19 Comments
User's avatar
Ivy Zeller's avatar

I read most of this terrible book when I was 16. I couldn't put my finger on why I couldn't finish it then. As an adult looking back, I'm proud of my intuition for stopping me.

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

I’m so jealous of young, wise, intuitive Kandi. 💜🤣

Expand full comment
Lindsey Melden's avatar

Same!! I DEVOURED her books.

Expand full comment
Sarah G. Young's avatar

Just reading the pages you posted, I'm so glad I never read this book.

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

I’m so happy for you!!

Expand full comment
Carolyn's avatar

I’ve never read this, but have a friend who raves about it and is always tell me what a fantastic picture of grace it is and how I’d love the book.

I presume now that I wouldn’t.

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

It’s a fantastic piece of shit lol

Expand full comment
Krispin Mayfield's avatar

This made me literally lol

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

☺️

Expand full comment
Camilla Joy's avatar

The only time I pulled an all nighter in college was when I read Redeeming Love cover to cover. I cried SO HARD. I've also never read it since and now I know I definitely don't want to! I can't wait to listen to your podcast interview!!

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

DON’T READ IT!! But yes listen to the podcast!!

Expand full comment
Michelle Bailer's avatar

Okay. I LOVEDDDD this book in late teens early twenties and read it several times. But I haven't read it in the last 10+ years and so much about me has changed and I know I would HATE it furiously so I'm never touching it again to preserve the feel goods from long ago.

Ps have you watched the movie that came out? It was what you'd expect.

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

Yes, it’s best not to reread it. I haven’t watched the movie. Trying to work up the nerve.

Expand full comment
Hannah B. Makes's avatar

I never read it but so many of my friends did an raaaaaaaved about it. I liked zooming in on your marginalia. Left me feeling inspired to go maybe give it a hate read. Lol

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

Warning: your blood pressure will spike over and over again lol

Expand full comment
Jenn's avatar

I read it once, only a couple of years ago, because of the rave reviews it had gotten from a former roommate and her sister (and...sigh...it was for sale at a women's retreat I was speaking at). I managed to make it through the whole thing, but let's just say I didn't have the same reaction to it as my former roommate and her sister.

Expand full comment
Marla Taviano's avatar

It’s so terrible and I’m so sad that millions of women love it.

Expand full comment
Jenn's avatar

Yeah, that is so deeply sad!

Expand full comment
Shanda Scherdin's avatar

I’m catching up on substack and woah! I can’t wait to go listen to this podcast episode. I was such a fan of this book. :: Hangs head in shame at past self. :: I don’t think I could bring myself to read it now. But listening to you talk about it sounds actually lovely.

Expand full comment