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Cheat Play Live: an inspiring true story of self-discovery
On a beach in California, Lisa finds a shell on a rock, its two halves open to the sky. On the outside it is sea-worn and unremarkable, but on the inside it gleams like a jewel. She wonders if it is waiting to be found and cherished – like her.
The shell is the image she uses to set up an online profile that will end her marriage. It leads her to more beaches around the world – to Kenya, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt and India – in search of the freedom to choose how she wants to live. On a beach in Goa, she confronts the grief that she's been numbing with alcohol, and finds a way to break the lock on a secret she’s been keeping inside her since she was a little girl.
For fans of Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Lisa Edwards' story is about the search for a life beyond the one prescribed for women: marriage, babies and a high-flying career. Childfree-by-choice, she is determined to fly solo, going on holidays on her own, as well as to restaurants, bars and even clubs. But grieving for her parents, she begins to depend on the anaesthetic that alcohol gives her and it steers her life in unexpected ways. During the course of her journey she dates married men, younger men, men her own age and Muslim men, but none of them are prepared to give her her freedom. In India, she discovers yoga and a tribe of women who show her a new path, breaking the lock on the secret she's been keeping inside her since she was a little girl.
The shell is the image she uses to set up an online profile that will end her marriage. It leads her to more beaches around the world – to Kenya, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt and India – in search of the freedom to choose how she wants to live. On a beach in Goa, she confronts the grief that she's been numbing with alcohol, and finds a way to break the lock on a secret she’s been keeping inside her since she was a little girl.
For fans of Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Lisa Edwards' story is about the search for a life beyond the one prescribed for women: marriage, babies and a high-flying career. Childfree-by-choice, she is determined to fly solo, going on holidays on her own, as well as to restaurants, bars and even clubs. But grieving for her parents, she begins to depend on the anaesthetic that alcohol gives her and it steers her life in unexpected ways. During the course of her journey she dates married men, younger men, men her own age and Muslim men, but none of them are prepared to give her her freedom. In India, she discovers yoga and a tribe of women who show her a new path, breaking the lock on the secret she's been keeping inside her since she was a little girl.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2021
30 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Edwards
20 books27 followersLisa Edwards is a former publisher (Scholastic, Templar) who is now a writer, editor, agent and yoga teacher.
She grew up in North Wales, but has lived mostly in southeast England. She now lives in London but is planning to return to Wales.
She is currently writing sequel to her memoirs, Cheat Play Live and Dark Horses Ride, which will complete the trilogy. The book is called: Freedom to Roam and will be about being a digital nomad in her fifties.
She grew up in North Wales, but has lived mostly in southeast England. She now lives in London but is planning to return to Wales.
She is currently writing sequel to her memoirs, Cheat Play Live and Dark Horses Ride, which will complete the trilogy. The book is called: Freedom to Roam and will be about being a digital nomad in her fifties.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 29, 2022
I really like the front cover is simple and straight to the point what the book going to be about. This is the first book I have read from Lise Edwards and I definitely would read her other book because you can. What I really liked about Cheat Play Live is how honest she is about her life , cheating on husband and her addiction to alcohol. This is powerful and inspirational of women who is not happy with her life and eventually lives her life travelling, doing yoga, making mistakes and foundation nag her true self . I am so happy she found love and happiness. I feel Lise Edward was so brave travelling to different places alone. I know I could not do it. If you not read this book definitely do . Thank you @redwoods1@lovebookstours for letting me part of this book tour. 5 stars #Ad #Gifted #LoveBooksTours
June 1, 2022
I loved this book, I truly did.
4.5/5
might contain spoilers after this, so don't read if you haven't read the book yet!
The author takes you on a journey of life, and how one carries herself in it.
I couldn't relate myself to loveless marriage, never been married myself, but i know allot of women in that type os situations, who refuse to anything about it, they are SCARED of the world out there without a husband to be a safety net to fall back into if things go wrong.
