Reviews & Endorsements

What reviewers are saying…

STARRED REVIEW–Kirkus Reviews–CRITICS’ PICK

In her practical, hard-hitting yet realistic program for self-improvement, Renaye demonstrates that there’s still plenty to say in the self-help industry.

A professional life coach and transformational speaker, Renaye has created a concise, encyclopedic guide-cum-workbook that does the job of multiple existing titles, all while adding profound, useful insights and strategies to the conversation. She breaks self-exploration and retooling into manageable, sharply focused steps that help push the reader into honest reflection, emotional and physical health and, ultimately, empowerment and maturity. Though hints of other popular spiritual works shine through, such as the creation of vision boards to visualize what you want in life, the perspective is refreshingly grounded, and Renaye’s confessional, empathetic narrative invites readers to identify with her while buying into her approaches. Each chapter focuses on a discrete issue or aspect of life—feeling stuck, body wisdom, living for others—and ends with a transformational insight worksheet (copying is advisable, since space is limited) with questions for self-analysis. Even without the worksheets, tripwires for aha moments run throughout the book. Recognizing that some difficult people are unavoidable, she prescribes stockpiling diversionary tactics in advance. She also lays out simple, sanity-saving strategies for navigating conversations, as well as tips for climbing out of inevitable dips in mood. She expands the vision board concept into a vision script that can help reprogram your thinking, with guidelines, precautions and sample language for recording. She calls her methods tough love, but they’re also deeply human, compassionate and supportive.

A self-help guide with real-world value and applicability, which proves it’s never too late to grow up.Kirkus Reviews (starred review, critics’s pick)

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All the benefits of serious therapy in one book! Reading this book is like getting therapy from a top-notch therapist who has the guts to tell it like it is and the compassion to help you face your issues squarely and do something about them.” —Amy Wood, PsyD, author, Life Your Way

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Certified professional coach Renaye employs the process of self-discovery as a tool for life change. In a no-nonsense manner, she asks readers to hold themselves responsible for the choices they make, and teaches them how to use various tools, such as a vision scripts and “as if” statements, to rework subconscious beliefs. One of her most practical chapters offers 13 “sanity-saving strategies” that help readers deal with people they’d rather avoid, resist replaying old dramas, share gratitude, and conquer the usual snafus that trip people up. Ideal for the person who indulges in pity parties. —Library Journal

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Review from Examiner.com

As an evolving species, we humans are continually changing; and as a piece of God/Source/Creator, we have the power to re-mold ourselves and change our lives. That said, a nice guidebook never hurts, and I’ve discovered a great one. Living the Life You Love (The No-Nonsense Guide to Total Transformation) by Paula Renaye is a 269-page manual that maps out logical and extremely doable steps to help us live the lives we deserve to live. Living the Life You Love is a quintessential, therapeutic instruction guide for those of us who want to be HAPPY; and don’t we all deserve to be happy? Of course we do, and as Paula says:

‘To live the life you truly love takes deliberate, soul-searching work to discover what you really want, why you don’t have it, and how to go about getting it.’

I’m not going to lie to you, this book is going to make you think; it will take you on a journey of self-discovery, and when you’re finished, you will be very glad you picked it up.

I must confess that I plowed through this book the first time around because I couldn’t wait to see what was next. I’m re-reading it now, and this time, I’m taking it slowly because I know that the exercises and plain-talk advice are going to take me to the next level of my personal evolution. Don’t miss Living the Life You Love—it’s worth 10 times the $15.95 cover price.

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Review from: SelfHelpCollective.com, Highly Recommended

I’ve just started reading Paula Renaye’s Living the Life You Love and I love it! I love it because the philosophies behind it mirror my own, right now; I love it that it’s a no-nonsense guide; and I also love it that Paula doesn’t claim to be putting all the answers into action in her own life (yet!).

So what we have is a guru-free practical guide to helping you take full responsibility for your life. This is a classic self-help book that pretty much sums up my philosophies when it comes to personal growth: it’s YOUR responsibility, and yours alone! And that includes what you take from others (teachers like Paula Renaye) and what you ignore, because it doesn’t feel right (yet!).

Okay, Paula Renaye’s words…. Early in her Introduction, Paula talks of a loving wisdom she wishes someone had shared with her a long time ago. This wonderful wisdom (that’s really worth reading, and holding onto) concludes:“Either you do what you need to do to change what you need to change, or admit that you don’t want to and shut up about it.”

