Ms. Jackson and her daughter Ali take you on a journey that is full of hope and determination. When I was offered a chance to read Saving Each Other, I quickly said yes because thought I recognized Victoria Jackson’s name. I wondered out loud if she was the cosmetic woman whose products I have used. When I was told that she was but the subject was not about cosmetics it was about her daughter’s illness, I was curious and saddened. Saving Each Other is moving and inspiring. Ms. Jackson and her daughter Ali invite readers into their lives, they share intimate details of day-to-day living and they share their struggles as they (and the whole family) try to cope. We are shown the amazing strength these two women get from one another. Their’s is not a sad dark journey, instead it is one of light and discovery.

Victoria Jackson has drive and determination, that’s what it takes to build and run a highly successful cosmetic business, that same drive and determination helps her in personal matters as well. Moreover, she has wisdom I suspect she did not know she had, until faced with her daughter’s devastating illness. Jackson shares her innate wisdom and wisdom learned; pages 131 and 132 are eye-opening and positive without being preachy. She simply talks about what she has learned and done to make this journey bearable, she has made her daughter’s illness serve a purpose for all.

In The Prologue: Where It Begins, Ali Gunther’s narrative touches your heart. If we had not been told how old (or how young) she was at the start of her journey, we may have been able to guess when she writes that she lifts her head from her “Sweet Dreams” pillowcase.

We are moved as we read how daughter Ali reacts and handles the news of her illness. No longer do we think of this family as Victoria Jackson, cosmetic queen and husband Bill Guthy, infomercial wizard of Guthy-Renker fame, they are just a mom and dad doing everything in their power to save their one daughter while parenting her siblings. Not as easy task but it comes together.

Each chapter of this book gives you something to take away and make yours, courage, strength, faith, determination, you name it, it’s here. It is deeply personal and open, the photo of Ali and her mom on the cover speaks volumes.



Saving Each Other: A Mother-Daughter Love Story Available from Amazon.

A complimentary copy of Saving Each Other was provided to me for review purposes.