How to Heal a Broken Heart: From Rock Bottom to Reinvention

by Rosie Green

'The poster girl for divorce.' The Times'If you've ever had your heart broken (and who hasn't) Rosie Green's How to Heal a Broken Heart is your best friend. Honest, comforting and hopeful.' MARIAN KEYES'I love Rosie Green's writing.' ELIZABETH DAY'Brilliant. One of the few books that I've found that really describes what a broken heart feels like. It touched so many nerves.' VANESSA FELTZ'It reduced me to tears.' EMMA BARNETT, Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4'It wasn't a conscious uncoupling. I had my heart ripped out and stamped on.'When Rosie Green's husband walked out after 26 years together, he declined to leave a forwarding address. Instead, he left a devastated woman who turned into someone she barely unable to eat or sleep, and so desperate to keep her family together she'd sacrifice her sense of self - and her dignity.She thought she'd never get over it. But she did. And so can you. This is the frank, uplifting and insightful book Rosie wished she could have found when her whole world fell apart. Here's your guide to getting through it - with advice from the experts, with the help of your friends, with a deliciously dark sense of humour and, for Rosie, with some highly inappropriate sex advice from her pre-teen daughter. Let her brilliantly honest handbook show how you can heal faster, understand yourself better and move on.How to Heal a Broken Heart doesn't sugarcoat it - heartbreak brings you to your knees. But, sometimes, it also gives you a necessary shove towards a happier, more fulfilled life than you ever dreamed was possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2021

Reviews

[Lauren Skelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to preface this by saying I am not a self-help book person. I don't even know if this is a self-help book; that's how much I am not a self-help book person (though I'm guessing it is because it tells me how to do something...). But that was before my whole life imploded and I exhausted all of my family and all of my friends and a therapist and even some strangers with my endless ruminations about what went wrong and why (he cheated, because he's an arsehole). I still do this sometimes. This book taught me why I do this, how to try to not do this, and how things might start to pick up for me if I manage to stop. I laughed at some parts but mostly I just cried. Sobbed, actually, especially reading that last letter. Because I am Rosie Green and Rosie Green is me. She did the research so that I could benefit and I am overwhelmingly grateful for that. And though there's a section about forgiving your ex, which I categorically will not be doing, I've actually decided to forgive myself and it's all thanks to this book.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going through a relationship breakup but the week I started reading this, I got the results of a DNA test back and found out my dad wasn't related to me. The grief was all consuming and very real and reading this book mirrored my journey, from finding a therapist to the emotional turmoil, to knowing the value of friendship - honestly, the entire book was so useful in that regard it was almost spooky. I guess my grief has dissipated, as I finally finished this book today (reading sporadically) and can now talk about my DNA surprise without breaking down. If you're going through any kind of relationship breakup or serious shock with regard to relationships in your life, this book is like a wise companion to have along for the ride.

[Ella Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cringey i know but had to add it so it would show on my reading goal🫣 again this book helped me through a very hard time and made me feel like my emotions were normal. Really recommend for any one heartbroken or that gets cheated on lol🥺

[Emily Meese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in two days. I never thought I would need a book like this, but after my husband of 15 years left me for another woman, I have never felt so heartbroken. Part divorce memoir, part self help, Rosie describes exactly how I am feeling and I am hoping I can also work through things to see some light at the end of things. It has given me hope that I will be OK again in the future!

[Rachel Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 read for the broken hearted (read this a few years ago) I am cured now

[Kristel K.]

Feels unfair to rate this book as I skimmed through most of it. It was well written, but didn’t offer much for me personally.

[Kim DeVenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is half divorce memoir, half guide book, full of excellent book referrals which I ordered on Amazon. I related on so many levels. Reading these books makes me realize I’m not alone.
Rosie made me realize that even though my Ex's betrayal (cheating...) was over seven years ago, I am still processing it, reeling and healing.
I have had many rock bottom moments over the last seven years. For me, empty next+turning 50+cheating spouse+divorce+pandemic was quite traumatic!
I pink highlighted so many passages. "I now know there is never such a thing as truly healed, because those scars will always remain, but so will the resilience and the self-knowledge." This! It is a scar. My family and future was forever altered.
"One major lesson I have learned from all this is: live in the now".
This year I launched my blog, "Second Chapter Nomad" and intend to turn it into my own divorce memoir. Thanks to candid, honest authors like Rosie, I have the courage to do so.

