Here's the truth of the matter. If that’s where you are at this moment, you’re not alone. I was in your shoes. I felt those things. I worried about the same exact things. The words "gaslighting" and “emotional abuse” weren’t in my vocabulary back then. I was young and in my first “real” relationship. I didn't have the language or the relationship experience to describe how I was slowly losing trust in my perceptions or how my confidence was eroding one heartbreak at a time. I didn’t recognize the manipulation. His yo-yo treatment was commonplace. He’d go full-on rage when he said I forgot to get pop at the grocery store, standing inches from my face, screaming at me.

I was positive I bought it, but couldn’t find the pop or the receipt to prove otherwise. He would only apologize for getting so angry later, saying he was just worried that I was forgetting so much. It left me confused and hurt. It made me believe it was my fault for not being better. All of his anger and manipulation made me feel like I was crazy. More than that, though, it made me feel completely alone. That’s why I’m writing this book, because I want you to know you’re not alone. More importantly, you’re not crazy. I've walked this path and I’ve felt the wrath of a partner I thought loved me. Trust me, I’ve been there. I've felt the fog of confusion, the sting of self-doubt, and the profound relief of finally seeing the truth. These words are for everyone who has ever lingered in their car, afraid to go inside their home.

For anyone who has ever apologized for something they didn't do, to keep the peace. For every person who has ever thought, "Maybe I am just imagining things, or maybe this is part of being in a relationship. Maybe this is normal." There is nothing normal about any of it. Throughout this book, we'll explore what gaslighting really is, how it’s tied up with mental and emotional abuse, how to recognize it in all its subtle forms, and most importantly, how to break free from its grip.