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Becoming Her

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“Your father is a sociopath.”
Her therapist’s words reveal the awful truth.
But they also offer Eva the key to breaking free.

Convinced that every negative situation—even childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her brother and others—results directly from her choices, Eva rejects any suggestion that she’s a victim of trauma.

Her narcissist father has trained her to embrace this mindset as he controls her every decision, including who she marries—a man just like him.

Trapped in this abusive marriage for nearly 10 years, Eva seeks therapy to learn how she can be a better wife.

Instead, her therapist’s insights guide her in exposing a lifetime of gaslighting. But even as she uncovers the truth about her father’s manipulation, she struggles to see anything but a loving father who wants the best for her.

Eva must unlearn the dangerous “truths” she thinks will keep her safe and accept that her father and husband are incapable of loving her.

But does God really want her to forsake her parents and spouse in order to forge a new life and heal?

Eva has only herself, her therapist, and God on her side as she makes terrifying leaps of faith into an unfamiliar world.

In Becoming Her, join Eva on her courageous journey of healing and hope.

This heartfelt book is a must-listen.

#why life is so hard

#why your life sucks

#therapy memoir

#personal development

#emotional mess

#heartfelt books

Audible Audio

Published March 16, 2023

9 people are currently reading
102 people want to read

About the author

Eva Graxton

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Jess ✨.
128 reviews79 followers
April 21, 2026
Becoming Her - Eva Graxton
Memoir
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ / 5
#bookloungereviewteam


“Your father is a sociopath.”
Her therapists words reveal an awful truth.
“ Trapped in an abusive marriage for almost 10 years, Eva seeks therapy to learn how she can be a better wife. Instead, her therapists insights guide her in exposing a lifetime of gaslighting but even as she she uncovers the truth about her fathers manipulations, she stifles to see anything but a loving father who wants best for her. “

Thank you Eva & #Bookloungereviewteam for the opportunity to read & review Becoming Her.
Reading Eva’s story made me SO mad at everyone involved. Including her. I wanted to THROW MY KINDLE more than once. I felt so many emotions while reading. Sadness for a child, anger that no one protected her, & then happiness when she stood on her two feet.
Eva’s journey to becoming her real self was long and hard. Full of therapy & revelations, Emotions that were both easy and hard to navigate. She never wavered from her belief in God. & I was so proud of her by the end. 🤍

If you enjoy a redemption story, you will enjoy this read.
Profile Image for Jasmine Drowne.
19 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2025
Book: Becoming Her
Author: Eva Graxton
Genre: Non-fiction
#bookloungereviewteam
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Becoming Her was absolutely amazing and eye opening. Eva Graxton's book is not for the weak. In this memoir, Eva takes you through the heartbreaking events in her life. We begin the story by following Eva as she seeks the help of a therapist, Richard, to help with her marriage. Eva's therapy sessions take her down a long dark tunnel through her childhood and adult life to uncover the truth to who she’s become. Eva learns that she’s in an abusive relationship with her husband Joe, and her father was a narcissistic sociopath. Everything Eva thought she knew about her life was shaken to the core, believing she was the reason behind every horrible thing that happened to her. She was the cause and effect. We see Eva become a stronger and more confident woman then she was at the beginning of the story.

I absolutely loved this book. It made me realize that I had been doing the same thing as her when my own nightmares happened. I never even knew I was doing it. Her book opened my eyes to a truth I hadn’t yet discovered. Thankfully we see that despite all the darkness and struggles in her life, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Eva is reborn a remarkable woman who is true to herself and who finds the true love of her life. Everyone deserves to be loved unconditionally and honestly. Becoming Her gives me hope that I will have the same one day.
Profile Image for Pernilla Lindholm.
416 reviews6 followers
March 27, 2024
Another great memoir, this time about the daughter of a sociopath and the impact unsuitable parents can have on a child.
Profile Image for The Stray Reader.
97 reviews
January 21, 2024
Richard is the therapist we all need.

When Eva's therapist, Richard, called her father a sociopath she instantly disliked him. Even though his words plant the seeds of new life to Eva's numbing existence, in their sessions, she would resist. She had an ironclad philosophy from her family - her father, especially - that she was responsible for everything that came her way. Even though this included unwanted attention from older males when she was a child! This is what probably made the first half of this book so emotionally difficult to read for me.

