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: The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

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

Summary


When Princess Rosamund wakes after 100 years of slumber to a smooching prince (Ew!), it takes a bit to get her bearings and remember her story. But when she arrives at the Orphans Home Educational Academy, it all comes back to her – the spindle, the 100 years, the angry fairy.

But Rosamund is now in the Princess Protection Program. It’s a safe, protected space for fairy tale characters who have left their stories to prepare for life in the “real” world.

As Rosamund acclimates to her new home and friends, however, she begins to notice strange things around the school – monsters, missing and forgotten friends, mysterious magic. Maybe HEA isn’t the happily ever after she’s been led to believe it is.

Review


This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the worldbuilding here a lot. There are some clever design choices along with some little shout outs to other stories and writers of other fractured fairytales. This is a genre I have always enjoyed, and this is a great addition.

The characters here are lovely. I really liked this version of Sleeping Beauty – her curiosity, her questions, and her loyalty. The author does a great job keeping the focus on a small group of recognizable princesses while telling the larger story. Folks looking for middle grade books with LGBTQ+ representation will find some of that here, too.

My favorite thing of all was the way the author wove ideas of personal responsibility, independence, choice, autonomy, and identity into this fun fairy tale story. I’d love to read more books with these themes. And if these characters come back for another adventure, I am here for their stories!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read