REVIEW: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Summary and Review


I came across this book, and the author, through a podcast earlier this spring. After working through a quarter of the ebook from the library, highlighting something on every page, I picked up my own copy to work through. While the premise – let people do what they will do – seems pretty simple, there’s surprising depth here.

This is about accepting reality, confronting our drive to control or fix others, releasing control that was never ours to begin with, recognizing the FEAR behind the drive to control, and considering our choices. And once readers have adapted to the idea of Let Them, the book shifts to the most important part – Let Me. Once I have let go of the drive to wrangle someone else or their choices, I am free to consider my own choices more closely.

When I first requested this from the library, I honestly expected to skim a few chapters to get the basic idea and then to move on. But I found much more here than I expected. This hit at a variety of levels at the exact right moment for me. Simple on the surface, but practical and deep when you dig in. It’s a fast read – the writing is engaging, and there are lots of examples. If you are willing to do the work here, this could be life changing. Check it out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Take Care of Your Friends by Christina Wilcox

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review


I enjoyed this new Enneagram resource focused on interpersonal relationships. I’m not sure the author did enough with the “six pillars of friendship” to make their inclusion work out. But the rest is great – I loved the early descriptions of all of the types.

The book includes sections on stress/security (called “health levels” which is different than the way other writers/instructors talk about health levels with the Enneagram), triads, stances, and conflict styles. I felt like the author’s descriptions were fresh and not rehashed ways of describing things. I’ve read a lot of Enneagram resources so it really catches my attention when I read something that feels innovative or insightful in a new way. Her approach makes this the sort of book I would read start to finish rather than just pull out my type info and then move on.

If someone’s really interested in digging into the Enneagram, I would start with other resources to help you determine your type. But this would make a nice gift for someone who has done that initial work, knows their type, and wants to apply the Enneagram to their interpersonal relationships. You can pair this with Suzanne Stabile’s The Journey Toward Wholeness which also looks at the Enneagram and relationships.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.