I however could relate with the pass trauma, that is there and we don't realise it, and how we punish ourselves without knowing it because of it. How that drags itself into our life, and to the people we choose to be around us, how we act and behave, and how much it actually takes to look in the mirror and say....Am I happy, ou am I just living.
I don’t often read non-fiction, i mostly in the fantay realm of things. I honestly never expected to like this so much, her honesty and bravery of laying her life open was eye opening.
4.5/5
might contain spoilers after this, so don't read if you haven't read the book yet!
The author takes you on a journey of life, and how one carries herself in it.
I couldn't relate myself to loveless marriage, never been married myself, but i know allot of women in that type os situations, who refuse to anything about it, they are SCARED of the world out there without a husband to be a safety net to fall back into if things go wrong.
I however could relate with the pass trauma, that is there and we don't realise it, and how we punish ourselves without knowing it because of it. How that drags itself into our life, and to the people we choose to be around us, how we act and behave, and how much it actually takes to look in the mirror and say....Am I happy, ou am I just living.
I don’t often read non-fiction, i mostly in the fantay realm of things. I honestly never expected to like this so much, her honesty and bravery of laying her life open was eye opening.
June 21, 2022
The book starts with authors experience of divorce and how that affected her. She mentions about her suicidal thoughts and how much her mental health took a badgering in this process. She also talks about the places she visited like Thailand. She mentions Eat pray love and the book does give that vibe.
The book is written in the style of diary entries so there are a lot of emotions all jumbled in them. I will be honest I struggled to get in the flow of the book because of how much it jumped for very hard topics like suicide to very generic topics of history and world wars.
It was a miss for me which is a shame because I was really interested when I read the blurb but it could be a hit for you if you like the writing style. I love non- fiction book but this one felt more like a memoir or a diary. It was insightful to see a person’s journey of living their life alone and coming to terms with that fact everyday. It’s easy to say I am enjoying my solo travels and my freedom but we are social animals and we need someone in our lives.
Thanks to the author and lovebookstours for giving me a copy of this book!
The book is written in the style of diary entries so there are a lot of emotions all jumbled in them. I will be honest I struggled to get in the flow of the book because of how much it jumped for very hard topics like suicide to very generic topics of history and world wars.
It was a miss for me which is a shame because I was really interested when I read the blurb but it could be a hit for you if you like the writing style. I love non- fiction book but this one felt more like a memoir or a diary. It was insightful to see a person’s journey of living their life alone and coming to terms with that fact everyday. It’s easy to say I am enjoying my solo travels and my freedom but we are social animals and we need someone in our lives.
Thanks to the author and lovebookstours for giving me a copy of this book!
June 22, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Lisa very much. She relates her story in a warts 'n' all manner, which in itself, illustrates her bravery and honesty.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
November 15, 2021
Cheat Play Live is Lisa Edwards’s memoir and what an honest and brave memoir it is. She details the story of her marriage to a man whom she knew deep down wasn’t right for her but married because she felt it should be the next step in her life. Knowing the marriage wasn’t right after several years she embarked on affairs before ending her marriage and finally started to live her life. Once Lisa discovered a love of travelling, she travelled the world, usually alone and had some amazing adventures in Egypt, Goa and Thailand.
The book is divided into 3 broad parts, each chapter centred around a beach – Cheat where she talks about her marriage and the men she has affairs with; Play where she talks about the fun she had after her marriage: the travels and relationships she had; Live talks about Lisa accepting what is best for her. She also talks about her dependence on alcohol which is fuelled by a stressful working environment and the confidence it gives her. As the book draws to a close Lisa has discovered what makes her happy – she gives up alcohol, her stressful job and instead goes freelance, moves to the coast and trains as a yoga teacher.
