I Wish I’d Quit Sooner – Dr Laura Hambley Lovett
Book cover image courtesy of She Writes Press
Title: I Wish I Quit Sooner by Dr Laura Hambley Lovett
Genre: Non-fiction | Career self-help (research-backed)
Vibe: Practical without panic
I received an Advance Reader Copy of I Wish I’d Quit Sooner by Dr Laura Hambley Lovett via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is scheduled for release on 13 January 2026. This review reflects my genuine reading experience.
The Gist
I Wish I’d Quit Sooner is a research-backed guide to identifying, navigating, and recovering from the experience of working under a toxic boss.
Written by organisational psychologist Dr Laura Hambley Lovett, the book is divided into three parts: recognising toxic leadership (and distinguishing it from a merely difficult boss), understanding the impact a toxic boss can have on your health and career, and rebuilding your confidence and direction once you’re out of the situation.
Drawing on both academic research and lived experience, the author outlines common toxic boss personas, explains how and why these environments cause harm, and provides structured tools to help readers decide what to do next. Throughout the book, “coaching breaks” and journalling prompts encourage reflection rather than impulsive action, making this a practical handbook rather than a venting manifesto.
The tone is calm, validating, and grounded. This isn’t about blaming yourself for staying too long - it’s about understanding what’s happening and reclaiming agency over your working life.
The Takeaway
Not all bad bosses are toxic. Difficult bosses can often be managed or may improve over time; toxic bosses do not change, and the cost of staying tends to increase over time.
Toxic leadership has a measurable impact on mental health, physical health, confidence, motivation, and performance - and recognising this is a crucial first step.
Naming the behaviour matters. The book’s breakdown of toxic boss personas helps clarify patterns that are often confusing or minimised.
There is no single “right” response. Staying, planning an exit, taking leave, escalating concerns, or leaving outright all come with trade-offs depending on personal and financial circumstances.
Leaving isn’t quitting - it’s often a necessary act of self-respect and recovery.
Healing doesn’t automatically happen once you leave. Rebuilding confidence, trust, and a sense of safety at work takes time and support.
A very solid, compassionate, and genuinely useful handbook for navigating one of the most draining, and common, professional experiences. Practical enough to apply in real life, and validating without being alarmist.
Read It If:
You’re questioning whether your boss or workplace is genuinely toxic or just difficult
You feel worn down, disengaged, or unlike yourself at work and can’t quite explain why
You’re planning an exit but feel overwhelmed or unsure how to do it safely and strategically
You’ve already left a toxic role but still feel the emotional or physical after-effects
You want practical guidance grounded in research rather than motivational fluff
Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Loved it. Will recommend it unprompted, possibly inappropriately.
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SelfCentred Rating System
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Emotionally rearranged me. I will be quoting it to strangers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Loved it. Will recommend it unprompted, possibly inappropriately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Glad I read it, won’t read it again, no regrets.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like it, but I’ll complain about it with class.
⭐️ - Couldn’t finish / emotionally allergic.