The book written in first person point of view made this book haunting. Her choice of words and way of thinking presented a complex character. She was someone deeply troubled, fully resigned to the perception that everything was her fault so she's ready to give up, but her principles won't allow her to. So she was there, in the therapist's office, hoping that someone can just tell her how to fix everything moving forward because she's at her wit's end. That instantly made her relatable in my book.

'My visit was temporary. I'd been in enough of these offices to know I was hopeless. The article I'd read in the lobby didn't help matters. My issues certainly resulted from my own volition. Even though I was paying Richard, I felt guilty for wasting his time.'

— Eva Graxton


The majority of my annotations in the first half of the book was just screaming at her to please listen and reject her self-deprecating thoughts. But then came the flashbacks. They gave way to sympathy and understanding. Then the flashbacks got worse, and my irritation shifted to anger to the people around her. The series of flashbacks and sessions would paint a logical picture of how a victim of abuse can be so broken and too paralyzed to get away. And sadly, how that abuse becomes too indistinguishable to the victim when it shifts its face. In Eva's case, that face formed her father then her husband.

Richard professionally and patiently debunks Eva's harmful beliefs and I cheer for him every time.

'You knew that being an adult meant taking responsibility for yourself, but no one taught you where your responsibility ended and others' began.'

— Richard Jones


His words and homework for Eva were actually really helpful for me too. Have you ever been so conditioned to think that you're the inconvenience to the people around you? Have you ever felt that the smallest things you say make it seem like you're making a scene? Have you apologized so many times that the people around you are starting to get irritated? It's not an exclusive fault and this book can give empathy on both parties. I sincerely think this book can help a lot of people.

The second half of the book, for me, was vindication.

The journey was still rough as the road to Eva's recovery was as real as any person can attest. Two steps forward, one step back. It acknowledges that change, even for the healthier path, takes upsetting the people around you too. This is most especially true to the people who got so used to the broken version of you. But Eva pursued and took her time. And unlike the other sad stories, I felt extremely proud of her for taking the smart way out of her marriage.

'This was my Genesis, and this apartment my Garden of Eden. No more focusing on Adam's-rib part that suggested my purpose as a woman was to serve and please a man.'

— Eva Graxton


Recommendation

If you're in the mood to grab a story that would make you want to introspect a lot prompted by heart-hitting one liners, I think you'll like this as much as I did so don't hesitate to grab a copy!

I'm not a fan of nonfiction and I especially try to avoid memoirs because memoirs of celebrities and legends tend to be unrelatable. But 'Becoming Her' was excellent at giving raw emotions that radiate realness. These are thoughts and experiences that average people like me have on a regular basis. Eva's win feels like a win to all of us.
Profile Image for Addy Reads.
546 reviews3 followers
November 2, 2025
This was powerful

This memoir is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of pain, truth, and healing. It traces Eva’s journey from an innocent child to a woman forced to confront the devastating truth about her father’s manipulative nature. With the steady guidance of her therapist, Richard, she slowly begins to unravel the web of deceit that shaped her life, learning to rebuild herself from the fragments of her past. What unfolds is not just a story of survival but of transformation a courageous reclaiming of self after years of silence and suffering.

I rarely find myself shaken by what I read, but this memoir was an exception. Eva’s story marked by trauma, resilience, and the long road toward healing is written with such honesty that it feels almost palpable. Her experiences are painful and deeply unsettling, yet her courage in confronting them is nothing short of inspiring. I would never wish such suffering on anyone, but I feel profoundly grateful to have witnessed her strength and transformation through these pages. It’s a heavy story, yes, but also a vital one, a reminder of how powerful the human spirit can be in the face of unimaginable pain.
I highlighted so many great quotes because I needed them so much...