I kind of know Lisa from meeting once at our local book club and she kindly offered to send me a copy of her book for review. I don’t often read non-fiction but her story drew me in from the beginning and I was engaged and admiring of her honesty and bravery of laying her life open for me to read about. I loved reading about her travels and adventures and was more than a little jealous of the places she has been. Cheat Play Live is an inspiring and relatable memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The book is divided into 3 broad parts, each chapter centred around a beach – Cheat where she talks about her marriage and the men she has affairs with; Play where she talks about the fun she had after her marriage: the travels and relationships she had; Live talks about Lisa accepting what is best for her. She also talks about her dependence on alcohol which is fuelled by a stressful working environment and the confidence it gives her. As the book draws to a close Lisa has discovered what makes her happy – she gives up alcohol, her stressful job and instead goes freelance, moves to the coast and trains as a yoga teacher.
I kind of know Lisa from meeting once at our local book club and she kindly offered to send me a copy of her book for review. I don’t often read non-fiction but her story drew me in from the beginning and I was engaged and admiring of her honesty and bravery of laying her life open for me to read about. I loved reading about her travels and adventures and was more than a little jealous of the places she has been. Cheat Play Live is an inspiring and relatable memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed.
August 21, 2021
Lisa Edwards, a successful publisher, and talented writer takes her readers on a journey to clear the fog in a world rife with professional, social, and experiential hardship. Brilliantly written, detailing the essentials, she takes readers across the globe from destinations such as San Francisco and Brighton to Goa and Kyrgystan. While the descriptions will transport you, Lisa's voice plants you inside her brain.
Everyone can take something away from CHEAT PLAY LIVE, and for the better. We all feel stuck at some point in our lives or that something might not be quite right. Lisa offers an unapologetic, candid lens in how to prioritize what matters and do something about getting unstuck.
"You come to a place you love, to people you love, doing a thing you love."
Lisa models a way for us all to seek purpose in our lives. Thank you for sharing your experiences and providing the many lessons you learned.
Everyone can take something away from CHEAT PLAY LIVE, and for the better. We all feel stuck at some point in our lives or that something might not be quite right. Lisa offers an unapologetic, candid lens in how to prioritize what matters and do something about getting unstuck.
"You come to a place you love, to people you love, doing a thing you love."
Lisa models a way for us all to seek purpose in our lives. Thank you for sharing your experiences and providing the many lessons you learned.
August 22, 2021
To loosely borrow from a quote near the end of the book, Lisa's story is flooded with light. Yes, this is a story of grief, trauma, good and bad relationships, people and places, but there is an optimism and positivity threaded throughout. Having grown up by the sea, I particularly enjoyed the beachfront settings that clearly bring Lisa so much joy - you can really sense the calmness and contentment through her words. I found myself feeling relaxed and pictured being on the sand on several occasions. Particularly enjoyed the picture of the dogs walking "along the street as though they had somewhere to be"!
August 22, 2021
To loosely borrow from a quote near the end of the book, Lisa's story is flooded with light. Yes, this is a story of grief, trauma, good and bad relationships, people and places, but there is an optimism and positivity threaded throughout. Having grown up by the sea, I particularly enjoyed the beachfront settings that clearly bring Lisa so much joy - you can really sense the calmness and contentment through her words. I found myself feeling relaxed and pictured being on the sand on several occasions. Particularly enjoyed the picture of the dogs walking "along the street as though they had somewhere to be"!
May 26, 2022
lovely
I really like this book.
It was easy to read for me
A journey of discovery and finding your way eventually!
I really like this book.
It was easy to read for me
A journey of discovery and finding your way eventually!
October 7, 2021
As a 40-something male reader, I wondered at first what I would get out of a memoir like Cheat Play Live. Well, hush my doubting mouth!
Brave but never self-pitying, telling but never spiteful, inspiring but never insipid - if only all memoirs could be like this. It takes courage to tell a life story in the first place, skill to tell it this way, and genuine emotional intelligence to make you feel like you're experiencing it with the author.
All the way through, there's a sense that the writer is stalked by something: some haunted, harrowed presence. The revelation of what that is - which is as much of a shock to the author as it is to readers - will floor you.
Something in this for everybody - highly recommended.
Brave but never self-pitying, telling but never spiteful, inspiring but never insipid - if only all memoirs could be like this. It takes courage to tell a life story in the first place, skill to tell it this way, and genuine emotional intelligence to make you feel like you're experiencing it with the author.
