Lisa Valentine

I wanted to love this book after hearing the author speak on a podcast. I eagerly awaited it to become available via my library audiobook service. After two months, I finally got to download this. Firstly, and this is completely a personal preference, the narrator's voice grated on me. It sounded like the Queen was reading, making it hard to be sympathetic to their plight when coming from a seemingly privileged, higher class person. I have used audiobooks for years and this is the first time I've really struggled to connect with the audio version for this reason. Secondly, it felt less of an inspirational story and more of a series of complaints. I ended up returninf the book after just eight chapters, with the voice and whining becoming unbearable. Parts of the journey felt silly and illplanned. It felt as though they had no choice but I know first hand that there ARE other options for people in this type of situation. Hearing the lack of budgeting also began to grate after a while. Buying overpriced fudge and cream teas didn't match the overall narrative of being destitute and it all felt a little bit entitled. Gutted as I had such high hopes for this one.