You can read this book for self-development or the vagina spa scene. It had me laughing, crying, and crying from laughter.

Vanja Joannidis is passionate, high energy and completely obsessed with finding the next ‘best book I’ve EVER read’. Her lifestyle blog, Vanya Says So, has been published by Huffington Post, and she is now embarking on a new journey to become a published author herself. Vanja loves books with strong female characters that reiterate the importance of girl power, but most of all she loves books with a happy ending, because there is already enough drama in everyday life! @vanyasaysso1 | FB | IG | YT | P

An advance reading copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher.

Life’s most precious moments couldn’t be memorialised, she knew. Joy and suffering inscribed upon the soul were remembrance enough.

‘Fearless’ is the name of a seven day retreat in Bali that helps people overcome their fears and phobias.

Six strangers, all from a different part of the world with different lives and different fears, begin their journey one beautiful Sunday morning in Bali. Their fears range from flying, heights, public speaking through to intimacy, failure and death.

The story follows their journey of self-acceptance and the acceptance of other influences in their lives. Friendships and romance blossom as the six participants complete challenges and tasks of self-discovery to overcome their phobias.

Halfway through the retreat, the unthinkable happens. A tragic turn of events catapults the group into deadly danger, forcing each member to summon courage they didn’t know they had or ever expected to need.

Nothing happens by coincidence, and so there was a reason this book found its way to me.

Fearless is full of emotion — it had me crying, laughing, and crying from laughter.

I was mesmerised by the lives of the characters, and their reasons for attending the course.

Fiona Higgins [ F | W ] writes the book from all six points of view, so at any given time the story is progressing from the view of one of the participants. Her writing flows so smoothly that by chapter three you feel like you are part of the group as a silent observer.

I loved the way a very taboo topic — religion and religious extremism — was covered with so much thought. The story’s ability to balance religion, faith, and custom is so refreshing. We witness the flow of religious beliefs into long-held customs. And the comparison of religious belief to the teachings of Louise Hay.

At the end of the day, all everyone wants is to be accepted, acknowledged, and loved. No matter beliefs the participants had — Catholic or Atheist — they all walk away with a higher meaning of life that was derived by their experience of it and not by following a instilled doctrine.

There are no accidents … I’ve been an Atheist for as long as I can remember … I’m not exactly sure what God really is, I know I don’t believe in some sort of divine headmaster who’s keeping score above the clouds … Whatever shape my faith takes, I know it’s not going to be extreme

But most importantly, religion and faith are described in terms of our ability to make sense of the world.

In the face of human suffering, it was futile — conceited, even — to continue and demand answers … One could merely accept that this suffering was so, and attempt to forgive oneself and others for contributing to it.

I identified myself in many of the characters, and reflect upon my own life through their faiths.

Finally, if I haven’t convinced you to read this book for self-development, then you should read it for the Vagina Spa scene alone. Yes, I googled it ladies, Vagina Spas are an actual thing.

The Vagina Spa chapter had me in stitches at 1:30 am, woke up hubby and all. He thought I was possessed, I almost peed my self from laughter.

This is the first Fiona Higgins book I have read, and I am definitely going read the others now.

The pursuit of comfort rarely occurs in a vacuum. That the very action of getting ahead invariably means that others are left behind.

Content advisory: Vaginas go to the spa. Obvs. But also: religious extremism, terrorism, violence, thoughts about pedophile, animal cruelty, abuse, and death.

You can find an extract of the book here. Published by Allen & Unwin.

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