Alice was brought up in Southern England and developed a passion for tennis. She was so good at it that she won local, then regional events. She went to college, had a boyfriend and lots of friends. After a lot of hard work, grit and determination, Alice was given a chance to go to America to have specialist coaching. She had the makings of a champion.

Then one morning Alice's thumb hurt. It wasn't of much concern at the  time, as she goes to meet her doubles partner and struggles to hold her racket. After a few weeks of hand and muscle pain, the disease takes hold and she is diagnosed with the crippling  rheumatoid arthritis- and by the way there is no cure.

The book goes on to describe Alice's struggle with the disease and her will to have as normal a life as possible, including going to  university. I found the parts when she talked about being in NHS  hospitals, the risks and effects of powerful drugs and the love and  support from her friends and most of all her parents, gave me the "glow factor." It empowered me to really admit how bad things can be and at times have been for me, but yet inspired a good strong attitude to help get through it and out the other side. A note of caution- it may not be the best choice of a book to read if you are recently diagnosed, as it represents the  struggle of someone with a severe disease. It might be depressing for you at the beginning stage, but for  someone like me who struggles with a severe disease, it was very helpful to know that other young women have it badly too.