This book is the one I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking truth, strength, and renewal.
Profile Image for 嘉.
50 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2024
This book exceeded my expectations -- the writing was simple, it didn't spend too much time describing the background, but the story itself is a punch to the gut. I like how it shows the non-linear process of healing, how one can take a step forward and take three steps back.
Reading this, there are many parts where I feel angry about how one allows themselves to fall for the same narcissistic tricks again and again. However, having had similar experiences, I know all too well that if healing were that easy, there would be no troubled people in the world. This book really hits this point home, and reading this book brings a new sense of empathy toward people who have such experiences. For those who have been through certain processes of healing, I think that reading this book makes one feel heard, or it brings the courage to try healing further. (I can't count the number of times I teared up reading this book yikes.)
It truly must not have been easy to put all of this history into writing, and I'm really happy to have had the opportunity to read this. Definitely would recommend to people who have similar stories that remain untold.
May everyone have their own peaceful recoveries at their own pace. 🥹
4 reviews
September 29, 2024
#Bookloungereview
#bookloungereviewteam

Title; Becoming Her
Author; Eva Graxton
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bio;
“Your father is a sociopath.”
Her therapist’s words reveal the awful truth.
But they also offer Eva the key to breaking free.
Convinced that every negative situation—even childhood sexual abuse at the hands of her brother and others—results directly from her choices, Eva rejects any suggestion that she’s a victim of trauma.

Her narcissist father has trained her to embrace this mindset as he controls her every decision, including who she marries—a man just like him.

Trapped in this abusive marriage for nearly ten years, Eva seeks therapy to learn how she can be a better wife.

Instead, her therapist’s insights guide her in exposing a lifetime of gaslighting. But even as she uncovers the truth about her father’s manipulation, she struggles to see anything but a loving father who wants the best for her.

Eva must unlearn the dangerous “truths” she thinks will keep her safe and accept that her father and husband are incapable of loving her.

But does God really want her to forsake her parents and spouse in order to forge a new life and heal?

Eva has only herself, her therapist, and God on her side as she makes terrifying leaps of faith into an unfamiliar

~Trigger warning~
Child Abuse / Sexual Abuse
Gaslighting / Mental Abuse

Review;
I honestly didn't know how I was going to handle reading this book, as I have had a couple of previous toxic and abusive relationships with exes, but it felt so powerful, and beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time, it takes you back to her struggling within herself as she fights for her life back both physically and mentally, it shows the journey she takes you on from beginning to end, on how she overcomes her demons both real and her struggles with unlearning what she learnt growing up and through her marriage, and finding healthier ways, her growth with her religion, and herself, it's honestly an amazing read, and one that had me stuck to my phone until I finished reading it, it was intense, heartbreaking, complex and beautiful, I would recommend it to anyone who is interested.
Profile Image for Hayley Rader.
67 reviews6 followers
August 9, 2025
Becoming Her by Eva Graxton
Genre: Memoir, Psychological Nonfiction

Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, sexual assault, gaslighting, mental/emotional abuse, narcissistic manipulation, religious and therapeutic conflict.


Reading Becoming Her was like sitting across from a close friend and hearing her most personal stories. The topics Eva explores—identity, growth, and finding the courage to be who you are—hit home in a way that felt incredibly familiar. There were moments I caught myself nodding, thinking, "Yes... I’ve felt that too."
I connected with Eva on such a personal level. Her journey, her doubts, even the quiet moments she spent trying to figure herself out—they all reminded me of parts of my own story. It didn’t feel like fiction. It felt like real life.
Watching Eva grow into her true self was beautiful and moving. It wasn’t always easy, and she didn’t have all the answers. But that made the transformation even more powerful. Seeing her take each step with honesty and vulnerability made me feel proud of her—as if I knew her.
This book isn’t just well written—it’s deeply felt. Becoming Her gave me perspective, hope, and the reminder that becoming yourself is one of the bravest things you can do.

#bookloungereviewteam
Profile Image for Lily Williams.
144 reviews7 followers
April 6, 2024
I received a free e-copy of this book via the BOOKLounge Facebook group for readers and authors, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

In Becoming Her, we follow Eva’s journey through therapy after her abusive husband convinces her she should be a better wife. After Eva begins to see her father is a narcissist and sociopath, she realises she married his carbon copy. We see Eva become a better and stronger version of the woman who has hidden away and blamed herself for all life’s wrongdoings.

I flew through this book and found it incredibly hard to put down, reading more than half of it in a single sitting. Eva draws you in immediately, her writing - whilst heartbreaking - is poetic and relatable. Unfortunately, most people will have dealt with narcissists at some point in their lives, and I found myself retreating and siding with Eva at points I know I shouldn’t have done. My heart broke when Eva came to the realisations she should have come to years ago when she brushed off her traumatic experiences as nothing more than a reaction to her choices.

