Stunning . Could not put this book down !!

This will be one that I’ll go back to reread time after time

Easy to read writing style and very moving

The first half of this I loved and thought I would be reviewing as a 5* but by the middle when she is thinking of leaving the community it goes down hill fast and her writing is no longer so carefully constructed.
Knowing little of her story other than My unorthodox life I was keen to know more. In the show she seems slightly vapid and a bit ‘ditzy blonde’ but hearing of her family background and her upbringing I was surprised at the depth that she has, and the religious arguments I thought were well written and informative whilst also entertaining.
I wish this had continued after she had left the community. She foreshadows that certain people will ‘bring me and this company our knees’ but there are so many moments where this is said over the last 100 pages but the culmination is then glossed over. The narrative of how much she was flying, and the debacle of the shoe molds also didn’t read clearly.
The first part really made me change my initial opinion of Julia but by the later half she just seems a bit tacky. Overall 3 stars as I would still recommend, but the ending just leaves you a bit flat.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

I struggled with this book. It is a very me, me, me book in which I felt the author did not come across in a good light (very vain and braggy) “I am so tiny” “ every man who’s ever laid eyes on me wanted to sleep with me”.

While some parts of the book was interesting in parts others parts had me questioning if it was even real/ real events. It sure sounded to elaborated to be so.

The first half of the book in my opinion is better than the second half. I would say the first half was about a 3.5 out of 5, the second half barely pushing a 2.


*I was given an advance readers copy (ARC) from NetGalley for my honest opinion of this book*

Although I'd heard of Julia and her amazing career with Elite and the fabulous designs she's created, I had no idea of her background and just how hard it was being brought up into the Jewish community.

It was fascinating learning more about their religion and the practices they have to follow, I had no idea their indoctrination was such a harsh process.

The book finished rather short for me and I feel there has been a lot left unsaid, is this for a reason, or is there a second book on the way.

It's an insightful read, it opened my eyes, and I'm now off to watch My Unorthodox Life on Netflix, to see if it gives me the answers I need.

Relatively interesting read, but I felt it was a little drawn out. It's demonstrated the grit Julia Haart has and that part was really inspiring. I wouldn't gush over the book but it is worth a read and I appreciated the opportunity to read it through netgalley.

A shocking insight into cultish Orthodoxy and the impact it can have on people - as a Jewish person myself I felt a special connection and a particular level of horror at reading this heart wrenching account.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I have read other books about the ultra-orthodox Jewish society and I found the first half of this book really informative and interesting. The confines and restrictions that the faith puts on all their members is very eye-opening. I found then, as the premise of the book advises, the change in lifestyle tips towards the polar opposite of restraint and regulations and I found it much less interesting. A quick internet search shows that the book, despite being published this year, 2022, does not venture into the immediate past with more marriages, divorce, television appearances and employment firings not mentioned.
I am sure there will be another or updated version to come. For me the Jewish side of the story was what I was after - don't think I will bother with the more recent events.

I picked this book, most likely the same as everyone else, after watching My Unorthodox Life on Netflix; a fascinating introduction into Julia Haart's life after leaving her Haredi Jewish Orthodox community in Monsey, New York.

The book is a great companion to the series, giving a comprehensive background into the author's life prior to the show.
Haart was born in Russia into a Jewish family, moved to Texas as a child, then to Monsey in New York as her parents developed more strict views within their religion.

The first half of the book was truly educational, as I had no idea that this kind of community existed. The show explains it a little but this is so much more detailed. Although Haart is quite derisive of her former Orthodox life, she does go into a lot of detail, explaining Hebrew terms and phrases, lifestyle and religious holidays.

The second half was a LOT more vague. How she left, and her foray into the fashion world, setting up a shoe business, is very impressive, she has clearly worked very hard to get where she is and is proud of it, which is very admirable. I got the feeling large sections had to be removed or edited here for legal reasons, as she alludes to certain people and situations which didn't end well. It also ends very abruptly.
I could have done with a lot less of the more explicit details - for example Batsheva and Ben's wedding night... but I am very interested in how Julia's decision to leave her religion behind has affected her whole family. It's so sad that her brothers and sisters no longer talk to her. It seems that she is repairing her relationship with Batsheva, which is great. Yosef, her former husband, doesn't come off too well but after finishing the book I went back to watch the series again and he seems so chill, and even has a conversation with youngest son Aron about having a balanced life.
My point here is that this book is of course only one person's experience, and although an absolutely great introduction, it's worth remembering that all Jewish people don't live like this and more points of view should be considered prior to forming opinions.

Julia Hart is strong brave gutsy.Having watched her tv series and now having read her bio I have to applaud her.Escaping from an ultra orthodox cult leaving an arranged marriage surviving rising to be the Ceo of a major modeling company.Her story is fascinating amazing a really interesting read.#netgalley #octopuspublishing.