All the way through, there's a sense that the writer is stalked by something: some haunted, harrowed presence. The revelation of what that is - which is as much of a shock to the author as it is to readers - will floor you.
Something in this for everybody - highly recommended.
October 23, 2021
I loved Cheat Play Live so much. Lisa has been very honest about her long hard journey into the light, and it must have been tremendously painful to be so open. Her compelling story has made me consider my own difficulties differently, even though they are so very different from hers. In particular, the sections about therapy brought me comfort, that I should be kinder and more forgiving of myself.
I'll come back to Cheat Play Live again, I know I will. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Lisa. ❤
I'll come back to Cheat Play Live again, I know I will. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Lisa. ❤
November 20, 2021
Brave & beautiful
Honestly life changing: shocking (don’t do that to yourself!) and worrying (is that what I do?) and ultimately hopeful (this is what I need to do). I loved it . Thank you xx
Honestly life changing: shocking (don’t do that to yourself!) and worrying (is that what I do?) and ultimately hopeful (this is what I need to do). I loved it . Thank you xx
January 26, 2022
This was a little bit like a slightly trashier (but more entertaining) Eat, Pray, Love, and watching the ongoing terrible choices made by the author made her eventual path to stability and self-acceptance even more satisfying.
December 15, 2021
A bold and brilliant book about the importance of finding and being your true self
June 24, 2022
📚 Book Tour Review 📚
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 21
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 49/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘(3.5/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Cheat Play Live
🖋️ Author: Lisa Edwards @becauseyoucan50
🎭 Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
📖 Format: 💻📖
📄 Pages: 248
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
🎨 Artwork
The cover of the book depicted a subtle picture that Lisa uses and references throughout the book. Specifically the shell.
✒️ Style
This book is written in the first person as a chronology of Lisa life moving through the significant stages of her life which she calls, cheat, play, live.
👪 Characters
Lisa is the main focus of the book. She details her relationship with her ex-husband Graham. Then later elaborates on a number of fleeting or significant relationships after the divorce.
📈 Plot
Lisa talks the reader through significant stages of her life. Initially she talks the reader through her teenage and early twenty years, how she finds herself in a relationship with someone who later becomes her husband. In a loveless marriage she dives head first in to her work and through which she finds their are other ways to fulfill her desires outside of her relationship - CHEAT. After the breakdown of the marriage she begins to explore the globe and men - PLAY. In the latter stages of the book she begins to better understand herself and her behaviours - LIVE.
🤓 Read more
I enjoyed hearing Lisa's story but this style of writing wasn't my personal cup of tea. I would read more as I'm still trying to identify my preferred genre of reading.
📢 Favourite quote
"We just come here to drink our champagne."
#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 21
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 49/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘(3.5/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Cheat Play Live
🖋️ Author: Lisa Edwards @becauseyoucan50
🎭 Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
📖 Format: 💻📖
📄 Pages: 248
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
🎨 Artwork
The cover of the book depicted a subtle picture that Lisa uses and references throughout the book. Specifically the shell.
✒️ Style
This book is written in the first person as a chronology of Lisa life moving through the significant stages of her life which she calls, cheat, play, live.
👪 Characters
Lisa is the main focus of the book. She details her relationship with her ex-husband Graham. Then later elaborates on a number of fleeting or significant relationships after the divorce.
📈 Plot
Lisa talks the reader through significant stages of her life. Initially she talks the reader through her teenage and early twenty years, how she finds herself in a relationship with someone who later becomes her husband. In a loveless marriage she dives head first in to her work and through which she finds their are other ways to fulfill her desires outside of her relationship - CHEAT. After the breakdown of the marriage she begins to explore the globe and men - PLAY. In the latter stages of the book she begins to better understand herself and her behaviours - LIVE.
🤓 Read more
I enjoyed hearing Lisa's story but this style of writing wasn't my personal cup of tea. I would read more as I'm still trying to identify my preferred genre of reading.
📢 Favourite quote
"We just come here to drink our champagne."
