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The Road Back to Me: Healing and Recovering From Co-dependency, Addiction, Enabling, and Low Self Esteem.
Healing and Recovering from Co-dependency, Addiction, Enabling, and Low Self-Esteem
This story is told through the jagged peephole of the author’s awareness, examining her formative wounds and influences from the perspective of a woman who has now gained experience and wisdom. As she peers over her soul’s shoulder, she recalls the chaos of her once-fragile childhood mind. She shudders as she is reminded of the sting of her lonely childhood, her feelings of abandonment, and her painful memories of being bullied. Her childhood self was once so lost that she even contemplated suicide. As the years progress, her mind is riddled with obsession, compulsion, and a crippling sense of low self-esteem. A turning point arrives many years later, after marriage and the birth of three children. This story is about healing the faulty programming of childhood. It is about recovery from relationship addiction, food addiction, anxiety, and constant fear. It is a human story that will resonate with readers from all walks of life, and which offers hope to anyone who has felt imprisoned by the past.
This story is told through the jagged peephole of the author’s awareness, examining her formative wounds and influences from the perspective of a woman who has now gained experience and wisdom. As she peers over her soul’s shoulder, she recalls the chaos of her once-fragile childhood mind. She shudders as she is reminded of the sting of her lonely childhood, her feelings of abandonment, and her painful memories of being bullied. Her childhood self was once so lost that she even contemplated suicide. As the years progress, her mind is riddled with obsession, compulsion, and a crippling sense of low self-esteem. A turning point arrives many years later, after marriage and the birth of three children. This story is about healing the faulty programming of childhood. It is about recovery from relationship addiction, food addiction, anxiety, and constant fear. It is a human story that will resonate with readers from all walks of life, and which offers hope to anyone who has felt imprisoned by the past.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2012
295 people are currently reading
694 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 29, 2014
This book really brought me back to my childhood. Something necessary for healing childhood wounds as an adult. It triggered memories that I had long forgotten. For example, I was able to recall my relationship with neighborhood friends, what I did for fun as a child, how I felt as a child, how I felt in school when so and so did this.... And this book brought me back to get in touch with "feelings" to help me recover more of my innocent child self... My true essence. It's amazing how this book could take you back to relating with your parents, friends, classmates, and teachers. I really appreciated how The Road Back to Me brought back memories of things I loved to do but forgot as I grew up into an adult with tons of responsibilities. It gave me closure as well. I did the best I could, my parents did the best they could. Seeing Lisa overcome her struggles provides hope to those who may be stuck in unhealthy patterns. This book is essential to healing childhood wounds!
Yes, it was a soulful journey reading The Road Back to Me.
Yes, it was a soulful journey reading The Road Back to Me.
April 22, 2018
Despite the book's tagline claiming it details her recovery, Lisa's discovery of her codependency and details of her recovery journey are only a couple of pages in the back. So, while the book chronicles Lisa's development and how her codependency and low self-esteem came to be, the book has little to no applications for those hoping to recover from their own codependency issues, save for perhaps attending therapy. I did enjoy the book, and it was a quick read since 107 pages of it are blank. I'll have to look into her other books and see if they have more advice on the recovery aspects.
August 18, 2017
Lisa A. Romano is a truly inspirational woman and her story of personal healing is helping so many people going through the same kinds of issues as her. However, I expected the book to focus more on how she managed to overcome her difficulties, rather than on her past and childhood.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading about her journey.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading about her journey.
February 7, 2017
Breakthrough Life Coach Lisa A. Romano has saved my life. While dealing with my own co-dependency issues resulting in post-trauma, I bottomed out. That's when Romano's coaching videos showed up in my YouTube feed. In one of her videos, she had her memoir The Road Back to Me in the foreground. So I contacted my local library to do an interlibrary loan on the book.
Romano's journey beginning in childhood and ending in her early adult years represents a painful, even excruciating journey. The narrative resonates as an ugly duckling transformed into a swan story. At the age of 12, Romano came very close to committing suicide but chose to listen to her quiet inner voice. She stumbled through the remainder of her childhood years, growing more astute, more connected to spirit, and making tough decisions without the proper psychological tools to do it. I applauded her throughout the reading of her book.
Similar to the Hay House memoir structure or telling of a personal story, the author reveals her painful past as a healing device. Today, she appears confident and wise as she guides her clients, students, and YouTube followers to a life free of co-dependence. If you struggle with either post-trauma or co-dependence, be honest with yourself, and then check out Romano's books and videos. She might just save your life.
Romano's journey beginning in childhood and ending in her early adult years represents a painful, even excruciating journey. The narrative resonates as an ugly duckling transformed into a swan story. At the age of 12, Romano came very close to committing suicide but chose to listen to her quiet inner voice. She stumbled through the remainder of her childhood years, growing more astute, more connected to spirit, and making tough decisions without the proper psychological tools to do it. I applauded her throughout the reading of her book.
