The Beginning and End of Everything: with a foreword by Davina McCall

by Sarah Hiscox, Davina McCall (Foreword)

Genres: Nonfiction

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

Reviews

[Shawn Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s difficult to find words to describe how powerful this book is. I’ve never read such a raw and vulnerable account of somebody’s fall to and below rock bottom followed by the happiest ending I can remember. Sarah gives you a horrifying look inside the mind of someone who is not only addicted, but who truly felt miserable being themselves. It shows the depth that people will sink in order to try to silence their pain and numb their feelings.

This is truly my favorite book I have ever read.

[✯ Erin ✯ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read but properly aggravating

[Megan Medrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. What a raw view into what Sarah experienced as an addict.
The intense emotions of shame, desperation and hope gripped me from the beginning of her story.

I listened to this from several different points of view, as a mother, as a spouse, a friend and at the end of the day it shed so much light to the fact that at the end of it all we are human and not immune to the stress that emotional turmoil causes regardless of how perfect life may be.

I’m going to sit with this one for a while.

Thank you Sarah for sharing your story.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A honest memoirs about addiction and recovery. I appreciated the author's sincerity. She writes about the darkest moments of her life without filters, without self-aggrandisement, and without trying to protect her image. Addiction has a way of stripping away ego and exposing the parts of ourselves we'd rather keep hidden, and it takes real courage to write about those moments with such openness.

Beneath the addiction story lies something much more universal. We all carry wounds, many of us feel inadequate, life breaks us in different ways, and we often search for something to fill those emptinesses. The book is a reminder that healing often begins not by fixing ourselves, but by accepting ourselves with compassion. As the saying goes, it's the cracks that let the light through. It's brave to write about your lowest moments and allow others to see you as you really were.

While I enjoyed the memoir overall, the romantic sections occasionally felt a bit too much like a rom-com for my taste. Nevertheless, this is a moving, compassionate, and profoundly human memoir. More than a story about addiction, it's a story about self-acceptance, forgiveness, and learning how to live with yourself.

[Lucy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brave,heart wrenching book!

What a brave woman you are Sarah. After watching your podcast with Davina I immediately bought your book. A strong story with no holes barred. You are a brave woman and tell your story openly and I am in awe of you. It is also a story of resilience and true love that has me sobbing. I recommend this book to all women, mothers, sisters out there

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short while, in the late ‘90s, I knew Sarah so this was especially poignant.

A difficult, emotional, raw, brave and honest account of the utter madness of addiction.

I remember Sarah as a smiler, even in the darkest of times. I’m so glad she’s found love and peace.

[Sierra Larason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating life story! I wish the author wrote a little more about her final success, she put in so much work to get her happy ending. A great read about the challenges of addiction and how important it is to have good support systems around you.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's honesty and vulnerability are admirable. Sarah uses her voice to advocate for the vulnerable and particularly vulnerable women.

This book gives incredible insight into how addiction could happen to anyone, particularly those who have difficult upbringings and family experiences. Many of us take our families for granted, so this book reminded me of how lucky I am!

I listened to the audiobook read by the author and I'd highly recommend Sarah's reading of the book.

[Marta Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In equal measure heartbreaking and hopeful, this is an incredible story of survival against addiction.

It’s a story of finding the strength to begin again after losing everything—her marriage, her children, and almost herself. A powerful reminder that recovery is possible.

[Clare Pooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Hiscox is searingly honest, hilariously funny and a bloody good writer. A gripping and inspiring story of burning your life down and rising from the ashes.

[Ophelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a special book - so matter of fact and yet so moving.

[Linda Dinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god. Touched a few nerves for sure. Hit me deep and will stay within.

[Teagan G · Rating 4 out of 5]

literally read this in a dayyyy so raw and captivating and heartbreaking and yahhh would HIGHLY recommend!!

[Christina Boarman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Drugs are something else, man. Victorious ending.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Margherita dG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah’s story is powerful and moving. She tells it with such honesty and grit in a way very few people can and do.