Women Like Us: A Memoir

by Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse has built a bestselling career on the lives of fictional women. Now she turns the pen on her own life.

I guess the first question to ask is, what kind of woman am I? Well, you know those women who saunter into a room, immaculately coiffed and primped from head to toe?

If you look behind her, you’ll see me.

From her childhood, where there was no blueprint for success, to building a career as a bestselling novelist against all odds, Amanda Prowse explores what it means to be a woman in a world where popularity, slimness, beauty and youth are currency—and how she overcame all of that to forge her own path to happiness.

Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious and always entirely relatable, Prowse details her early struggles with self-esteem and how she coped with the frustrating expectations others had of how she should live. Most poignantly, she delves into her toxic relationship with food, the hardest addiction she has ever known, and how she journeyed out the other side.

One of the most candid memoirs you’re ever likely to read, Women Like Us provides welcome insight into how it is possible—against the odds—to overcome insecurity, body consciousness and the ubiquitous imposter syndrome to find happiness and success, from a woman who’s done it all, and then some.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Inspirational, Audiobook, Mental Health

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2022

About the author

Previous Book: 'Swimming to Lundy', published th August 2024'.

Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.

Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.

A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.

Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...

Praise for Amanda Prowse:

'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan

'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail

'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!

'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun

'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan

'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat

'Magical' - Now magazine

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Prowse is a real life best selling author, who on the surface, is successful and happy, giving off an air of self confidence and control, but who is the person that actually lives behind that facade? Well we’re about to find out, and kudos to Amanda for laying bare her whole life for us, as she explains how she uses food as a coping mechanism, a secret friend. It’s heartbreaking, (almost gut wrenching at times) it’s also amusing though, particularly as Amanda’s arse takes centre stage, quite literally as a child! Above all though it’s inspiring.

We live in a world where, how others perceive us and the way we live our lives impacts on the way we feel about ourselves, making us mostly insecure. Amanda finally (after many years and much soul searching) overcame that pressure. It wasn’t easy, and it meant facing some difficult conversations with loved ones, things that had been left unsaid for far too long.

The real message here is that the ones who matter the most, those who love us for what and who we are as a person, will love us unconditionally no matter what, but that doesn’t stop them worrying about what we’re doing to ourselves - to our body, to our health in an effort to shut out what we don’t want to face - after all, they want us to stay on this mortal coil for as long as possible. A very interesting and inspirational read!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a long time I have been a fan of the books written by Amanda Prowse, so I grabbed this opportunity to read her biography and find out more about the person behind the books.
This book was a lesson in, although someone's life may appear perfect from afar, we cannot see inside their minds and the struggle they are going through. Amanda presents a very warts and all view at her life and shares moments of grief, pain, humiliation and despair. From her childhood trauma of having to undergo pelvic surgery, multiple miscarriages during her married life to her lifelong battle with self-image and eating disorders. It was refreshing to read a first hand account of another person who doesn't feel good enough, beautiful enough, slim enough - who defines what is enough?
I think a lot of people who struggle with self image will really appreciate the brutally honest way that Amanda tackles this and reflects on her life journey and then her very practical, realistic approach to being kind and forgiving to herself. This not only had the impact of improving her mental health and confidence, but also fuelled her to lose weight in a steady, controlled and sustainable way.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women Like Us
By Amanda Prowse

Uplifting
Inspirational
Immersive

I love memoirs. Amanda Prowse has been one of my favorite women's fiction authors having read many of her books. Reading WOMEN LIKE US made me love Prowse even more. she is the story of women like us - achieving success despite all odds and despite what society thinks success should look like. She tells the story of a woman with challenges, struggles, even insecurities - guess what, yes, indeed just like us.

I love the candid, honest, and funny way Prowse delivers her story - it is relatable, heart wrenching, but so uplifting and inspirational.

Thank you Amanda Prowse for sharing your story with women like us.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir got really close to my heart as I was able to relate to the author's family when she was growing up, got so crazy about books and reading, how the experiences and the people we meet during our developmental stages leave an impact on us for the rest of our lives.

