Chesterfield author helping women recognise and safeguard against dangerous relationship dynamics
"My work has always centred on emotional and physical safety, and helping women build a solid foundation from which to make healthy, empowered decisions about their relationships. “
Chesterfield author Laura Forbes has published Quit Dating Idiots, a new book exploring why women can find themselves repeating unfulfilling dating patterns, overlooking warning signs and remaining invested in relationships that aren't right for them.
The book addresses the underlying beliefs and behaviours that can keep people stuck in unhealthy relationships, including the sometimes subtle warning signs of emotional abuse and coercive control.
It aims to help readers recognise signs of domestic abuse, rebuild self-trust and make more informed decisions about their relationships.
The scale of domestic abuse in England and Wales highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), an estimated 2.2 million women aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2025.
Drawing on her work as a relationship coach, Forbes helps women understand their relationship patterns, strengthen their boundaries and make decisions from self-trust rather than fear.
"My work has always centred on emotional and physical safety, and helping women build a solid foundation from which to make healthy, empowered decisions about their relationships.
“That means learning to recognise unhealthy patterns, trust your instincts, and make choices from a place of self-trust rather than fear," says Forbes.
Quit Dating Idiots has received an endorsement from Laura Richards, crime analyst and internationally recognised expert in coercive control and violence prevention.
"This book helps girls and women identify the patterns and signs so you don't fall into the trap abusers set. Coercive control is often dressed up as romance―we've all been groomed and conditioned. Some of these men aren't just idiots - they are dangerous. Understand your worth, trust your gut, choose you and RUN."
Quit Dating Idiots is published by Jossey-Bass, an imprint of Wiley, and is available now through book retailers, including Waterstones and online.