The Curse of Lovely: How to break free from the demands of others and learn how to say no - Tapa blanda

Insightful, courageous and humorous - what a wonderful addition to the self-help genre! The Curse of Lovely is unpretentious and rich with well-developed case studies that take the reader from compassionate self-awareness to effective change. I have found this book to be like an intimate therapy session where you learn to unpack and challenge the curse of lovely. I am sure it will become the go-to resource for all of us who struggle to say no (Dr F. Jay McClellan, MSc, PsychD)

People-pleasers - read this book and you will emerge from your chrysalis of falsehood! The first real guide to setting people-pleasers free - innovative, practical, a guide to replacing niceness with authenticity (Oliver James, clinical psychologist and author of bestselling books including Love Bombing: Reset Your Child's Emotional Thermasta)

Through The Curse of Lovely, Jacqui Marson takes you on a journey - a journey of gentle, compassionate self-discovery. It answers the what, the how and the why in an utterly charming and non-judgemental way. It then subtly guides you into understanding and learning how to change the aspects of yourself that cause you the most misery. The progressive use of case studies and real-life experiences make this book incredibly readable and accessible. The humorous and almost self-deprecating Jacqui shows you how to understand yourself and your behaviour without the critical "inner voice". Like a true, good therapist Jacqui guides you towards change until you get to the point of cathartic liberation from your "curse". I loved reading this book not only because I recognised so many truths in Jacqui's observations, but because, as a fellow psychologist, I know intuitively that this book will help people reframe their curse as a gift they can finally control and be proud of.Buy this book if you suspect you have the curse; also buy it for anyone in your life you think has the curse of lovely - it will genuinely be a gift that keeps giving (Pia Sinha, Chartered Psychologist and Deputy Governor, HM Prison Service)

The Curse of Lovely is an empowering and enlightening guide to positive change for people who struggle to stand up for themselves. Read it and be cursed no more by the weight of other people's expectations! Step into your true self with Jacqui Marson as your warm and wise companion - she offers creative and practical help to ensure you thrive in your own right (Val Sampson, coach and couples counsellor, author of Tantra: The Art of Mind-blowing Sex and co-author of The Breast Cancer Book)

Insightful (Judith Woods, Telegraph)

Marson offers coping strategies, delivered in a cosy, confiding tone, that makes even the most problematic of scenarios seem solvable (Marie Claire)

This is a light-hearted look at asserting yourself, saying no and breaking free from others' demands. Go on, dare to be a disappointment (Stylist)

No wishy-washy advice, just loads of helpful tips on how to be assertive and friendly (Shop Til You Drop)

An essential read (Health and Fitness)

Excellent. (Robert Webb, The Guardian)