Fake Love

By: Nova Gibson

Narrated by: Rachael Tidd

Clear, concise and empowering self-help about navigating and healing from narcissistic abuse by Australia's go-to specialist counselor

The love of a narcissist is fake. It's a soul-destroying realization for every victim of narcissistic abuse, but even more damaging is finding yourself trapped and abused by the person who claims they love you.

Nova Gibson has helped thousands of people in their struggle to understand, extricate themselves and heal from toxic relationships and narcissistic abuse. Drawing on the expertise gained from a decade of working with clients and her global online community, Nova offers comfort, knowledge and powerful strategies to help you identify, navigate and survive this extremely covert, confusing—and dangerous—form of abuse.

In this life-changing book, Nova brings unparalleled insight into the lived experience of victims and helps identify the behaviors of narcissistic abusers, such as coercive control and gaslighting, pathological lying, the love bomb-devalue-discard cycle, hoovering, smear campaigns and many, many more. She also helps you understand covert and overt narcissism, and explores in depth the concept of trauma bonding, which creates a powerful connection with your abuser and explains why and how you're compelled to stay, even when the abuse is impossible to ignore.

In this deeply compassionate book, Nova offers hope, support and concise, practical strategies to break the toxic cycle, extricate and protect yourself ... and most importantly, heal.

©2023 Nova Gibson (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Perfect for those recovering from Narcissistic abuse

Just got done reading this book for the second time. Absolutely the best book I’ve ever read on narcissism and recovering from its effects. I got out of a toxic relationship over 2 years ago, and although I’ve come a long way in my healing journey, this book just helped me pretty much eliminate the residual bits of self-doubt that lingered in my head, even after 2 years of healing. Highly recommend it!

Comprehensive

This is the most informative and comprehensive book on Narcissistic Abuse that I have read.

Great Book

Great information on narcissism. I am two years free from leaving my abuser and I couldn't agree more that the process of healing is not linear. Great information, explanations and analogies. This is a must read for anyone that is currently enduring this type of abuse or has endured this type of abuse. A great read for those of you that may have not experienced this type of abuse but is trying to gain and understanding.

One of the best

This is one of the best books about narcissistic abuse, understanding what it is, and how to heal from it. I would recommend this book to anyone. It goes hand-in-hand with the book gaslighting and the book the passive, aggressive, covert narcissist. I’m so thankful I found this book, as it really hits home with what you go through and experience. It is also good for a family member to read to understand what you have been through highly recommend.

Incredibly Insightful

Thank you so much for helping me to see so many of the tactics my abuser utilized that I had convinced myself were all my fault. I have so much more clarity than I have ever had. After trying to leave and letting him leave after his fits of rage numerous times, I finally believe I see that everything he did was part of manipulating me. And he did it so well I missed 75% of it. I realize now that nine of it was “real”. This book has truly changed my life. I have recommended this book to several people including my wonderful therapist. You have helped me more than I can express. And the narrator is spectacular!

The most honest, easy to understand book on narcissism

This is a must read/listen for EVERYONE. Relating the abuse through characters in real situations made this such a powerful message. I felt as though she watched my most painful relationship and wrote about it; the beauty in that is it is helping me heal deep trauma and learn to give myself grace. Make note of the “13 things” at the end and really study/implement them. Well done. As painful as this was to hear, it was also extremely validating and empowering.

Best book if you’ve been abused

I have read a lot of books on narcissism, listened to Podcasts, watched YouTube videos and follow my favorite narcissist educator, Dr. Ramani. This book is the most accurate I’ve ever read. It matched exactly with my experience. Even after leaving them, they will do all of the things to your child and to your life as this book describes. The book talks about how after you leave them, they feel as though you destroyed their ego. They will even go as far as to tell their new partners that you are the crazy one and that they left you after you begged them to not leave. All untruths to make their new partners insecure and to pin them against you. I also realized that after 6 years of trying to co-parent with a narcissist, I am finally done. The book helped me to realize that it is impossible to coparent with them, because they will consistently take any opportunity to abuse you, belittle you and push your buttons. Then, when you react, you’re the crazy one. How freeing it was for me to realize that I didn’t need to keep trying to coparent. It is healthier for your kids to parallel parent with them for all the reasons the book describes. Even after my ex got married, he called me to tell me the most inappropriate things about his marriage and about my past relationship with him. They really put on a mask and it’s your duty to stay strong and keep conversations to a minimum. Do not explain or defend. It only get worse if you do. My mouth dropped during the entire book. It was healing to read the same exact story of my life. Please read this book if you’ve ever been involved with a narcissistic person. Especially if you have children with them.