I'm very grateful to the author for sharing her story. It's a real testament to what perseverance and family support can do for you in the face of adversity, abuse, gaslighting and truly unfortunate circumstances.

Thank you to the author, She Writes Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I had a bit too much going on.

This memoir of a life filled with challenges and hurdles, that the author tackles with perseverance, hard work and humor, is a captivating read. Having no idea of the bureacratic limbo she will find herself in, she arranges to follow her family immigrating to the US from Ghana once her academic year in Ghana is finished. Unfortunately, things do not go smoothly, and the author takes us with her as she passes through various way stations - and once she finally arrives in the US, she faces new difficulties. It is heartwarming to see how she overcomes the situation with the support of her family and mentors, and is able to find fulfillment in a career she herself would not have chosen of her own volition.

Going into this book I thought it was going to feature the medical profession a little more than it did, but I still thought it was a great memoir. I read so much fiction that I always remind myself when reading memoirs that this was someone’s real life. I found myself frustrated with some of the decisions Lally made but I can understand why she made them. Lally faced so much heartbreak and sometimes fear during her life, being separated from her family and not knowing when she would see them again. When she found someone who filled that void, she didn’t let go. It was an unexpectedly emotional story. Seeing Lally grow and learn from her experiences was so heartwarming by the end.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy.

This memoir traces the journey of the author’s life. She was born in Sri Lanka, lived in Ghana and the UK. and became a U.S. citizen and ultimately fulfilled the prophecy of a Sri Lankan priest that she would become a doctor. She did so despite life’s challenges and personal decisions. While the book wasn’t necessarily extraordinary in terms of an immigrant’s journey or overwhelming life challenges like some other memoirs, it was this author’s story and a view into how she persevered to become a doctor with the amazing support of her family. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

From the title I thought this memoir would go through the process of becoming an unlikely doctor. Which technically in the end it does. The author really draws you into all the places she lived (Ghana, UK, USA and born in Sri Lanka).
I wish I knew that the book would focus a lot on her very very disfunctional romantic relationship with her partner.
It was a truly horrible situation for her, being gaslight, manipulated, isolated and abused. The book does a really good job of showing her frame of mind in the different stages and following her decisions.
It sucks you into the rural town in the UK and Davis, California and the other places she’s in.
Sometimes the book felt more like a really well written diary with a lot of descriptive details than a memoir, but I guess the line can be thin in some cases. I feel that more editing would have been beneficial to this book. The pacing is very slow at times.
I’m glad the author is now finally in her desired field with two daughters and a supportive partner.

TW: Abortion, abuse, neglect, manipulation, gaslighting, isolating.

If this woman's journey doesn't inspire you then nothing will. What an expedition through life. What I really liked is the author holds nothing back and that takes guts! Lally was blessed to have wonderful support from her family but without her spirit she never could have accomplished what she did. A truly beautiful read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

What an unbelievable memoir about an amazing young women and her struggle to pursue her dreams. I am so honored, excited, and hopeful to share this amazing story with readers.