At 332 pages long, this took me just over three and a half hours to read. I highly recommend it to absolutely everyone, though there are several triggering topics discussed, such as rape, abusive relationships and toxic families. Please read the warnings before the book.

9/10
Profile Image for Kristen.
35 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2024
Eva’s story is not for the weak. I haven’t felt so emotionally invested towards a book in quite a long time. There were multiple times throughout this read that I caught myself near tears and wanting to hug her, but there were also moments I caught myself smiling at the progress she makes and lessons learned. Eva’s story has proven her to be a powerful and inspiring woman, and will give you faith that the human psyche can begin to mend from even the most devastating of events.
46 reviews2 followers
February 28, 2025
Book Review: Becoming Her by Eva Graxton

Becoming Her by Eva Graxton is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the transformative power of love. From the very first page, Graxton pulls readers into a compelling narrative that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

The protagonist's journey is relatable, rich in emotional depth, and written with such raw authenticity that it is impossible not to connect with her struggles and triumphs. Graxton’s prose is both poetic and poignant, creating a perfect balance between lyrical beauty and gripping tension.

The character development is extraordinary. The protagonist’s evolution from self-doubt to self-empowerment feels real, making her journey not just hers but one that many readers will see themselves in. Graxton’s ability to capture the internal battles and the external pressures that shape us is truly impressive.

What stands out the most is how Becoming Her celebrates the complexities of growth and change, illustrating that the process of becoming oneself is never linear, and often includes both painful moments and triumphant ones. The relationships in the book are beautifully written, with a special focus on love—both romantic and platonic—and how it challenges and ultimately nurtures the characters.

Eva Graxton’s Becoming Her is a brilliant, thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. This novel is for anyone who has ever felt torn between who they were and who they are becoming. A definite must-read for fans of character-driven stories that leave a lasting emotional impact.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Cox.
28 reviews
March 5, 2025
This author has immense talent in taking a story so tragic and deep and making it easily digestible - the storyline development kept me engaged and hopeful to see the author overcome any barriers that stood in her path. It was beautiful to see the progression the author made through engaging in therapy as she healed, overcoming and unwinding years of trauma. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to read this well written memoir as it took me along for an emotional journey of healing.
Profile Image for Alicia Gustafson.
13 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2025
This is a powerful, deeply personal story about finding your way back to yourself after trauma. Eva opens up about the abuse she faced as a child and how those wounds followed her into adulthood, leading her into an emotionally toxic marriage that felt all too familiar. Through therapy and faith, she slowly starts to see the truth behind the lies she was taught to believe about herself. This isn’t a neat or easy journey, but it’s also full of strength and hope. Eva’s story is heartbreaking at times, but ultimately it’s about rising from the pain, finding your voice, and becoming the person you were always meant to be.

Profile Image for Kristyn G.
56 reviews3 followers
June 27, 2025
Wow, this book really moved me!! This beautiful, heartbreaking memoir speaks on Eva’s life as a child, teen, and how as an adult she realized her father was a sociopath. This journey is an incredible one with her therapist, Richard, as the main individual who helped her with unlearning everything she was taught and unpacking everything she endured.

Every family has its downsides and toxic people so I highly recommend reading this! I believe everyone can take something away from Eva’s moving story. Each generation has the chance to be a little or a lot better than their parents and their parents’s parents. 💕
16 reviews
July 13, 2023
Review for Becoming Her by Eva Graxton

5 out of 5 stars 🌟

Firstly, I'd like to say I'm not sure how trigger warnings work, especially in a memoir, but I would've liked to see some before diving in. The abuse within were entirely too close to home and it struck me very hard while reading. I'm normally not affected in stories, but knowing this was true, and having been abused in very similar scenarios, this was hard to read and I would've loved the heads up. So you're warned, this isn't all pretty, but it's worth the journey and definitely a great read.

Also, I have fallen far from my religious background. I consider myself "Christian " but since I haven't followed the faith in a very long time I had my hiccups reading this, not wanting the only answer provided being God when I felt so far away. This wasn't like that in any way. It wasn't force feeding religion down your throat or setting up a story to witness the faith to you. It was just faith and her finding God through her struggles. It wasn't a huge concept of the book to where you can't appreciate this memoir if you aren't religious, or even atheist, you can still appreciate this and gain insight and motivation through her journey to herself.

