BB Gabriel —proud Canadian, registered social worker, and soon-to-be two-time author—has never let her harrowing past define her. A survivor of domestic violence, she courageously transformed her trauma into testimony through storytelling, culminating in her debut work, No Ordinary Love. With her second book, We’ll Meet You—a deeply personal exploration of grief—on the horizon, BB continues to forge a path of hope and healing for herself and her readers.
Author BB Gabriel
Healing Through Storytelling
Surviving domestic violence is a feat of resilience in and of itself, but BB refused to let survival be the end of her story. Using her experiences as case studies in her undergraduate and graduate pursuits, she processed her trauma by deeply examining it—piece by piece, layer by layer—until she could finally retell it without fear. This self-“therapizing” approach allowed BB to regain a sense of control over the traumatic episodes that once haunted her. She earned multiple degrees, including a BA (Gerontology), BSW (Social Work), MSW (Master of Social Work with a clinical specialization), and a minor in Women’s Studies, each step fortifying her knowledge and resilience.
What began as a personal journey of self-understanding evolved into a mission to uplift others. BB wrote and rewrote her narratives, adding details each time—examining every aspect of her experience until she could not only share it openly but do so in a way that could inspire and educate. Her emphasis on raw authenticity is particularly evident in No Ordinary Love, which grew from a seed of pain into a powerful, emotionally rich account of recovery and hope. Drawing on her life experiences, BB poured both vulnerability and strength onto each page, illustrating for readers that healing is rarely linear—it’s a process that benefits from time, reflection, and the unwavering belief in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.
Empowering Survivors and Enlightening Communities
Central to BB’s work is her commitment to letting survivors know that they are believed, supported, and never alone. No Ordinary Love touches on intimate partner violence, the ripple effects of abuse, and the bittersweet reality of triggers and lingering trauma. Through the eyes of three women at different stages of survival—Gabbi, Alex, and Katee—the book gives voice to a universal pain that has too often been silenced by shame, fear, or external judgment.
Gabbi’s Story: A therapist in her late thirties, Gabbi wants her family to understand the truth of what she endured. Time is running short for her to explain the real events that transpired in her past, but in writing her own story, she discovers unexpected catharsis.
Alex’s Fight: A school counselor in her late twenties, Alex grapples with her personal trauma while guiding her students through their own challenges. When her abusive ex-partner begins sending letters from jail, Alex realizes she must flee yet again—before he’s released and tracks her down.
Katee’s Escape: A high school student hungry for love, Katee falls prey to a predatory boyfriend disguised as a caring partner. The threat of becoming a statistic in the femicide epidemic drives her to find the strength to escape.
Each woman’s fight against an unnamed tormentor underlines the painful reality that abuse can come from anyone, anywhere. BB’s choice to protect the privacy of this abuser by fictionalizing certain elements proved to be one of her hardest creative decisions. She was asked by her editor, publisher, and eventually her lawyer to “further fictionalize” her own true story for legal reasons—a process she describes as feeling like “calling my truth a lie.” Yet BB persevered, determined not to let legal constraints diminish the crucial truths she needed to share.
In describing her work, BB emphasizes two main hopes:
That readers who haven’t experienced domestic violence firsthand might cultivate greater understanding and compassion for survivors—recognizing the complexity of power dynamics, the stubborn residue of trauma, and the brave resilience it takes to rebuild a life.
That survivors see themselves in these stories—feeling validated, supported, and understood. BB stands in solidarity with fellow survivors, whether they’re still silently screaming in the aftermath of abuse or are ready to share their stories from the rooftops.
Looking Ahead: We’ll Meet You and Future Aspirations
BB’s second book, We’ll Meet You, reflects her commitment to continually exploring deeper layers of human experience—this time through the lens of grief. While No Ordinary Love was born from her personal struggle with domestic violence, We’ll Meet You strives to connect with those navigating the loss of loved ones or any significant life change. Grief, BB believes, is multifaceted—encompassing both sorrow and hope, darkness and light—and she approaches this topic with compassion rooted in her professional background as a social worker.
In every piece of writing, BB’s overarching goal remains the same: to impart empathy and raise awareness around topics that are frequently shrouded in silence. She believes that words have the power to change minds, open hearts, and remind survivors that their experiences matter. Writing, for her, is not only a means of self-expression but a form of therapy—an opportunity to reframe painful memories, release shame, and ultimately stand firm in one’s story, no matter how dark it once seemed.
Key Dates:
- No Ordinary Love is now available globally through Amazon.
- On February 12, 2025, any bookstore or library can order it from their catalog.
- BB’s upcoming release, We’ll Meet You, will soon follow.
BB remains an active presence for her readers—offering insight and encouragement to anyone feeling lost in their journey. She often reminds people that just as she found solace in writing, so can others discover their own form of self-expression. Whether that be journaling, painting, or speaking openly to a loved one or therapist, sharing one’s truth can illuminate a path to healing.
For BB, life now includes tender moments at the cottage, playfully swimming in the lake, and savoring quality time with her partner and their two beloved cats. She relishes spaghetti dinners, joins in spirited karaoke nights, and embarks on travel adventures—once unimaginable joys that became reality after confronting her past. Through her books and her professional pursuits, she extends a hand to those still entangled in the web of domestic violence or grappling with insurmountable grief. Her message is simple, yet profound: no matter how dark your story begins, there is always hope for a future of safety, understanding, and, ultimately, love. Connect with BB on Instagram (@no.ordinary.love_bb.gabriel), TikTok (@no.ordinary.love_bb) and by email [email protected].
Blair Kaplan Venables is a British Columbia-based grief and resilience expert and coach, motivational speaker, and the Founder of The Global Resilience Project. Her expertise has been featured on media platforms like Forbes, TEDx, CBC Radio, Entrepreneur, and Thrive Global. She is named the Top Grief and Resilience Expert of the Year 2024 by IAOTP. USA Today listed Blair as one of the top 10 conscious female leaders to watch, and she empowers others to be resilient from stages around the world. ‘MyStory,’ which is a television show available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Google Play, showcases Blair’s life story. She is the cohost of the RESILIENT A.F. with Blair and Alana podcast and specializes in helping people strengthen their resilience muscle using scientifically proven methods and guides grieving high performers with her Navigating Grief Framework. The Global Resilience Project’s award-winning book series are international bestsellers, and her fourth book, RESILIENT A.F.: Stories of Resilience Vol 2, was published in January 2025. In her free time, you can find Blair writing, in nature, traveling the world, and helping people to strengthen their resilience muscles.