Similar to the Hay House memoir structure or telling of a personal story, the author reveals her painful past as a healing device. Today, she appears confident and wise as she guides her clients, students, and YouTube followers to a life free of co-dependence. If you struggle with either post-trauma or co-dependence, be honest with yourself, and then check out Romano's books and videos. She might just save your life.
September 27, 2012
Lisa Romano's book takes you on a deep, challenging and yet eternally soulful journey. It's the journey that she took to find peace and reconcile the hand that life had dealt her. Her narrative pulls you into the world that she not only endured but triumphed over.
Lisa's prose is poignant, wistful, insightful, yet hopeful - even in her most challenging and painful relationships and situations. What keeps coming through it all is how grounded she is in the hope that every person can live to find and create a better life for themselves. You will feel her pain. You will know her deep sorrow. You will also come to know how Lisa found the spiritual inner strength to get beyond who she was 'born to be' to become who she was meant to be.
I highly recommend Lisa's book. Her story moved me so profoundly. She is a truly gifted author and person.
Lisa's prose is poignant, wistful, insightful, yet hopeful - even in her most challenging and painful relationships and situations. What keeps coming through it all is how grounded she is in the hope that every person can live to find and create a better life for themselves. You will feel her pain. You will know her deep sorrow. You will also come to know how Lisa found the spiritual inner strength to get beyond who she was 'born to be' to become who she was meant to be.
I highly recommend Lisa's book. Her story moved me so profoundly. She is a truly gifted author and person.
December 6, 2017
It was like she was telling my story.
An amazing book. A great first step in the road to recovery for those that suffer from codependency and the grips of a controlling relationship.
An amazing book. A great first step in the road to recovery for those that suffer from codependency and the grips of a controlling relationship.
January 20, 2018
Amazing! Left me wanting more! Thank you Lisa! Xxxx
Great book! I have been watching Lisa on YouTube and thank goodness! Learning that I have codepency has helped me to understand so much about myself and my life do far!
This really is a life saver for me!
And I am hungry and thirsty to learn more and to read more.
Lisa is an amazing and inspiring person and it gives me hope that I can be healed and that many more people can be healed also!
I can't wait to read (and listen) to more!
Great book! I have been watching Lisa on YouTube and thank goodness! Learning that I have codepency has helped me to understand so much about myself and my life do far!
This really is a life saver for me!
And I am hungry and thirsty to learn more and to read more.
Lisa is an amazing and inspiring person and it gives me hope that I can be healed and that many more people can be healed also!
I can't wait to read (and listen) to more!
January 1, 2019
I had the audio version of this book and it was *yawn* boring. Would not recommend.
December 22, 2020
Absolute awesome book. Highly recommended it to anyone who identifies as a codependent.
August 11, 2019
Loved the book BUT for those looking for a “how to..” , this isn’t what you’re looking for. This is a story of Lisa’s journey to breaking point, not a book that tells us the next steps she used to move forward. Loved it nonetheless
January 9, 2026
I was under the impression this book would have more content for readers to learn from and apply to their own journey, woven with Lisa's story somehow... but the entire book *is* Lisa's story.
Which wouldn't be an issue, except that the story essentially ends when she learns about what codependency is and feels inspired to make a radical change in her life. But we don't know how that change plays out, or how Lisa and her life transform as a result of this new awareness either, from that point forward. So the book, to me, felt like it had an abrupt ending.
The writing style was also too simplistic for my taste and the text could have used better editing.
However! All this being said, I have tremendous respect for what Lisa has experienced and overcome, and the courage it took for her to share her story. If you struggle with codependency, addiction, low self-worth, or toxic relationships, this book can be a deeply validating reflection that allows you to feel seen and met through these shared experiences ("Yes I went through that too!") as well as open up awareness and deeper insights.
Which wouldn't be an issue, except that the story essentially ends when she learns about what codependency is and feels inspired to make a radical change in her life. But we don't know how that change plays out, or how Lisa and her life transform as a result of this new awareness either, from that point forward. So the book, to me, felt like it had an abrupt ending.
The writing style was also too simplistic for my taste and the text could have used better editing.
However! All this being said, I have tremendous respect for what Lisa has experienced and overcome, and the courage it took for her to share her story. If you struggle with codependency, addiction, low self-worth, or toxic relationships, this book can be a deeply validating reflection that allows you to feel seen and met through these shared experiences ("Yes I went through that too!") as well as open up awareness and deeper insights.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2020
I actually really enjoy Lisa Romano. The only problem with this book is the title. It's really more of an autobiography, where the journey of her healing doesn't begin until the last 2-3 chapters. I think she could have called it Awakening to Codependency, then followed it with this title as a sequel that expressed the hard choices and sacrifices she had to make after her divorce. I appreciate the sharing of her story..my rating has more to do with the title being misleading, in regards to the part of her journey that I was hoping to learn from.
