I heard Ruthie Lindsey speak on a podcast and was intrigued about her upcoming memoir. I didn't know anything about her history, nor have I ever followed her on social media so I feel like I went into this book blind for the most part. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing (I never know what to except with authors who start off as social media unfluencers) and quickly found myself absorbed into the narrative. I imagine this book will be well received and enjoyed by her online followers, as well as others experiencing chronic pain.

Like many of you, I've followed Ruthie's journey for many years, even crossing paths in person from time to time. And because of what I have read, seen, and heard, I thought I had a grasp on her story. I thought I knew what to expect from this book, that it would simply provide lines to connect the dots. It turns out half of the dots had been written in bitter lemon juice, invisible to the eye until her divine fury burned hot enough to reveal them. Or something less dramatic. I like the visual though. And I'll happily bask in the warmth of her hard-earned wisdom.

This book is truly lovely. It is important. It is raw. It is breathtaking.

Ruthie exposes herself here with honesty that I've rarely experienced before. Unlike so many memoirs I have read, her weaknesses are not thrown in as cute anecdotes to "make her more human" amidst all the ways she is actually a Goddess. She speaks about her relationships openly, but with grace. Her struggles, in their extreme, hold lessons that we all can learn from.

In addition to the raw depths that Ruthie reveals in her memoir, I was most impacted by her voice. So often, memoirs are written in the style in which that person speaks. That is there at times, but I was blown away by the descriptive power of her writing style. Her own words/speech/thoughts are, of course, present, but they are enveloped in a rich world that caresses all of your senses. The prose is not flowery, it's cinematic. I felt present throughout.

I had the most stirring experience as I read through the pages, as if I were bathed in the light of each space described. I could see muted, buttery sunlight filtering through the curtains in her childhood home. The delicacy of Moonlight and front porch bulbs at an afterparty charged with regret. Whipping emergency lights and harsh flickering fluorescents of the hospital. Dappled sunshine at camp. And on and on. I love books that engage all of the senses, and this does... but for me, there is something about the light.

It feels fitting in a way, as Ruthie is always described as "a light", in this beaming, bright, luminous sense, a positive glow, a pendulum swing from those darkest moments of pain. She is often spoken about in extremes–– her light and her dark. But I'm feeling touched by the way Ruthie's story, and her own light, is so much more nuanced than that. It is refracted in stained glass. It is often indirect; the love, the hurt, the joy, the questions and declarations of others, reflecting off of her. It is a blue screen and a sunset. It is a backlit portrait, providing the public with a view of Ruthie that is in silhouette, or rim lit, letting us see her beautiful smile but saving the truest and most worthy view for those closest to her. And yes, to so many of us, it is simply golden.

I'm so excited for you to experience her light, in all of the forms that it takes.

I first heard of Ruthie at RISE in Fr. Myers, Florida. I knew then I had to read her book. Ruthie writes so honestly about her life, pain, and her journey with healing. If you’ve walked with her for a while, or a trauma of your own, this book is a must read. Well done, Ruthie!

There I am is an eloquently written story of Ruthie Lindsey's life. Her journey towards healing is applicable to all people and should be read by anyone searching for something more.

There I am is a memoir about chronic pain and the effects on marriage and friendships. I was surprised at the extent of the religious content in the memoir.

THIS. What an amazing story of humanity! My heart cried and laughed and cried and laughed. After reading a few chapters I realized two things - 1. I’m not going to be sleeping tonight because I can’t put this down. 2. Ruthie Lindsay is my new bff. Thank you for sharing this powerful story!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the free copy in exchange of.an honest review.

The cover is amazing and it is what caught my eye like most books on my tbr and shelves..i will be back with a full review.