Thank you, Amazon Publishing UK, for the advance reading copy.

I feel the writing is really, really awesome. It's brilliant. Of course, coming from a bestselling author it's meant to be. Easier said than done, the author might say!

At times I laughed out loud. The surgery YEEEEEEHAAAAA! will stay with me you know!
But most of the times, I was in love with everything else the author has to tell about her life as if it's someone else's story all over again.

Reading such memoirs gave me a lot to think about but I came to realise that even though we humans are miles apart, our lives are interconnected through similar experiences and the things we feel and go through.

Read this book. You will love it much more than any fiction.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Lovebookstours.

Women Like Us: A Memoir is an emotionally uplifting and relatable true memoir of one of my favourite authors life and this book has only made me love her even more.
Amanda has been through so much in her life, ups and downs, battles with herself and a rocky path to her own found happiness. Amanda's story is so raw, honest and relatable to myself and thousands of women around the world. Struggling with body image, self-esteem, toxic relationships with food, and the expectancies of being a woman in the world of today. I laughed so much in places during this book and Amanda's humour and honesty just shines through each page. This book makes you feel less isolated and alone and I felt like I've spent a week having a well overdue catch up with an old friend. This read brought tears to my eyes too and I just want Amanda to know how truly wonderful and deserving she is for all she has gone through, it gives me faith that I too will one day come out the other side.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a relatable memoir. So honest and revealing. It was one of the best memoirs I have read in a long time. I will say this reading it was very much like a long girl's weekend getaway. You really get to know Prowse. I enjoyed this inspirational read. A 4 star must read.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I start? What words can I use which will do this amazing, honest, inspiring autobiography?

Amanda takes a no holds barred journey through her life. In 'The Boy Behind' we learned about the problems her son had with depression, and imagined that since he was feeling better Amanda's life was now wonderful. After all, she is living the dream on a large farm near Bristol, and jets around the world promoting her multi million selling books. However, is a warts and all account (or a poo and all 😂) account. Amanda's story shows that even when you get what you have dreamt of all your life, you have nothing without good health - yours and your family's. Amanda's book isn't just for the rich, the glamorous, the successful, it's for women like us.

The only thing that I disagreed with is where Amanda refers to her readers as strangers. However to her millions of fans around the world, we all already feel that Amanda is a friend. She and her husband always take the time to reply to her fans in her own down to earth fashion, and I challenge anyone to finish this book and not want to count Amanda as a friend.

This isn't just a well written, entertaining, and interesting book, it is a fascinating insight into addictive behaviour, and how to overcome it. A 'must read'.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you read books, and you have that favourite author?
Then she goes and releases a memoir, and you just HAVE to read it because you are in awe of her?
That was me when I heard that Amanda Prowse was writing her story.
She has always come across as a true, down to earth, 'real' woman, who has had her fair share of struggles, including being an army wife, battling cancer, and how her family coped with the depression her son Josiah went through due to them both writing about it.
Yet, she has never been afraid to talk about these things.
I felt I already knew her.
But reading Women Like Us made me aware of how much I didn't know.
We all have a backstory, and it is that which moulds us to be the people we become.
Amanda Prowse has opened up about her life in a way that I feel will relate to many, many women out there.
Without wanting to give too much away, because I would urge anyone reading this to read the book themselves, Amanda's life has had huge amounts of love poured into it by her wonderful family and husband.
However, there have been events and situations that have tested her and almost broken her at times.
An undiagnosed medical condition, loss, abuse, miscarriages, and that overwhelming feeling of never being good enough or thin enough.
I read each chapter, and yes, there were times I smiled and laughed out loud. I'm as clumsy as Mrs Prowse and could relate to so many things she wrote.
My eyes moistened at other times, reading about some of the things Amanda had gone through.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as the realisation hit that some situations hit much closer to home than others. I've been there before, too, and maybe, I'm there right now.
And Amanda has come out of the other side, not necessarily unscathed, but a brighter, happier, more positive woman for it.
It takes a brave person to open up the way Amanda has, and I truly applaud her. I would be giving her the hugest of hugs right now if she was in front of me.
Amanda, thank goodness you managed to overcome the words of that English teacher, because where would I be without my Prowse books?

