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Indestructible: Leveraging Your Broken Heart to Become a Force of Love & Change in the World
Indestructible tells the shocking story of a marriage that didn’t go as planned, the truth that shattered everything, and the beautiful unfolding of a woman who decided that saving her marriage wasn’t worth losing herself. Like most people, Allison Fallon didn’t get married thinking she would get divorced. In fact, marrying a pastor felt like the surest way to guarantee a safe and happy marriage. So when she found out the man she married was not the man she thought he was, she had some choices to make. A wrestling with faith and love, romance and drama, truth and fiction, this story calls into question what it means to fall in love, stay in love, and become a force of love and change in the world. Although Indestructible is only one woman’s story, it serves as a powerful reminder to anyone who has been disillusioned by love that falling in love might be harder and easier than they ever imagined; and that “the one” they’re looking for is closer than they think.
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About the author
Allison Fallon
10 books107 followersAllison Fallon is the author of The Power of Writing It Down, as well as Packing Light and Indestructible. She is a speaker, and the founder of Find Your Voice, a community that supports anyone who wants to write anything. She has helped leaders of multi-national corporations, stay-at-home moms, Olympic gold medalists, recovering addicts, political figures, CEOs, and prison inmates use the Find Your Voice method as a powerful tool to generate positive change in their lives. She has lived all over the country in the past decade but now lives in Pasadena, California, with her husband and daughter. You can follow Allison at www.allisonfallon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 7, 2019
What I liked: The raw honesty. She expressed the visceral sensations that the pain of grief can cause in the body. I felt like she was in my skin. I felt like she was me. That comfort- that sense of being understood -is worth so much. She was also masterful in the way she unfolded the confusing/sneaky mess of emotional & spiritual abuse and the effects it has on you in the moment it's happening.
I also appreciated that she withheld from expounding on the nitty gritty details of her husband's abuses and betrayal, but still maintained the ability to detail HER experience. That allowed me, the reader, to keep up with her on this journey without unhelpful comparisons.
What I didn't like so much (or so I thought): Her writing is so scattered and hard to follow much of the time. But by the time I finished the book I had the feeling it was intentional. It aligned with what she was experiencing... that "where am I? What's happening? Which way is up?" lost kind of feeling. Because, after all, nothing about abuse and living with a shattered heart is linear. Clarity in her writing ebbs and flows just as her healing ebbs and flows, becoming gradually more stable by the final chapters. So actually, it was beautiful.
I also appreciated that she withheld from expounding on the nitty gritty details of her husband's abuses and betrayal, but still maintained the ability to detail HER experience. That allowed me, the reader, to keep up with her on this journey without unhelpful comparisons.
What I didn't like so much (or so I thought): Her writing is so scattered and hard to follow much of the time. But by the time I finished the book I had the feeling it was intentional. It aligned with what she was experiencing... that "where am I? What's happening? Which way is up?" lost kind of feeling. Because, after all, nothing about abuse and living with a shattered heart is linear. Clarity in her writing ebbs and flows just as her healing ebbs and flows, becoming gradually more stable by the final chapters. So actually, it was beautiful.
November 12, 2018
I've followed Ally and her blog for a little while so I was excited to read this book when it came out. It is super raw and real and well written. I like the title, it's the subtitle I'm not a huge fan of. It makes you think this is going to be a self-help kind of book, but it really is more of a memoir.
This is basically the story of how she made it through her divorce and became herself again. I've read books like this before and what really makes them deep is that they really go for it and tell the whole story. She definitely was vague and skirted around a lot of details. I can see why she would maybe want to do this (not to air her dirty laundry, offend those involved, etc.,) but I really do wish she would have "gone for a it a little more" with the details. The details are where readers can really connect and see themselves in her place, without those details there it can be hard to find that common ground and connection with the reader and author.
She did a great job and is definitely a talented writer, but had she gone for it more with the details the emotions and connection would have been off the charts and it would have been a 5 star read.
