"Stray is a gripping travelogue that genuinely sparked my wanderlust. "
A vivid travelogue that sparks wanderlust, even if it leaves a few questions unanswered. Stray is a gripping travelogue that genuinely sparked my wanderlust. Following Shan’s adventures across South America, Asia, Portugal, and Morocco was a delight, and her descriptions were so evocative that I constantly felt the urge to stop reading just to look up photos of the places she visited. It reminded me of my own travels—though luckily, I haven’t been through quite as much trouble as she has! While the storytelling was engaging, I often found myself wishing for slightly more detail and smoother transitions. There were times when the narrative felt like it was missing a final "lesson learned" or a clear conclusion to a chapter before moving on to the next location. I was also left with a few lingering questions, particularly regarding Dane—I’m still wondering if he stayed in Costa Rica or returned to the US. Despite those loose ends, the emotional impact of the book is strong. I was shocked by the abusive relationship Shan endured, and reading the acknowledgements to see a husband mentioned who wasn't Blake brought a genuine wave of relief. It was heartening to see she has moved on to a healthier relationship. A short epilogue about her time in New Zealand would have been the perfect way to wrap everything up, but perhaps the lack of closure just means a sequel is on the way.
Emilie Gorse, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
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Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard, and Growing Stronger is a travel memoir that explores adventure and unwavering resilience.
Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard, and Growing Stronger is a travel memoir that explores adventure and unwavering resilience. While documenting pieces of her personal life, she created a real and raw experience for the reader. From being harassed by capuchins in Bolivia to saving her family from a ruthless current in Thailand, Shannon O’Brien’s life is an adventure worth exploring. From her experiences we realize that sometimes plans are just that; sometimes a wayward current or boyfriend, a representation of hardships in our lives, might pull the rug out from under one's feet. Shannon moves to different areas in pursuit of adventure, which she shares in detail; some are life-threatening, while others aren’t. Through her adversities, she not only grew stronger emotionally but also physically.... Read Full Review
What happens when the path you choose leads far from everything you thought you knew?
Shannon O’Brien leaves behind a life of routine to chase adventure across South America and Asia. With only a backpack and a restless heart, she dives into landscapes as beautiful as they are unpredictable. But what begins as a journey to explore the world soon becomes a deeper quest to explore herself.
She finds herself lost and dehydrated in Peru’s Colca Canyon, nursing an injured spider monkey in the Bolivian jungle, and inside a high-altitude jail. A crude hospital in Cambodia tests her limits, while encounters with a shaman in Vietnam and a dangerous brush with Moroccan drug lords challenge everything she thought she knew about trust and survival.
When a relationship turns violent and threats close in from unexpected places, the stakes are no longer just about where she’s going—but whether she can make it through.
In a world that constantly shifts beneath her feet, Shannon’s greatest challenge isn’t just survival—it’s learning how to keep moving forward without losing herself.
Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard and Growing Stronger features in the following genres: Indie Author Books, Biographies & Autobiographies, Travel
Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard and Growing Stronger is available in Ebook (Epub)
Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard and Growing Stronger was written by Shannon O'Brien and published by RoamLight Publishing
£3.99