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truth- I began this with high hopes. It was interesting- until it wasn't anymore. She constantly repeats herself. It reminded me of being in a conversation with a friend, and another friend joins the circle and the story teller, starts over, and then over again when someone else joins. It's not worth the time.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Amanda Prowse and her books and been a fan of her wonderful characters for many years now. I’ve attended events and listened to her speak as well and she has always come across as a positive role model for women and a confident, interesting and successful writer. I already knew a few of the facts she writes about here as she mentioned some of them during her very open and candid conversation at an event I attended in Wrexham. But in this book she goes into much more depth, telling her life story with a raw honesty that endeared her to me even more.

Being a women of a certain age, there was much to love throughout Women Like Us-so many memories from my childhood came rushing into my head like a major sugar rush! Her love of David Cassidy that eventually gave way to her obsession with Duran Duran (me too!!) afternoon teas with the grandparents and their home grown tomatoes (the smell of warm vine tomatoes still takes me back to my Nanas greenhouse) and living in the era of Jackie magazine. But seeing another woman go through things throughout her life that you identify with, that another woman can express the feelings you also felt, became quite an emotional journey for me. My mum always says women are like teabags and you never know how strong they are until they are in hot water but sometimes that teabag bursts leaving the leaves swirling around uncontrollably, with no direction and often stuck in an area they hadn’t expected to be!

Amanda is brutally honest with herself and her readers as she describes her relationship with food. I thought those pages especially were probably the most difficult to write as they were also really tough to read (again probably because I have had similar issues). But I found as she approached her weight loss journey, she seemed very different from the Amanda we met previously in the book. There’s nothing like getting older to free yourself from the chains of expectation. Old age is a privilege not awarded to everyone and as we shake off the weight of other peoples opinions women empower themselves to make choices for themselves! It’s the only way forward!

Women Like Us spoke to me on so many different levels and I devoured it. I have already pressed it into the hands of my friends telling them that at last someone has put into words how we are feeling now we are in our fabulous 50s. Beautifully written with poignant moments of emotional intensity, this is a must read for every single woman who has ever read an Amanda Prowse book and wondered how on earth she consistently delivers female characters we find relatable and fascinating-the answers are all here.

Highly recommended by me.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio book is beautifully and emotively read by Amanda herself, as are all of her audio books. I giggled with her, I cried big fat tears for her.

I am the same age as Amanda and so much of what she talked about I could completely relate to. I have lived through many similar experiences. She brought back so many memories; twin tub washing machines (my mum never got rid of hers and wheeled it through to the kitchen every week!), tinned fruit with evaporated milk, libraries with actual library cards, and visiting the library as a child and bringing all those ‘free’ books home! Calling all the adult neighbours Auntie. Yes we experienced a very similar childhood, right down to the teacher who told the young Amanda she would never be an author, but she used that comment in later years to prove that teacher wrong. I just hope she is still alive to have eaten her words! I was never told that, but I had an equally horrible junior school teacher who was nasty to me and I still remember her.

Amanda opens up completely about all the ups and downs in her life, helping her readers who are facing similar struggles. From her agony and numerous operations as a child with a crumbling pelvis, surviving cancer, through her first failed marriage, many miscarriages, issues with her weight and food addiction, dealing with a child with mental health issues, to the menopause and facing an ageing face and body with positivity.

Amanda also shares the joys in her life. Actually having a baby against all the odds. Finding her soul mate despite being convinced she wouldn’t bother with another partner. The difficult journey to getting her first book published in her forties.

I felt as if I was sitting across the table having a coffee with this remarkable woman. I love that her views are so similar to mine on so many things.

This is a book I would recommend every woman reads. I would also say if you can read it on audio book do so.

I have just downloaded Amanda’s first book, Poppy Day, on audio and I can’t wait to listen to it.

Very very highly recommend.

[Lainy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time taken to read - in and out over 10 days

Pages - 396

Publisher - Little A

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

I guess the first question to ask is, what kind of woman am I? Well, you know those women who saunter into a room, immaculately coiffed and primped from head to toe?

If you look behind her, you’ll see me.

From her childhood, where there was no blueprint for success, to building a career as a bestselling novelist against all odds, Amanda Prowse explores what it means to be a woman in a world where popularity, slimness, beauty and youth are currency—and how she overcame all of that to forge her own path to happiness.

Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious and always entirely relatable, Prowse details her early struggles with self-esteem and how she coped with the frustrating expectations others had of how she should live. Most poignantly, she delves into her toxic relationship with food, the hardest addiction she has ever known, and how she journeyed out the other side.

One of the most candid memoirs you’re ever likely to read, Women Like Us provides welcome insight into how it is possible—against the odds—to overcome insecurity, body consciousness and the ubiquitous imposter syndrome to find happiness and success, from a woman who’s done it all, and then some


My Review

I have heard/read and even used warts and all used many times and I absolutely am using it for this book however it is probably the first time I am using it with actual pure felt meaning! So if you don't know who Amanda Prowse is she is an author who has written A LOT of books, I have read 3 with a few more on my tbrm and many more to buy! So about the book, Prowse takes us through her life, from a wee barra, teen, adult and authorhood.

This book took me through Amanda's life and back to quite a few stages of my own. Some of the things/experiences were so relatable I could have written them myself. Then there was some shockaroonies like the sanitary belt, I absolutely had to go and look that up. I can't imagine how you get into it let alone wear it!

The book is very open and honest and whilst I feel like you get that reading a lot of autobiographies Amanda Prowse felt it went deeper. If you have never had a battle with addiction, your weight or both then you may not appreciate just how much I imagine it cost to not only deal with that but to then commit it to paper and share it with the world. I wanted to reach out and hug her because it is a battle like no other and despite some addictions being treated more with compassion and understanding food/weight gain is still very judged/stigmatized.

The book is really interesting, emotive and takes us on many roads of the authors life and experiences, I have been struggling to read like I used to but for snippets of time I managed to loose myself. I cannot wait to read her other books and will absolutely be buying up others as I go alone. If you only read one memoir this year make it this one, 5/5 for me.

[theweebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memoir by a best selling author who appears to have everything, but does she? I don't really know where to start with it.

Amanda takes us through her life from childhood through to now. We have the happy, sad and awful times. She lays everything out in the open including dealing with body image, abuse and loss as well as the happy times. It is so candid.

I am similar in age so a lot of this resonated with me especially, her experiences growing up as well as some of the situations she described. I was so moved by this book that I would recommend it. I don't think there is any woman out there who wouldn't take something from it.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women Like Us is the most honest memoir I have ever had the pleasure of reading. This is such an important read for anyone who has ever felt less than.
This is not a self-help book, this is Amanda's real life journey and what she has learned from her years on this planet.
I connected with so many parts of this and was able to reflect on the women in my life and the lessons they have taught me. I'm still learning, every day. How to be a better friend, wife, mother, worker.
I have only read one of Amanda's novels before but her style in this makes me want to go and read everything she's ever written.
READ THIS!

[Adele Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many things hit hard when reading this book, I would need a day to write them all into this review.
On finishing this book I promise to be kinder and listen more to my body and hopefully from this day forward I can stop beating myself up for hating my body and mind.

Thank you Amanda. Xx

[Marie Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this, I found an ordinary woman, with the same concerns I had growing up - "I hate my body", "I am not good enough", "I can't do that". These are her thoughts, these are all our thoughts, always. I found that sad, because, with every struggle, with every lesson, Amanda Prowse proves she is not only good enough, she is great.
Keep reading on my blog: https://readfinebooks.com/2022/08/26/...

