this book made me feel. were they enjoyable feelings? no. sometimes my stomach was twisted and i felt deeply uncomfortable. sometimes i absolutely hated the narrator. okay, i hated her a lot. and… i could relate to her. i know what it’s like to wish to press pause on life. i also know what it’s like to feel a renewed hope for life. this book deeply reminded me of my mother and the way she self medicated herself out of life. i thought the lack of consequences from stopping her substance use to be unbelievable, but then again, i don’t think believability is what the story is based on. i do think her character development was worth the read, though. i probably will never re-read, and i don’t recommend this as a light or easy or fun read. i listened to the book, and i do think that enhanced the experience. julia whelan is the best narrator of all time, and i think she made me push through the times i wanted to quit.