Brilliantly written, absolutely compelling memoir – almost more a novel than a memoir.

AJ does a great job of getting her readers to keep turning pages, because they cannot wait to find out what is going to happen next.

AJ does a great job of switching back-and-forth in time, as she remembers her childhood while at the same time keeping the readers in a contemporary framework so that the story can advance in real time.

AJ’s story is sad and difficult, but constantly paints a picture of a better tomorrow. Her readers cannot help but root for her and her family to emerge into that new, bright tomorrow.

Bottom line, this is a very fine manuscript, by a very fine writer with a fascinating story to tell.