Local author launches powerful memoir after six-and-a-half-year healing journey

A woman who spent years rebuilding her life after chronic illness, grief and emotional collapse is preparing to launch her debut memoir in Portsmouth at the end of this month.

Hayley Stoner, author of "She Who Fell," will officially launch the book at The Nut Bar, Keppel’s Head Hotel on Friday 26th June.

The memoir explores the long-term impact of childhood loss, trauma, caregiving, chronic exhaustion and the hidden emotional patterns that can shape an entire lifetime.

At the heart of the book is the loss of Hayley's mother when she was just three years old, and the profound effect that experience had on her sense of safety, identity and relationships.

Over the years, life continued to mirror the same themes through friendships, romantic relationships, chronic illness and the belief that she was responsible for carrying the pain of others.

In 2019, Hayley's husband became seriously unwell, leading her on a determined search for answers after conventional approaches failed to explain the severity of his symptoms.

What began as a mission to help him eventually became a journey that forced her to confront her own buried wounds.

"I thought I was trying to save my husband," she said. "What I eventually realised was that I actually needed to save myself."

The writing of "She Who Fell" coincided with some of the most difficult periods of her life, including prolonged episodes of physical exhaustion and nervous system shutdown.

There were times when she questioned whether she would ever fully recover.

Yet through the process of writing the memoir, she found herself moving from survival into healing. From body collapse into outward expansion.

The result is a deeply personal account of what happens when pain can no longer be avoided and must finally be faced.

Now preparing to speak publicly about her story for the first time, Hayley describes the launch itself as a significant milestone.

"For years I carried a fear of visibility and being fully seen in the world, and the fear of speaking publicly and voicing my truth," she said. "Standing in front of people and talking about this book feels enormous. It's not just a book launch. It's a threshold."

The evening will include a live reading from the memoir, live music sets with local singer BlueBell, creative collaboration, a powerful speech of the themes explored throughout the book and a book signing.

"She Who Fell" is available through Amazon and will officially launch on 26th June.

For more information about the launch event and to get FREE tickets, can scan the QR code attached to the article. Spaces are limited.