I recently read Sober Daughter by @fawnaasfaw. It was one I had been wanting to read for a while but finally picked up, and I'm glad I did!

Fawna's parents instilled very important values while raising her. They opened their arms and their home to anyone in need and taught Fawna the importance of being there for others. Unfortunately, their legacy ended too soon and Fawna was left trying to continue their dreams, live up to their expectations, grieve and somehow survive on her own. Like many young adults who become carers, Fawna put her needs last and did everything she could to support her parents when they each became sick. She experienced significant trauma and had to grow up fast. After she lost her mother, she became overwhelmed by the looming debt her parents left behind and the grief and addictions that she had been coping with for several years. Despite being seen as very successful and skilled at her job, she could no longer balance it all and so she found herself unemployed, mentally and physically ill, in a house that was falling apart and which she could not afford and in serious need of help. Luckily help came in the form of amazing friends and rehab, and she was able to come out a survivor on the other side.

I learned a lot about addictions, rehab and recovery while reading Fawna's story, especially about her specific condition, which was a complication of addiction and causes some significant cognitive and neurological deficits. I admire her ability to be so open and honest even about the most difficult and traumatic moments of her life. She wrote this book to share her story and help others, and that shines through in her writing from start to finish. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to @netgalley and @girlfridayproductions for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

There is no doubt what this girl went through in her life was just tragic but I don't think it came across well in this book. I feel there could have been more meaningful parts of the book as sometimes it was poorly written. I appreciate my review is honest about the book but does not detract from the massive challenges faced and the obstacles that she overcome. I just felt it could have been written better.

This was a beautiful and touching account of resilience and recovery, hope throughout the setbacks and what it means to be a survivor. Fanna Asfaw writes with a voice that is clear and raw. Anyone that has lived through addiction of any kind will recognize and relate to this true story. Asfaw truly has a gift of relaying her experience with addiction to alcohol with relevance and accessibility.

The story is ultimately inspiring. Asfaw went from a young girl with a journal to a successful memoirist and inspiration. Sober Daughter is an account that proves that writing down your story is a form of catharsis and healing. I walked away from this story feeling stronger and confident in myself and my recovery. I recommend this to anyone who has ever struggled with addiction and recovery. Thank you for the opportunity to read this inspiring account.

This was a very personal memoir of a young women who lost her parents and fell into addiction. It was very heartfelt. However, I didn’t gel with the writing and found my attention wandering a little. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this arc and I wish the author all the best.