'This book shows there's insecurity in all of us and that it doesn't diminish our power. That, in fact, accepting it is transformative.' - Gina Martin, author of Be the Change
Welcome to the Insecure Girls' Club!
At some point or another, we all feel insecure. Whether it's about our body image, friendships, workplace politics or comparison more generally, it's something we all have in common. But we don't have to let it rule our lives.
A reassuring hug when you're having a bad day, The Insecure Girl's Handbook is for anyone who wants to manage their anxiety better, stop imposter syndrome in its tracks or halt those unwelcome waves of self-doubt.
Offering tips, coping mechanisms and small pearls of wisdom, Olivia Purvis is here to guide you through those feelings that hold you back and empower you to put yourself first and make a change.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
I’m insecure. There, I’ve said it. I’ve been insecure for a long time. Whether it’s my appearance, my weight, my success, how I come over to others, I’m insecure. I compare myself to others, I listen to negative comments from others. It all feeds my inner critic …
“The only competition you have is with yourself”
For much of this book, I felt Purvis was talking directly to me. Like she’d been observing me for a number of years and was trying to personally support me. So many things she said ticked a box in my own mind. I want to highlight the whole book!
“Every day, and in every way, in expected and unexpected ways, my life is working out for me”
This is a very down to earth read, there’s no judging or guilt trips. Purvis made me feel like I’m not the only insecure one in a world of confident women. But it’s not just Purvis giving the advice, she’s got involved some experts, women who have battled with insecurities. These interviews Purvis has with these women add a different voice to the advice.
The Insecure Girl’s Handbook is full of helpful tips, techniques and insights to how to combat the inner critic. As I devoured this book in two sittings, I’m going to reread it at a slower pace, taking in and working out how I can put into place some protectors against my insecurities.
If you’ve got that little voice in your head telling you you’re not good enough, comparing yourself to others or you suffer from imposter syndrome, I’d recommend giving this book a read.
I enjoyed this thoroughly, I listened to it on audio book and Liv has such a soothing voice and I am a sucker for a British accent. So many good pieces of advice and wisdom in here, definitely think having the physical copy near by would be perfect as you can flip to the bit in the book that is most related to you at the time your going through it.
My younger self 17-20 would’ve absolutely adored this. But i felt like it was a tad childish, and some of the info just didn’t relate to me though I could TOTALLY see how it could relate to a younger girl - hence the three stars.
Definitely something I recommend picking up if you are in high school, or just starting out in the wild world of adulthood.
I originally got this book in December of 2020 for Christmas. which was at the start of my very long journey when in a year from then everything would explode. when 14 year old me sat down with this book on boxing day and started to read the first 50 pages i knew i had to stop. i knew this wasn’t the right time to be reading this book as i though “im only 14 what do i have to be insecure about.” i don’t think at that age i really understood what being insecure ment. And in the years that followed the world would show me what to be insecure about. i knew that the book wouldn’t have had a large impact on me if i had read it then compared to now. so this takes us to now in 2025 im picking this book back up as a 19 year old with a whole host of insecurities but learning to love myself. the chapters touch upon a variety of different topics the book is laid out very nicely and is a pleasant read, the chapters are however quite long which is absolutely fine! but for me i personally like a shorter chapter. i really like the insecurity about body image section and i feel like it’s become more apparent then ever i’ve always said “my body is my home” and to hear someone else think the same is very nice. i like how it talks a lot about social media because i think that’s having so much more of an impact on teens and young adults as we speak and even in the 6 years this book has been out it’s become more apparent that teens are comparing themselves even more on social media and it’s damaging. i like the funny references to certain things that some are very British, i do however feel like this book is centered to an older generation than me because some of these things i can’t relate to because i haven’t had those work and life experiences. i feel like 25+ this would be a good self help book. That definitely didn’t take away from the book and its message but just something to note. overall the book was very good, a good little toolkit for when your feeling insecure and not sure what to do about it.
A lovely reminder that our value is more than what someone else things of us. A gentle positive book which helps to challenge our thought process to feel more comfortable in our own skin - without having to change a thing.
A book I will continue to pick up and reflect on overtime.
As someone who has struggled with insecurity and self-doubt, I was excited to dive into The Insecure Girl's Handbook by Olivia Purvis. And I have to say, I was not disappointed. What stood out to me the most about this book was the author's conversational and casual writing style, which made it feel like I was talking to a friend who just "gets it."
Purvis delves into heavy topics such as inner critic, comparison, body image, inner worrier, friendships, and self-belief with a careful balance of her own voice and the lived experiences of others, as well as interviews with experts in the field. This not only made the book more engaging but also allowed me to gain new perspectives on these topics. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of useful tips that I haven't read in other self-help books before.
