BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'A Girl Beyond Closed Doors' by Jessica Taylor-Bearman.


Read and reviewed a physical copy for Jessica Taylor-Bearman, Hashtag Press and Literally PR.


Publication date 19th October 2023.


This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in Jessica's 'A Girl' series but can be read as a standalone.


This novel consists of a preface, 46 chapters and an update. The chapters are medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre but I'm an eclectic reader and happy to read most books. I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off and pick up your copy of this great book today.

This memoir takes us on a journey through the author's life from 2017 until 2023 all through these years she is bravely fighting and living with MS which she calls the MS monster while struggling with a much wanted and loved pregnancy but one which the MS Monster makes so much harder for her!!! It is an emotionally packed book filled with romance, tragedy, loss, love, heartbreak, pain, struggles, happiness, tears of joy, tears of sadness, laughter and absolutely every emotion that you can think of. I will be honest and admit that i was not quite sure what to expect when I picked up this book but whatever it was I got so much more!! This is not just a story of Jessica's life during pregnancy but of her love, friendship and strength for her husband and carer Samuel, the struggles she goes through with the so called professionals along her journey who gaslight her, criticise her and make her second guess herself throughout, the support she has from her sister Becky and her parents amongst others and the pain, suffering and heartbreak they went through together and the family they made. Jessica's fantastic writing skills really sucked me deep into her life where I could see everything come to life in front of my eyes and he left me with the emotions that she was going through. My heart went out to both her and Samuel on so many occasions. Jessica and Samuel have wanted a baby for so long and didn't think it was possible and even when they find themselves waiting to bring life into this world, life and the MS monster has kicked them down so many times. The attitude on others angered me so much and especially when the people who should have been supporting her and Sam make them feel even worse than they already do. However, throughout it all you can see the strength that both Jessica and Samuel have both for and with each other and their baby and how they are both fighters and when most people would give up after going through just half of what this amazing couple went though, they both keep fighting strong as they know they have more fight left in them. I was absolutely intrigued in the life that Jessica tells me and it felt like she was sitting across the table from me telling me about her life over a cup of tea going from laughter to sadness and back to smiling several times. I absolutely loved some of the stories she told me and I enjoyed "listening" to her reminisce. While reading this book John will take you through her absolute joy when she discovers she is pregnant, her heartache when others kick her over becoming a mum with MS, the love and support that she has with her husband Sam, the struggles of living with MS, the fight she constantly has with so called professionals in hospital, her determination to keep her baby safe in the womb as long as possible, her heartache when she is struggling afterwards and so much more but I wont go into any more events from there as I don't want to spoil it for future readers.
It is a beautiful, heartbreaking and authentic read packed with life experiences, emotions and Jessica's writing skills ensures the reader that she puts all her emotions and strength into everything she has written about and you can hear the shock, pain, love, struggles, proudness and so many other emotions she has gone through to tell her story in her evocative writing. She gives his own experiences and tells us where she got any information and statistics from. One of the things that I absolutely love about Jessica and her book is that although there is so much tragedy and heartache in her life that she is so full of gratitude and thanks for what she has and her strength, hope and gratitude absolutely shines through the pages. I had never heard of Jessica Taylor-Bearman before picking this book up but I now feel I know her, Samuel and her family enough to want to meet them all and tell them how amazing they all are! Jessica and Samuel are both amazing and strong people that have gone through so much more than what most have broke most people as individuals let alone as couples yet they have fought individually and together every step of the way and you can just tell from reading this book how lovely this couple are! This book, although filled with tragedy, is an amazing read, inspirational and made me smile so many times that I would definitely recommend it to absolutely anyone looking for a pick me up, motivation or inspiration regardless of what is happening in their lives. I loved going on Jessica's journey with her from before the pregnancy to the end and I cannot wait to pick up her previous two books 'A Girl Behind Dark Glasses' and 'A Girl In One Room' and read her life experiences previous to 2017. Although this is the third book in Jessica's series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.


Clear your schedules, grab the tissues and get ready to take a journey with Jessica through her pregnancy journey!!! You wont regret it and you wont be able to put it down!!

Congratulations Jessica on a fantastic, poignant, beautiful read that takes the readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride. You truly are an inspirational woman and I hope to read more books about your life and hopefully soon! The best of luck to yourself, Samuel and your family!!

Overall an emotional rollercoaster ride through Jessica's struggle with MS, pregnancy and the love between herself and her amazing husband Samuel. A truly beautiful, poignant and authentic page turner that will keep you hooked through.

276 pages.


This book is just £4.99 to purchase on kindle and £13.99 in paperback via Amazon (at time of review).


Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.


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For 12 years, @jayletay was imprisoned in a single room by the relentless grip of M.E. But finally, her dreams are coming true – she’s pregnant. Yet, her path takes a different turn as she navigates the challenges of becoming a disabled mother in a world often lacking accessibility. She must also confront the sceptics who question her capabilities.

The timing couldn’t be worse as a pandemic strikes just when they move to a new country. Isolation takes on a new meaning as they adjust to a family of three in a confined space, navigating government restrictions and the constant fear of COVID. Juggling parenthood and chronic illness, Jessica learns that alternative fairy tale endings are attainable. There is indeed life beyond closed doors.

This memoir is a deeply impactful narrative that demands earnest consideration. A heartfelt appreciation goes to the author - @jayletay for their remarkable courage in sharing a story that others might shy away from.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A Girl Beyond Closed Doors by Jessica Taylor-Bearman is the third book Jessica has written detailing her journey from the start of her diagnosis with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). In this final book in the trilogy Jessica takes the reader through more deeply personal and moving moments of her life. As with her other books, Jessica speaks from her heart and has a delightful writing voice that always draws me in.

We’ve followed Jessica from hospitals, to one bed and then living in one room with her partner Samuel. At the end of the last book, A Girl in One Room, Jessica had successfully managed to walk down the aisle for her wedding. In A Girl Beyond Closed Doors Jessica details changes in her life that leads to her and her husband looking to move out of their one room, and into a place of their own. The biggest change being that Jessica is pregnant!

As someone with ME and multiple chronic illnesses, there are a lot of things in life that have felt off limit since my diagnosis. Which is why reading a first-hand account of someone with ME talking about their pregnancy was emotional but invaluable. Jessica was also diagnosed with hypermobile joints during her pregnancy, something I also have, meaning that her experiences were even more meaningful to me.

What I’ve truly appreciated about all of Jessica’s books is that she doesn’t skimp on details, especially when discussing medical appointments and discussions with medical professionals. I already had my eyes opened to the horrible attitudes medical professionals have towards disabled people becoming pregnant while reading We’ve Got This, a collection of essays by disabled parents. But those were personal essays rather than a first-hand account, and Jessica’s candid account offers a perspective that will be enlightening to many.

This is just the tip of the iceberg that is A Girl Beyond Closed Doors, and Jessica delivers so much more in this third book. It is a brilliant end to the trilogy and if you’ve yet to pick up Jessica’s books I highly recommend doing so.

"A Girl Beyond Closed Doors" by Jessica Taylor-Bearman is an inspiring and deeply moving memoir that chronicles the remarkable journey of resilience, hope, and the pursuit of dreams against the backdrop of chronic illness and the challenges of parenthood.

Trapped for 12 years by the relentless grip of the M.E. Monster, Jessica's story takes a poignant turn as she embarks on the path to motherhood, defying the limitations imposed by her condition. The narrative beautifully captures the complexities of adjusting to a new identity as a disabled mom in a world that often fails to accommodate those with chronic illnesses.

As the author faces skepticism and doubters, her determination to create a fulfilling life for herself and her growing family becomes a beacon of strength. The arrival of the pandemic introduces a new layer of isolation, forcing the family to adapt to a world further limited by government restrictions and the fear of contracting Covid.

