Navigating the NICU as a first-time mother with a sick baby is enough to test anyone. But doing it while juggling mental illness, an identity crisis, and a global pandemic is a completely different beast.

Jess seemed to have it all together: a husband, a house, a job, a passport full of stamps, and a baby on the way. But beneath the surface, anxiety and depression left her at the mercy of her emotions, and with no idea who she really was - feelings that only intensified with pending motherhood.

When her son is born with a rare medical condition, Jess's already shaky grasp on her thoughts and feelings was stripped away, leaving her more vulnerable than ever. As her visions of motherhood crumbled through the months of her son's hospital stay, subsequent surgeries, and a global pandemic, she found herself wondering if her family would ultimately be better off without her.

For everyone who has ever doubted their strength as a mother, ever searched for their true self, ever battled the constant weight of mental illness and self-worth in the face of an unforgiving and judgmental society… (not) enough is an unflinching memoir about resilience, love, and redefining identity in the middle of a perfect storm.

Praise for (not) enough:
You have told your story in such a personal way, there is humour, there is sadness and there is great emotional depth. And you are brave to tell it. I’m sure it will help other parents who find themselves undertaking a similar journey.

I think you've managed to write something that mothers who have been through a similar experience will no doubt be able to really relate to. They will feel seen. And for those who haven't, it will give them greater understanding and empathy.

So vulnerable and heartbreaking and really encapsulates the strength of the human spirit and just how much mental health can torture and change your perspective on things.