This is basically the story of how she made it through her divorce and became herself again. I've read books like this before and what really makes them deep is that they really go for it and tell the whole story. She definitely was vague and skirted around a lot of details. I can see why she would maybe want to do this (not to air her dirty laundry, offend those involved, etc.,) but I really do wish she would have "gone for a it a little more" with the details. The details are where readers can really connect and see themselves in her place, without those details there it can be hard to find that common ground and connection with the reader and author.
She did a great job and is definitely a talented writer, but had she gone for it more with the details the emotions and connection would have been off the charts and it would have been a 5 star read.
July 14, 2022
This is a biopic.So its fair to say the individual should share what they choose.However, I feel a bit gaslit.The author seemed to relentlessly hint and tease about the details of her ex's abuse and infidelity, never offering any real substance or payoff.It left the reader feeling confused and unsatisfied with only a nebulous sense of what was going on.Actually, this is how I felt about the entire experience.
Just one readers honest opinion.
Hope the.author is safe,well and happy.
Just one readers honest opinion.
Hope the.author is safe,well and happy.
October 21, 2018
It’s one thing to write well, and it’s another thing to write about yourself well. The honesty, relatability, and authenticity Ally writes with is inspiring. Heartbreak unites us all, and also mystifies us all. Reading this book feels like listening to a friend, and I’d recommend it as a gift for anyone trying to find themselves in loss and pain.
August 7, 2018
Raw. Real. Honest. Ally's words spoke clearly to me and gave hope.
January 15, 2019
Allison writes on her own life from an out of the box perspective. It's clear that in the writing of this book she has already processed so the book is not a condemnation or lashing out at others but rather a deep understanding of self + how our environments influence that self. Highly recommend this book to anyone who has gone through relationship upheaval, whether divorce, parental dysfunction or personal identity issues. It is stellar.
September 19, 2019
I've followed Ally on social media for quite some time and finally had the opportunity to read this book. The way she writes her personal story is nothing short of raw, beautiful authenticity. When describing the breath-taking grief she experienced through all her intense pain and loss - I felt everything she described. For me, this past year has been full of pain, confusion and hurt. While reading this book, it felt like Ally was a friend saying "I've been where you are and felt those crashing waves of pain." There is no way around the pain, you have to go through it and feel it. This book helps you see that hope is possible.
Go read it!
Go read it!
February 11, 2024
Wow Allison writes like a poet.
Prayer from book…
May you grow everyday in the knowledge of gods love for u
May that knowledge bring u great healing.
And through that healing may you become all that u were intended to be.
“Hopeful..
We show up and we breathe.
And we get the littlest bit better by grace
Enduring the unendurable.
Making space for blessings as come
And eventually we are soft but also strong
When someone comes at us we do not cut them.
When we fall we do not shatter into a Million pieces.
What a big beautiful thing we’re doing.
Being in our bodies and having love.”
-Allison Fallon
Prayer from book…
May you grow everyday in the knowledge of gods love for u
May that knowledge bring u great healing.
And through that healing may you become all that u were intended to be.
“Hopeful..
We show up and we breathe.
And we get the littlest bit better by grace
Enduring the unendurable.
Making space for blessings as come
And eventually we are soft but also strong
When someone comes at us we do not cut them.
When we fall we do not shatter into a Million pieces.
What a big beautiful thing we’re doing.
Being in our bodies and having love.”
-Allison Fallon
October 24, 2018
"Indestructible" tells Ally’s true story of a love that didn’t go as she had hoped and her journey through it and out of it to become a woman who keeps her heart open, in spite of the heartbreak. It is a cautionary tale of being with the wrong person, as well as, encouragement to disentangle from a toxic situation, to move forward, and be confident in who you are in the world.
When I started the book, I thought that I would be reading a how-to guide. It reads more as a personal account of her journey. And although I struggled with the timeline of the story, I would not hesitate to hand this book to anyone who is about to embark into a committed relationship or who wants to find the courage to listen to the voice of their inner soul.
"Indestructible" reminded me of "Love Warrior" by Glennon Doyle in that it is raw. It is emotional. It is honest. It is thought-provoking. I can only hope to write with such a depth of feeling and to boldly share my truth with the same bravery that Ally has in this book.
When I started the book, I thought that I would be reading a how-to guide. It reads more as a personal account of her journey. And although I struggled with the timeline of the story, I would not hesitate to hand this book to anyone who is about to embark into a committed relationship or who wants to find the courage to listen to the voice of their inner soul.
"Indestructible" reminded me of "Love Warrior" by Glennon Doyle in that it is raw. It is emotional. It is honest. It is thought-provoking. I can only hope to write with such a depth of feeling and to boldly share my truth with the same bravery that Ally has in this book.
November 15, 2018
A few years ago, I read Packing Light about Fallon's adventure of visiting all fifty states and how really few items she actually needed. She mused on how much stuff, physical stuff in particular, can weigh us down mentally and physically. Indestructible is her memoir about how her marriage unraveled kind of before it even began. She's unflinchingly honest not always painting herself in the best light. Her vulnerability is displayed in full relief and yet, I was a little horrified how small and timid she seemed in contrast with her husband. This memoir-of-sorts is about forgiving one's self and coming alive to live authentically. Sometimes, her non-linear writing got me a little confused as I tried to keep her timelines clear. She acknowledges how many red flags there were before she even got married and yet, she chose to ignore them and push ahead. This was the most interesting part of her memoir. She could have avoided so much personal turmoil and yet, I know Fallon used the experience for interior growth. She's an amazing writer, but something left me cold here.
June 19, 2021
I'm a big fan of memoirs, and there are some terrific ones available. Unfortunately this isn't one of them. Had the author focused on the weird marriage with the narcissistic minister, that might have proven a notch above the standard All You Need is Love tale, but that's what this is...sort of. As others have pointed out, it's a bit all over the place and in need of someone to say, well, that's your first draft. Now go write the real memoir. I was aiming for two stars because the "three episodes" nonsense was obnoxious, but I found the book otherwise so unintentionally funny it was delightful. She's so histrionic and a bit borderline, and so fundamentally privileged she expects service everywhere she turns. Woe is me with my good looks and my Mercedes and my house and my month by the sea and my alimony payments and my meals out and my bottles of wine and my yoga classes and my men who love me and how dare you not carry my luggage? Could this story be any less clichéd? 😌
January 10, 2020
No wonder it was semi self published. After reading one of her earlier books - I had hoped to read a thoughtful and honest account of a woman bravely escaping from an abusive marriage. This was barely above a series of blog posts of her own in process musings which just rambled every which way. So disappointed.
September 23, 2018
I can relate to Ally’s story in many ways but I’m still going through the process, the fire, the waves. I finished this book in less than 12 hours and I would’ve finished it faster had I not needed to sleep somewhere in between flipping these pages. The transparency in this book is refreshing and inspiring. It has made me feel like I’m not crazy for how I’ve approached or thought about my pain. It’s comforting to see someone go through their hurt in similar ways and coming out on the other end of it with an understanding of themselves. I highly recommend this book for those feeling lost, unsure, hopeless, broken beyond repair. For those who have either forgotten about love, are hiding from it or don’t really know if it exists or not. Get ready to laugh, cry and highlight the crap out of this book. It’s simply beautiful!
September 17, 2024
Audio. A story of a woman's recovery after divorce and journey to love. Because she didn't provide a lot of specifics It was hard to get on board, but she did provide enough that I was glad she divorced this pastor,
She married him, even though she was hesitant right from the start. She had to give up really rich relationships with male friends at his command. He kind of controlled her life.
However, after reading the recent slave stories, and the truly physically abusive relationships they were in, and the terror they suffered, this seemed so mild in comparison, which isn't fair I know. I mean this guy didn't stalk her question, terrorize her and he gave her the house. That's what I'm used to reading about and therefore use as a measuring stick. But he did throw grapes in her face, take the dog, and cheat on her so good riddance.
Also, lots of yoga talk.
She married him, even though she was hesitant right from the start. She had to give up really rich relationships with male friends at his command. He kind of controlled her life.
However, after reading the recent slave stories, and the truly physically abusive relationships they were in, and the terror they suffered, this seemed so mild in comparison, which isn't fair I know. I mean this guy didn't stalk her question, terrorize her and he gave her the house. That's what I'm used to reading about and therefore use as a measuring stick. But he did throw grapes in her face, take the dog, and cheat on her so good riddance.
