ARA Review by Nicole S. Palmer of In It Together
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Nicole S. Palmer
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ARA Review by Nicole S. Palmer of In It Together
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, In It Together.]
I went into In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes with an open mind, ready for some deep reflections on the human condition. The book sets out to explore the idea that beneath all our personal struggles, fears, and aspirations, we’re fundamentally connected—that we are, quite literally, one and the same. Hughes argues that self-discipline and spiritual freedom are actually two sides of the same coin and that embracing “true conscious love” is the key to both personal fulfillment and a more compassionate world.
The book reads like a mix of philosophy, self-help, and spirituality, sprinkled with thought-provoking questions like, “Do you know what love really is?” and “What defines the real you?” There’s a lot of emphasis on love as a unifying force, and Hughes lays out eleven practical suggestions for achieving inner peace, self-awareness, and a more meaningful existence. He keeps things engaging with humor and conversational asides.
Now, did it deliver? Well… kind of. I’ll give credit where it’s due: Hughes’s writing is accessible, and his message is undeniably positive. The book flows smoothly, and I appreciated how he structured the chapters with clear takeaways. There’s a real sincerity in his words, and I can see why some readers found it deeply inspiring. If you’re the type who loves a feel-good, big-picture reminder about love and unity, this book will likely resonate with you. But if you’re looking for something more analytical or groundbreaking, you might be left wanting. The biggest issue for me was the repetition—some phrases and concepts get hammered into the ground. I also felt like some of the ideas, particularly the ones about “just choosing love,” were oversimplified. It’s easy to say “love everyone” as a solution, but real life is a little messier than that. There were moments where I wanted more nuance, more depth—something beyond well-meaning generalities.
Another thing that gave me pause was how polarizing this book is. Some readers swear it changed their lives, while others found it frustratingly vague. I get both reactions. There were moments when I thought, Yes, this is a great reminder about how we treat each other!—and others where I caught myself rolling my eyes at another grand but unsubstantiated claim about human nature. Hughes clearly has a passion for his message, but at times, it felt more like a personal philosophy dump rather than a deeply researched or well-argued perspective.
All that said, I can see why In It Together has its fans. If you’re in the right mindset—maybe feeling reflective or in need of an uplifting nudge—it can be a worthwhile read. But if you prefer your self-help books with more concrete steps and less abstract musing, you might find it lacking. For me, this is a solid 3 out of 5. The heart is there, and I respect what Hughes was trying to do, but the execution didn’t always land. Worth reading? Sure, if the concept intrigues you. But it’s definitely a “right reader, right time” kind of book.
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
I went into In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes with an open mind, ready for some deep reflections on the human condition. The book sets out to explore the idea that beneath all our personal struggles, fears, and aspirations, we’re fundamentally connected—that we are, quite literally, one and the same. Hughes argues that self-discipline and spiritual freedom are actually two sides of the same coin and that embracing “true conscious love” is the key to both personal fulfillment and a more compassionate world.
The book reads like a mix of philosophy, self-help, and spirituality, sprinkled with thought-provoking questions like, “Do you know what love really is?” and “What defines the real you?” There’s a lot of emphasis on love as a unifying force, and Hughes lays out eleven practical suggestions for achieving inner peace, self-awareness, and a more meaningful existence. He keeps things engaging with humor and conversational asides.
Now, did it deliver? Well… kind of. I’ll give credit where it’s due: Hughes’s writing is accessible, and his message is undeniably positive. The book flows smoothly, and I appreciated how he structured the chapters with clear takeaways. There’s a real sincerity in his words, and I can see why some readers found it deeply inspiring. If you’re the type who loves a feel-good, big-picture reminder about love and unity, this book will likely resonate with you. But if you’re looking for something more analytical or groundbreaking, you might be left wanting. The biggest issue for me was the repetition—some phrases and concepts get hammered into the ground. I also felt like some of the ideas, particularly the ones about “just choosing love,” were oversimplified. It’s easy to say “love everyone” as a solution, but real life is a little messier than that. There were moments where I wanted more nuance, more depth—something beyond well-meaning generalities.
Another thing that gave me pause was how polarizing this book is. Some readers swear it changed their lives, while others found it frustratingly vague. I get both reactions. There were moments when I thought, Yes, this is a great reminder about how we treat each other!—and others where I caught myself rolling my eyes at another grand but unsubstantiated claim about human nature. Hughes clearly has a passion for his message, but at times, it felt more like a personal philosophy dump rather than a deeply researched or well-argued perspective.
All that said, I can see why In It Together has its fans. If you’re in the right mindset—maybe feeling reflective or in need of an uplifting nudge—it can be a worthwhile read. But if you prefer your self-help books with more concrete steps and less abstract musing, you might find it lacking. For me, this is a solid 3 out of 5. The heart is there, and I respect what Hughes was trying to do, but the execution didn’t always land. Worth reading? Sure, if the concept intrigues you. But it’s definitely a “right reader, right time” kind of book.
***
View In It Together on Bookshelves
