Cheslie Kryst, former Miss USA, wrote this memoir shortly before her death by suicide in 2022. The book begins with a letter from her mother, April, to Cheslie and closes with April’s reflections on losing her daughter, while the middle is Cheslie’s story told in her own words.

I chose to read this book hoping it might help me better understand suicide. While it didn’t necessarily bring the clarity I thought I was looking for, it did leave me feeling less alone in my own loss, which, in many ways, was just as meaningful.

As I read, I felt an unexpected sense of connection to Cheslie, almost as if I were hearing from a close friend rather than a public figure. Her honesty and vulnerability make her voice feel personal and real.

The final words from her mother were equally powerful. I found myself deeply connecting to what she shares about the pain of loss and the complicated guilt that can accompany it. Those closing pages lingered with me long after I finished, serving as a reminder of both the depth of love and the weight that loss can carry.

Have you read this book? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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