However, I do think the body image chapter could have been more well-rounded. While the mental component of body image issues is crucial, it would have been helpful for the author to touch on the importance of healthy eating and making conscious choices for our overall health and well-being. And while the book touches on self-care, I also wished that it delved deeper into the meaning of self-care beyond just indulging in pampering activities.
Overall, The Insecure Girl's Handbook is a valuable read for anyone struggling with insecurity and self-doubt. It's a reassuring reminder that we're not alone in our struggles and that there are ways to work through them. The author's relatable and approachable writing style combined with the personal experiences and expert insights make for a well-balanced and insightful read.
I felt at times this book was a little repetitive. It could have been because I listened to the audio and I often find audio books don’t register in my brain.
But I do think this was cute it just felt like it would have been better in a podcast form.
This book was fine. Encouraging, positive vibes with some decent advice throughout. Some of the author's attempts to be relatable by incorporating pop culture references etc., fell flat for me. Overall it was mid-tier. Not bad, but not memorable.
It was a nice book and I've enjoyed reading it - it gave me the Sunday morning vibe. Overall, I find the content more suited for teenagers or women in their early twenties who are trying to find some answers and quick fixes to their insecurities.
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. It was like having a conversation with a friend, really helpful for those times when perhaps you’re too busy or far or simply cannot speak with your friends right then (hello covid-19 lockdown) about every little issue and just need some prompts or tips. The layout was really comforting and followed a great pattern so you knew what was in store for each section. Loved each guest contributor section too and how they echoed and added to each subject. The conversational nature of the book is reassuring, warm and friendly and uses a range of examples that I’m sure many people would see themselves in. Personally reading through this book helped make everything seem “simpler” for me- not everything needs to be as big or difficult as I make it in my head and seeing some quick fixes on paper really did help to break down some of those issues, insecurities or worries. It was also nice to read some things that I have in the past overcome and see that my feelings were “normal” or the way I dealt with it was similar to some of the suggestions in the book. The book itself is beautiful and while it looks lovely on the shelf, I think I’ll have to read sections again and keep it nearby to annotate/ highlight things when I need them! I know my sister and mum have already read it, but I’ll be recommending it to others! :) x
3.5 Stars - Great for people beginning a self-love journey or younger girls
So this book was constantly popping up in my recommendations on Amazon. I bought it because I am an insecure girl and love self-development or self-love books. I don't know who Olivia Purvis is so there is no bias. I must admit that I do want to have a similar career path as her and work in social media right now, so most of her analogies and points were relatable.
Mainly, I felt like this book is meant for the 16-21-year-old range or someone who is completely new to how to begin a self-love journey. It is essentially a bunch of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok motivational quotes expanded into a 220-something book. It reads more like a blog (I mean, the author is a blogger) and can be offputting for some folks. It's not anything spiritual and leans more on the practical side. It doesn't make you think too hard and again feels like another Instagram motivational long-form post.
I honestly wished I read this novel when I was a teenager or starting college. That is who the books' main target audience feels like. It's not bad and even gave me some more knowledge and things to remind myself of. But I've read many self-help books and have motivational and self-development YouTube videos playing every day. It's a quick read and does a good job of discussing how one can get cope with insecurities.
Lovely book overall, I really liked Liv's style of writing and thought it was easy to digest and enjoyable. Sometimes when we think or the word 'insecure' it gives us really negative connotations such as an 'insecure girlfriend' or 'self obsessed' and I think this book really armours that to cover all bases, from tackling your inner critic, comparison, unpicking body image, muting your inner worrier, friendships and self belief. Although there were some parts which I found a little repetitive in some parts (in terms of talking about self belief) there were some bits that as a constant worrier, I needed to hear. *EDIT* In addition to this, I think this book is perfect for a female who is highly engaged with social media as there are a lot of interviews / links with other online influencers or people who brand their Instagram handle too.
This is such a lovely and relatable read that turned up just at the right moment. After struggling most of my life, and more so in recent weeks, with feelings of not being good enough and constant doubt about myself, this book was like giving me a hug and a reassuring smile.
The book is written in a blog style so it didn't feel intimidating to read and the writing style made me feel like I was talking to a best friend. This book has filled me with comfort and encouragement and has made me feel not so alone when it comes to life's insecurities.
This is definetly a book I will be referring to often and will be with me for a while. I'm so glad I found this little book and the words of wisdom are something I will treasure dearly going forward.
