essica Clancy is a woman who has gone through various phases of life and has chosen to rise above all odds. Jessica goes through the rocky waves of life with a determination to do things differently and break a cycle of abuse. Her major desire is to love and be loved, but would she be able to achieve this one simple thing?

The Quest for Family by Jessica Clancy is an autobiography detailing the highs and lows of Jessica's life. From as early as childhood, we are shown the effects domestic abuse, neglect, and family instability can have on a young, impressionable child. Left to cater to her emotional needs, Jessica strives to make the best of a bad situation, using her studies as an escape and, along the way, her work life. She navigates through childhood into adulthood, meets a lot of people, and makes decisions that either make or mar her.

I love how the author tries to make each struggle as relatable as possible so that the readers can have an understanding of each situation even if they haven't experienced such a thing in their lives. There were helpful tips littered throughout the book about how to deal with certain challenges, mostly academically. The little snippets at the end of each chapter also gave one a bite-sized piece of wisdom to take away. I love how Jessica manages to leave some professional dietetic knowledge for novice readers who are not in the field. I was able to gain some insights into health issues like kidney disease, dialysis, and type 1 diabetes without feeling bombarded with information. I also enjoyed the fact that there were no plot holes; instead, we were able to follow a steady trajectory of Jessica's growth with a few minor bumps and bad decisions here and there.

Her spiritual relationship with God is also admirable, as she managed to highlight her spiritual growth without shoving "religion" down the reader's throat. Finally, I found a few errors in the book, which suggests that it was professionally edited. I enjoyed every bit of this book and would not take anything away.

In conclusion, there's nothing I dislike about this book, so I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. If you're someone who has struggled through many challenges and wonders whether it will all be worth it in the end, then this book would be an absolute delight. Bonus points if you are a Christian.