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Jungle Up and Breathe
At age 47, well into midlife and the joys of motherhood but stifled by a resentful marriage and lack of purpose, Annie traded the upscale conventionality of New England for a achingly beautiful, wildly unpredictable, and ultimately life-affirming existence in the jungles of Costa Rica. Entranced by a playful new lover and an exotic, remote beach community, Annie shed the layers of her comfortable and controlled life in the United States and embraced a new lifestyle where she finally felt free. Except her tropical paradise slowly transformed into a living nightmare, as her love affair turned toxic, the dream home she built drained her savings, and she became consumed by feelings of doubt, guilt, and fear. The harsh realities of living in the jungle only intensified the jungle of emotions she felt within.
As her relationship deteriorated, she felt herself being pulled further into a dark, untethered place of abuse and sadness. Despite the pain and confusion, Annie didn’t get on a plane and head back to the familiar comforts of home. Instead, she let all the wild elements of Costa Rica push her to a breaking point until all that was left was the stillness of who she truly was inside. With courage and unbridled faith, she knew that she would be more than okay. A heartfelt story of self-discovery that begins at midlife — a reminder to everyone that it’s never too late to listen to the call within. This is the story of how Annie learned to Jungle Up & Breathe.
As her relationship deteriorated, she felt herself being pulled further into a dark, untethered place of abuse and sadness. Despite the pain and confusion, Annie didn’t get on a plane and head back to the familiar comforts of home. Instead, she let all the wild elements of Costa Rica push her to a breaking point until all that was left was the stillness of who she truly was inside. With courage and unbridled faith, she knew that she would be more than okay. A heartfelt story of self-discovery that begins at midlife — a reminder to everyone that it’s never too late to listen to the call within. This is the story of how Annie learned to Jungle Up & Breathe.
408 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2022
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February 26, 2023
This was a unique read because I’ve known the author since I was a young girl. Growing up, I admired her and thought highly of her & her family. What a journey she’s been on!
The book was hard to put down and I found myself wondering how it would end. It was a vulnerable, raw, honest read of a woman journeying to find herself. There were relatable & unrelatabe moments. There were moments where I cried & moments where I laughed.
As a mother, part of me ached for what she missed while on her journey & part of me celebrated the wins made with her children & her family.
While reading the book I experienced several emotions: sad & angry, and other times happy & thankful; over the situations the main character was in, the events that transpired and the people she met. It was a book where I wanted to sit with the character in her pain, hug her, tell her “don’t do it!” or encourage her, or simply celebrate her victories. Worth a read.
The book was hard to put down and I found myself wondering how it would end. It was a vulnerable, raw, honest read of a woman journeying to find herself. There were relatable & unrelatabe moments. There were moments where I cried & moments where I laughed.
As a mother, part of me ached for what she missed while on her journey & part of me celebrated the wins made with her children & her family.
While reading the book I experienced several emotions: sad & angry, and other times happy & thankful; over the situations the main character was in, the events that transpired and the people she met. It was a book where I wanted to sit with the character in her pain, hug her, tell her “don’t do it!” or encourage her, or simply celebrate her victories. Worth a read.
Displaying 1 of 1 review