I never really know how to rate autobiographies as they are someone’s real life, so this will remain unrated for now, but this was such a great read.

Beth Mead is one of the world’s most talented female footballers – Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Euros 2022, Arsenal Player of the Season 2021-22, and nominee for the 2022 Ballon d’Or. But long before this, Beth was just an ordinary kid from Hinderwell, North Yorkshire who wanted to play football. I loved everything about this book! I would re-read it and would highly recommend it to you, your family and your cat! I so appreciate Beth's vulnerability and honesty sharing her struggles and I think they will help a lot of people. It’s not glory and fame every moment of every day. You don’t know what is going on in other people’s lives, what challenges they have overcome, or are keeping hidden. I cried twice when Beth wrote about her mother. Since the publication of this book June Mead has sadly passed away ( “If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.” 💔) . It is clear the mutual love and devotion Beth and her mum shared for each other. It was an honour to read about that relationship.This is a great inspirational story. I will admit I am not a football fan (male or female teams), but living and growing up in London, it is impossible to do or not take notice when England is playing. Especially at football. So is being a non football fan in London is hard being a female footballer is a billion times more difficult, which is what makes Beth and the other Lioness' story even more incredible. If, like me, you followed last summer's European Championships, you would have shared in the euphoria and pride at our Lionesses winning the trophy after a hard-fought final versus Germany.

also, if both beth and viv can’t make it to the world cup next year because of their ACL ruptures I will be SO upset Empowering, honest, and with the opportunity to ask your own questions, don’t miss the chance to hear her incredible story live from the Lioness herself. From being placed in the local boys' team as a child because her mum wanted her to run off her boundless energy, to joining Middlesbrough FC's Centre of Excellence and making her professional debut at Sunderland, Beth and women's football have come a long way.Success at the Euros has significantly increased the profile of women's football and female sport generally, which can only be a good thing. The England team continues to work tirelessly to ensure that girls and women in sport receive equal recognition and treatment, whatever level they are playing at. Of course, Beth is at the forefront of this. Top scorer and Player of the Tournament at the UEFA Women’s Euros, the gifted Beth Mead lifts the lid on the Lionesses’ glorious victory as well as telling the story of her own path to the top of the international game. The journey to European Champion and Player of the Tournament wasn’t easy, success didn’t come without challenges and perseverance. It was emotionally intense and draining at times, the off-the-pitch socialising and finding her place and being away from home, and she wanted to give up more than once. At Boro’s Centre of Excellence, England training camps she attended as a teen, and when she first started at Arsenal as an adult. From being placed in the local boys’ team as a child because her mum wanted her to run off her boundless energy, to joining Middlesborough FC’s academy and making her professional debut at Sunderland, Beth and women’s football have come a long way.