Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite

Gorgeous Women: Advancing On The Timeline by Cristina D'Riviera walks us through the difficulties faced by women, exploring societal expectations and personal strife through people like Denise, a retired librarian, and the plight of an aging actress. D'Riviera dives into the complex terrain of beauty standards, societal pressure, and the emotional toll of aging, and advocates for mindfulness, self-awareness, and a "personality holiday" as tools to address these challenges. Her book critiques quick-fix solutions, raises the idea of the mind-body connection, and scrutinizes the impact of media on self-perception. Using a combination of satirical humor, diary entries, and reflective narratives, D'Riviera encourages readers to question societal norms, adopt an actor's mindset, and focus on inner well-being. The beauty demerit system is employed as an analogy to underscore societal pressures on women, concluding with a call for self-compassion and inner peace.

I have definitely read my fair share of self-help books, but for the first time in a long while, I actually found something new in Cristina D'Riviera's Gorgeous Women. I thought that the concept of 'personality holidays' as a means to prioritize self-care was unique, insightful, and a step beyond what readers would normally see discussed. The standout for me was the incorporation of ideas like dancing and playfulness as tools for mental flexibility, stress reduction, and shaking off mental stiffness by encouraging readers to remain free and childlike in their lives.

D'Riviera's skill as a writer shines in the creative use of analogies and metaphors, like the gratitude tap and the negative stream, to simplify more complex ideas. The writing style is clean, conversational, and accessible, and D'Riviera connects by making us feel that she is a friend as well as a mentor. Very highly recommended.