Also, lots of yoga talk.
February 25, 2019
An extremely personal piece of work, focusing on one woman's experience of marriage, love, friendship, and self acceptance. Allison opens up her heart to encourage others that the best way to deal with grief and heartache is to become soft, to lean into the pain and let it happen, knowing that we are strong enough and capable enough to handle it.
I was deeply moved by her story. Though she she shares quite a few stories of the horror her marriage hid from the outside world, it actually isn't a story about a failed marriage or the emotional abuse her ex-husband inflicted upon her. It is more a story of Ally's own growth dealing with the devastation divorce can bring, depression, finding her way back to the person she knew herself to be, and loving that person wholeheartedly.
I was deeply moved by her story. Though she she shares quite a few stories of the horror her marriage hid from the outside world, it actually isn't a story about a failed marriage or the emotional abuse her ex-husband inflicted upon her. It is more a story of Ally's own growth dealing with the devastation divorce can bring, depression, finding her way back to the person she knew herself to be, and loving that person wholeheartedly.
October 26, 2018
I have followed Ally’s blog since long before she was married, so I knew a bit of the circumstances in her life but didn’t really know what happened. This book reads part like a memoir and part like a friend imparting her advice after learning it the hard way.
I think it takes a lot of courage to write so openly about a failed relationship. She writes with honesty and doesn’t gloss over uncomfortable memories.
Anyone who has lived through a breakup that broke you and lived to tell about it will relate to this book.
I think it takes a lot of courage to write so openly about a failed relationship. She writes with honesty and doesn’t gloss over uncomfortable memories.
Anyone who has lived through a breakup that broke you and lived to tell about it will relate to this book.
October 8, 2019
Sad
I thought this book would be about experiencing tragedy and then using tragedy to make a difference in your world. Inspiring. Instead, it was depressing, kind of confusing since you really don’t know what happened with her husband, and totally about self. I can appreciate her journey and the healing that took place for her but this book does not help me see why I should care enough to read a whole book about her journey. I felt like I was sitting in the midst her therapy sessions.
I thought this book would be about experiencing tragedy and then using tragedy to make a difference in your world. Inspiring. Instead, it was depressing, kind of confusing since you really don’t know what happened with her husband, and totally about self. I can appreciate her journey and the healing that took place for her but this book does not help me see why I should care enough to read a whole book about her journey. I felt like I was sitting in the midst her therapy sessions.
August 10, 2024
Raw, honest and at times beautifully written. The subtitle is misleading. I wish it had just said “a memoir.” It’s not a self-help book. Things I didn’t like: vague misleading details of what was happening in her marriage and a nonlinear timeline. Maybe it would work better as a book, but it was confusing in audio. Is she a believer? Sometimes I thought so and other times (lack of church fellowship and heavy yoga references) made me wonder if she had faith in Jesus. I enjoyed hearing about her life but it felt lacking— maybe it is too early in her journey for this story to be read by others.
November 3, 2018
I liked the writing and premise, but had great difficulty reading this book for personal reasons. It triggered me and I had to put the book down several times. This is just a testament on how good Allison Fallon writes.
"Indestructible" is a memoir about brokenness, healing, forgiveness, love and redemption. Ally Fallon is a brave and courageous writer who shares her personal experiences with transparency and authenticity.
"Indestructible" is a memoir about brokenness, healing, forgiveness, love and redemption. Ally Fallon is a brave and courageous writer who shares her personal experiences with transparency and authenticity.
November 8, 2018
So much vulnerability
As my title states, I felt like this book was filled with vulnerability, which is incredibly refreshing in a world filled with instagram filters and perfectly curated captions. Ally really opened up her heart to her readers which is something only the bravest can do. While I couldn’t relate to the emotions or choices or trials she wrote of, I believe we ALL can relate to the need to rebuild our lives at some point and love ourselves better.