With that being said, this story touched my soul. I felt like Graxton was my therapist, asking all the questions I had asked myself. Feeling the same conflicts and making excuses for other people's behavior. Her inner dialouge throughout the entire memoir screamed to the woman I have been my entire life. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to be exposed this way, but I absolutely loved it. I found myself almost in tears at parts and literally smiling at others (I've never done that and I read a book a week, at least). Graxton also doesn't leave out the nasty realities of trauma and healing. It isn't a memoir that shows a few issues and then dives straight into the healing. It guides you there, each step, showing all the truth that comes with that trauma. I was so appreciative of that because I honestly needed it. I cried for her younger self and I applauded the woman she became. I actually got the courage to call a therapist myself to try the same journey. I didn't think I needed that route anymore (after failed therapy attempts) but she motivated me to want to be better. Not only did she motivate me, she brought to light so many issues with my inner voice that I thought was normal, but she showed me how she managed, how she still struggles, and there is light at the end of the tunnel even though it doesn't stay seen--it's there and can be found.

In short read it, and don't just rent it, own it. It's a happy addition to my collection now.
6 reviews
December 4, 2023
"Becoming Her" is a memoir written by Eva after facing some incredibly difficult relationships and hurdles in her life and how she used the wisdom of her therapist (Richard) and her belief in God to help her start to heal and become the amazing woman she is today.

"Becoming Her" is exceptionally well written. Eva lays her heart and soul out there for everyone to see and read and she does such an amazing job of relaying her life experiences and conveying her feelings. I also really enjoy the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, one of my favorites is "Don't break yourself just to fit into someone else's life."

This book evoked so many emotions from me:
*The nurturing protective side came out of me as I read aboutt the horrible things she put up with as a child/young adult.
*I chuckled at some of the quippy remarks from Richard, Eva herself, and Bob.
* I was so proud and in awe when she made progress and realized her worth.
* I really ugly cried tears of joy when she shared her beautiful moments with Bob (Eva's husband).
* I admire her unwavering belief in God.

Eva's writing has a way of making her book therapeutic and I think this book has the potential to really help people that are struggling to heal from trauma.

I highly recommend this book it is beautifully written and inspiring!
Profile Image for Gnomereader.
232 reviews20 followers
February 18, 2024
This book was incredibly emotional, and ultimately very powerful. The way this was portrayed had me feeling as though I was looking out through Eva’s eyes. I experienced an all consuming empathy for her struggles, my heart and soul aching for her, as well as rejoicing with her when the moment allowed.

I am not easily upset when reading, there aren’t many topics that are difficult for me, but this story and the personal battles and abuse that Eva endured in her life to set her on her journey of healing were very tangible and raw. I would never wish these things on anyone, however I feel humbled and fortunate to have been given the opportunity to hear her story and read her words. This is a heavy story, but it’s one worth knowing.

Thank you Eva for sharing such personal moments, you have inspired me and I hope sharing your story gives you strength during the hard times. This impactful, honest memoir is one that will stay with me for a while yet.
Profile Image for Kathy.
122 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2023
I gave this book 5 stars not because it was a joy to read, but because it was a lesson in learning to love yourself unconditionally in spite of all of the things that have happened to you in a lifetime.

I have gotten to know Eva recently and when I met her, she told me she had recently published a book and of course, being an avid reader, I wanted to read it. I had no idea what it was about and didn’t even realize it was a memoir until I read the synopsis.

Because I know Eva personally it was difficult to grasp all that she has gone through in her life. Whether your story is similar or holds different hurts and experiences this book definitely will help you navigate your way to a place where you can love yourself again and create healthy boundaries.

Because of her strong faith and her excellent therapist, she has traveled a road of healing. Healing is always a journey and I’m sure she would say she hasn’t arrived just like the rest of us. We all have things to heal from, but having a strong faith will definitely help along the journey
Profile Image for Regan.
33 reviews9 followers
November 8, 2023
I was captivated from the first pages until the end. So much so that I finished the book in two days. Becoming Her is a memoir about healing. The how, the why, and the understanding that healing is a continuous journey, not one and done.