June 27, 2022
Wow! This book documents one heck of a journey which takes us through such a range of emotions.
Broken into 3 sections marking the significant periods of Lisa's life - as the title shows.
Section one - Cheat - was a pretty tough read. Being happily married for over 25years, it was difficult to read about affairs and those finding pleasure outside of their marriages - especially knowing that they're hurting good people at home. I have to say that I found myself disliking the person I was reading about - but at the same time knowing that I needed to continue reading to discover the true motives before fully judging.
Section two - Play - moves on to a period of complete independence for Lisa. Again, quite difficult to read in places as I could not be more different in my thinking. I'm not ashamed that I am the quintessential housewife - I need my man and children - I love being tied to my home and being a 'kept woman' 🤣. Totally not independent or brave enough to step out of my comfort zone.
Section three - Live - which is where we see the woman that Lisa is today, coming to terms with her life, actions and future. We discover all the reasons why and I started to warm to this new woman. I finished the book feeling so much empathy for her and hope for her bright future.
Rather than coming out the other side judging - I have emerged with a whole new way of thinking about the meaning of this publication and Lisa's other books - re-telling her story must have been painful - but there will be so many similar women who will be helped by reading it.
Broken into 3 sections marking the significant periods of Lisa's life - as the title shows.
Section one - Cheat - was a pretty tough read. Being happily married for over 25years, it was difficult to read about affairs and those finding pleasure outside of their marriages - especially knowing that they're hurting good people at home. I have to say that I found myself disliking the person I was reading about - but at the same time knowing that I needed to continue reading to discover the true motives before fully judging.
Section two - Play - moves on to a period of complete independence for Lisa. Again, quite difficult to read in places as I could not be more different in my thinking. I'm not ashamed that I am the quintessential housewife - I need my man and children - I love being tied to my home and being a 'kept woman' 🤣. Totally not independent or brave enough to step out of my comfort zone.
Section three - Live - which is where we see the woman that Lisa is today, coming to terms with her life, actions and future. We discover all the reasons why and I started to warm to this new woman. I finished the book feeling so much empathy for her and hope for her bright future.
Rather than coming out the other side judging - I have emerged with a whole new way of thinking about the meaning of this publication and Lisa's other books - re-telling her story must have been painful - but there will be so many similar women who will be helped by reading it.
June 30, 2022
We are taken on an enlightening journey of self-discovery set against the backdrop of the beautiful destinations visited. The refreshingly honest writing is engrossing and skilfully captures the emotion throughout. It’s written from the heart; there are lessons to be learnt and it covers some difficult topics such as grief, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and the perils of staying in an unfulfilling relationship.
Societal expectations and others’ perceptions can place a burden on how we live our life. Edwards’s demonstrates the benefits of stepping away from what’s expected and forging our own path. The freedom that comes from embracing our true-selves and not living our life to simply please others. It’s bold and unapologetic; it turns the lens inwards to ask what do we want from life? What would make us happy? The answers should then be prioritised.
The importance of self-care is evident and I loved reading about women supporting other women, building each other up, and finding your people.
It’s a courageous story with self-acceptance at its core and shows the joy, strength, and happiness that can follow. It certainly provides food for thought and is an interesting read to delve in to.
With thanks to @lovebookstours and @Redwoods1 for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book.
Societal expectations and others’ perceptions can place a burden on how we live our life. Edwards’s demonstrates the benefits of stepping away from what’s expected and forging our own path. The freedom that comes from embracing our true-selves and not living our life to simply please others. It’s bold and unapologetic; it turns the lens inwards to ask what do we want from life? What would make us happy? The answers should then be prioritised.
The importance of self-care is evident and I loved reading about women supporting other women, building each other up, and finding your people.
It’s a courageous story with self-acceptance at its core and shows the joy, strength, and happiness that can follow. It certainly provides food for thought and is an interesting read to delve in to.
