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Dear Friend: Daily Love Notes for Contemplation, Connection, and Clarity (365 Days) – The Perfect Inspirational New Year's Resolution Gift for Women
Experience a year of introspection, transformation, and personal growth as you connect to the desires of your heart and live in alignment with them each and every day. These 365 profound, heartfelt reflections from Michelle Maros (cofounder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life and cohost of the widely loved podcast, Barb Knows Best™) offer the inspiration you seek as you navigate the ebbs and flows of life.
In Dear Friend, Michelle writes to you with the warmth and wisdom of a trusted friend, offering daily, bite-sized, loving notes that encourage connection, resilience, and true self-care. In just a few minutes each day, this book will offer you a daily reprieve when you feel burned out, beaten down, or overwhelmed by the strains and stresses of modern life. Here, you'll find encouragement to reconnect with your foundation and rebuild your strength from within. Because when you cultivate a deep connection from within yourself, you are equipped to manage all that comes your way.
Inside Dear Friend you will
365 reflections to fuel your personal growth day by dayDaily reminders to motivate and encourage you to live in alignment with your desiresA convenient ribbon marker to mark your progress throughout the year
With an exquisitely foiled cover and luxe packaging, this book is an ideal gift for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, or even as a gift for yourself to begin a new yearly practice.
Whether you're seeking motivation, confidence, or a deeper sense of peace, Michelle's heartfelt words of encouragement will guide you to align with your truest self, one day at a time. You deserve this journey, because as Michelle says, you are always worthy.
In Dear Friend, Michelle writes to you with the warmth and wisdom of a trusted friend, offering daily, bite-sized, loving notes that encourage connection, resilience, and true self-care. In just a few minutes each day, this book will offer you a daily reprieve when you feel burned out, beaten down, or overwhelmed by the strains and stresses of modern life. Here, you'll find encouragement to reconnect with your foundation and rebuild your strength from within. Because when you cultivate a deep connection from within yourself, you are equipped to manage all that comes your way.
Inside Dear Friend you will
365 reflections to fuel your personal growth day by dayDaily reminders to motivate and encourage you to live in alignment with your desiresA convenient ribbon marker to mark your progress throughout the year
With an exquisitely foiled cover and luxe packaging, this book is an ideal gift for Christmas, birthdays, Mother's Day, or even as a gift for yourself to begin a new yearly practice.
Whether you're seeking motivation, confidence, or a deeper sense of peace, Michelle's heartfelt words of encouragement will guide you to align with your truest self, one day at a time. You deserve this journey, because as Michelle says, you are always worthy.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2025
59 people are currently reading
2813 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 18, 2025
Dear Friend is a beautiful and uplifting companion for anyone looking to cultivate mindfulness, self-compassion, and personal growth throughout the year. With 365 short reflections, Michelle Maros offers a daily dose of encouragement and wisdom that feels like a gentle nudge from a trusted friend.
I loved the approachable format—bite-sized entries that can be read in just a few minutes make it easy to weave into a busy day. The tone is warm and supportive, reminding readers to slow down, realign with their values, and embrace self-care without guilt. It’s a perfect fit for those navigating stress, burnout, or simply wanting to live with more intention.
The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is that some reflections felt a bit repetitive, which is common in daily meditation books. That said, the overall experience is calming, motivational, and impactful, especially if you commit to reading it consistently.
The packaging is gorgeous as well—this would make a thoughtful gift for anyone beginning a new year or season of life. If you’re seeking a gentle guide to help you reconnect with yourself and find peace amid life’s chaos, Dear Friend is a wonderful choice.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the approachable format—bite-sized entries that can be read in just a few minutes make it easy to weave into a busy day. The tone is warm and supportive, reminding readers to slow down, realign with their values, and embrace self-care without guilt. It’s a perfect fit for those navigating stress, burnout, or simply wanting to live with more intention.
The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is that some reflections felt a bit repetitive, which is common in daily meditation books. That said, the overall experience is calming, motivational, and impactful, especially if you commit to reading it consistently.