In Becoming Her, we follow Eva through a childhood fraught with trauma, an unhappy marriage, a family she tried to hang on to, and deep realizations as she understands what is needed to begin the healing process.

What struck me the most in this book was her vulnerability in sharing what she and her therapist worked through. If you have considered therapy for similar things and have not made the first appointment, you are likely to find healing through Richard’s questions and comments. I personally felt the journey Eva was on, as I was able to gain more understanding of myself through her therapy sessions.

Having an almost first-hand account of what it took Eva to become herself, brings hope that great things will come when you do the work and understand that you no longer have to carry the weight of others.
1 review
June 28, 2025
Amazing book !
This book captured my attention right from the start. A beautiful story of healing, redemption and the resilience of the human spirit. What a great testimony that we can heal and thrive, no matter our circumstances!
~ I highly recommend itl!!

( warning, sexual abuse)
Profile Image for Rhonda Bobbitt.
625 reviews47 followers
July 14, 2023
5 ☆☆☆☆
This was such a captivating story. So many emotions reading this book, sadness, anger and love. This is a true story of abuse from childhood to adulthood. Beautifully written. One of the most honest and unforgettable books I have read. A story of courage and finding faith.
1 review
October 24, 2023
I admire Eva Graxton’s strength in sharing her story. Hard to put down. Beautifully written!
Profile Image for Debi.
329 reviews
November 21, 2023
Interesting process of becoming her. Frightening brother, father and mom. Whatever in the world is wrong with people - it baffles me. .
22 reviews
November 11, 2024
🦉 ❤️ 🪨 🐧

“Richard replied simply, yet powerfully. No, dear Eva, he has set you free.”

Wow.

Becoming Her by Eva Graxton completely WRECKED my heart. In the best way possible, if that even makes sense.

This memoir will pluck your heart out, stomp on it, place a small bandaid on it, give it a gentle kiss and will place it back in your hands. A curious description for probably the best way I could possibly describe the feelings I had whilst pouring over this narrative.

We take a journey through Eva’s own account of her life story which entails devastatingly haunting traumas she was unjustly exposed to since early childhood. As the memories of family and other various perpetrators are revealed, we learn how they directly caused her own skewed perception of herself and the misinterpreted reasons for the traumas she experienced.

Eva seeks help for her troubled marriage from her therapist Richard and comes to the realization that she is actually in an abusive relationship. With the assistance of her therapist, combined with her newfound strength in herself and unshakable faith in God, Eva unearths hard truths from her past and uses them to piece together a very complex and tragic puzzle that is her life story.

Gratefully, her story does show us that even from within the smoldering fiery ashes of her past, her spirit will be born again by discovering her true self and the love of her life.

As true for anyone, our souls crave to be loved unconditionally, and blessedly, that is what Eva finds.

Though this narrative does have very heavy content and is undoubtedly heart wrenching, there are special moments sprinkled in that are truly uplifting and heartwarming.

I am so grateful that the author has chosen to share her own life experiences with us so that we the readers can cheer for her continued courageous journey of healing.

I can honestly say that this memoir will be one that will stick with me for a very long time. I will think of it every time I see an owl or a precious penguin waddling.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Author 21 books40 followers
November 7, 2025
3 / 5

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review via FB review group. I want to thank the group and the author for the opportunity.

Becoming Her is a raw and introspective journey of self-rediscovery, identity, and resilience. Eva Graxton’s writing feels deeply personal — like a diary cracked open and turned into prose. There’s a real emotional vulnerability here, and that’s what makes this book compelling. You can tell every page was written with intention and lived experience.

The strongest parts of this book are its emotional honesty and thematic focus. Graxton captures that uncertain, messy process of healing and reclaiming yourself after pain with sensitivity. Certain passages are poetic and quotable, and her descriptions often strike at the heart of complex emotions — self-doubt, regret, acceptance.

That said, the pacing and structure could use tightening. At times, scenes linger too long or drift without clear transitions, which weakens the overall flow. A few sections feel repetitive, revisiting the same emotional points rather than building on them. Some dialogue could also use polishing to sound more natural and distinct between characters.

Still, the heart of this story is what keeps you reading. There’s empowerment in watching the main character evolve, and readers who’ve experienced self-discovery, heartbreak, or personal transformation will relate deeply.

