This book has been a great reading experience. Thanks to the author and the publisher for bringing this book to life.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

This book was incredible. Keeda J. Haynes is a gifted writer and tells her story inside and outside a very messed up criminal justice system. This book is so educational while being incredibly personal at the same time. I think this book should be recommended right alongside of Bryan Stephenson's Just Mercy. Wow.

This is a truly astonishing book. Several points when I was reading it I thought author had gone too far into incredulity, then remembered it’s a biography and all true. A law abiding woman gets caught up in a nightmare and finds herself in jail. The systemic racism of the US courts - even though it’s fairly well known - is shocking when told in first person in such detail.

But Ms Haynes didn’t get bitter or turn away from the law and the system. She trained as a lawyer and got stuck in to help people like her who suffered injustices.

"I knew from my own experiences, and by hearing the stories of so many others, that the disadvantage was more than a corrupt cop or prosecutor or judge. That it was more than even the limits of the law itself. The entire criminal legal system was built on a foundation of systemic racism. As a Black woman in the South - especially since my arrest - I had lived and seen firsthand just how much the system depended on that foundation."

"What I was slowly learning was that the system hadn’t actually failed me - because it was never designed for my success in the first place."

Ms Haynes is a tremendous spokesperson and deserves to be heard. She needs to be at the centre of change and I admire her for seeing the problem and trying to find solutions rather than just burying her head and ignoring the injustice. I hope she succeeds politically and brings new ideas and energy to rebuild that foundation.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley

This book is such a personal account of how the justice system is a racist system. Keeda's experience is one in which a young girls life was entirely altered in such an unjust way. I hope everyone takes the time to read and reflect on this book is evidence for the continued racism that exists on the fabrics of American society.

The idea of a rags to riches story can be played out, but this story about someone's ability to rebuild their life and not just sustain, but to grow and in turn make a life for themselves that gives back to the system that wronged them is a whole new view.

As with all personal books that are written to tell a real life story, I felt all the emotions of the author!
I love the storyline that gives the reader an insight into why and how someone is convicted wrongly. It’s also amazing to hear how resilience and strength of character enables a person to strive for their dreams and live a better life! A truly emotional journey with an inspirational message!

Thank you to Perseus Books, Keeda J Haynes and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A young woman who is a rising star in her school and community with dreams of working with incarcerated individuals is wrongfully convicted of a crime she didn't commit and spends time in federal prison. After being released from prison, she overcomes obstacles to become a public defender and works to reform the judicial system in her community.
This memoir was beautiful and eye-opening. I loved how she layered her story with facts about racism and the judicial system in the United States. It opened my eyes to the injustices and indignities of the the current judicial system and motivated me to support prison and judicial reform. It was well written and I think would be a perfect book to read beside The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.