“I never wanted to write a book…”

The Book Fairies have been busy sharing copies of Why Did You Stay by Rebecca Humphries today. Who will be lucky enough to spot one? This has been hailed as the summer read of 2023!

About the book:

Actor, writer and hopeless romantic Rebecca Humphries had often been called crazy by her boyfriend. But when paparazzi caught him kissing his Strictly Come Dancing partner, she realised the only crazy thing was believing she didn’t deserve more.

Forced into victimhood by the story, Rebecca chose to reclaim her power, posting her thoughts on social media, including advice for other women who might be experiencing what she realised she’d managed to escape: a toxic, oppressive relationship. A flood of support poured in, but amongst the well-wishes was a simple question with an infinitely complex answer: ‘If he was so bad, why did you stay?’

Empowering, unflinching and full of humour, this book takes that question and owns it. Using her relationship history, coming of age stories and experiences since the scandal during Strictly, Rebecca explores why good girls are drawn to darkness, whether pop culture glamourises toxicity, when a relationship ‘rough patch’ becomes the start of a destructive cycle, if women are conditioned for co-dependency, and – ultimately – how to reframe disaster into something magical.

Happy finders!

We love hearing from those lucky people who find the books we leave behind! Today we loved hearing from happy finders of Why Did You Stay? and here are some of the posts we spotted.

Want to get your hands on a copy?

If the book fairy activity around Why Did You Stay? makes you want to read it right NOW, then do not worry – this memoir by Rebecca Humphries is now available in all good bookshops. If you’d rather order online, you can still support your local bookshops by choosing to order Why Did You Stay? from Bookshop.org.

Would you like to be a book fairy?

Anyone can be a book fairy! All you need is a set of official book fairy stickers – order here! – and some books you’d like to share. We cannot wait to see which treats you share and where you hide them!