[Rhiannon Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook, during a my own experience in heartbreak. Except my experience was different in that I'm 24, having experienced falling in love for the first time and subsequently realising I had met the right person at the wrong time.
Listening to the book provided added comfort and made the words of wisdom sink in deeper. I recommend this book to comfort those going through the pain of a breakup and I recommend it even more as an audiobook 🙏
Thank you Rosie for sharing your story so candidly and providing comfort and wisdom to those going through the same or similar pain 💖

[Maria Iredale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I friend recommended this book as we are both going through a relationship ending. I don’t like self help books, I struggle to relate, but this is more like advice from a good friend. I found this so helpful. It resonated with my experience and gave me the ballsy, funny and poignant conversation I need. Its chapters have content that I will definitely return to as there was a lot of good signposting and collected knowledge.
If you are going through a marriage break up, read this, it will help, I promise xx

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and easy read, finished it on 2 train rides lol. As much as it was about Rosie's divorce, it was related to breakups in general which I found lots of useful advice. I loved the book recommendations within each chapter. I found so much comfort and understanding on my own breakup situation and I was able to feel happy and positive that if she could go through all that and come out the other side even happier, then I will too. Beautiful and raw writing and I really recommend!!

[PatriciaOnLine · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I picked up this book expecting a feelgood rom-com kinda thing. My fault. This is literally a book about heartbreak and how to get over it. I don't need advice om that issue at the moment, but couldn't stop reading. I'm sure this read will do you good if you're heartbroken or if people close to you are in that situation, you might understand more of why being heartbroken is so s**tty.

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonfiction. Self help. Divorce.

A modern take on divorce with nothing held back. The author is herself divorced and is very open about all the negative aspects and feels that went with it. She consults with a number of famous authors, counselors and more and shares a wide variety of tips and advice. She mixes in humor and gives extra book suggestions based on topic. She covers all the stages of divorce from before, during, after and much later.

This was the best self help book I read during my divorce. Recommend for realness.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

through the lens of someone who professionally writes about the stories of others, learning her story and perspective when life hits hard truly tugs on my heartstrings. I drew parallels to her gut wrenching experience, and am thankful she found courage to detail them to help others find strength. good book!

[Sarah Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

it propelled me to accept the end of something and create the future I wanted. 3 weeks after finishing the book, and 8 months after a breakup, I went on a few dates. the 3rd person is the love of my life. sometimes all you need is a little push to get you going. thankful to have stumbled upon this book.

[LISA MARKHAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

When going through a divorce, it can be a very lonely process where no matter how many people you are surrounded by, their understanding of your feelings and emotions can be few and far between. This book helps put the situation into perspective with the author’s light humour and shows ways of self healing. A comforting read.

[Claire McNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Rosie. Excellent book, This book made me cry, laugh , has given me comfort and hope for the future. I wish I read it last year! Love the letters in the book, and guide to additional further books to read. Highly recommended for all who are struggling with a broken heart.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful book that I first picked up at the library and couldn’t put it down so had to buy it new from Waterstones. Read from garden in Durham to thinking chair in Winchester. It gave me the notation of X.

The separation of the chapters is really nice since I can refer back to it post-reading to see how I’m doing and it laid out different steps of recovering from lost love. Not all applied to me and there were a couple odd passages but it was overwhelming useful.

Who knew a book written by a woman for women would be so eye-opening and soul nourishing?

[Latifah Rizky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mau kasih otak aku space buat mikir reviewnya dulu, I'll be back.

[L.C. Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to any person that talks so deeply about what they've been through. Whether you go through it or not, it's worth a read.

[Ms Carmen A Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute godsend this lady is an angel with her honesty and warmth, I keep revisiting this book, it’s a bible to help you through the early days.

[Chelsea Docking · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* for serving it's purpose well, must-read for anyone dealing with heartbreak and/or healing

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable. What I needed to hear at the time of reading after separation. Validation at its finest.

[Josephine Olok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this, comforting to know that someone has gone through the same pain you have.

[Alex Pal. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about all the emotions that you go through after a break up.

[Yoga girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insightful book about loss. Comical , yet bare bones heartfelt.

[Jackie Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent helpful advice

A really enjoyable and valuable book on a very unhappy topic. Lots of excellent links to useful resources and overall extremely positive.

[Drew McCormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little entertaining audiobook, highly recommend if gone through relationship issues in the past or going through a break up currently:)

[Lisa C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was hard to read in parts as it was similar to my situation. Some great advice, Rosie is lovely, funny, cheeky and very honest. Would recommend

[♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5

Life will always throw you challenges and a break up is something nearly all of us will go through at some point.

I love love love this book!! Sometimes, self-helping books can be written too technical and too scientific but not this one. It felt like a very good friend of mine spoken to me. Like I read Rosie's journal of her painful path by splitting up with her husband which completely shattered her world upside down until she found her feet standing on the ground again.

Reasons why I loved this book:
- someone felt and possibly reacted the same / similar way
- friendly approach, her honesty and open approach to say how things really were
- sharing e-mails and letters of her readers who reacted on her articles by sharing their stories, it just helps to see that someone is going through similar path
- explanation why we react and feel certain way - lets face it, if science has a reasonable explanation, it makes us to feel less crazy and more like human beings with feelings
- recommendation of other books - always love to find more books to read

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very comforting when I needed to know that there might be an end to the pain, even if it was still out of sight! There's something that feels a bit wrong about finding comfort in the fact that others have endured suffering too, but there you go, I'm glad Rosie shared her experience as knowing I wasn't the first and wouldn't be the last really helped.