It is very gripping. This is harrowing stuff. How could you as a mother bear it? I can’t believe what you went through. It takes courage to survive all this and write it down in a readable fashion. You are a survivor. You are honest about your own personality, it really comes through. You are inspirational. I must read it again, you wrote it so well. The scene with Lily singing is so powerful, I burst into tears. It is a transformational moment.

I just finished reading, “I Couldn’t Tell You,” Wow! You hit it out of the park! I wish your path through parenthood had been simpler, but we don’t get to choose that. What a gift this book is!

Your story is so compelling, it gives people hope. It filled me with gratitude – makes one feel they’re not alone. Your and Lily’s strength to share it… I could feel it.

Thank you for the incredible courage it must have taken you to write this book and lift the taboos surrounding mental health, in particular when facing a serious medical condition of your own child. Your style, with short chapters, lively dialogue, and a perfect length, pulls the reader right into the story, making your reasoning, your emotions and your key message easy to follow and understand. I was especially struck by your openness about how you and your husband exemplify the perseverance it takes to keep trying new paths, including the vital decision to seek professional help.

The book is a raw and honest look at the “living together” reality, where the daily effort and perseverance are continuous rather than a passing phase. Despite important challenges, your family succeeded in staying focused and dedicated through these medical and emotional challenges because of your collective resilience and refusal to give up. Your key message, echoed by Lily, shines through with such humility: identifying mental health symptoms early isn’t a shame, it’s a way to save yourself. You, Lily, and your family should be so proud of what you are doing and for sharing your story to encourage others to persevere and seek both medical and mental health support early on.

Bravo! Your book is heartbreaking and life affirming. You are the strongest, bravest person I know.

Exceptional, candid, “I Couldn’t Tell You: The True Story of a Mother and Daughter’s Journey to Overcome Their Mental Health Demons” is a simply fascinating and emotionally engaging read from cover to cover. Intensely personal yet with a universal resonance, “I Couldn’t Tell You” is an extraordinary account and one that is unreservedly recommended for community and college/university library Contemporary American Biography/Memoir collections.

This is a searing portrait of a mom’s struggle to work through her own mental health challenges as she handles her daughter’s complex medical needs over many years. The writing is compelling, I could not put this down! Many moms (and daughters!) will relate to this story. Parenting can be a rough road, and this author puts it all out there, with themes vividly brought to life, including anxiety and OCD, medical PTSD, parental expectations, teenage independence, marital challenges, all of it! But also there’s a ray of light to let you know you can get through it. Highly recommend!

Your book is marvelous. The raw emotions you share…wow! Very powerful.

Your book came yesterday, and I read it cover to cover today. It is so compelling and so beautifully written. I was moved to tears and struck time and again by your voice and your authenticity. I am overwhelmed by the thought of all you’ve been through. The book is exquisite.

This is a searing portrait of a mom’s struggle to work through her own mental health challenges as she handles her daughter’s complex medical needs over many years. The writing is compelling, I could not put this down! Many moms (and daughters!) will relate to this story. Parenting can be a rough road, and this author puts it all out there, with themes vividly brought to life, including anxiety and OCD, medical PTSD, parental expectations, teenage independence, marital challenges, all of it! But also there’s a ray of light to let you know you can get through it. Highly recommend!

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much your writing has meant to me. When I picked up “Journey to Japan: A Life-Saving Memoir,” I was instantly captivated—I honestly couldn’t put it down. After finishing it, I remember reaching out to you because I wanted to hear the rest of your story. Then, along came “I Couldn’t Tell You,” and it was every bit as powerful and honest as your first book. I can truly say it’s one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read, and it resonated with me on so many levels.

Having known you for over 15 years and worked with you in various situations, I never would have guessed the challenges you were facing during all those years. You’ve always brought grace and gratitude to every interaction, inspiring everyone around you. Reading about how you felt you “had to do this on your own” was hard, but it also made your courage to share your story even more meaningful. The way you’ve protected others in your sphere while being so open about your journey is truly admirable.

Thank you for being such an inspiration, Sarah. Your strength, resilience, and willingness to share your experiences have touched so many people—including me. Well done!