The Lie That Loved Me Back
by Todrian Rush
About the book
A raw, poetic reflection on the stories we tell ourselves to survive love that never quite loved us back the same way. Todrian Rush moves through longing, self-abandonment, and eventual awakening, giving language to the quiet ways we shrink for others. The writing feels intimate — more like reading a healing journal than a conventional book.
What I thought
The part I connected with most was how honestly it names the lies we tell ourselves inside relationships that don't fit. It doesn't villainise anyone; it just gently exposes the moment you realise you've been performing love instead of receiving it. Reading it felt like being met exactly where a lot of us have quietly stood. It's short, but it's dense in the right way — the kind of pages you find yourself pausing on, rereading, and quietly recognising your own reflection in.