Life's Not Yoga: or is it . . .? Finding Love in the Chaos of Life

by Jacqui Burnett

Life’s Not Yoga: A Memoir is the story of one woman’s journey as she travels through America to make sense of her multiple traumas.

"Some people travel to India to find themselves, others to the USA! Life's Not Yoga is a compelling UPLIFTING must-read memoir. Through her story Jacqui Burnett shows us how to stay present in the face of our pain and fear, to overcome anxiety, heal our inner child and build a brighter future." - Natasha Dom, @sashadomyoga

She was born into a perfect family, but by age 16 Jacqui Burnett wants to kill her father.

Decades later Jacqui believes she's left her turbulent childhood past and the trauma of multiple near-death experiences behind her.

On the surface, she has everything she’s ever dreamed of – a solid education, success, and a wonderful husband.

What Jacqui doesn’t know is that she’s about to lose everything.

She was about to step into a board meeting but instead she slid from her office chair and cowered under her desk, sobbing. As managing director, she was meant to announce a year of outstanding results; instead, she was paralysed.’

In a desperate search for answers, Jacqui travels to America. Alone in the Rocky Mountains, her life starts unravelling and the truth of her chaotic childhood begins to emerge.

Amidst confused attempts to find love and meaning, Jacqui has to face death one more time, along with an avalanche of unexpected obstacles, before rising from the ashes to heal.

“What I found amazing about Life’s Not Yoga, is that many people write a memoir and tend to sugarcoat their role in the story, while painting other people with a bit of a tar brush. Jacqui Burnett does not do this and is open and honest about the times in her life when she does not come across looking so great.” – Janice Leibowitz – 101.9 ChaiFM

"Life's Not Yoga bounces between stream-of-consciousness and the exasperation of 'moving-on' and honest to goodness declarations of frustration at her own life choices. Burnett opens to her readers in the most admirable and courageous of ways, and I would be remiss as an empathetic reader if I did not acknowledge how difficult that must have been. Jacqui Burnett is a superb storyteller. Her life has not been easy, and it is an honor to read the prose of an incessantly curious and deeply courageous human being who seems to have made a lot of sacrifices to pursue her dreams. – Meg Orton, For the Love of MEG Book Reviews

"Equal to the power of Jacqui’s circumstances is the power of her voice (her written word). It is one of the most commanding voices of any memoir I have read, filled with clever observations that ring true. Thank you, Jacqui Burnett, for being so courageous to share and thus providing 'an educational tool for readers also wanting to live a life of joy'. - Natalie Wittwen, Stillness in Motion

“It’s Jacqui’s engagingly frank voice and fierce self-enquiry that drives this fast-paced gripping tale through all its spirited twists and turns.” - Nina Geraghty, Writer and Developmental Editor

“On one level, this is a tale of looking for love in all the wrong places, but on a deeper level, it’s a story of how adversity, viewed through the lens of insight and wisdom, leads to hope and redemption. The miracle is that she comes out the other side alive - and willing to use her life story to inspire others to survive and flourish.” - Giles Griffin, Writer and Writing Guide

This memoir is for anyone who has battled with emotional abuse, financial loss, depression, heartbreak, divorce, burnout, PTSD, anxiety, or fibromyalgia, looking for understanding on how to heal themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Self Help

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2020

About the author

Jacqui Burnett is an adventurer – both in journeys of the Spirit and in the world of financial strategy. Raised in South Africa, she is qualified in business studies, which has enabled her to help numerous businesses achieve their strategic and financial goals. However, Jacqui has always pursued a parallel interest in spirituality, guiding her into her writing, speaking and workshop-facilitating career.

Inspired by her discoveries on her journey, Jacqui has created a successful platform called The Dare to Be Love Journey and a recently launch podcast, titled, Finding Love in the Chaos of Life. Here, she shares her inspirational insights gifted to her from Universal Wisdom through her writing, speaking, and poetry. In addition, Jacqui shares her personal stories of trauma and healing from depression, PTSD, suicide ideation, anxiety, chronic fibromyalgia and migraines.

Jacqui has many passions. Her passion for awakening the Spiritual Revolutionary within others is the most prominent of these. Jacqui hosts workshops to guide others to meet their Spirit and teach them how to integrate their individual Spirit into their body, mind and soul healing processes, connecting them to Universal Wisdom to self-heal.

