Loving Myself: Reese's Story

by Suzetta Perkins

Fourteen-year-old Reese Russell, the niece of Black Lives Matter activist, Gypsy Kinard, is pregnant and wants the baby's father to be involved in the life of her unborn child. Zuri rejects the idea that the baby is his, and Reese decides to have an abortion. Reese's parents do not give their consent for her to have the abortion, and her only recourse is to have the baby. All is well until life spins out of control and Reese suffers through a traumatic event that sends her life into a tailspin.

While experiencing detours on her life’s journey, Reese realizes that she must reclaim her life by deleting negative and outside influences. Doing so, she’s open to seeing a future for herself and does the work to lay the foundation. Reese recognizes that she can accomplish her goals, but it must begin by loving herself first.

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

About the author

What happens to those who are left behind in the turbulent breakup of failed love and romance? "