Coming Home: A Roadmap from Fearful to Fully Alive (2024)

I bought this on a pre-ordering spree earlier this year based on the beautiful cover and the subtitle. This was an easy read, I left it on my kitchen table and read a little bit whenever I was having a meal by myself. This would be a comforting read to someone in the throes of anxiety.

This book was published by Bethany House, a Christian publisher, yet read almost entirely as a secular book. There was one mention of God early in the book (when the author is in the throes of a panic attack), and there are mentions of other’s Christian service, but there is little (if any) written about God, Jesus, or faith in the context of coping with anxiety. (I do not say this to take away from the other coping mechanisms, only that it is noticeably absent.) Late in the book there is a compilation of comforting quotes which includes one Scripture verse. I found the lack of a gospel message very disappointing for a book from a prominent Christian publisher.

I had never heard of Layla Palmer before I learned about this book, but the title and cover immediately appealed to me, and I enjoyed this a lot. Coming Home will appeal to Palmer’s online following, and it is a warm, inviting read for anyone who enjoys lifestyle books and vulnerable personal reflections. Palmer shares personal stories, photographs, family recipes, favorite quotes, and life advice, and this is the kind of book where someone can read it straight through or randomly dip into different parts. This is a lovely coffee table, with a beautiful layout and design, and there are lots of short-form reflections that people can read in a moment, along with the longer chapters.

I especially appreciated Palmer’s vulnerable stories about dealing with anxiety, and she shares good advice about ways that people can ground themselves in nature, healthy self-care, and creative outlets. This book has a cozy feel to it, and Palmer seems like a genuine and kind person. However, even though this book is from a Christian publisher, it reads like a secular self-help book. There are some occasional references to God and faith, but they are very vague and general. Most of the message is about looking inward and coming home to yourself, and although that makes the book marketable to a secular audience as well, Christian readers who are expecting faith-based advice and encouragement may be surprised and disappointed with this book’s focus.

Coming Home is a charming lifestyle book that is full of vulnerable personal stories, caring advice, and cozy recipes and self-care recommendations. Women of all ages can enjoy this and relate to different elements in it, and this will appeal to Palmer’s existing fan base and to people who are new to her work. I really enjoyed this, and I found it sweet and comforting. This is definitely a mainstream lifestyle book, not a guide to Christian personal growth, but I would recommend this to people who have the right expectations for it and are looking for something like this.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have been of fan a Layla for a long time, however, for reasons I'm not quite sure of (and greatly regret) I didn't jump on her book. Well, having experienced my first ever panic attack a few weeks ago, and hearing that she talks about her anxiety experience in the book, I quickly ordered it. When I tell you it was the calming friend I needed, I am not kidding. Friends and family had sent me therapy and life coaching books, anxiety help and how to "unpanic" yourself books, but this book, this Coming Home, is what I truly needed.

It's not a self-help book, in the typical sense. But feels like an intimate conversation with a lifelong friend, who happens to also have been through, and experienced what you are now going through. And in her lighthearted, warm way; shares motivation to help you through that day, or night.

I was genuinely anxious about finishing it; however, it is one you can read again, and still find insight. And outside of the book, Layla is a phenomenal writer! Her voice, style, outlook, stories, and passion need to be shared! I truly hope she has many more books to come, as I believe she is a hidden gem we are just now getting a glimpse of.

So, I will re-read this book over and over, and try to absorb other books she recommends, to help fill the void in the Layla Palmer published works and wait for the day she releases more! THANK YOU, LAYLA, for your book and your online presence. You help many people.

I read this book over several weekend mornings/early afternoons with a cup of hot tea. Books like this are the best for that type of reading... a few moments to yourself to just be and immerse yourself into a quick story that gives you an insight into someone's life.

I follow Layla on Instagram and always thought she was such a light. While I couldn't personally relate to a lot of her stories, I could often find a way that her experiences and what she learned from them could relate to something in my life. If anything, I have learned from this book the struggle of anxiety that is not shown on the outside. Perhaps I will be a little more compassionate and understanding with those I meet with anxiety in the future.

I absolutely love this book! I too suffer from agoraphobia, panic disorder, and depression and so much of Palmer’s experience resonated with me. I found myself highlighting passages and bookmarking pages (& the recipes!) and it was so incredible to feel that someone else knows what I have gone through and still continue to struggle with! Not only is this a gorgeous book, it’s a meaningful and helpful book on how to come back to yourself when you feel all of yourself is gone to anxiety. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone struggling, who has struggled, and to their friends and family who love them. I will definitely return to it again and again.

I feel I should have loved this beautiful book; it’s full of components that usually speak to me. But somehow I just couldn’t connect. Perhaps it is too meandering and disjointed, although I usually enjoy a good meander.

However, it contains many quotations, and I absolutely enjoyed those. This one stopped me in my tracks, and I keep returning to savor:

“To her, red and green cabbages were to be jade and burgundy, chrysoprase and porphyry. Life has no weapons against a woman like that.”
—Edna Ferbe

I really enjoyed this mess of stories, recipes, lessons, and experiences. I've been feeling adrift myself, and this felt like connection to me. I loved that I could start and stop, savor and process, or sit with it at my own pace. I also appreciated the coffee table book format. It allowed some beautiful photos, and unique formatting that kept things fresh!

I’ve followed Layla Palmer on her blog, The Lettered Cottage, and instagram for years, so I was well aware of her anxiety disorder, struggles, and recovery before reading this book. I’m proud of all she has accomplished! This is a book I’ll return to time and again for inspiration.

This beautiful collection of essays, lists, quotes, and stories really warms your heart. It feels like home. I’ve only followed Layla for a little while now, but this book feels like home. Thank you, Layla, for sharing your story. It’s beautiful.

Such a comfort, comfortable, comforting book!

Loved this book found myself jotting notes in my journal to capture so many special moments. Beautiful photos and images.

Brilliantly written and bravely honest. Layla shares her continuing battle with anxiety and leads one gently by the hand to a way of looking at one's own struggle with compassion and healing. A gem.