As an impassioned student of life, Jacqui continues to practise and promote living a Spirit-led life of courage, kindness, compassion and love.

Jacqui has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Industrial Psychology and Economics from the University of South Africa and an MBA from the University of Witwatersrand, including a semester abroad at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) Erasmus. In addition, Jacqui is a certified Integral Coach through New Ventures West and trained as a yoga teacher with Yoga Tree, acquiring both these certifications in San Francisco, California.

Her memoir, Life’s Not Yoga …or is it?, is Jacqui’s first published book.

Website: https://jacquiburnett.com
Online Workshops: https://jacquiburnett.com/spiritual-o...
Podcast:
Finding Love in the Chaos of Life
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7AEqywa...
Blog:
https://jacquiburnett.com/dare-to-be-...
Poetry:
https://jacquiburnett.com/poetry
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jacquiburnet...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquiburne...
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquibur...

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people - Carl Jung⁣
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Life's Not Yoga or is it... Finding love in the chaos of life by @jacquiburnettauthor.⁣
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Thank you, thank you, thank you to Jacqui for sending me her memoir, it was insanely encouraging and took me back to places I never thought I'd ever visit again. ⁣
⁣
Jacqui is born into a "Christian" household in the 70's,when apartheid is at its peak and keeping up with with The Joneses in the Afrikaans culture is at an all time high.⁣
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From traveling to the Holiday in, where I grew up as a child. To trips to Gordans Bay with the grandparents. Jacqui takes us on the highs and lots of lows of her upbringing and her life as an adult. ⁣
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Congratulations on becoming the woman you are today because wow you overcame alot and have encouraged me, that no matter what my childhood may have looked like. We can still achieve so much more. ⁣
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📚God is supposed to be Love. But in Christianity I experienced growing up, there was overwhelming fear and love was conditional.⁣
⁣

[Rozanne Visagie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: I have been kindly gifted a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.



Life's Not Yoga is Jacqui Burnett's first book. This memoir is honest and beautifully written. This story is personal and when something is personal it's not always comfortable and it takes strength to share your pain. Life's Not Yoga is divided into three parts:Burning Shame, Burning Bridges and Rising Phoenix.
Jacqui starts her story with memories from her childhood and continues to adolescence. She shares her journey from shame, distancing herself from certain people and situations and finally where she rises from the ashes of shame and is transformed into a woman with self-acceptance and a newfound joy for life.

Transformation isn't easy, it's painful. While reading, the reader experiences Jacqui's pain and anger, but also the peace and love she finds after her journey. Through sharing her story, Jacqui is empowering others to deal with their difficulties. This is not a self-help book, this is a self-discovery book.

"I have to break everything apart and tear myself to pieces if I am to save myself from the person I have become."-- Jacqui Burnett

I have personally learned a great deal while reading this book, finding answers to questions and knowing how to handle certain emotions. As Jacqui writes in her book, "Writing my story has freed me to live beyond my shame, guilt and blame stories", through this I have learned that we must all write our story, not necessarily on paper, but emotionally. Face the anger, the guilt or whatever it is that is holding you back so that you can be freed to live beyond that anger, shame or guilt. Dealing with emotions is messy, but there's beauty in it. Jacqui helps the reader to see beauty in this mess and helps redirects our perspective to love, to be love to ourselves and to others.

Readers will be able to relate to Jacqui's pain and will be confronted with uncomfortable emotions, but by confronting and handling these emotions like Jacqui is showing us, I believe a great deal of healing will take place in many readers' hearts and lives. Life's Not Yoga is an inspirational read and definitely a book everyone has to read. It is eye-opening, emotional and empowering. You will not be left feeling the same after reading this book.
Jacqui shows us the good and the bad of her life, and she decides to focus on the good. This helps us to realise we can also make the choice to focus on the good, no matter what we have experienced in life.

This review is posted on my blog (including a video where the author reads an excerpt of her book):
https://willowscornerbook.wordpress.c...

[Booksandchinooks (Laurie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love memoirs but I find them so hard to review. This memoir by Jacqui Burnett is raw and honest. Growing up as a privileged white girl in South Africa during Apartheid Jacqui’s childhood was far from perfect. Her father was so emotionally abusive it was horrific. Her mother, always under the control of her husband, was also emotionally abusive to a lesser degree but also failed her daughter in so many ways. Jacqui has a business degree and went on to work at her husband’s business while putting her goals and dreams aside. Eventually she reaches a breaking point - both with her husband and the business and she heads to the US to pursue her love of writing and to rebalance herself emotionally. Throughout all this Jacqui questioned her spirituality. As she made major life decisions and was slowly able to focus completely on what she wanted she was at peace with her relationship with God and herself. I was amazed at the author’s capacity for love and forgiveness toward the people in her life. I am very impressed with how much Jacqui has overcome in her life and how she is hoping to inspire others. Thank you to the author for sending me her book for review!

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful and emotional memoir about one woman’s courageous journey of her life through countless adventures and near death experiences, while also a story of adversity and finally reaching redemption.

[Inganathi Mnyasane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqui’s story is a story of love and resilience, vulnerability and bravery. It is proof that there are so many similarities in our lived experiences. After reading this book, I came to an understanding that we’re never truly at peace with the world around us until we’re at peace with ourselves. Jacqui peeled off layer after layer, to reveal her true self and sometimes, that is all you have. Through this memoir, Jacqui shows us that when the sun sets and when the rain stops (so does the dancing), you don’t need a night in shining armour, you have saved yourself (and others) many times and that matters. Sometimes that’s all that matters; loving yourself enough to hold on to you.

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Jacqui Burnett’s book 3 times.
The 1st time I was a character in this book - I read it slowly, almost acting the part. I was a lot like Dan.
The 2nd time around I read with empathy for Jacqui…. As I read, Jacqui was unwrapped. She is a whole lot of courage, love, spirit, tenacity and honesty coupled with steadfastness in what she believes to be right. She is beautiful.
The 3rd time, I learned that this book was a tool for ME. It was like a manual on how to work through the crap that I thought I had my hand on. I back tracked and started sorting out my crap by unwrapping it, and putting it back together in a way I would never have had I not read Life’s Not Yoga.
It teaches us to discover or rediscover who we are and to step up to the plate – to be just who we are without any excuses or reservations. To BE LOVE.
I now see beauty in the madness, and I laugh at it. Jacqui’s book has equipped me to face my past emotional, painful stories, which includes coping with Cancer.
I would recommend this easy, gripping read to anyone, whether it is reading for learning or pleasure.
My review of Life's Not Yoga could be a book too as each time I've read it, there were new awakenings, fresh eyes, a wide open soul, a heart pumping love and a clear conscious as I understand me.
xx

[Quindon Stengel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing that struck me was how much like home this story felt- I related completely to the author’s first few chapters- sometimes smiling at the very reminiscent text, both in subject and language!
And then the raw exposé of her years of growth, the frightening encounters, the frustrating, conservative, non-sense parenting that I remember happening to so
many of us - South Africa in those years- so relatable… and then the drama that became her life! Raw, emotional and so brave- and then in the end, Jacqui’s revelations … and my own! I found myself in tears in the last chapter- the realization that yes, life deals tough blows, yes - sometimes it feels like there’s nowhere to turn, yes- sometimes we might wonder how we can go on… but we do! And in love… there is acceptance, there is a quiet, personal understanding of your human experience and there is life and growth! We all walk our path, give thanks for the footprints on your soul and embrace this time to journey onward knowing you are always exactly where you are supposed to be!
I loved the book! 💕

[Tania Bownes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an extraordinary story. A story that deals with the demons of guilt and shame and how these truly can be transmuted into self worth. I love how Jacqui shares from her heart and guts. Raw. Real. No melodrama. I love how she weaves the dysfunctionality of South African society in the 1970’s/80’s into her own family life. Subtly. A beautiful mirroring. This is a deeply inspiring story of her long term personal triumph, despite the myriad misfortunes along the route, a story told with both humour and personal vulnerability, that draws you in quickly and keeps you wanting more and more till the very last page!

[Nikki Katsikides · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read, truly inspiring and encouraging, would love to see this as a movie! Authentic!

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate those who courageously share their stories with the world, especially those who take the high road and live in the peace of forgiveness and love.

In 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚, Jacqui Burnett details her life from early childhood in South Africa through her years of soul searching in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. From early on, it’s evident that Jacqui was born with an inquisitive nature. But this causes her to butt heads with a very misogynistic and racist father.

Between emotional abuse and the secret she carries for her father, the weight becomes too much at times. Jacqui suffers physically and has multiple near-death experiences - twice by her own hand.

Her early trauma would shape and distort her relationships; thus, her marriages were marred by not feeling seen and heard. Jacqui travels to America to search deeper inside herself and work on her writing. But the chaos of life isn’t done with her yet.

Memoirs are so personal, and I enjoy learning from other’s journeys. I love that Jacqui speaks of forgiving those who have hurt her, loving others, and loving ourselves.

Thank you to @jacquiburnettauthor for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author who I found on The Girlfriend Book Club wanting reviewers. I'm so glad I took her up on her offer to read.

It was a very emotional read and hard to read in some places and that is the truth in all memoirs but especially this one for me.

I was amazed at how Jacqui lived through so much of her childhood with her father's verbal and emotional abuse. Her mother's not remembering things in Jacqui's life was just so unbelievable and how because she was the only girl with so many brothers, her father never respected her.

Her life was not easy and I loved how she found herself in the mountains hiking and traveling everywhere "trying to find herself." Not only did she find herself she found Dan. Don't get me started about Dan who was obsessed with her but yet didn't want to leave his wife even though he kept saying he would divorce her and wants to make a life with Jacqui. As for Michael, her ex-husband, he had a good heart and was basically a good guy but he relied on her too much and she got screwed overall in his business and divorce.

Thank you Jacqui for sharing your life story with me and I will always remember this book. Good luck in life and I hope there will be more books in my reading future.

[Megan Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this memoir in a couple of days- I could not put it down.

[Lauren O'Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking, Jacqui’s memoir shows that her life was never boring, turbulent yes, but never boring. Having grown up in South Africa at around about the same time & with parents from the same generation as Jacqui, I could relate to many of her experiences. I believe, although traumatic, her many altercations with her father made her stronger and able to inevitably live the life she wanted: instead of beating her down he gave her the power to keep climbing. Jacqui’s story makes you realize that the only one who can give you peace is yourself. If you need an “Eat Pray Love’ moment I suggest you read Jacqui’s book. Life can be bumpy and choppy, & life can also be magnificent.
"My voice falls softly onto the snow without an echo, Who am I talking to ? Myself? Am I really that insane? Or is it my father? or Michael? Leave me alone, I say louder"
A conversation we have all had with ourselves at one time or another, which makes one feel no longer so alone as it not 'just me'.

[Meg Orton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: The author Jacqui Burnett kindly sent me a copy of her memoir in exchange for an honest review.

“This is just yoga...This is an uncomfortable pose. Find comfort in the discomfort”

The title of this incredibly personal memoir refers to every single step on the path of author Jacqui Burnett's life. Not just her childhood fraught with trauma, or her teenage years of confusion and experimentation or even the near-death experiences as a young adult. It refers to what came afterwards, and everything in between.

The author grew up in South Africa, and describes her life during the 1970s and 1980s as a blur of family holidays, church meetings, running around as a tomboy with her four brothers, a mother who said very little and a father whose relationship with his daughter was fraught with tension and anger. It is this relationship with her father that will mark Life's Not Yoga with the first of many obstacles and harrowing life experiences. As Jacqui is growing up, and surrounded by her large family, she can't seem to understand why the family's maid was in fact not considered 'family'. She couldn't understand why her family's notion of Christianity was so different to what her own spirituality eventually led her to believe. In fact there were a lot of things that Jacqui didn't quite understand about her upbringing and about apartheid, and about preferring to be a 'tomboy' rather than the well-behaved girl in a dress her parents envisioned.

At fifteen Jacqui is diagnosed with chronic scoliosis, and attempts suicide twice as a teenager. This is only the beginning of an eventful adolescence that culminated in an almost fatal car accident in her twenties. Jacqui's life reads like something out of a book. The type of life experiences usually scattered among several people, Jacqui's are all her own.

As an adult she married Greg, and when that didn't work out and she met Michael her father refused to acknowledge his new son-in-law. Burnett describes her grief and guilt at the eventual demise of her marriage to Michael whom she'd spent ten years with, and shared a business. When she finally makes the decision to divorce Michael and pursue her passion for writing (something she'd been considering for a while), she takes herself to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and rents a cabin where she can be alone with her work. It is here that she will meet Dan...

Other than describing a typical South African childhood living in Somerset West and then moving to Natal (now Kwa-Zulu Natal) as a young girl, Burnett's challenging relationship with her parents taints most if not all of her early years. Her journey is a very personal one, as most memoirs tend to be, and yet Burnett's raw and unadulterated honesty are rare traits to find in the genre. Life's Not Yoga bounces between stream-of-consciousness and the exasperation of 'moving-on' and honest to goodness declarations of frustration at her own life choices. Burnett opens up to her readers in the most admirable and courageous of ways, and I would be remiss as an empathetic reader if I did not acknowledge how difficult that must have been.

Whilst the first half of the memoir delivers a deeply entertaining and fascinating foray into her humble beginnings, the middle chapters focus on the demise of her marriage and the possibility of a new relationship, and how deeply and easily we can fall right back into love – even if its not always the future we imagined. Burnett's business affiliations fall to the wayside (and cause major anxiety in the process) and she is forced to physically let go of a lot of what she spent decades working towards. In the interim her relationship with yoga and writing allow her to work through the fact that not only had she experienced a total of eight near-death experiences, participated in two divorces, but had also kept a dark secret about her father for most of her life.

Jacqui Burnett is a superb story-teller. Her life has not been easy, and it is an honor to read the prose of an incessantly curious and deeply courageous human being who seems to have made a lot of sacrifices to pursue her dreams. Through all the trauma, and all the drama, and the fear and the pain Jacqui Burnett shows an incredible strength that need not be defined by her family, or the men in her life or even in the close female friendships she honors – her strength is defined by her own ability to love, to be loved and to tell her story knowing it is laid out there for all the world to see, and ultimately find comfort in.

[Jenna Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a a beautifully written, INSPIRING read.
Everyone should read this book, whether you've suffered from loss, trauma, self doubt or not, or know someone who has.
I don't want to give away any spoilers - but I love how the author has used quotes from the most inspiring teachers earth has seen, and then placed them between her story, so that it is merely a mirror for us to see and heal our own story.
In my humble opinion, if you don't enjoy this book, you have either not done your personal work, or were too triggered to go deep enough, as in this remarkable story telling the author not only reminds us, but shows us that compassion is the key to everything, be it for yourself or others.
I highly recommend this book, particularly as we are living in a world that is so divided, as we lack the courage to look within in order to find peace. Jacqui shows us how as she courageously shares all of herself, the good and the bad, as a mirror for all of us to use to 'get over ourselves" (egos)!!!
If you have the courage that is!
I devoured this book in 2 days and plan to read it again and again.
I believe we will see this story of courage as a Netflix/TV series in years to come.

[Katie Vorster · Rating 5 out of 5]

When It comes to reading a memoir that hits me deep, Life's Not Yoga is it.
The raw honesty & bravery of Jacqui Burnett is what the world needs more of.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqui's life journey that she so bravely pens for us through immensely difficult circumstances throughout her life, depicts some very intense times. It must have been extremely hard to share some of those hurtful experiences, especially of her turbulent childhood, although at the same time probably good therapy rehashing and putting it on paper. Her memoir certainly makes the reader most grateful (like myself) if we were blessed with wonderful childhoods and also makes one aware that we all have a story to tell of our own adversities and challenges that we have had to face. Her insights make us think and dig deep when it comes to realizing that within us is our own Hero & Saver and that we are all actually Brave, Strong & Resilient. Jacqui brings home the fact that humans must not 'loose our Soul' for the sake of another. It is truly in the valley's that we grow & Jacqui proved that so many times in her lifespan through excruciating painful ordeals and life threatening incidences. She shows that we are all continuously learning & trying to figure out life and constantly at 'Cross Paths' as the only thing constant in life is Change! Another lesson this brave lady brings through in her book is To Be True To Ourselves Always.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspiring and memorable read. Totally relatable to readers on any walk of life - I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

[Dallas Shattuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone knows how much I enjoy reading memoirs, so I was really excited when @jacquiburnettauthor asked me to review hers!

Jacqui’s story was heart-breaking, eye-opening, but also empowering. She’s endured so much throughout her life, and was brave enough to share her experiences with readers. All of it—From growing up in South Africa during apartheid, to her strained relationships with her parents, her near-death experiences, and her journey to find herself.

I loved reading about Jacqui’s story. She is strong and resilient. I enjoyed her questions and deep examination on religion and spirituality and how it’s different for everyone.

If you enjoy memoirs, please check this one out!!

Thank you, Jacqui, for the #gifted copy of your beautiful book ❤️

CW: racism, white supremacy, abuse (all), divorce, infidelity, suicidal ideation and attempts, death

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in awe of the bravery and strength that are represented so well in this beautiful memoir! The author's ability to share their stories really moved me. In life, it’s not always easy to be open and honest. The truth can often be a lot harsher than what is perceived and for Jacqui, this was very apparent. It wasn’t just what she wasn’t saying, it what people weren’t seeing. Not having others understand you, listen to you, or appreciate what you’re conveying is hard enough. But when you throw in the many moments of trauma and heartache, it only compounded everything she has endured. I felt a kinship to her, having been through my own trauma. What I hadn’t expected was to feel a sense of hope that this isn’t all it. There’s more to life, to our given stories, but we have to find it and keep pushing. Really, an empowering read!

[LinnRandom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqui Burnett's beautiful, often times poignant Life's Not Yoga: A Memoir, is an amazing biographical journey of a courageous woman who openly exposes her flaws to reveal the magnificent beautiful woman she is inside. The writing is flawless and her vivid descriptions take the reader from South Africa to the snow cap peaks of the American Rockies. Whether in New York City, San Francisco, Toronto and places in between, her adventure becomes your adventure. Throughout the journey, her resilience and her belief in love and in her own spirit is dazzling. Her journey is not easy, but its honest and true. Life’s Not Yoga, is a non-stop adventure that you simply can’t put down. I recommend this beautiful memoir, so eloquently and honestly shared with all of us, in this very well written book. I can’t wait to read about her next adventure!!! I recommend this book!!!!

[Claudie Torrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW! What a riveting read this was! I didn’t think I would finish the book as quickly as I did, but I could not put it down.

In the book Jacqui shows us how to love every part of our life story - the good, the bad and the ugly.

She does the hard work to shine light on her broken places and to allow that light to burst through and heal the hurt kept bottled up deep inside.

I wasn’t prepared for the emotion this book would awaken in me, but I am forever grateful that I was gifted this book.

Thank you Jacqui for being brave enough to put your story on paper so we can learn to love ALL OF OURSELVES.

[Wendi Oliveros · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin on this book. It took me on a roller coaster ride which was unimaginable and yet it was Jacqui's real life. She wrote with such honesty about her pain; she is a brave person. I am grateful to have read Jacqui's story. It is thought provoking and inspiring because she never gave up, she persevered when others (like me) would have hidden under the covers for years. Thanks Jacqui for sharing your personal story and for the inspirational quotes before each chapter. Victor Frankl brings back memories of 11th grade religion class at my Catholic high school.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacqui Burnett reached out to me about her book and after reading bits and pieces, I couldn’t wait to read the rest.
Not only is it real, raw, inspiring, and truthful in her own journey...she encompasses her self devotion to overcome her struggles. Heartbreak is one of the hardest things anyone can overcome. In Jacqui’s memoir, she relates her story to share and empower others.
I admired her ability to write in a way that connected the reader to her experience with grace.

[Jenny Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of courage and perseverance! Loved it and have put my copy in my bed & breakfast in the hope that our guests will enjoy it too!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super inspirational, brilliant read

[Yoda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book by Jacqui. I loved learning more about South African customs, history and language... but I also found the story itself very heartfelt and uplfiting. There's some heavy themes and stories of abuse, but the book has such a positive message. Highly recommend it as I could not put it down!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spirited, impactful and it will leave you breathless. How much pain can one person take? And find a way through? This book will give you pause...the meanness of a parent and how our childhood influences our adulthood. Read this and learn something new about yourself!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqui has written a very direct account of her life.
Her upbringing, in a staunchly Christian home, with a racist, misogynist father, was less than idyllic.
She is a very brave woman, for choosing her own path in spite of the bullying, and for choosing to share her story.

[Stephen Grant Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read Memoir

An amazing journey by an amazing woman. Courageously told and beautifully written. Highly recommended for anyone overcoming emotional loss or trauma.