The packaging is gorgeous as well—this would make a thoughtful gift for anyone beginning a new year or season of life. If you’re seeking a gentle guide to help you reconnect with yourself and find peace amid life’s chaos, Dear Friend is a wonderful choice.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2025
ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Nov 04 2025
Rating: 4/5
Initial thoughts:
I wish I had discovered this book in my early years. It may have made a bigger impact on my life; however, I still came away with quite a bit. I also wish I could have followed along day by day. This may have limited the sense of repetitiveness that these types of books frequently have.
Plot:
The book guides you through a full year of “letters” from a friend with daily affirmations, journaling prompts, advice, education, etc...
Praise:
- Good writing
- Excellent topics
- Didn't use the same “formula” for each day
- Good questions for introspection throughout the book, but not necessarily on every reading
- Summary of each page's take away
Critiques:
- Repetitive (this would be less noticeable if not read straight through)
Fav Quote:
So many to choose from...
“Remember, there is room enough for all to win, achieve and succeed. Honor the people in your life for their successes and the same sentiment will be returned to you.”
Thank you to the author and publisher.
Publish Date: Nov 04 2025
Rating: 4/5
Initial thoughts:
I wish I had discovered this book in my early years. It may have made a bigger impact on my life; however, I still came away with quite a bit. I also wish I could have followed along day by day. This may have limited the sense of repetitiveness that these types of books frequently have.
Plot:
The book guides you through a full year of “letters” from a friend with daily affirmations, journaling prompts, advice, education, etc...
Praise:
- Good writing
- Excellent topics
- Didn't use the same “formula” for each day
- Good questions for introspection throughout the book, but not necessarily on every reading
- Summary of each page's take away
Critiques:
- Repetitive (this would be less noticeable if not read straight through)
Fav Quote:
So many to choose from...
“Remember, there is room enough for all to win, achieve and succeed. Honor the people in your life for their successes and the same sentiment will be returned to you.”
November 3, 2025
Really lovely.
I’ve realized something. Over the past couple of years I’m exhausted. I wake up exhausted, I spend the day exhausted, and I fall asleep exhausted.
Concurrently, my habits have also changed. Instead of getting up and doing a little journaling or other hobby work in the morning, I stare at my phone. In fact, what hobbies?? I used to pursue tons of creative experiences. Now, I stare at my phone.
While reading through Dear Friend, I repeatedly thought ‘what a wonderful way to wake up each morning.’ Meant to be read in 365 installments over the course of a year, this is sheer, kind comfort. Although I read the entire thing as one (for review purposes), I plan to purchase a hardcopy and start my mornings with it throughout 2026. It’ll make a nice gift for several friends, as well.
I’ve realized something. Over the past couple of years I’m exhausted. I wake up exhausted, I spend the day exhausted, and I fall asleep exhausted.
Concurrently, my habits have also changed. Instead of getting up and doing a little journaling or other hobby work in the morning, I stare at my phone. In fact, what hobbies?? I used to pursue tons of creative experiences. Now, I stare at my phone.
While reading through Dear Friend, I repeatedly thought ‘what a wonderful way to wake up each morning.’ Meant to be read in 365 installments over the course of a year, this is sheer, kind comfort. Although I read the entire thing as one (for review purposes), I plan to purchase a hardcopy and start my mornings with it throughout 2026. It’ll make a nice gift for several friends, as well.
November 12, 2025
The author tried to be deep, but this book kinda gave “inspirational quote you’d scroll past on Instagram” energy. The advice was super basic and didn’t really hit the way it was supposed to. Honestly, it felt more like a Pinterest board than a life changing book.
November 14, 2025
I bought this book on Kindle. Like most self-help books, it turned out to be repetitive and dull. I lost interest quickly and moved on to something else. Honestly, I was hoping for something more insightful and engaging, but it just didn’t deliver.
November 2, 2025
This book is designed to open on the day you are in or randomly. These are short reflection passages. My favorite are the short "remember".
November 11, 2025
This book is the pep talk I didn't know I needed. I started using these daily reflections to begin my day, and now I look forward them each morning.
November 18, 2025
Very monotonous and predictable! The author repeated the same ideas so many times that the message lost its impact.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews