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Loving and Losing You, Azaylia: My Inspirational Daughter and our Unbreakable Bond
What the world saw, and what it didn't
"Nothing could ever have prepared me for this. Some days it breaks me, and I can't even bear to do it. I always thought I was tough, but it brings me to my knees every single time."
Safiyya's beautiful baby daughter, Azaylia, was eight weeks old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia. By the age of 8 months, Safiyya and her partner, Ashley, had to say their final goodbye.
This is Safiyya's account of motherhood, hope and loss. It is about the unbreakable and incomparable bond between mother and daughter ... about what happens to a family when they face a life without the person that completed them, putting readers in the shoes no parent wants to be in. But, above all, it's a celebration of a remarkable little life that showed spirit that no baby should have to and a family who loved and fought to hold onto every precious moment.
"Nothing could ever have prepared me for this. Some days it breaks me, and I can't even bear to do it. I always thought I was tough, but it brings me to my knees every single time."
Safiyya's beautiful baby daughter, Azaylia, was eight weeks old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia. By the age of 8 months, Safiyya and her partner, Ashley, had to say their final goodbye.
This is Safiyya's account of motherhood, hope and loss. It is about the unbreakable and incomparable bond between mother and daughter ... about what happens to a family when they face a life without the person that completed them, putting readers in the shoes no parent wants to be in. But, above all, it's a celebration of a remarkable little life that showed spirit that no baby should have to and a family who loved and fought to hold onto every precious moment.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2023
9 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 28, 2023
Heart felt book about illness
June 20, 2022
I held my daughter so much more tighter reading this. The most gut wrenching story but beautifully written. I followed their journey whilst pregnant and then after I gave birth to my daughter. The strength they have is amazing.
August 14, 2023
So hard to read the words on the page when your eyes are filled with tears.😞 Heartbreaking, followed baby Azaylia right from the beginning and always look out for that orange sky.🦁
May 24, 2022
The most gut wrenching but truly beautiful story. I knew the book would hurt but I didn’t expect to start and finish it within 24 hours, engulfed in the sadness and bravery of one little family. My heart broke and tears fell throughout the whole novel. My eyes are extremely puffy but my heart is so full. What an inspirational family. #LetsGoChamp
June 29, 2023
Dear Safiyya and Ashley
I litterly cried and cried reading this book. No parent should ever lose a child and no child should ever die before their parents. The bond you all had as a family is amazing! And Azaylia is one amazing stong baby! She coped with so much and was a trooper until the end.
This book has made me open my eyes about my parenting with my daughter. I work 7 nights a week to get by sleep during the day, and she sleeps at my mums. I’ve realised life is so short and I have to some how make a plan in my head how I can change my working life. But that will take time
Continue all the hard work for your charity.
Azaylia your one amazing champ!!
Such an inspirational book to read x
I litterly cried and cried reading this book. No parent should ever lose a child and no child should ever die before their parents. The bond you all had as a family is amazing! And Azaylia is one amazing stong baby! She coped with so much and was a trooper until the end.
This book has made me open my eyes about my parenting with my daughter. I work 7 nights a week to get by sleep during the day, and she sleeps at my mums. I’ve realised life is so short and I have to some how make a plan in my head how I can change my working life. But that will take time
Continue all the hard work for your charity.
Azaylia your one amazing champ!!
Such an inspirational book to read x
May 1, 2022
Wow
I made it to half way through this before the tears came and tbh they didn't stop until the end I followed azaylias journey all the way through but to read it from safs point it's absolutely heart rendering my daughter was only 10 months old when azaylia passed I honestly could not imagine the pain they both went through as parents 💔 this book was an amazing read and very touching azaylia will be so proud of her mummy 🧡 likkle lion the only little girl who touched the hearts of the nation 🦁
I made it to half way through this before the tears came and tbh they didn't stop until the end I followed azaylias journey all the way through but to read it from safs point it's absolutely heart rendering my daughter was only 10 months old when azaylia passed I honestly could not imagine the pain they both went through as parents 💔 this book was an amazing read and very touching azaylia will be so proud of her mummy 🧡 likkle lion the only little girl who touched the hearts of the nation 🦁
May 2, 2022
I’m not sure what to say about this book other than it was everything I expected. I didn’t learn about Azaylia until much later on in her journey but as soon as I did I felt attached to the story like so many other people around the world, checking on instagram everyday just praying for a miracle for that gorgeous little family. To read about her beautiful life in detail, to be educated on the rollercoaster that you go through as a parent living with childhood cancer and everything inbetween is bittersweet, if love could have saved you Azaylia, you would have lived forever #letsgochamp 🧡
October 30, 2022
What a heart breaking roller coaster safiyya and Ashley went through. Becoming a parent is one of, if not the best feeling in the world.
After such a short space of time, their precious daughter taken ill.
The worst feeling in the world.. I can't imagine how they both carried on.. such inspiring people.. you both have done your daughter proud. Well done!
Reading this really brought me to reality. Like said in the first few pages if putting your story to paper helps someone it's worth it.. this will stay with me for life.
#letsgochamp 🧡
After such a short space of time, their precious daughter taken ill.
The worst feeling in the world.. I can't imagine how they both carried on.. such inspiring people.. you both have done your daughter proud. Well done!
Reading this really brought me to reality. Like said in the first few pages if putting your story to paper helps someone it's worth it.. this will stay with me for life.
#letsgochamp 🧡
March 25, 2023
Such a heartbreaking and emotional read. This book had me in tears from the very beginning to the very end such a beautiful story of such a brave and courageous little girl Azaylia. Azaylia’s mum has done her daughter so so proud with this book as you get to know Azaylia and her parents so well and you learn so much medical history behind there daughters fight and how they worked so well to give there daughter the best life possible. This book is so inspirational and written so well. Such a beautiful family. #letsgochamp🧡 xxx
January 30, 2024
Private grief is difficult enough, but public grief in the worst way? What an inspirational woman.
Safiyya's vulnerability throughout the book is a real testament to her strength. A heartbreaking read cloaked by (sometimes forced) positivity shows her sheer determination through the worst kind of adversity 🧡
Safiyya's vulnerability throughout the book is a real testament to her strength. A heartbreaking read cloaked by (sometimes forced) positivity shows her sheer determination through the worst kind of adversity 🧡
April 16, 2025
Inspirational and emotional
An amazing book to read and I never wanted it to end and I do hope that in the future they are blessed with another child be it a boy of a girl. Azaylia will be a big sister and watch that child flourish under her parents love just like Azaylia did. Go champ Azaylia!
An amazing book to read and I never wanted it to end and I do hope that in the future they are blessed with another child be it a boy of a girl. Azaylia will be a big sister and watch that child flourish under her parents love just like Azaylia did. Go champ Azaylia!
December 15, 2022
The saddest but most inspirational and honest book I have ever read from any mother! What a little star azaylia is and what amazingly strong parents she has, your work is so important and I’m glad it’s carrying you through
January 2, 2023
My heart breaks all over again for Safiyya and Ashley. This book is a hard read and is something no parent should ever have to go through. Azaylia was an amazing little fighter and a true inspiration to us all 🧡
January 14, 2023
Omg cried Happy and sad tears how Safiyya described every thought and feeling was amazing I did follow the journey on Instagram but I felt this book so much Amazing mother Azaylia would be super proud of you x
December 17, 2025
I cried so much! Literally sobbed for this little girl.
These stories hurt so much more knowing my daughter has cystic fibrosis and although she is healthy now it can change at any time.
No parent should ever outlive their child. Azaylia was the strongest little girl 💔
These stories hurt so much more knowing my daughter has cystic fibrosis and although she is healthy now it can change at any time.
No parent should ever outlive their child. Azaylia was the strongest little girl 💔
May 1, 2022
The most heartbreaking, beautiful story. An inspiration to us all. #letsgochamp
May 12, 2022
Fantastc
What a tear jerked cried reading this but smiled to,amazing book shows you how precious life is.and to love every moment
What a tear jerked cried reading this but smiled to,amazing book shows you how precious life is.and to love every moment
May 15, 2022
Inspirational
What a wonderful well written book from the heart. I was not able to put this book down, your family is so inspiring to all x
What a wonderful well written book from the heart. I was not able to put this book down, your family is so inspiring to all x
July 31, 2022
A beautiful read. I had tears streaming down my face for the last 100 pages. 💕
October 27, 2022
Wow this story was so heartbreaking, I followed Ashley cain and his girlfriend and this story of Azahlia and omg it broke me
May 2, 2023
An honest, raw and heartbreaking read. Read it over two days. I smiled and I cried reading this!
May 25, 2023
Heart Warming
I very powerful and heart warming story about this little champ. When you read it make sure you have the tissues ready.
I very powerful and heart warming story about this little champ. When you read it make sure you have the tissues ready.
July 2, 2023
I read the book with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, no parent should have to watch their child become so poorly and then loose them. Such a heart breaking story, one il always remember when I see an orange sky.
Safiyya & Ashley are so brave, strong & a true inspiration, their passion how they talk about their daughter Azaylia is so beautiful.
Safiyya & Ashley are so brave, strong & a true inspiration, their passion how they talk about their daughter Azaylia is so beautiful.
September 1, 2023
This was a very sad read but it was incredibly inspirational and powerful too x
November 17, 2023
Really lovely book made me cry more than once
March 4, 2024
Raw and honest. Beautifully written and heartbreaking at the same time
October 25, 2024
Heartbreaking. So brave to share her and Azaylias story. A sad read
January 23, 2025
Cried the whole way through this book. So well written and you can really feel Safiyyas raw emotions. It was also nice to get to know a bit more about Safiyya.
January 4, 2024
Such an emotional read but so lovingly written.
I read Ashley's book first and found them to be equally good. Absolutely heartbreaking situation which was brought into the media and everyone knows this little Champ's name the world over.
Such a lovely tribute to Azaylia, a heartbreaking read but very lovingly and sensitively written. I think everyone across the world knows this story, and to read it again here is just as sad and very bittersweet.
I read Ashley's book first and found them to be equally good. Absolutely heartbreaking situation which was brought into the media and everyone knows this little Champ's name the world over.
Such a lovely tribute to Azaylia, a heartbreaking read but very lovingly and sensitively written. I think everyone across the world knows this story, and to read it again here is just as sad and very bittersweet.
January 8, 2024
Had to put it down multiple times, heartbreaking, emotional and inspiring story of every parents worse nightmare
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews