This book reads like an autobiography

but the author - Autumn Lytle - assures it is not...

Still, she writes with an authenticity that is hard to deny...

and while the story focuses on Mel's eating disorder

I think there are many who can relate to the desire

to feel and know, really know, they are loved ...

And the author does a great job showing how

accepting the love of Our Creator brings ultimate peace.

Trigger Warning:

The eating disorder is graphically described...

The book takes us on Mel's journey to wellness as she sets out on foot with Mount Rainier as her goal. Along the way she meets some incredible people that God has put in her path at just the right time...

And she ends up helping them as they are helping her

[but isn't that just how our God works?]

And, of course, I have some favorite quotes:

"I remembered reading once how we are constantly surrounded by God's Spirit.

It's like our breath, a flame, the wind, a womb.

It permeates every part of the human existence,

and to be a witness to it, all we need to do is pay attention."

I relate to this so much

because I truly feel God's presence when I am out in His creation...

And while I feel blessed to have a mama who was always supportive and loving,

I know that this is not the case for everyone...

And I've seen first-hand how Gdd has put women in our lives

to help us grow and feel accepted and loved...

"... But that's not the way it had to be, I could surround myself with women who wanted to build me up, who focused on my strengths instead of obsessed over my weaknesses. This could be a way to move forward, I thought.

And it was a beautiful thought."

And I'll leave you with this, although it might be a bit of a 'spoiler'.

But surely you know that all is well in the end...

[But getting there is quite the adventure!]

"...there is someone who can forgive my ordinary failures and love me an extraordinary amount anyway, over and over again...that before I was ever worth anything to the world, I was worth everything to God..."

"The swell of belonging was heavy...The concept of a love stronger and grander than time and space and actions was too much to hold all at once.