[Kiera-Lea (kiki.reads.stuff)]

‘𝙄 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙖 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚.’

••

I am usually a fiction only kind of reader, it’s very rare I pick up non-fiction but after another recommendation from @jtayauthor , I decided to give it a try and I’m so glad I did.

This memoir was a rollercoaster to say the least, incredibly raw and real - the author really laid everything bare. It’s a story of real life, success, struggles and mainly hope for everything to come right in the end. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but I think that’s what makes it a really special read.

I don’t want to give too much away because it’s a book you just need to read, but some parts were so relatable you could just feel everything she was saying. The emotion is apparent right from the get go and it makes you laugh and want to cry along with her.

This memoir is hard hitting, inspiring and deeply personal. I cannot applaud Amanda enough for being so completely honest and frank about her life and experiences.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mrs. Prowse: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

I heard wonderful things about @mrsamandaprowse and grateful to have the opportunity to read her memoir.

Women Like Us was personally relatable in a number of ways. The author put everything out on the table while writing this story, and it couldn't have been easy being this vulnerable while telling her story. As I'm reading I kept thinking that these are the same thoughts I have, the same issues. It was as if she was reading my thoughts. But there is hope. Life can be better.

Thank you Amanda Prowse and Love Books Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook: wow I’m surprised by her writing skills! 12 hours to talk about herself and her life! I would have about 10 words or less about mine so I’m seriously impressed! In terms is this is a book to really encourage females ……not so sure. Sure Amanda had a lot of issues with her life and some major issues too but really a lot of people have a lot of ups and downs in their life. Or is she just really good at blowing up a small problem with a lot of words?! But overall it was an interesting read and encouragement for some women and be yourself!

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a refreshing, heartwarming, uplifting and emotive read that is both utterly relatable and completely believable as I have often found myself feeling how the author feels and I love her for not sugar coating anything.
Full of humour, truth, sarcasm and absolutely no BS, I honestly felt like she was in front of me just telling me her story.
I really enjoyed it and wish I could reread it for the first time all over again.

[Jean Hein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a lot of Amanda's books but this was just too much about diet diet diet diet. It was interesting to find out about her life but it sure got boring.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Prowse, the author of “Women Like Us, A Memoir,” has written an honest and heartfelt story. I appreciate that the author shares her most intimate and revealing memories of her challenging life. Many women will be able to relate to many of the topics that are discussed.

The author describes her love of family and her hopes of being a writer. As a young girl in school, her dreams are almost crushed when a teacher asks what the children want to be. Amanda explained her dream was to become a writer, and the teacher laughed and stated, “I hope you have a Plan B”. This resonates personally for me as a teacher who has tried to encourage many students over the years to do their best in the most positive of ways. Amanda Prowse, didn’t need a Plan B since she is a successful writer.

The author has battled many health concerns with courage. Also, the author describes her disappointments and how she reflects and learns from them. Amanda Browse also mentions how society portrays how women should look. After some attempts at “following” what is expected, the author does what is best for her. As the author ages, she mentions the pressures placed on women to look younger. The author uses wit to describe how she spent hours getting human hair extensions. When she and her husband started to think about who the hair belonged to, she spent hours having them removed.

The author describes her battle with obesity and how she had to deal with it in her way. I love that the author describes her love of family and how she views success. I would highly recommend this inspiring and thought-provoking memoir.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read any books by this author before so I didn’t know anything about her before I started reading this memoir. I was going in blind, which for me, is always exciting! Plus, I love reading about other people's lives and experiences, their ups and downs, the lessons they have learned so far and how their lives have shaped them into the person that they are today.

The first thing that struck me about the book was that it came across as extremely down to earth and I could totally see myself having a coffee and cake with this lady! She seems very approachable, honest and a good laugh!

Amanda’s story is beautifully written, inspiring on so many levels and highly relatable. I felt that what I was reading was so brave, bittersweet and honest. It is a book that every woman should read. It encourages you to always be yourself, to know that you are worthy of love and happiness and great things!

