An extraordinary book. From depression to eating disorders to mania to psychosis, Sharon Hastings has experienced a vast amount of mental illness and invites us into her story with almost excruciating honesty. It's also a painful read. I had to stop several times to process the things I had read. But it is also a deeply needed book. Sharon writes from a unique perspective as not only someone with mental illnesses, but also as a medical professional. It is a perspective which is incredibly helpful, meaning that we are brought into the story on a personal level with Sharon, but are also educated about the illnesses themselves. Sharon is very honest about the treatments she received, and highlights the importance of help while also admitting its shortcomings.

One of the difficult but wonderful things about this book is the fact that it doesn't have an easy or a happy ending. Sharon has continuing struggles, as we all do. However, it is a glorious picture of God holding on to a dearly beloved child, even as he allows incredibly hard things to happen to her. He remains faithful, forgiving and good throughout it all, and it is a beautiful to thing to read about Sharon's return to him. It is a story of incredible humbling, and one about accepting the life that God has for each of us, no matter if it's the one we expected or not.