
I Thought It Would Be Better than This
Rise from Disappointment, Regain Control, and Rebuild a Life You Love
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Narrated by:
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Jessica N. Turner
About this listen
Learn how to recover from life’s disappointments and rebuild a life you love.
What happens when you look at your life and think, I thought it would be better than this? You know you can’t stay where you are, but have no idea what to do next.
When Jessica N. Turner, a mom of three, lost her 16-year-marriage after her husband came out as gay, her life shattered. With grit and determination, she picked up the pieces, chose hope and courageously rebuilt a beautiful next chapter.
During this process, Jessica discovered universal tools that can support you, no matter what you’re facing. Using thoughtful reflections and exercises, vulnerable storytelling, and practical takeaways, Jessica will help you:
·Evaluate your disappointments, heartaches, and unmet expectations so that you can move forward in healing.
·Talk candidly about your feelings to forge healthier and more meaningful relationships.
·Practice forgiveness and empathy for yourself and others so that you live with more love and less pain.
·Regain control over the parts of life where you have agency instead of passively waiting for things to happen to you.
·Discover creative practices to cultivate daily satisfaction and contentment.
· Learn to love yourself and the characteristics that make you unique so that you can be more confident and content.
I Thought It Would Be Better Than This is a manifesto of hope that will empower you to transform your circumstances and move forward with intention and purpose.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2025 Jessica N. Turner (P)2025 Worthy BooksListeners also enjoyed...
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- Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Valarie Clark Miller seemed to have it all. Smart and beautiful with a wealthy, successful husband and growing family, Valarie appeared to be the picture-perfect Mormon wife. But it was all a façade. Inside, she was crumbling from the pressures of long-repressed memories of a childhood filled with sexual and physical abuse.
By: Emily Benedek
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Ordinary Time
- Lessons Learned While Staying Put
- By: Annie B. Jones
- Narrated by: Annie B. Jones, Emily P. Freeman
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Annie Jones always assumed adulthood would mean adventure: a high-powered career; life in a big, bustling city; and travels to far-flung places she’d longed to see. But her reality turned out differently. As the years passed, Annie was still in the same small town running an independent bookstore—the kind of life Nora Ephron dreamed.
By: Annie B. Jones
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My Friend Norm
- By: Fred Stoller
- Narrated by: Fred Stoller
- Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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My Seinfeld Year, and Five Minutes to Kill author Fred Stoller returns describing his complicated friendship with the comedy legend, Norm Macdonald. When comic actor, Fred Stoller appeared on Norm Macdonald’s video podcast, Norm MacDonald Live, many commented that Norm seemed to care about Fred, and had quite a fondness for him. And some noted Norm seemed like he was being a bully. Both those assessments may have been correct at different times. That’s what made their friendship so complicated.
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Heartfelt tribute to a dear friend
- By John A. Piscitelli on 04-14-25
By: Fred Stoller
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The 10
- A Memoir of Family and the Open Road
- By: E.A. Hanks
- Narrated by: E.A. Hanks
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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From Vanity Fair and The New York Times contributor comes a beautifully written, deeply felt memoir recounting the solo cross-country journey she made along the Ten across the American southwest: a mission to uncover both what harrowing violence may or may not have happened to her late mother, but also, to look within and discover who she herself is—where her mother ends and she begins.
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E.A. Hanks’s writing never flinches—always fresh, vulnerable, and deeply honest
- By Jonah Evans on 04-09-25
By: E.A. Hanks
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High Functioning
- Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy
- By: Judith Joseph, Mel Robbins - foreword
- Narrated by: Judith Joseph, Mel Robbins
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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We're all familiar with what depression can look like, but there's another, lesser‑known face to this illness. High functioning depression (HFD) doesn't conform to the image of depression that typically comes to mind. As a result, people with HFD often have no idea why they are suffering, or what to do about it. In High Functioning, Dr. Judith Joseph reveals that what we’re feeling is not simply “negativity” or stress, and radically shifts the way those of us with HFD see ourselves, empowering us with five simple tools to reclaim our lives from this widespread yet poorly understood condition.