I finished reading The Insecure Girl's Handbook, and loved it. This is certainly not another Instagram book full of pretty pictures. In fact, there are no pictures at all. It's full of really interesting research, and personal experiences from a wide range of people. There's a lot of food for thought, and it's a springboard of ideas to go off and look into further, and do more research on. I loved the comments that were gathered from a dedicated Survey of women, carried out especially for the book, and would have enjoyed even more. There were a lot of ideas that drew on things that have been buzzing around in the fog of my mind, not quite taking shape or form, but they were given words and a way of expression that brought them into the light, and made me think about things in a different way. It's written in a very comforting, companionable way, and feels like a reassuring chat with a friend over a cup of tea. I would really recommend it for any woman; young, old, big, small, professional, student, mother, any walk of life, there are some really important ideas and discussions about the common problems and struggles we all face, regardless of where we are in life. All in all, I was really impressed, and found it a very interesting, and friendly read. Well done, Liv. Good show!
I really wanted to enjoy this book as I’m a huge fan of her on instagram, but throughout the whole book I just kept thinking that not everything has to be a book and that the chapters would be much better off as blog posts or podcast episodes. The book seems to aim at making you feel like you’re not alone feeling certain things in all kinds of situations and although I marked some inspirational quotes here and there, I don’t feel like I’m taking away any learning that will help my insecurities. Maybe I expected too much (or I’m too old?).
I actually read this book over several weeks, little bit each night, and I found that I was really looking forward to going to bed each night so I could read a bit more! Some of this was so relatable, I felt like this book had been written for me. I ended up scribbling notes over some of the pages because I felt like so much of it applied to me. I did feel like some of the pop culture references were a little shoe-horned in but overall I thought this was a brilliant book and I feel like a better person for having read it!
I really enjoyed this book and probably will come back to it frequently as an insecure person. Some bits resonated with me a lot, while others not so much. It's great for giving you new perspectives but also making you realise that a lot of the time the problems are just in your head. Like you just need to change the narration of your thoughts. I enjoyed the snippets and sections from real-life people and their personal experiences with being insecure and life in general. Final note, it felt like I was talking to a group of friends while reading it 💗
The most perfect little comfort blanket in book form. I absolutely devoured this in a few sittings. It's so down to earth, simple but thoughtful and well researched and reading it felt like having a good old natter with my girlfriends about how to get a handle on life. Thoroughly recommend to anyone who's struggled with self doubt, anxiety and insecurity. And honestly, to anyone who maybe thinks they haven't!
I wanted to end 2020 and my reading challenge with a self help book because that’s how I roll. This has been on my radar for awhile So thought it would be a good "read". I say read lightly. because I had some credits on Audible and this was 3 hours and some change so it was a no brainer. Very quick book with some nuggets of ideas. Some of the content wasn't anything new. I’ll definitely give it another listen or read though because it's a great quick pick me up for those of us girls who are insecure.
As a watcher of Liv, I knew I wanted to read this book. So many of her points in the book were just what I had felt and what I needed to read. However, there were times I felt the writing was a bit disjointed, repetitive, and could have flowed better.
A great book that I would recommend to every girl, but I know that this was written with the zeitgeist in mind. It is brilliant now but will most definitely be dated soon.
Very validating in a lot of ways. Some of the references were a bit over my head, probably because I'm American. But I don't fault the author for that. It would have been nice to see more talk about aging as a woman and the insecurities around that. But overall this book gave me a lot of tips and resources to build my confidence. The main takeaway for me is I'm human and insecurities are part of the human experience. We aren't alone!
Really enjoyed reading this and I tabbed quite a few pages that I will go back to and look at. I do think it is more aimed at younger people say 12-24 years. Those starting in high school or who have just left and going on to college or starting out in work etc. I would recommend it though to anyone suffering with anxiety or insecurities as there are some great points and resources in there. Definitely one to keep for my daughter when she’s older
As I fully paid up member of the insecure girl's club I really enjoyed this book. Full of useful advice, interviews with interesting women and it made me feel less alone in feeling anxious about life. This is the first book of this genre I've read so I don't have a lot of compare it too but it was an enjoyable book to dip in and out of.
This was a great book to start the year, it champions confidence and supporting women. I love the format of the book which makes the information more digestible and ADORE the sections of interviews with experts. However, I didn’t identify with many of the confidence issues the book deals with, which in a way is a great thing! The book recommendations at the end were great though!
Loved this book, especially the mention of Matt haig at the end quoted by a member of the group. Only downfall is I found the interviewing sections a tad repetitive. I would have liked to know more about that person’s insecurities as well as how they dealt with it. Really touching interview with Saima Thomson RIP 🩷
I had been gifted this book and was excited to read it. It was an amazing book and really insightful but I had been working on myself prior so not everything in the book was for me, which is completely fine. I still enjoyed the book and the lessons learned were really helpful and things I could definitely refer back to in a time of need.
Absolutely loved it. I think every female aged 15 onwards should read it. Thank you Liv em for writing down all of the feelings we all have at some point in our lives and giving ideas to get through them.