"Family is supposed to be everything. So why can it hurt so much?" We're taught that blood is thicker than water. That family comes first. That no matter how much it costs us, we owe them our loyalty. But what happens when the bonds meant to hold us together begin to choke us instead? A Family Matter: The Ties That Choke and Hold is an unflinching, compassionate guide to the messy truth about family. Blending personal reflection, psychological insight, and real-world examples, it explores the contradictions at the heart of our closest relationships: love and resentment, duty and freedom, connection and pain. Inside, you'll learn to: ✔ Recognize toxic family patterns without guilt or shame ✔ Set boundaries that protect you without destroying bonds ✔ Grieve the family you wanted but didn't have ✔ Navigate loyalty, obligation, and estrangement with compassion ✔ Build healthier, more authentic connections-inside or outside your family Whether you're struggling with suffocating expectations, unspoken secrets, or the heartbreak of leaving family behind, this book will meet you with empathy and truth. It won't give you easy answers. But it will help you see your family-and yourself-more clearly, so you can choose what comes next. Because family ties can choke us. But they can also hold us up. This book will help you untangle them. Note from the Author: "I wrote this book for anyone who's ever felt both bound and broken by family. May these words help you untangle the knots and find your own way to peace."