Through the highs and lows of parenthood and chronic illness, Jessica's candid storytelling invites readers into the intimate spaces of her life. The exploration of expectations versus reality resonates with authenticity, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges faced by individuals navigating both parenthood and health struggles.

"Beyond Closed Doors" is not just a memoir; it's a testament to the indomitable spirit that can thrive even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Jessica Taylor-Bearman's narrative unfolds as a journey of discovery, proving that alternative fairy tale endings are not only possible but also profoundly rewarding—a celebration of a life beyond closed doors.

A Girl Beyond Closed Doors by Jessica Taylor-Bearman is the third of her ME memoirs, chronicling her life with this enigmatic neuro-immune disorder. Now married to Sam, Jessica is about to embark on the daunting and formerly believed impossible path of motherhood. While it's a dream come true for Jessica and Sam, there's absolutely no doubt that the added stress of a pregnant body will make Jessica's ME act up even more. And then- the COVID years.

I first picked up Jessica's books a few years ago, precisely because she has ME. So do I, and I finally felt seen in this affliction by reading familiar responses to my own. The dysautonomia issues, intractable nausea, heart fluctuations, and blood pressure issues, not to mention the exhaustion, fatigue and excruciating pain. Catching COVID thanks to employer's lax adherence to guidelines (that they never owned up to either) ended up making my ME a full disability. Or as my doctor has it labeled, a second diagnosis of Long COVID.

I had wondered if Jessica had caught COVID, and if so, had she suffered a similar serious downturn in the ME. I'm glad to read that doesn't seem the case, though it is disheartening that her friend got Long COVID. Reading about Felicity’s birth and growth provided a delightful counterpoint to the harsh reality of living with this devastating disorder.

Highly recommended!

Read my prior review
A Girl Behind Dark Glasses/ A Girl in One Room by Jessica Taylor-Bearman
https://wp.me/p6C2DX-2Wx

And this great article by the author
How Can People Treat Those with ME by Jessica Taylor-Bearman
https://wp.me/p6C2DX-2WC

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Hashtag Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When I initially picked up "A Girl Beyond Closed Doors," I wasn't aware of the two other books by Jessica, but after reading this one, I'm eager to explore those as well. This book is a straightforward and journal-like read. Jessica's journey in coping with a poorly understood chronic illness is not only inspirational but also incredibly enlightening. Her account sheds light on the challenges faced by those with such conditions, where research and understanding are often lacking. I highly recommend this book, and likely the entire trilogy, to anyone dealing with chronic illness or to the friends and family supporting someone in a similar situation.

I received a free copy of, A Girl Beyond Closed Doors, by Jessica Taylor-Bearman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have read the two other books by Jessica, she has such an amazing story, her horrible disease, M.E. Jessica is now happily married to Sam and expecting a daughter. I do not know how Jessica does it, she is in so much pain, yet she rarely complains. I really enjoyed this book.

Jessica Taylor-Bearman is an amazing woman. When she was 15 years old, Jessica came down with an absolutely debilitating condition called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - or as she calls it, the M.E. Monster. It almost completely shut down her life and still presents incredibly difficult challenges for her daily. This is the third installment of the trilogy that details her life with this horrible illness. It's an easy, yet fascinating read, set-up somewhat like a journal or diary. And although Jessica is facing this extremely troubling illness for which research, knowledge and understanding is almost non-existent, her account is amazingly inspiring and eye-opening. In addition to her physical challenges, Jessica does a great job of conveying her emotions about everything going on with and around her. Despite all her obstacles, she manages to appreciate the good things too. You should definitely read books one and two first (A Girl Behind Dark Glasses and A Girl in One Room) to better understand what she's gone through up to this point. Thank you to NetGalley and Hashtag Press for the eARC. And good luck to Jessica and her family for the future!