What do you think?
Rate this book
The Plan B Chronicles: Divorce, Defiance, Liberation
- GenresMemoir
268 pages, Paperback
Published July 8, 2025
2 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 21, 2025
Book Review: The Plan B Chronicles: Divorce. Defiance. Liberation by Meredith Beardmore
Rating: 4/5
Reactions & Emotional Resonance
As a sociologist and public health professional, I approached Beardmore’s memoir with interest in its intersection of personal narrative and therapeutic frameworks. The author’s vulnerability in detailing her experience of betrayal and somatic healing is both courageous and academically relevant. Her account of navigating systemic gendered expectations in marriage—and the somatic toll of emotional trauma—resonates deeply with feminist critiques of patriarchal structures. While the book is not explicitly academic, its themes align with sociological discourse on agency, resilience, and the commodification of women’s emotional labor.
Strengths
-Empowerment Through Embodiment: Beardmore’s integration of somatic therapy into her healing process offers a tangible, body-centric approach to trauma recovery—a perspective often marginalized in public health narratives focused on cognitive-behavioral solutions.
-Structural Critique: Though not framed as such, her story implicitly critiques societal pressures on women to prioritize marital stability over self-preservation, a valuable lens for gender studies.
-Accessible Scholarship: The memoir bridges personal storytelling and therapeutic insight, making complex concepts like reclaiming personal power accessible to a broad audience.
Constructive Criticism
-Limited Structural Analysis: While Beardmore’s personal journey is compelling, a deeper exploration of systemic barriers (e.g., economic precarity post-divorce, healthcare access) would strengthen its relevance for public health audiences.
-Audience Tension: The book occasionally wavers between self-help guide and memoir, which may dilute its impact for readers seeking rigorous sociological analysis. A clearer framing of intent could help.
Final Thoughts
The Plan B Chronicles is a poignant contribution to narratives of female resilience, particularly for readers navigating similar life disruptions. Its strength lies in Beardmore’s ability to translate professional expertise into lived experience, though it leaves room for deeper structural interrogation. I thank the publisher and Edelweiss for the review copy—this memoir sparks important conversations at the intersection of mental health, gender, and liberation.
Rating: 4/5 (Highly recommended for its emotional honesty and therapeutic insights, with room for broader systemic engagement.)
Rating: 4/5
Reactions & Emotional Resonance
As a sociologist and public health professional, I approached Beardmore’s memoir with interest in its intersection of personal narrative and therapeutic frameworks. The author’s vulnerability in detailing her experience of betrayal and somatic healing is both courageous and academically relevant. Her account of navigating systemic gendered expectations in marriage—and the somatic toll of emotional trauma—resonates deeply with feminist critiques of patriarchal structures. While the book is not explicitly academic, its themes align with sociological discourse on agency, resilience, and the commodification of women’s emotional labor.
Strengths
-Empowerment Through Embodiment: Beardmore’s integration of somatic therapy into her healing process offers a tangible, body-centric approach to trauma recovery—a perspective often marginalized in public health narratives focused on cognitive-behavioral solutions.
-Structural Critique: Though not framed as such, her story implicitly critiques societal pressures on women to prioritize marital stability over self-preservation, a valuable lens for gender studies.
-Accessible Scholarship: The memoir bridges personal storytelling and therapeutic insight, making complex concepts like reclaiming personal power accessible to a broad audience.
Constructive Criticism
-Limited Structural Analysis: While Beardmore’s personal journey is compelling, a deeper exploration of systemic barriers (e.g., economic precarity post-divorce, healthcare access) would strengthen its relevance for public health audiences.
-Audience Tension: The book occasionally wavers between self-help guide and memoir, which may dilute its impact for readers seeking rigorous sociological analysis. A clearer framing of intent could help.
Final Thoughts
The Plan B Chronicles is a poignant contribution to narratives of female resilience, particularly for readers navigating similar life disruptions. Its strength lies in Beardmore’s ability to translate professional expertise into lived experience, though it leaves room for deeper structural interrogation. I thank the publisher and Edelweiss for the review copy—this memoir sparks important conversations at the intersection of mental health, gender, and liberation.
Rating: 4/5 (Highly recommended for its emotional honesty and therapeutic insights, with room for broader systemic engagement.)
November 2, 2025
What an extraordinary and heartfelt book. The Plan B Chronicles took my breath away with its honesty, vulnerability, and strength. This isn’t just a story about divorce — it’s a story about coming home to yourself after the ground gives way beneath you. Meredith writes with such clarity and compassion that you feel as if she’s walking beside you, offering both wisdom and warmth through every page. As a psychotherapist, she brings a deep understanding of the body-mind connection, weaving somatic healing and spiritual growth into her deeply personal story. But it’s her authenticity — her willingness to tell the truth about pain, betrayal, and rebirth — that makes this book unforgettable. I was so moved by her journey and her ability to turn devastation into liberation. I’ll be recommending this book to so many people — not only to those going through divorce, but to anyone navigating a life upheaval and searching for a way back to their own strength. It’s a brave, empowering, and beautifully written testament to resilience and transformation.
July 17, 2025
I honestly couldn't put this book down!! It does such a great job capturing the chaos, and the COURAGE that comes with facing whatever life throws at you, even when it's super painful. Meredith's writing is so warm and relatable, and she somehow also manages to make you laugh out loud while being completely honest about the messy parts of her journey. This book isn't just for people going through a divorce; it's for anyone who needs a little comfort, some real talk, and a reminder that starting over can be a beautiful thing.
July 26, 2025
Engaging, brave, and beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews