Codependency (The Need to Feel Needed)

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes when I saw yet another codependency book hit my queue. But *Codependency (The Need to Feel Needed)* surprised me by doing what so few in this genre dare: it calls you out. Ragners doesn’t just describe the problem—he dismantles the *myth* that your ‘kindness’ is virtuous when it’s really a control tactic. The narration by Doug Haynie is a masterclass in restraint; his pacing is deliberate, almost clinical at times, which somehow makes the tougher truths land harder. When he delivers lines like, *“Your ‘selflessness’ is just a transaction with bad terms,”* it stings precisely because he doesn’t dramatize it. The structure is where this audiobook shines—and occasionally stumbles. The first half is razor-sharp, using real-world examples (like the coworker who ‘needs’ you to cover their shifts *again*) to illustrate how codependency masquerades as strength. But the latter section, while practical, leans heavily on repetitive exercises that might feel redundant if you’re already deep in recovery work. And while Haynie’s tone suits the material, his delivery can veer into monotony during the workbook-style segments; a touch more vocal variety would’ve helped. Still, the raw honesty here is bracing. If you’re tired of books that treat codependency like a quirky personality trait rather than the emotional quicksand it is, this one’s your wake-up call.