Wow what a rollercoaster of a book

I also have severe M.E. through thankfully not experienced as severely as In Jessica’s case but life is still incredibly difficult. I put off this book because I didn’t feel emotionally ready. At first I cried listening to Jessica first talking to Bug about the start of her M.E. as it was so like my own story. I felt so many different emotions whilst listening to this book and I read a little of it too. It’s one of those books you can’t put down. Reading Jessica’s story helped me feel less alone and she did achieve as she intended to give people with severe M.E. a voice as well as to raise some much needed awareness of this illness and just how severe it can become M.E. isn’t ‘just about feeling tired’ as many people believe it is so so so much more than that as Jessica can tell you. Despite everything Jessica has and does face she’s done an incredible job to share this book with the world. I only wish that the sequel was an audiobook too.

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Inspirational

Jessica is a total inspiration and brings so much home to myself. Being diagnosed myself finally last year, stay strong Jessica and thank you for your amazing book x

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A Very Harrowing Courageous Book

What a truly wonderful book fully illustrating the absolute devastation of living with Severe M.E & associated conditions - Equally devastating is Jessica's portrayal of being sexually abused by Jackson a very evil carer but important in relaying the powerlessness and the voiceless status sufferers can face being so vulnerable and placing our lives into other's people controls - alongside her bones becoming of an age of 100 years old rather than a young woman. I really enjoyed her damning critique of the poor sides of the health service Physio-terrorist because the point is that we are yearning to be fully supported and looked after and we don't deserve wretched care experiences from a poorly educated and poorly informed NHS. The narration by Queenie James is truly excellent and makes for a very engaging listen and truly great that Jessica foundt a way to get her life story told. The book also tells of her humanity and wanting to celebrate others because the true stars of the world aren't film stars but those like myself and others living truly tough lives and we deserve to be recognised. A lot of the ways Jessica describes the M.E monster I can fully relate to - I live with Severe M.E from a young age alongside Complex-PTSD with traumas and the very harrowing ordeal itself of living with Severe M.E all based within Mental and Physical Torture. Jessica fully tells of the Torture ordeal that those like me severely afflicted with this go through. I was really proud to hear that Jessica has a gentle and tough character to will to survive and endure and live this proudly despite all the cruelty that this befalls us. A truly GREAT book - I really liked listening to it.

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A beautifully written thought provoking true story

An excellent portrayal of a young girl’s fight with very severe ME.
A very moving, honest account of what it’s like to live with this dreadful illness.

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A must read !

As someone who has mild ME I have always realised how lucky I am to have a semblance of normality in my life deposited having this disease for 21 years - this book reminds me so much everyday of that. As an ex nurse I would recommend this to anyone who cares for chronic and critically ill patients, if you believe you are the patients advocate you need to hear this - and when I say here you need to listen to this being narrated by Queenie James to remember every thing Jessica writes about happened when she was a child .
Thank you for this book it is inspiring and especially timely as I am having a bad crash with the ME monster at present!

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Emotional and captivating with a strong voice. A very important book.

Who would have thought a book about a girl lying ill in bed could be so captivating? Yes, it can be a difficult and emotional read at times, but Jessica writes with such a strong, chatty voice and honesty that you HAVE to keep turning the pages. Though her body may be frail, her character is strong and her autobiography is dotted with humour. This is such an important book which raises awareness of this misunderstood illness and draws attention to the ignorance of the medical profession. Thank you Jessica for sharing your story so openly and bravely.

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A Girl Behind Dark Glasses

This book is just incredibly inspiring. I've suffered from mild-moderate M.E. for a number of years now, and Jessica's zest for life is infectious within these pages. Her determination to continue fighting and use the strength she has to inspire others is beautiful. It has certainly inspired me!

The narrator was a good choice for this audio book. Her voice suits the style and authorship well.

Overall, I did not hesitate to give this audio book a 5* rating and thoroughly recommend giving it a listen.

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what a life story so far ...

brave, resilient, funny young woman. The description of being so powerless at times. Amazing story.

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Essential reading

This book is extremely important in highlighting the seriousness of ME and the incredibly difficult challenges people with the disease face in obtaining a diagnosis and receiving appropriate medical support. Jessica is so brave in her honesty about her experience of having ME but an inspiration, showing such determination and courage in her fight against this dreadful disease which is so often ignored or misunderstood. The subject matter is challenging but the narrator does an excellent job of bringing to life the thoughts of a teenage girl suddenly robbed of her dreams.

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Inspirational, incredible and so imprtant

I am so glad this book was recommended to me. You go on the most incredible journey with Jessica and get a real insight into what life is like for a chronically ill child growing up in hospital. As a reader I felt so angry at the injustices, the abuse and way she was treated at times by the medical profession but it is a story of strength and hope and leaves you feeling awe and admiration for how Jessica has managed to live her life and provide hope for others

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