Be Not Afraid of Love

Lessons on Fear, Intimacy, and Connection

By: Mimi Zhu

Narrated by: Mimi Zhu

“Radical and revolutionary.” —Jonny Sun, New York Times bestselling author of Goodbye, Again

A collection of powerful interconnected essays and affirmations that follow Mimi Zhu’s journey toward embodying and re-learning love after a violent romantic relationship, a stunning and provocative book that will guide and inspire readers to lean into love with softness

In their early twenties, Mimi Zhu was a survivor of intimate-partner abuse. This left them broken, in search of healing and ways to re-learn love. This work is a testament to the strength and adaptability all humans possess, a tribute to love. Be Not Afraid of Love explores the intersections of love and fear in self-esteem, friendship, family dynamics, and romantic relationships, and extends out to its effects on society and the greater political realm. In sharing their own intimate encounters with oppression, healing, joy, and community, Mimi invites readers to reflect deeply on their own experiences as well, with the intention of acting as a guide to undoing the hurt or uncertainty within them. In this heartrending and revolutionary book, Mimi reminds us, be not afraid of love.

I absolutely adored this book

I absolutely adore this book. The way Mimi Zhu writes not only about her experiences but also the resources both in book form and physical resources in how that has helped her throughout her journey and her sense of community. I found myself resonating with so much of her words, and having such immense emotions throughout reading and learning of not only myself with love but my surroundings in community, my spirit and the world. I definitely will be getting my the physical copy (I read an audiobook) it was absolutely wonderful.

favorite quotes:
“Love has a home in us”

“Instead of trying to understand love perhaps we can reconnect with being it”

“We cannot fear love cause love is embodied”

“We must remember that it is not love that that we are afraid of we fear the abandonment betrayal violence and abuse that come with the complexity of human trauma and the relationships”

“Love surrounds us as a powerful force that we often tend to distrust”

“Maybe love does not wish to be understood but yearns to be felt and remembered”

“Boundaries too is an act of love”

“I must not feel love for I am love, we all are”

Beautiful and powerful

Absolutely loved this book. As a therapist and survivor this touched my heart in so many ways and spoke so many truths I needed to hear.

Great relevance of love in todays day

Great read , makes the reader reflect and feel emotions that they might have probably thought only they felt. I like how the Arthur dives in with hot holding back on every detail of the pain she endured that was masked as love.

one of my favorite books of all time

it’s been a long time since i’ve loved a book the way i love this beautiful work. mimi shares their story with refreshing tenderness and clarity. this book came to me exactly when i needed it and has brought me great comfort. this is a book i will return to when i need to be held, when i need to be kind to myself, and when i need to be reminded of the love and tenderness we all deserve.

Amazing read

A beautiful experience of love. Grateful for this book and for the Vulnerability Mimi has shared with the world