It's interesting because I can't bond with her either. While her story seems interesting I find something insincere about it. I don't believe you have to be an expert. Writing is a form of expertise and many writers have the gift of seeing beyond the obvious and exposing new and unseen perspectives. In the beginning I really wanted to like her. And writers do need to self-promote but there's something about the combined package of writing and approach that just doesn't feel emotionally tangible to me but she appeals to many people.