The Diet Dropout's Guide to Natural Weight Loss: Find Your Easiest Path to Naturally Thin by Stan Spencer, PhD - A Review

The Diet Dropout's Guide to Natural Weight Loss: Find Your Easiest Path to Naturally Thin

by Stan Spencer, PhD

This is a refreshing and practical approach to weight loss—perfect for anyone tired of fad diets, miracle foods, or gimmicky supplements. Dr. Stan Spencer focuses on building real, lasting habits instead of offering quick fixes, making this an ideal guide for first-time dieters or anyone ready to make sustainable lifestyle changes.

The book emphasizes the importance of understanding why we gain weight, how our bodies respond to food, and what it truly takes to maintain a healthy weight. Dr. Spencer provides tools to manage emotional eating, calm cravings, boost metabolism, and improve nutrition and exercise habits. He even walks you through creating a personalized weight-loss plan tailored to your own abilities, preferences, and lifestyle.

I especially appreciated that this isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, the book empowers you to take control, make gradual changes, and develop habits that stick. The included recipes and practical tips make healthy living approachable and realistic—no gimmicks, no shortcuts, just solid guidance.

While it may not introduce groundbreaking concepts, the clarity, structure, and encouragement make it a valuable resource. For anyone looking to transition from dieting frustration to sustainable, self-directed change, this book is an excellent companion.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher for review purposes. This is my honest opinion.)

★★★★☆

From My Archives: May 16, 2018

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Nothing to Fear (Romantic Suspense, Book 4) by Karen Rose - A Review

Nothing to Fear (Romantic Suspense, Book 4) by Karen Rose

In this romantic suspense thriller from New York Times–bestselling author Karen Rose, danger, secrets, and survival collide.

Dana Dupinsky, director of an inner-city women’s shelter, is fiercely dedicated to protecting abuse survivors—and the many secrets that keep them safe. Some secrets are new names and new lives, while others are deeply personal truths Dana has buried for years. Love has never been part of her plan, especially when her work puts her and a child in mortal danger.

Ethan Buchanan is a security expert shaped by war and loss. Trained to hunt enemies in the Afghan desert, he’s now determined to find the woman who kidnapped his godson. Falling for Dana is the last thing he expects—but her presence quiets the ghosts he carries, even as her guarded nature sparks his instincts. When a ruthless killer begins weaving a deadly web of revenge with a stolen child at its center, Dana finds herself next on the list.

My Thoughts:
I’ve now read several books by this author, and all had solid plots and strong character foundations. Unfortunately, both were dragged down by an extremely unrealistic death toll. Ridiculously so. It felt like every new character introduced was only there to be killed off.

That excess took away from the suspense and emotional impact, making the story feel padded with shock-value deaths instead of meaningful development. It’s a shame, because the outline and premise were genuinely good—but the ridiculous body count kept this from being a higher-rated read for me.

★★★☆☆

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