January 25, 2023
A good diagnosis of codependency but without any prognosis. Pithy which has been expanded by empty papers at end of each page, which is wastage of precious resources and trees. It is an autobiography with each even of life explained from vantage point of self discovery. One can see oneself in mirror of events and thus relate to Romano in a profound way. But I think premier books on the subject are much better e.g. Codependent no more by Melody Beattie, Facing Codependence by Pia Melody,and Codependency for dummies.
July 28, 2021
Priceless
Priceless. Yes it’s a story of a beautiful soul. Tragic sad story. With a hope filled ending. There is no wisdom how to tackle challenges of life. But a testimony and validation for the journey Lisa had and new found hope. Hope to change her life and the lives of her children.
This book is validation to many who have lived through the same. And encouragement that it can change.
Thank you Lisa for your story.
Priceless. Yes it’s a story of a beautiful soul. Tragic sad story. With a hope filled ending. There is no wisdom how to tackle challenges of life. But a testimony and validation for the journey Lisa had and new found hope. Hope to change her life and the lives of her children.
This book is validation to many who have lived through the same. And encouragement that it can change.
Thank you Lisa for your story.
August 30, 2021
Every single page of this book was a punch in the stomach! However it allowed me to understand and release a lot of pain that was held inside of me for so many years. It was the first time in my life that I felt that I was not alone and that other people had gone similar childhood and have been in toxic relationships like me. Thank you Lisa for sharing your journey and allowing me to understand that it was not my fault.
March 7, 2022
Abandonment for me is a huge topic. Abandonment can be anything from your parents leaving you or me also experiencing abandonment when your family structure also changes. So maybe dad will leave or mom will leave or there's a separation temporary, but just that change in what you're familiar with can be experienced as abandonment because your sense of belonging and your identity shifts a little bit. More information: https://youtu.be/4c4RZ1BZ9Lc
December 28, 2020
Lisa’s autobiography
I love Lisa, her videos and meditations on YouTube are excellent and have really help me . I recommend her to anyone who sounds like they could need her help. I was interested to find out more about her. This was a quick informative read. Looking forward to reading her next one.
I love Lisa, her videos and meditations on YouTube are excellent and have really help me . I recommend her to anyone who sounds like they could need her help. I was interested to find out more about her. This was a quick informative read. Looking forward to reading her next one.
December 31, 2020
Author Lisa Romano describes her life story and reveals the journey she took in learning life lessons and finally finding out who she wanted to become. Her parents who both came from families of alcoholism but were not alcoholics themselves, developed codependency habits which spilled over to their children.
December 13, 2021
This book made me laugh and cry reading it. Mainly because I have been where she's been. I loved reading this book so very much and I think you will too. Lisa A. Romano is an incredible influencer on YouTube, so in addition to your absolute need to read this book, go check her out and see how she is inspiring codependent individuals today. One of my favorite books to date!
June 11, 2022
Lisa Romano is a life coach who specializes in recovering from co-dependency and this is her story about growing up in a home where both parents were adult children of alcoholics and how that created her own co-dependency which moulded her life and relationships until therapy helped her to recover from it.
August 21, 2017
Thank you Lisa for so bravely sharing your story. I've recently discovered ACOA and am working through the steps and my codependent ways. Your book encourages me to get to the other side and finally know my real self.
July 16, 2020
The book is all about the author how she lived her childhood and her trauma; and how she healed herself.. Its not a typical self help book. Did not like it, it was depressing and its like listening to someone complain to you about their hard life. I did not finish it, just couldn't..
May 8, 2017
There were so many things in this book that made me have flashbacks of my childhood, parents, adult life journey. It really made me see those times in a different light. A lot of reflection on why I reacted to things the way I did and why I am the way I am today. Took notes all through the book. I found this book after listening to the authors meditations and so glad I found this read to help tie things together.
May 22, 2017
#HealingMe
Excellent. Struck every nerve in my mind and made me open my eyes. I am responsible for my own happiness.
Excellent. Struck every nerve in my mind and made me open my eyes. I am responsible for my own happiness.
August 4, 2017
Excellent book, couldn't put it down!!!
February 4, 2019
It seems ingenious to me. Just doesn’t add up.
December 9, 2020
Great read!!!
For anyone trying to recover from childhood trauma. Though our stories may be different, our pain is all the same.
For anyone trying to recover from childhood trauma. Though our stories may be different, our pain is all the same.
January 28, 2021
Excellent
January 7, 2023
Very shocking story of abuse and recovery.
February 20, 2024
Didn't find this very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews