Musings on the Murky Dating and Relationships Terrain is the remarkable memoir #8 from Jacqueline-of-all-trades Marie Abanga, aka MAG. MAG is a lawyer, CBT therapist, motivational speaker, author, and various other things, including Superwoman.
In this memoir, the focus is on what she’s learned from dating and relationships over the years. As usual, she brings her unique and powerful voice to her writing. There’s no holding back; MAG is honest, open and willing to be vulnerable. She talks about difficult subjects like childhood sexual abuse, committing adultery, an abusive marriage, and attempted suicide, but the way they’re presented, they don’t feel heavy. Instead, they’re framed as things that she has worked to learn and grow from.
There’s plenty of lightheartedness and willingness to laugh at herself thrown in as well, along with some slang and Cameroonian pidgin. Marie points out that tragedy “affects your future D&R frolics capacity”, and she writes that she is “sharing all my shenanigans over and over again to make my mess my message.”
An important theme that’s emphasized throughout the book is that Marie has gone from trying to find relationships with men that would let her feel liked and accepted to having a great relationship with herself first. She writes, “I mean what about dating and relating wonderfully with myself first and even always?” Yes!!!
If you’re feeling discouraged by your own frolics and shenanigans in the D&R world, this book will motivate you to live authentically as your wonderful self and put your relationship with yourself first. MAG is certainly an example of someone who’s done that very well.
Musings on the Murky Dating and Relationships Terrain is available on Amazon (affiliate link). It’s available for free over the next few days.
You can visit Marie on her blog https://marieabanga.wordpress.com.
I received a free reviewer copy from the author.
You can find my other reviews on the MH@H book review index or on Goodreads.