As my title states, I felt like this book was filled with vulnerability, which is incredibly refreshing in a world filled with instagram filters and perfectly curated captions. Ally really opened up her heart to her readers which is something only the bravest can do. While I couldn’t relate to the emotions or choices or trials she wrote of, I believe we ALL can relate to the need to rebuild our lives at some point and love ourselves better.
November 8, 2018
"When the worst thing that has ever happened to you happens, you will realize you don't have any reason to be afraid anymore: - Robi Damelin
Ally Fallon has written an excellent book for anyone who has had his or her heart broken, or knows someone who has. this means it is for all of us! I appreciate that Ally writes in a vulnerable and real way; the result is a book that I could relate to and that I will most definitely pass along to others to read as well. I highly recommend it.
Ally Fallon has written an excellent book for anyone who has had his or her heart broken, or knows someone who has. this means it is for all of us! I appreciate that Ally writes in a vulnerable and real way; the result is a book that I could relate to and that I will most definitely pass along to others to read as well. I highly recommend it.
January 21, 2019
I found this book through a recommendation online and actually read it with others in mind and not necessarily for myself. Her writing is kind of all over the place and hard to follow at times, and her story is sad but aren't most divorces. Some more of her back story would have helped. She was vague and cryptic at times leaving me to wonder about the details. But again, maybe she didn't want to put her whole self out there to be judged. You can't hardly blame her in that regard.
December 8, 2020
I really liked the authors voice and her honesty in telling her story. Based on the title, I was hoping for more information about HOW to leverage your broken heart to become a force of love and change in the world. I listened to the entire book hoping she would, at some point, enlighten us with those details. I will say that it sounds like yoga was quite helpful in her recovery so I may consider it in mine.
November 6, 2018
Remarkable. This book is written with the type of honesty and vulnerability we all aspire to. Ally is a trailblazer on the path to wholeness. There are so many gems in this book that I will return to again and again. It's a book about love, but about love in actuality. Love that can wound. Love that can heal. And the freedom found in surrendering control to find love.
December 13, 2018
I’ll be honest, I didn’t love the first half of the book.
But the last four chapters saved it for me.
The last four chapters brought up my own pain and through that brought healing. The truths Ally learned, and the wisdom she shared was exactly what I needed. I’m glad I stuck with the book, it was worth it in the end.
But the last four chapters saved it for me.
The last four chapters brought up my own pain and through that brought healing. The truths Ally learned, and the wisdom she shared was exactly what I needed. I’m glad I stuck with the book, it was worth it in the end.
March 31, 2019
Decent read
This book held my interest, but in the end it felt a little self-indulgent. I kept wanting the author to do better and make better choices. Maybe she should have been farther along before she wrote about it all. Maybe it could be helpful for someone in an unhealthy marriage.
This book held my interest, but in the end it felt a little self-indulgent. I kept wanting the author to do better and make better choices. Maybe she should have been farther along before she wrote about it all. Maybe it could be helpful for someone in an unhealthy marriage.
April 14, 2019
DNF’ing this one. I was interested to hear Ally’s story after hearing her on a podcast, but her being vague about “episodes” in her marriage drove me nuts. If you’re going to write a book about the demise of your marriage to help others, throw it all out there, or don’t write the book. It may turn around. I’m DNF’ing at 46% but I don’t want to get to the end of the book and be even more mad.
June 21, 2019
Ally is a master at carrying a reader through a story. What's even more impressive in this case is that it's the raw sharing of a painful and extremely difficult five years of her life. The telling gives the reader far more than a voyeuristic view inside an abusive relationship - I came away knowing that like Ally, my instincts will lead me to be who I was meant to be all along.
February 29, 2020
This book was beautiful in AF being super vulnerable. I can't imagine what she went through and I respect the way she delivered the story. Her hurt is raw and visceral in this and it is written so honestly. I resonated with the fact that that kind of love is something I want but being scared to go after it. Super brave of her to fight and write the book she didn't think she could.
July 17, 2021
There is so much good stuff in here! Of particular interest for me is the author's presentation of letting things and people be what they are and not trying to force them to be what you want them to be. I would say that is a good truth for this season in my life as I work out relationships and beliefs, but I know it's truth for more than a season. It's truth for living well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews