This fabulous, unpretentious book has got me back into reading after a long absence. The simple straightforward honesty of this first person account belies the depth of feeling and the many conflicting layers beneath the surface of the narrative. The result is a genuine empathy with Stephanie and the desire to try and understand her even though I personally have nothing in common with her.

This is a ‘real’ read. Stephanie will take you through many emotions that you actually ‘feel’ reading this book. You will want to shout at her, scream at her to ‘fix up’ but also understand the decisions she made, even if in hindsight, it was wrong, but more than likely celebrate her many positive choices. The author tells the true story without asking for sympathy, but leads you through that difficult period.

I have read so many novels purport to depict urban London life at its most raw but which rarely do so convincingly, and yet here the author manages the task with enviable ease… I don’t think that it’s just a case of a bitter individual recounting their miserable past in voyeuristic detail…emptying out their soul in fictional form…it’s simply first rate, high quality, clear and honest writing at its best.