International bestselling author Lesley Pearse has lived a life as rich with incidents, setbacks and joys as any found in her novels. Resourceful, determined and willing to have a go at almost anything, Lesley left home at sixteen. By the mid sixties she was living in London, sharing flats, partying hard and married to a trumpet player in a jazz-rock band. She has also worked as a nanny and a Playboy bunny, and designed and made clothes to sell to boutiques. It was only after having three daughters that Lesley began to write. The hardships, traumas, close friends and lovers from those early years were inspiration for her beloved novels. She published her first book at forty-nine and has not looked back since. Lesley is still a party girl.
I couldn’t put this book down. Although harrowing at times, Lesley’s indomitable spirit shines through. What an inspiration, what a book! * Katie Fforde * Searingly honest, and fabulously entertaining, Lesley's life story is a poignant and powerful story that is truly unputdownable * Milly Johnson * A totally gripping read, by turns tragic, mad-cap, heartbreaking and mind-blowing. And anyone who can read that final chapter without bursting into happy tears has to have a heart of stone * Jill Mansell * An incredible life story from a literary icon, Lesley Pearse’s truth is even more gripping than her fiction * Veronica Henry * This inspiring, heart-warming, extraordinary memoir will have you captivated * Woman's Weekly * Humorous and heartbreaking, Lesley opens up to her readers in a way that is rare and very special. I was so gripped I read it twice * Kate Furnivall * What a roller coaster of a ride. I couldn't do anything else until I'd finished this book. Gripping, heart wrenching. A true life Woman of Substance. It was an amazing read * Jo Thomas * Lesley is a survivor, you'll certainly want to read the extraordinary story of her life. Inspiring and hopeful, this heartwarming memoir will have you captivated * Woman * An incredible memoir * Sun * [Lesley] is a great storyteller, and like all good stories The Long and Winding Road concludes with one terrific twist * Daily Mail *