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Total Game Changer
- By Angela Snyder on 04-13-25
By: Judith Joseph, and others
What listeners say about I Thought It Would Be Better than This
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Nathan Manahan
- 04-09-25
Better than expected (and I had high expectations)
Having followed Jessica Turner's journey on Instagram for years, witnessing her life unfold in its raw and relatable beauty, I eagerly anticipated the release of her book, "I Thought It Would Be Better Than This." I felt connected to her online presence, drawn in by her honest reflections and the glimpses she shared of triumphs and struggles. Having listened to the last words, this book has not only met my expectations but has profoundly encouraged and challenged me in ways I hadn't fully anticipated.
What strikes you immediately about "I Thought It Would Be Better Than This" is Jessica's unwavering authenticity. There's a vulnerability woven into every word, a sense that she's genuinely laying bare her heart and experiences without pretense. Watching her story unfold on Instagram offered snapshots, but the book provides a rich and nuanced tapestry, allowing us to understand the deeper currents that have shaped her life.
Beyond her honesty, Jessica bleeds empathy. Her ability to articulate her own pain while holding space for the complexities and potential pain of others is truly remarkable. When she delves into her story of trauma, it's handled with such care and concern, not just for herself but for all those involved. This is not a narrative of blame but a testament to the human capacity for hurt and healing.
What resonates most profoundly is the overarching message of hope that permeates the book. Despite the problematic terrain she navigates, Jessica is a powerful reminder that moving forward is always possible. She doesn't shy away from the messiness of life, the moments when our expectations fall drastically short. Still, she beautifully illuminates the opportunities within those moments – the chance to start over, rebuild, and discover a new path forward.
"I Thought It Would Be Better Than This" is more than just a memoir; it's an invitation to embrace vulnerability, extend compassion, and hold onto hope even when circumstances feel overwhelmingly bleak. This book offers a deeper understanding and a richer connection for those who have followed Jessica's journey online. For those new to her story, it's a powerful and moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I walked away from this book feeling seen, encouraged, and with a renewed sense of possibility. It's a book that will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time.
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- dana dunn
- 04-13-25
Must read for women
This book is gorgeous and soft. Such heartbreak and healing. True integrity from the author. A gentle story and guide for navigating life after disappointment
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- Stephanie Click
- 04-14-25
A must for anyone at any age!
We all struggle at one time or another with the "what if" syndromes of life. It is natural. It matters not if you are going through a divorce, in a slump, or trying to help a friend - this book will give you some tips and insight on how you can push through hard times OR help a friend/family member in their time of struggles. 5 stars!
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- S P
- 04-17-25
Captures the brutality and the hope of pain well
This book contained the acknowledgement of the pain and the hope for the future that I think we all need in difficult situations that make us feel like our lives have been upended. Jessica’s voice is gentle and calming, her story is both devastating and hopeful, and I appreciate the few years of wisdom and perspective she worked for before writing this. Highly suggest to anyone who needs to feel seen or would benefit from some tools while navigating a difficult season.
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- Kasmith03
- 04-14-25
Hearing in the author's own voice is so moving
Jessica uses her own heartbreak and life experiences to share how she not only walked through pain but found herself in the process. It is a book filled with hope and encouragement. While I haven't been through a divorse, I have been through many seasons wondering why things had to be so hard. Jessica has clearly done some of the hard work necessary to process these types of situations but then also gives advice on what worked for her. If you find yourself in a place where you wonder why things have ended up the way they have and you want some practical tips on moving forward, this book is for you. Her chapter on forgiveness and grief were specifically impactful. I read the book and am now listening through and hearing it in Jessica's voice is so impactful, so transparent. The bonus conversation with Angie Smith is so incredible as well. This book is a great read and a great listen!
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