Mental illness does not affect the individual alone; family and friends suffer, watching their loved ones change in ways they can’t understand. Cheryl Landes guides readers through her journey with mental illness in The Best I Can Do. Cheryl and her former husband, Tom, had many wonderful years together. They traveled, spent time together, and generally enjoyed life like everyone else. Tom’s change in demeanor was gradual with the growing stress of his sales job. As the illness took its toll, Tom started forming strange habits.

Cheryl starts her story at her lowest point, living out of her car, taking on two jobs, and struggling to pay her bills. Readers learn it is possible to endure loving someone with mental illness and find strength in learning that, sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to help them. Landes is a naturally gifted writer. She paints a beautifully detailed and heartbreaking story, one that’s unfortunately not uncommon. It’s hard for many families who struggle with helping their loved ones cope with mental illness. Landes’ decision to jump between periods of her life helps brace readers for the struggles she faces after she and her husband became homeless. Chapters like “Home in the Snow” and “Night Shift at the Ski Area” highlight Landes’ fight to survive in 2005. Without knowing where Tom was or how he was doing, Landes had to focus on her own well-being. From there, Landes jumps back to happier times in 1994, so readers can see the gradual change in Tom’s personality.

The Best I Can Do by Cheryl Landes is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted memoir that provides an intimate look into the challenges of loving someone with mental illness. Through her detailed storytelling and poignant reflections, Landes offers readers both solace and insight into a struggle that many face but few openly discuss. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of mental illness, as well as for those who appreciate memoirs rich in emotional depth and vivid detail. Whether you are personally affected by similar circumstances or simply looking for a compelling and heartfelt story, The Best I Can Do will resonate deeply and leave a lasting impression.

Pages: 350 | ASIN : B0D3FD8B5C