Why Did You Stay? (Paperback)
Rebecca Humphries (author)Published: 06/07/2023
Reclaiming her identity from the very public victimhood she endured after her partner was caught cheating on a prime-time TV show, Humphries delivers an insightful and important analysis of toxic relationships.
Actor, writer and hopeless romantic Rebecca Humphries had often been called crazy by her boyfriend. But when paparazzi caught him kissing his Strictly Come Dancing partner, she realised the only crazy thing was believing she didn't deserve more.
Forced into victimhood by the story, Rebecca chose to reclaim her power, posting her thoughts on social media, including advice for other women who might be experiencing what she realised she'd managed to escape: a toxic, oppressive relationship. A flood of support poured in, but amongst the well-wishes was a simple question with an infinitely complex answer: 'If he was so bad, why did you stay?'
Empowering, unflinching and full of humour, this book takes that question and owns it. Using her relationship history, coming of age stories and experiences since the scandal during Strictly, Rebecca explores why good girls are drawn to darkness, whether pop culture glamourises toxicity, when a relationship 'rough patch' becomes the start of a destructive cycle, if women are conditioned for co-dependency, and - ultimately - how to reframe disaster into something magical.
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
ISBN: 9780751584813
Number of pages: 416
Weight: 324 g
Dimensions: 196 x 126 x 32 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
Her thought-provokingstory should be required readingfor anyone in a relationship - Daily Mirror
Brilliant, universal writing on toxic relationships and heartbreak. A Heart Shaped Bullet for the modern age - Jenny Colgan
This book isn't an ice-cold revenge opus; it's a diary of self-discovery, a celebration of friendship, resilience and finding one's self-worth...is it worth the hype? Absolutely: I had to stop myself from reading it one grateful gulp - Style
The best [book] about relationships since Three Women [...] Set to be this year's summer smart female read for women of all ages - The Bookseller
Why Did You Stay? is anything but a simple question, and Humphries is nothing if not comprehensive in her answer - but she is also funny, tender and wise - i Paper
A memoir every woman should read ... a frank, funny and sometimes confronting deep dive into why so many women mistake controlling relationships with toxic men as what they think love should be - Red Magazine
Fierce. Game-changing. Urgently necessary. Brilliant, brilliant and did I say brilliant?
Pacy, vivid, compelling and very, VERY funny ... it will help so many
A fucking classic. Required reading for all women and men and I believe it's going to be the book of 2022
Fuck, this is good. Every page feels important
So funny and heart-breaking. So stunningly written. For any woman who has been asked 'why did you stay?', Rebecca Humphries' book is a hilarious and brilliant read
Very, very good
A magical, magical book - Glamour
So thoughtful and moving and funny and sad and great, I love it so, so much. I resented having to put it down
Her thought-provoking story should be required reading for anyone in a relationship - Daily Mirror
When I love a book, I want to talk to the person and this was fantastic...I know women are going to recognise themselves in here, or their best friend, or their mother, their sister
A funny, brave and honest book that will change lives. I have not stopped talking about it - The Times
An extraordinary memoir ... Unflinching and often very funny, it's a diary of self-discovery, an account of finding one's self-worth, a celebration of resilience and a hymn to the value of friendship - Observer
A really important book that I think loads of men should read so we can better understand the things we do, whether by accident or by design
Brilliant, universal writing on toxic relationships and heartbreak. A Heart Shaped Bullet for the modern age
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“Fierce, feminist and so necessary.”
An extremely candid, sincere and empowering memoir from a fierce woman reclaiming her identity and self-worth after a very public break-up. Humphries explores the ins and outs of toxic relationships, co-dependency and... More
“Regardless of who this book is about, it’s important it is read”
This book was engaging, interesting, but also important. Humphries tells her side of her relationship in two ways - a chapter on when she left, and a chapter on when she stayed. The contrast between the two let you... More
“Literally addictive!”
After seeing Rebecca in a recent TV interview I thought wow I bet her book is interesting. I didn’t watch strictly not a fan and wasn’t really aware of the affair either, but this is fantastic. Delivered well, with... More
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