James Gardiner  ​|  Book Reviews

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​"I fell in love with James Gardiner's utterly beautiful and alluringly poetic memoir from the very beginning, and to my surprise, it got better with every page. As someone who realized that the cost of being a celebrity musician was too great after testing the waters, I identified deeply with James's initial strong desire for fame and his subsequent sense of appreciation for the simple things. Every story in All In With Love is adorned with a most engrossing discussion about the key themes, which adds to the wonderful experience of the book. Gardiner spins a courageously sincere and deeply moving story that anyone who knows what it's like to experience having a burning desire, fatherhood, infidelity, depression, and divorce will relate to it. It's an unforgettable story about finding one's way from  the darkest parts of the tunnel and discovering the true power of love and family." 

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Everyone has an inner child. But are you listening? Gardiner reminds us that no matter what happens, we must look within. We must ask, “What does our inner child want?” All in With Love is a motivating memoir filled with all sorts of nice and heartfelt moments. We get so caught up with society’s expectations and pressures that we forget our authentic selves and real goals. Gardiner’s book is a friendly self-care reminder. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to put your needs first (as long it doesn’t hurt others). Sometimes we have to do things that are exciting to our inner child, and sometimes, we need to become the heroes our younger selves would look up to. 
All in With Love is highly recommended for those who need a touching and inspiring life story.

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​James Gardiner’s memoir, All in With Love: My Journey to the Hero Within, is a story of perseverance, compassion, and the many iterations of love. The story opens in Rhode Island, where “little Jimmy” is a severe asthmatic dreaming of athletic glory. Gardiner takes us through attempts at sports, hospital stays, and even young love. This section was by far the most positive and left the reader with a sense of hope. The writing is full of wit and humor. It’s clear that Gardiner has fond memories of his youth, and I smiled reading his recollections. He then moves into adulthood, where Jim chases dreams of acting. Gardiner does work as a professional actor but writes about achieving success in such a hollow way that it leaves the reader disappointed in him. He illustrates loss in such a poetic way it moved me to tears. Gardiner ultimately finds the “hero within” is his dream-filled youth, which feels somewhat nostalgic.
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All in With Love: My Journey to the Hero Within takes the reader on a journey through the life of James Gardiner but also serves to help readers reveal who they are and who they want to become. I found his writing engaging, and the way he tells his story is full of passion, regret, and creativity, leaving me feeling that I understand him. Overall I enjoyed reading Gardiner’s story, and many unexpected twists kept me on my toes. This emotional memoir reminds readers to live an authentic life and to hold on to the things that matter most.

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​"James Gardiner’s All in With Love: My Journey to the Hero Within is a life story filled with pride and regret as narrated by three versions of the man who lived it: Little Jimmy, whose asthma-plagued childhood never stopped his dreams, adult Jim, who sought and fought for fame and glory, and author James, who concludes with a screenplay-version of his inner child rescuing him from rock bottom. Switching between third person and first person, the perspective shifts seem somewhat arbitrary in terms of which persona tells what stories, but the stories themselves are emotive and relatable, given Gardiner's open honesty. A wild and inspiring ride, readers will be impressed by Gardiner’s courage to admit hard truths in this affecting memoir." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

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James Gardiner's wrenchingly honest yet poetic autobiography grabbed me right from the opening scene on Cydot Drive, in 1970s Rhode Island, and kept me hooked as this boy of a man took the bait of the American Dream to become a hero only to pay the price that comes with all false promises. James writes from the heart of a romantic, rich with imagery and cinematic landscapes, infused with music steeped in the language. It is refreshingly raw and abrupt at times when he pulls out his Gen X cynicism and voice of a win-at-all-costs professional athlete. As a mother to three sons in a time where the world is experiencing the collapse of patriarchal structures and there is an urgent invitation for a healthier story of what it means to be a true hero, I found this book to be incredibly impactful. How do we invite more humanity and wonder into our lives and in our relationships? We begin by telling our story. All in With Love is a great read. It's engaging, entertaining, honest and deeply compassionate. Enjoy... ​
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-Tina Overbury, Owner and Founder of TinaOlife, Story Coach, CEO of PowHER House

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“It is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read, and I read a lot. It’s rare that I find a book that is outside the realm of self development and personal development that touches me in such a unique way. It’s powerful.”
-Cindy Van Arnam, Quantum Numerologist and Coach

All IN WITH LOVE: my journey to the hero within

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The gateway to happiness lies at the outstretched hand of the inner child...Take Hold.