Overall, Becoming Her is imperfect but sincere — the kind of book that stays with you not because it’s flawless, but because it’s authentic.
34 reviews4 followers
July 9, 2023
In this book, we join Eva on her journey of healing from childhood trauma and narcissistic abuse, to learning to be her own self and to find what she wants and needs for herself to be the most authentic expression of who she is. All throughout, her voice comes shining through the pages of darkness, always full of yearning for something that you know she deserves, and that everyone deserves: Love. Eva's story is one that you step into from the first page, and don't want to walk away from until she lets you go at the last word. It's poignant, powerful, full of struggles, and lots of tears, but also full of triumphs, and her growing faith in God, and His unconditional love for her, something which she can't seem to have from her own family. I am grateful that Eva was able to share her story with me, and with the world, to help others recognize through a story, what is acceptable in familial relationships, and what needs to be challenged and worked through for healing. It's raw, and honest, and unforgettable.
Profile Image for BookWithAView.
121 reviews11 followers
April 26, 2025
Becoming Her - Eva Graxton - 4/5 ⭐️

Eva’s memoir really gave me insight into her journey and her growth.
More times than once I wanted to rescue the child from her Father, (and her abusers) well the adult also at times. Most humans couldn’t even imaging treating a child in such a way, let alone dismiss their every feeling and make the child believe that every bad situation was their fault and theirs alone. It is painful to read and imagine as a reader. The salve for the reader is how through much therapy and soul searching, Eva does eventually realise that none of what has happened to her is her fault. It is beautiful to read about her regaining control and building a good life. A happy life. I am so glad that she freed herself and how much her faith also helped her.
Becoming Her, certainly will take you on an emotional journey with the author. Some may find some areas of the memoir triggering.
Thank you to Eva Graxton for allowing me to read her book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ashley Mcmichael.
16 reviews
October 15, 2025
Book review:
Author: Eva Graxton
Name of book: Becoming her
Genre of book: Non- fiction
Tag: @Elaina wall
#booklougereviewteam

Eva Graxton’s memoir, "Becoming Her," is an emotionally gripping and utterly transformative read. It is at once beautiful and profoundly heartbreaking. Eva invites readers into the intimate, spiraling journey of seeking therapy to fix her marriage, only to have her entire reality shattered. She uncovers the devastating truth that she is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband, Joe, and that her father is a sociopathic narcissist. The book showcases her courageous fight to unlearn every toxic belief and understand that the fault lies entirely outside of herself. Following her path to becoming a stronger, more confident woman who eventually finds her true love makes for an incredibly satisfying read. This book is truly amazing and deserves a second read.
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9 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2025
What a moving memoir! Beautifully and honestly written, it was exhilarating to read about Eva taking control and making huge, brave moves to change her life and stand up to her abusers. The beginning of the book was difficult to read in that I wanted to reach through the book to snap her out of her delusions and drag her away from all the people that hurt her in countless ways. This book was a powerful emotional journey, managing to be both heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time.
“…never forget yourself. Choose you.”
25 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2025
Title: Becoming Her
Author: Eva Graxton
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Memoir/Psychological Nonfiction
Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Sexual Assault, Emotional Abuse

Eva is a character that draws you in immediately. Her life has been filled with unhappiness and she has been led to believe that she is getting exactly what she deserves. Her childhood was one trauma after another. It started with her father and brother and continued on into her adult life. After several failed attempts at therapy, Eva decides to take one more opportunity to get clarity for what is wrong with her.
She begins seeing Richard, who has a different approach. Is it possible that Eva isn’t the problem? Is it possible that she isn’t getting what she deserves? His approach has Eva really looking at the events in her past and he helps her see the reality of her life. Others didn’t protect her, and they actually enabled the events to occur that sent her spiraling. With help from her therapist she begins to find herself. She becomes the woman she was meant to be all along. True happiness is found within yourself.
I was immediately captured by the story of Eva’s life. You want to protect her and you find yourself wondering how on earth anyone could not only let their child be treated that way, but how they could actually participate in the abuse. I felt very protective of Eva and was rooting for her to find the happiness she so deserved.
I highly recommend Becoming Her to all readers. It left me feeling so many emotions. It also enlightened me to the importance of becoming who we really are, despite the the outside forces and in being brave enough to find people who will be there for you when you need them the most.
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