Review of Relieved

[Anusha Thatavarthi]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Relieved" by Cheryl Richardson.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Relieved is a memoir written by Cheryl Richardson. It recounts the author’s experience of working for an oil heiress named Debora. Cheryl was working in a salon in California as a cosmetologist when she met Debora. She agreed to help her move to a house in Carmel Valley. This started a thirty-seven-year-old on-and-off relationship between the two women, which proved to be toxic for Cheryl.

Since they met, Debora liked to play mind games with Cheryl. She made Cheryl work overtime without paying her enough. She was manipulative and often gaslighted Cheryl. Debora believed herself to be a spiritual healer and often spent time with different kinds of healers and spiritual gurus. Debora’s stubbornness put Cheryl in near-fatal situations more than once, but still, Cheryl tried to help Debora and bring order to her chaotic life.

This book shows how even professional relationships can turn toxic and abusive. Cheryl was stuck in an abusive cycle with Debora, from which she could not get out. She even quit her job as Debora’s assistant several times, but Debora still lured her back with the pretense of employment. This book also discusses the way childhood abuse moulds someone. Debora was abandoned at a psychiatric institution by her parents when she was a child. There she was sexually assaulted by the head of the institution and his wife. These experiences affected Debora’s mental health and formed a basis for her toxic relationships with other people.

I liked the writing style of the author. Her voice was clear and empathetic. I liked that although Debora negatively impacted her life, Cheryl still tried to think things from her point of view. 

There is nothing I disliked about the book. There are some non-borderline profanity and erotic scenes. There is some violence and mentions of rape, abortion, substance abuse and animal abuse. Readers who are triggered by these things should approach this book with caution.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is very moving, interesting and authentic. It is also well edited. I only recommend this book to mature readers because of the triggering issues mentioned above. I also recommend this to readers who enjoy memoirs and psychological thrillers.

******
Relieved
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Risper Ouma Anyango]

I really didn't like people who has light and play mind games. Aldo employees who treat you badly aren't a good choice for anyone. I lived your review though

[Anusha Thatavarthi]

I really didn't like people who has light and play mind games. Aldo employees who treat you badly aren't a good choice for anyone. I lived your review though

Yes, employees like that are worst. Thank you so much for sharing your opinion.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

Hi Anusha, didn't you feel frustrated at Cheryl for not leaving her sooner after all she put her through? I struggled with the second half of the book as I felt she should have learned her lesson by then. Keen to her what you thought.

[Sarah Zain]

This book may not be for me because of the amount of abuse and toxicity in relationships. But I enjoyed reading your review very much, as it gave me an idea of ​​the story in an organized and beautifully written way. Thank you Anusha.