Unbound: An Immigrant Daughter’s Journey of Reckoning, Unraveling Shame, and Reclaiming Her Worth

Unbound: An Immigrant Daughter’s Journey of Reckoning, Unraveling Shame, and Reclaiming Her Worth

“At once a deeply personal odyssey of self-discovery, this book speaks to the transpersonal—the global trial, taken by so many in the quest for safety, security, wholeness, and belonging.” —Tias Little, author, Yoga of the Subtle Body Unbound is an inspirational memoir that traces the author’s journey from being a mixed-race immigrant daughter navigating the challenges of cultural dissonance to her becoming a mature woman who has embodied her worth with compelling honesty and grace. Serena Arora offers a deeply personal lens on the unique struggles of daughters of immigrants, exploring the impact of cultural conditioning on relationships, intimacy, and identity, from the longing for validation to the pain of playing small. She charts her own courageous untangling from the grip of generational expectations, the bound-footed fate of her maternal Chinese lineage, and the process of breaking free. With a focus on fostering healing across generations and cultural backgrounds, Unbound reveals the universal desire for belonging and connection. Serena’s rich and timely narrative serves women who are on a soul journey of awakening and reconciliation. It is a call to those who are tired of dimming their light and an invitation to remember who you are beneath our life conditioning, to live more boldly, feel more deeply, and love more consciously. It is a guide on the way back home to yourself. "Serena’s honesty and introspection drew me in from the very first page. I saw so much of my own journey reflected in hers. The way she shares her experiences with love, seeking validation, cultural identity, and healing generational wounds is powerful and relatable. It had me reflecting on my own upbringing in ways I hadn’t before. Her story is a mirror, an invitation, and a gift. It deserves a place on every bookshelf.” —Pia Edberg, author & book doula “Unbound is inspiring, uplifting, and refreshingly honest! Everyone only wants to show the shiny parts, but Serena takes us right into this deepest, darkest, messiest of truths, reminding us that claiming your worth, power, and dignity starts within. Unbound will remind you that you have been fierce and free all along the way.” —Julia Hausch, osteopath “Amongst the top most visceral moments I had while reading a book, it felt like a journey of forgiveness. Playing small, intergenerational trauma, pattern recognition, and criticism are all part of my story, as well. Watching Serena unravel and connect the through-lines of her journey inspired me to find some grace for myself in mine.” —Christina Michael, holistic business consultant “Serena has such a unique and gifted way of making her feelings of being different and out of place, as a young girl and teenager, so identifiable. Beautifully written and engaging, these are the stories I want to read about—strong, creative women facing life challenges, inspiring me to have more compassion for my mom, carve out my own path, and stand on my own two feet.” —Vicky Kravariotis, teacher & flight attendant “Wow! What an incredible book, story, and life! The author takes readers on a deeply personal and transformative journey, reinventing herself time and time again in the ongoing search for peace and a place to call home. Her storytelling is poignant and profound—raw in its honesty, and yet so beautifully relatable. With themes of identity, belonging, and resilience, the book shines a light on the experience of growing up as a second-generation immigrant. The emotional complexity of guilt, grit, and the pressure to fit in is captured with both nuance and heart. You’ll finish this book feeling inspired, seen, and already hoping the author has another one on the way.” —Monique Giroux, bestselling author & coach