Star Jones Reynolds Love Coach

by Tina Gertler, Special to AOL Coaches

You might be forgiven if you approach 'Shine' cautiously, the way you would any other celebrity biography-cum-advice book. After all, Star Jones Reynolds has had a flamboyant career as TV legal personality, member of daytime's popular 'The View,' and, most recently, a high-profile fiancée and bride whose lavish 2004 nuptials garnered as much criticism as attention.

However, in this case it's OK to throw caution to the wind: 'Shine: A Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Journey to Finding the Love of Your Life' is a heartfelt and down-home advice book. Jones Reynolds drops her outer diva to reveal her inner girlfriend in chapters that detail everything from the worst side effects of her one-time obesity to the decision Star and Al Reynolds made to remain chaste before their wedding. Before you cry "TMI!," understand that Jones Reynolds puts all of these details in context of how her own life might help you understand yours.

And those details are all Star; unlike many celebrity books, this one has no ghostwriter involved (Jones Reynolds actually carried the manuscript with her on a thumb drive for months as she wrote the book). When you read a phrase like "I do admire oatmeal raisin cookies," you know you're getting a direct line to Star Jones Reynolds.

Of course, that means 'Shine' is not the romantic guidebook for everyone. While the advice included for the physical, emotional and spiritual legs of this journey is fairly inclusive, you have to be willing to spend a good deal of time in the company of the author. Much of the advice in the early chapters is simply straightforward commonsense: learn to buy clothes that fit, apply makeup that flatters you, and don't give up all of the foods you love while you're on a weight-loss plan. Still, the step-by-step advice chapters and their engaging quizzes might be just what an appearance- or finance-challenged demoiselle needs to take the first steps on her own journey to love.

The real power of 'Shine' comes in the emotional and spiritual sections. As a well-educated, super-successful woman learning to share her life and heart fully as an older first-time bride, Jones Reynolds has real wisdom to share, and her no-holds-barred honesty goes a long way towards proving that she's learned the lessons she's teaching. Just as you shouldn't let the celebrity element put you off from reading 'Shine,' don't let the spirituality element do so, either. While she does speak at length about Christianity's influence on her choices, she also includes information for women of other faith traditions.