With thanks to @lovebookstours and @Redwoods1 for a place on the tour and the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 30, 2024
Cheat Play Live is a bold memoir by the childfree author Lisa Edwards. Acting somewhat as a British counterpart to the well-known memoir Eat Pray Love, the book outlines Lisa's story - touching upon the frustrations of her earlier life (an unhappy childhood, the late start of her love life, an unsuitable marriage), and then her route into personal and sexual freedom on her own terms. Lisa has a great skill for telling her tale with unflinching honesty and it's hard to not appreciate her evolving self-awareness and self-compassion. In addition to being childfree, Lisa also seeks to free herself from many of the other expectations that society places upon women, especially from midlife onwards. She happily breaks many taboos - such as refusing to stay within her marriage, being involved in unconventional sexual relationships, or quitting a high-paid and successful (but also rather toxic) publishing career to follow her passions. If you're looking for inspiration on how to step outside society's narrow norms on what is considered an acceptable life path for women (especially older women), then there is much to be gained from reading Lisa's book.
July 6, 2022
If you loved Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, then this uplifting book is for you.
My Thoughts
Cheat Play Live is Lisa Edwards's memoir, and what a captivating read this memoir is.
Lisa is a fantastic writer. She bravely and skilfully tells her story with raw honesty and elegance, and in a way that too few people dare.
It's a relatable, and deeply moving and inspiring journey, whereby Lisa ventures into the unknown to find her true self and worth.
I loved reading this.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and
Redwood Tree Publishing for providing me
with a print copy in exchange for my own
honest review.
My Thoughts
Cheat Play Live is Lisa Edwards's memoir, and what a captivating read this memoir is.
Lisa is a fantastic writer. She bravely and skilfully tells her story with raw honesty and elegance, and in a way that too few people dare.
It's a relatable, and deeply moving and inspiring journey, whereby Lisa ventures into the unknown to find her true self and worth.
I loved reading this.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and
Redwood Tree Publishing for providing me
with a print copy in exchange for my own
honest review.
September 8, 2022
Ok
I think I was expecting more of a shocking experience due to it being described as powerful. It's a fairly normal life story really but I'm sure everyone can take something from it.
I think I was expecting more of a shocking experience due to it being described as powerful. It's a fairly normal life story really but I'm sure everyone can take something from it.
July 21, 2022
Really enjoyed this read! I was engrossed. Look forward to the next one!
July 25, 2022
I’ve liked reading this book. I don’t normally read non fiction but this was a welcome change. What I really liked was how honest Lisa was about her life, she was trapped in a loveless marriage, drowning in sorrow and addiction, yet she eventually made the decision to change it. A lot of people in this situation would just accept it and do nothing. I thought she was really brave in travelling abroad alone. I liked the diary entry writing and I thought it was quite engaging. Overall I thought it was an engaging journey of self discovery and being true to yourself.
December 16, 2022
The book was a little slow, but it tells the story of a woman who cheats while married, divorces, and then plays hard as a single woman. Drinks too much and plays the game of sex with lots of men. She tries to find the right one, but not until she faces her demons, can she find a man that is her equal and her mate for life. A life that she created for herself that then allowed her to find a man of equal character and attempt to get life right.
The story, as oft is the case, leans heavily on self groveling. But that is part of the story. Going low before she learns that is not what she wants from life and figures out how to rise of out of the mire.
What I love about this story is the sense of agency that this character learns after cheating and playing games with other people, then takes the reins of her life and slowly pulls herself free from the mire she created for herself. If all people and especially women would do this we would all suffer less. Unfortunately the protagonist has to suffer longer than she should have.
My hat is off to her for finding self-awareness that helped her save her own life.
The story, as oft is the case, leans heavily on self groveling. But that is part of the story. Going low before she learns that is not what she wants from life and figures out how to rise of out of the mire.
What I love about this story is the sense of agency that this character learns after cheating and playing games with other people, then takes the reins of her life and slowly pulls herself free from the mire she created for herself. If all people and especially women would do this we would all suffer less. Unfortunately the protagonist has to suffer longer than she should have.
My hat is off to her for finding self-awareness that helped her save her own life.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews