The Headshrinker’s Brigade by: Leslie Tourish

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

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Have you ever read a book where you go Hmmm I do that? Maybe you think this is something I would or would do? I like books that I can see myself in or can relate to characters such as I did with this one. 

Book Description

Julia Longley is determined NOT to repeat her mother’s mistake and marry the wrong guy. She thinks she has found the perfect one in Nick, a handsome, charming, and successful star reporter for the newspaper where Julia is a photojournalist.

But when her coverage of a tragic and bloody accident leaves her in a temporary state of blindness, Nick is anything but loving and supportive, and Julia must search alone for a career more suited to her. Her choice: go back to school and get a degree in counseling.

Soon Julia finds herself juggling the demands of finishing her education along with planning their wedding, while Nick resorts to anger and manipulation to compromise with the dictates of his very imposing socialite mother. How long before Nick treats her this way? Julia wonders, as she gives in time and time again.

Part of her school assignment lands Julia at the county mental health free clinic as an intern, where her first mission is to learn to moderate a group therapy session. Nothing in any textbook, however, has prepared Julia for The Headshrinker’s Brigade.

What Julia learns from this motley band of suffering souls gives her the strength to make some tough decisions in her effort to find love and something even more important: herself. 

About Leslie Tourish

By day, Leslie Tourish helps others - via screen now - through life’s biggest problems. By night, she follows her lifelong dream of being a writer. The thread that continues to weave between the pages of her life is her love for the written word. Stories and characters have always played in her head, just waiting for the day they can bust out and have a life of their own.

Just like her main character, Julia, after a career as a photojournalist, she decided she needed a change and returned to school where she earned a Master of Arts in Human Services specializing in counseling. While employed in various mental health clinics, the idea for a book took root and resulted in The Headshrinker’s Brigade. It won the 2019 Texas Authors Book Award Contest for general fiction.

Born and raised in Texas, Leslie currently lives in a small town in the Texas Hill Country with her husband and three terribly spoiled dogs.

My Thoughts

It took me a moment or two to get into this book but once I did I was hooked.

Julia seems to have a perfect life till an accident takes it away. In her struggle to reinvent herself she must face her own inner self to heal.

What I liked about this book was I got Julia. I understood her. As someone who had to reinvent herself many times due to chronic illness and life alternating events, I got it. Finding yourself again and healing is hard. There are things we don't want to admit about ourselves.

Following Julia's journey, I understood her path and enjoyed walking it with her. In doing so I to was able to heal.

This book has been one of my favorites this year and I am grateful I got to read it and meet Julia.