A BOLD, HONEST, AND HEALING JOURNEY
You're not imagining it.
You're not overreacting.
And you are not alone.
The most dangerous abuse is the kind no one else sees.
My Mother Was an Asshole is your truth, your validation, and your path to freedom.
“This book gave me the words for experiences I could never explain—and the courage to heal.”
— Maya G., Survivor of Covert Narcissistic Abuse
From Silence to Strength
Tammy S. Drost is an award-winning business and brand strategist, sought-after speaker, and fierce advocate. For years, she endured the quiet, calculated grip of covert narcissistic abuse—hidden in plain sight. The scars no one else could see ran deep. Like countless survivors, she lived without the language to name it… until her journey into truth-telling shattered the silence.
Today, Tammy uses both her voice and her expertise to help others rise, rebuild, and reclaim their lives. Through her book and her work mentoring entrepreneurs—especially women—she champions one mission: to empower others to break free from limitations, own their worth, and create a life and legacy on their own terms.
Her debut book, My Mother Was an Asshole, winner of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award, is both a raw memoir and a practical roadmap—proof that no matter how deep the wounds, you can rise, reclaim your voice, and rewrite your story on your own terms.
The Abuse You Couldn’t
Name—Until Now
Most people think abuse is loud, obvious, and physical. But covert narcissistic abuse is quiet, insidious, and often invisible to outsiders—making it even more dangerous.
In My Mother Was an Asshole, Literary Titan Gold Award–winning author Tammy S. Drost blends raw memoir with practical guidance, giving survivors both the words to name the abuse and the tools to break free.
Inside, you’ll discover:
How covert abuse shapes children well into adulthood
The family roles—Golden Child, Scapegoat, Lost Child, Flying Monkey—and how to step out of them
How to break the generational cycle once and for all
Steps to heal, rebuild, and reclaim your lifeHere's some stuff
This is your awakening.
It starts now.
Freedom Starts With the Truth
True freedom begins when you stop questioning your reality and start trusting
yourself again.
With My Mother Was an Asshole, you’ll learn how to:
Recognize the subtle signs of covert abuse
Untangle the roles assigned to you in a toxic family system
Rebuild your self-worth and set unshakable boundaries
Break the cycle so the pain ends with you
Heal, rise, and create a life on your terms
Your healing begins with truth. And the truth begins here.
Every cycle of abuse begins in silence. Every cycle ends when someone chooses to speak.
Break the Silence.
End the Cycle
Recognize the Pattern
Covert narcissists hide behind kindness, charm, and public respectability—yet their calculated tactics leave deep, invisible scars. My Mother Was an Asshole unmasks their playbook so you can finally see the truth.
Reclaim Your Power
Healing begins the moment you refuse to play the roles they’ve assigned you. Discover how to break free from manipulation, rebuild your boundaries, and reclaim ownership of your life.
Rewrite Your Story
You are not obligated to carry their legacy of pain. With practical tools and unflinching guidance, this book shows you how to create a future defined by your values—not their control.
You're Not Alone
Every chapter is written for survivors—offering validation, clarity, and the unwavering reassurance that you are believed, understood, and never alone.
Your Healing Starts Here
You’ve carried the weight of their abuse long enough. It’s time to put it down and step into the life you were meant to live.
WHAT PEOPLE
ARE SAYING
“Raw, plainspoken, and piercingly honest, Tammy S. Drost’s memoir is both deeply personal and universally relevant. My Mother Was an Asshole belongs on the shelf of every survivor ready to break free.”
— Literary Titan Review
“Every page felt like she had been in my house, watching my childhood unfold. This book is a mirror for those who have lived through it—and a map for those ready to heal.”
— Early Reader Review
“As a Special Education Teacher with nearly three decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how covert narcissistic abuse hides beneath the surface of so many students’ struggles. Tammy’s honesty and insight make this book a lifeline for survivors and those who support them.”
— Educator, Connecticut Public Schools
© Copyright 2025. Tammy S. Drost and Blackbird Rising Press. All rights reserved.