This was an amazing book written by a very talented author which I highly recommend to all!

5 stars

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Love Books Tours, views and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone. @lovebookstours

[Madeleine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Amanda always writes books that are so easy to read and her memoir was no exception even though it was very painful at times. I had no idea about her food addiction and self confidence issues.

This book follows her journey of self loathing to self acceptance and it was also fascinating to hear her publishing process too!

I think so many women will relate to so many parts of her journey as we've all felt the pressure of needing to look a certain way or comparing ourselves to others and thinking we would be so much happier if we .............

This is such an honest and raw book which made me both cry and laugh.

Ultimately it really all comes down to recognising that you are enough!!

"I took a wrecking ball to the wall I had constructed in my mind, shattering it to let the light in. This is my time. A new age. And I like what I see in the mirror and on some days, I even bloody love it!"

[J. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever felt like you're never quite good enough and had worries about your appearance, your career, or any other aspects of your life, you need to read this book.

Women Like Us is a story of success and hope from the words of a very wise woman.

Amanda's voice is warm and so relatable, you cannot fail to feel both inspired and in awe as you gain access into her remarkable life.

I laughed and cried too many times to count while reading this candid memoir. It's a life changing read, and one I will be recommending to everyone. It needs to be on your tbr! Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for the ARC copy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several of Prowse’s books over the last few years. Reading her very honest memoir makes me like her even more.
One paragraph in I knew the author is my kind of person. Her story is completely relatable. From her childhood, angsts, to her getting real about her weight. Her excising the source of her overeating and getting a handle on it hit home with me since I did the same thing a year ago and am the better for it.
I admire her strength and honesty as I think many other readers will too. She writes great books and is an ordinary gal trying to live her best life.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the early read.

[Georgina Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read much non-fiction, but am making it a rule to read at least one a month next year (please nudge if you don’t see one on my bio/reading update!). This was one I wish I’d read ages ago, what a book!

This is a no-nonsense memoir, written with humour, love, sarcasm, confidence and so so much honesty. I loved it, it flowed really well and didn’t feel like a memoir. It reads just like a novel and keeps you invested all the way to the end. It’s filled with stories, life lessons, truths and fun. There is nothing that is left out of this, everything that has happened to Amanda through her 50+ years is in there, the good and the bad. And boy, there’s some bad! I was close to tears a few times throughout and then she’d make a joke and I’d be smiling again. You don’t feel like she’s holding anything back either, its all there - laid bare for all to read and understand the feelings that she felt at that time and how she feels about it now. She’s certainly a fighter.

Just brilliant. If you’re going to read a memoir this year, make it this one.

[Tracey Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh as I connected with tales of childhood in the 70s but also made me cry as I read of great challenge and loss. I am in massive admiration of her courageous honesty as she shares realities of self esteem and weight issues and facing them from a lonely place. Not an easy book to read but an insightful and important one. So grateful for her willingness to be vulnerable for the sake of women who struggle with these issues and the need to open up supportive, honest and courageous dialogue.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a woman of similar age this rang so many bells with me, it's rare to read a memoir so life affirming.

Beautifully written, this is a book for fans of Amanda Prowse or those yet to read one of her novels. Anyone who has battled body image, eating difficulties, self esteem problems, and there can't be many of us that haven't, will get something out of this, including a sense of recognition.

Highly recommended.

[Vicki (chaptersofvicki) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this is one of the most honest memoirs I have read. If you have ever had thoughts where you think you are not quite good enough I would definitely recommend you give this a read.

This isn’t a self help book it is a book about Amanda’s life. She comes across so likeable and down to earth.

It will help you realise that you are worthy of happiness and love and to just be yourself.

I have only previously read one other book by this author which I enjoyed. I’ll definitely be reading more in the future.

Thank you to Love Book Tours for having me on the tour and thank you Amanda for the gifted, signed copy of the book.