Ouch! Yes, it is a no-nonsense guide for sure that Paula Renaye’s book is offering. We do have to stop making excuses and start taking corrective actions. I could go on…

I am going to keep reading this book, one chapter per day, and I’m going to do the exercises in the book, too, to help encourage further insights into my own life. And, if what I’ve shared above speaks to you, then I encourage you to buy this book and do likewise…

Steve M Nash, SelfHelpCollective.com and InspireGreatnessNow.com

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The author uses terrific real-world examples to make her points. For those of us wanting something better and don’t know how to get there, [this] would be an excellent first step.” —Robin Cain, Scottsdale Examiner

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Everyone or anyone thinking about changing so that they can achieve the life that they want will benefit from this book. Empowerment practitioners, coaches and mentors as well as men and women—the young and mature—thinking about self-development would benefit from the knowledge and wisdom shared. It is a great resource.” —Dr. Cheryl V. Cottle, Founder, CPC Women in Business

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“Beautifully written by a talented author, Living the Life You Love is structured around the author’s personal journey of healing, forgiveness and solid personal growth principles. I highly recommend it to anyone on a growth path—and especially women. It’s both a “good read” and potentially life-changing.” Robert White, author, Extraordinary People

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“A no-nonsense, get-to-the-point approach to real-life self-improvement that works. Living the Life You Love is the perfect prescription for self-transformation that will help you jump-start your joy and live a life you truly love. The ‘transformation insights’ at the end of each chapter are innovative and invaluable.” George Pratt, PhD, author, Code to Joy

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I have treated thousands of addicts in my career in addiction medicine and wish that I had had this book to recommend to so many of them. It is a perfect supplement to anyone trying to overcome addiction by working a 12-step recovery program. …easy and fun to read [with] clear instructions on how to face your dilemmas and begin a new and brighter chapter in your life.” Douglas Cook, MD, BeginRecovery.com

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“Paula Renaye has put her heart, soul and personal life experiences into this book. Using her powerful communication skills, she has created a living guide for those seeking refuge from the storm. …strategies that will get you where you want to be. …an amazing transformation into the life you love.” Ray Erickson, LCSW, author, Ten Tips to Tame Your Teen

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Paula has written the quintessential manual for anyone who no longer wants to be a member of ‘the ain’t it awful club.’ This is the ticket to transformation…!” —Gail McMeekin, LICSW, bestselling author, The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women and The Power of Positive Choices

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“Empowering, straight-forward and simply practical, Renaye’s latest book is a must-have guide for letting go of excuses and steering life in the direction you desire. Ready or not, this book will wake you up and show you the way to live the life you love…it’s my go-to reference when I need a swift kick in the pants!”Keri Nola, LMHC, author, A Year on Your Path to Growth

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Change is hard. Blaming and procrastinating are easy. Living the Life You Love challenges readers to take responsibility for transforming their lives and provides insightful exercises that will help with the process. Paula has written a book that is gently confrontational, deeply personal, humorous and wise and I recommend it without reservation.” Janet Holt, MS, LPC

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“Whether you’re working with a good therapist, on your own or in a study group, Living the Life You Love is a wonderful guide to self-transformation. Paula Renaye’s style is easy and comfortable, like a friend who’s cheering you on, supportive but firm, as she guides you on the path of self-discovery. I highly recommend this book to those who are serious about transforming their lives.Mimi Lupin, MA, LPC, LSSP, founder, Making the World a Better Place Foundation

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“Paula Renaye challenges readers to face what’s been holding them back, then provides practical self-discovery tools to move forward. If you’re willing to do the work, this book lays out a path for rapid personal transformation.” Ron Chapman, MSW, author and speaker, Seeing True

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“The highest calling we can have as human beings is to honor our hearts. This book is much-needed tough love for courageous transformation.—Karen Barnett Bozeman, LCSW

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“More and more, people are overwhelmed by what to do in regard to their health, family, dreams and goals…their life! Paula offers a simple recipe for truly living the life you LOVE. Each page serves up an opportunity for change, big or small. No matter who you are, where you are in life this book allows you to be honest and real with yourself. She inspires you to create a practical plan that you can implement the second you put the book down. It is a must read!”Kendra Pomeroy, D. C., Roots Chiropractic

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“The difference in living a life you love, one you just like or one you really regret is all just a matter of choice. Paula has offered up the perfect menu for living the life that you LOVE, and this book will be one of the best investments in your happiness you will ever make. You owe it to yourself to be your best. Do it!” Karen Mayfield, bestselling author, Wake up Women

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“From the front cover to the back cover, I knew that this book was going to be different than every other self-help book I’ve read…and I was right! You can’t help but be affected and moved by the mirror Paula puts in front of your face. And one of the most wonderful aspects is how she shares from her own life and draws the reader into believing that change, permanent, positive change, is possible. Change takes courage, determination and direction and this book is a blueprint for making those changes in your life!Deidre Hughey, speaker and author, I Am Bound and Determined