Gayle Kirschenbaum grew up the target of her mother’s relentless cruelty. Bruised by criticism and shaped by silence, she left home at sixteen—but the emotional assault continued for years, leaving wounds that would take decades to mend. Determined to heal, Gayle embarked on a bold journey to forgive the woman who had hurt her the most. What she uncovered not only transformed their relationship, but also offered a roadmap for others desperate to break free from generational pain. Bullied to Besties is a raw, relatable, and ultimately uplifting story of mother-daughter reconciliation—proof that even the deepest wounds can be mended with truth, compassion, and time.

“This mesmeric memoir…holds a deeper purpose than solely chronicling the trauma of an abusive childhood…The results of that work are riveting…a beautifully wrought, hard-earned connection and an understanding that ‘the biggest gift you can give yourself is to forgive.’”

— Publishers Weekly

“Gayle Kirschenbaum has traversed [the] perilous bridge between disconnection and reconciliation … This book is important for those who have felt the pain of parental betrayal, yet know that healing can only come from forgiving those who hurt us most.”

—Marianne Williamson, bestselling author and spiritual teacher

“A book that beautifully illuminates the transformative power of forgiveness: how forgiving someone—especially someone close—can unbind and elevate the soul.”

—Rabbi David Wolpe, author and Newsweek’s “Most Influential Rabbi”

“A courageous, soul-baring journey that moved me to tears and then to triumph. A profound testament to the healing power of forgiveness, and a must-read for anyone seeking to break free from the pain of their past.”

—Arielle Ford, author of The Love Thief, The Soulmate Secret

“In her long-awaited memoir, Gayle Kirschenbaum dives into her relationship with her mother—the horrors, humiliations, and long-buried secrets—and the shocking transformation that came through Gayle’s courageous journey to forgive.”

—Lisa DePaulo, award-winning journalist and author

“A fearless and deeply moving story of reckoning and release. Gayle Kirschenbaum’s journey through trauma and forgiveness will not only move you—it may inspire you to confront your own past with new eyes. By turns heartbreaking and uplifting, it’s a powerful testament to resilience—and a reminder that change is always possible.”

—Michelle Young, author of The Art Spy and Secret New York

“Rare are the books that offer such intimate insight into the journey of forgiveness.”

—Dr. Robert Enright, professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison and founder, International Forgiveness Institute

“A compelling transformative narrative… essential reading for anyone dealing with unresolved pain.”

—Marina Cantacuzino, author and founder of The Forgiveness Project

“Radiantly honest and funny…goes one crucial step beyond the misery to genuine forgiveness.”

—Jenna Orkin, author of How to Say ‘F— Your Mother’ in Chinese

“An engaging and relatable memoir that turns her worst experiences into wisdom and inspiration.”

—Susan Shapiro, bestselling author of Unhooked and The Forgiveness Tour

“Writing crisply and with astonishing openness, Gayle takes no prisoners but, by the end, manages to bestow clemency.”

—Nat Segaloff, author of A Lit Fuse and The Exorcist Legacy

“A powerful testament to the uncovering of love in a deeply dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship.”

—Dr. Fred Luskin, Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects and author of Forgive for Good

“Gayle Kirschenbaum knows what hell is. I could not put this book down. I related in every aspect—and it gave me hope that change is possible.”

—Steve Bluestein, author/playwright/comedian

“Gayle’s work moves me to tears—first through her documentary, Look at Us Now, Mother!, and now through her memoir. Both broke me open and began my own healing.”

—Laszlo Santha, screenwriter, filmmaker, and NYU professor