!!! What a gift this woman has given me ! Non-preachy , or judgy ,completely relatable ,realistic and relevant , funny and sooo many ahaaaa moments ! Love love love

I’ve read a lot of quit lit and this is the most disappointing book I’ve encountered. As a liberal, sober feminist, I greatly looked forward to reading this. Holly speaks about AA as if to say you can’t be feminist and in AA. She makes a lot of claims that she couches as facts, which are really her opinions. I’m fine with her history of AA, but who the heck cares how someone gets sober...only that they do. I feel like many quit lit books have the capacity to save lives and get people sober. I fear Holly’s book may do the opposite. Additionally, (and much less important) the vocal with which she narrates the book is incredibly grating.

no good for its purpose. Too much one world view the reader must agree with or lose interest. I lost interest.

If I have to hear the words Kundalini in a valley-girl accent one more time I'm going to lose it. As other people have brought up, no one has the expenses for yoga, regular massages, etc. At one point she mentions ignoring all responsibilities (including taking care of your kids) to have "me" time. Sure that sounds nice, but is it realistic? This may have all worked for her, but I doubt she's going to reach a very broad audience. I also don't know who edited this book, as it JUMPS from topic to topic to topic that don't relate in any way. It feels like she's taking a mash-up of every self-help alcohol book out there and retelling it for profit. I will say I found it interesting to hear about the history of cigarettes and alcohol and the roll that women played... but I found for most of the book, she talks about herself and her meditation practices. I'm fascinated with everyone's journey and recovery with alcohol, but there's only so much you can repeat about yourself and your different morning routines. If you're really looking for a book with helpful guides and life-changing knowledge, I'd recommend This Naked Mind. There were some good points made in QLAW, but nothing groundbreaking that you can't read somewhere else.