I Wish I'd Quit Sooner - Coming January 13, 2026
A compelling survival guide, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner confronts the hidden cost of toxic bosses and equips readers with the clarity and courage to reclaim their work and well-being.
Too many talented professionals stay trapped under destructive leadership—fearing the unknown, doubting themselves, or hoping things will change. In this eye-opening book, Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett blends rigorous research with powerful real-world stories to reveal what toxic leadership really looks like, why it persists, and—most importantly—how to break free.
From spotting red flags early, to building strategies for protection, to navigating the emotional toll and finding the confidence to move on, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner is both practical and empowering. It doesn’t just help you escape a toxic boss—it helps you rebuild stronger, more resilient, and ready to thrive in the workplace you deserve.
Clear, compassionate, and actionable, this is a must-read for anyone who has ever whispered to themselves: “I deserve better.”
Endorsements
“For anyone who has a toxic boss or is worried they might, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner is a much-needed survival kit. Dr. Laura draws from her extensive research to help recognize and navigate toxic bosses to chart a healthier way forward.”
—Brigid Schulte, journalist and New York Times best-selling author of Over Work and Overwhelmed
“This book cuts through the noise. Dr. Laura names what many are afraid to: Toxic bosses are real, and so is your power to rise above them. It’s a clear, compassionate guide for choosing accountability, not victimhood—even in tough situations.”
—Cy Wakeman, drama researcher and New York Times best-selling author of No Ego
“Dr. Laura offers far more than an escape plan from toxic bosses: She delivers a blueprint for cultivating the kind of psychologically safe, high-engagement workplaces that reduce burnout and elevate performance. I Wish I’d Quit Sooner is equal parts wake-up call and roadmap—a rigorously researched, story-rich guide that transforms personal pain into the brighter future of a better workplace. If you care about people and results, this book belongs not just on your shelf but as the cornerstone of your organizational culture.”
—C. Allen Gorman, PhD, industrial-organizational psychologist and associate professor of management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
“This book nails it. Clear structure, sharp insights, and zero fluff. Whether you’re dealing with a toxic boss now or just want to understand what to avoid, it’s a toolkit you’ll come back to.”
—Philip Vanhoutte, work well champion and coauthor of The Smarter Working Manifesto
“How I wish I had this book as a resource when I was working for a toxic boss! Dr. Laura’s work is validating and provides a practical and emotionally supportive step-by-step plan to move from feeling helpless to regaining control of your career and life.”
—Anonymous, VP in the Canadian energy industry
“Toxic bosses are incredibly painful, but do not define you nor your career. This book is a helpful guide to surviving a toxic boss, and more importantly, to recovering afterward and finding ways to thrive again.”
—Andrew A. Schmidt, PhD, HR Executive and creator of the Toxic Leadership Scale
"A necessary punch of truth for a world that too often rewards the opposite."
—Paul McCarthy, speaker and author of The F.I.R.E.D. Leader: Reinventing the Future of Leadership
"Stuck under a toxic boss? You're not alone—and you're not powerless. Dr. Laura’s essential guide offers practical strategies, expert insights, and real-world examples to help you navigate difficult workplace dynamics, protect your well-being, and take back control of your career."
—Mary Abbajay, author of Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work and Succeed with Any Type of Boss
