This is the first book I've read that touched on the effects of mental illness and marriage/mothering and trying to be yourself in a world that tells you what it wants you to be.
As a mother myself, who has struggled with forms of depression and anxiety it was refreshing to read a story that touched on these topics while keeping the readers attention with some humor and sex appeal. The details in this book were realistic and intriguing even for someone who has some first hand knowledge of the darker points in the book.
Althena is a financially self sufficient woman who married her husband when they were young & deeply in love. After they came to discover her bi-polar disorder as it manifested itself; taking a toll on her marriage as well as her husband's dream of children we watch the turmoil and manic stages her husband is her go to caregiver; even after they adopt their daughter, Clem. Oliver has his own life away from home, meeting his own needs; carnal and otherwise and while Clem is clearly her husband Oliver's daughter Althena has never had to dedicate herself to caring for her. In this story, we see Althena's marriage as it starts, to her constant panic of the 'what if's' which lead into betrayal and her learning what would happen if she had to care for herself. It was a good read, with spicy notes and entertaining visuals.
I hope you'll take a chance to check it out!
You can pickup your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/You-Left-Ashley-Prentice-Norton/dp/0544263685/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469206679&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=if+you+left+ashlet
