New book:
Save Me
From the
Waves
by Jessica Hepburn
Publication 7 March 2024
An adventure story – with a difference
Jessica Hepburn is an unlikely athlete. She hates exercise and believes the only reason to do it is for food, booze and box-sets on the sofa. However, in her forties, following a succession of hard life experiences, she started to try and exercise her way out of heartbreak. She has now become one of the world’s most extraordinarv endurance athletes. The first and only woman on the planet to have completed the “Sea, Street, Summit Challenge – which is to swim the English Channel, run the London Marathon and climb Mount Everest. And possibly the only woman to have listened to eighty years and over 3,000 episodes of her favourite radio programme – Desert Island Discs.
Save me from the Waves is an inspirational story of physical and mental endurance which starts on the streets of London and culminates in a life-threatening event on top of the world. It explores the redemptive power of music and mountains. And encourages evervone to live big and bravely when life doesn’t go to plan. Moving, funny and unique this book will inspire every reader to believe an adventure will always change your life for the better.
Praise for Save Me from the Waves
‘The moment you open this book you’ll feel like you’ve made a new friend. It’s such a delicious adventure and Jessica’s warm voice will immediately make you feel less alone – whatever journey you’re on.’
Lisa Faulkner, Actress, Presenter & Author of Meant to Be
‘An amazing, touching, at times deeply moving adventure about mountains and music and love. I loved it.’
Ann Daniels, Record Breaking Polar Explorer & Desert Island Disc Castaway
‘If you have ever found yourself in a rut listening to endless podcasts like Desert Island Discs, this book is for you.’
Emma Gannon, Sunday Times Bestselling Author
‘This musical adventure story is written from the heart, and speaks to what it means to be human. It brings the Desert Island Discs archive alive in a skilful and meticulously researched interweaving of a myriad of interconnected stories, Jessica Hepburn takes us on a journey of love and loss but it is so much more than an autobiography – it draws on the power of music, why it matters and means so much to the many protagonists who stories are included. A tour de force of obsession, resilience, and challenge.’
Alexandra Lamont, Professor of Music Psychology and Editor in Chief of Psychology of Music
‘This extraordinary woman took me on an unexpected journey of adventure. Deeply personal, searingly honest, achingly painful. Jessica writes with such self-deprecating heart, you can’t help but love the bones of her. This book will move you with music, mountains, melanjoy and, mostly, Molly.’
Hannah Vaughan Jones, Broadcaster
‘An inspiring tale of endurance and redemption. Jessica’s story will dare you to answer your own call to adventure.’
Belinda Kirk, Founder of Adventure Mind & Author of Adventure Revolution
‘An intensely vulnerable memoir about heartbreak and healing in its messy, imperfect truth, and the scars life leaves, inside and out. Unflinchingly honest, it is a courageous adventure of the heart as much as an inspiring and sometimes heart-stopping adventure story.’
Jody Day, Founder of Gateway Women
‘A beautiful story that doesn’t hide the hardships of life but still makes you feel warm and cosy. It’s like getting a long hug from a dear friend. I couldn’t put it down.’
Joyce Harper, Professor of Women’s Health at UCL
‘Jessica Hepburn’s writing was my salvation through the early days of my not being able to have children. She is brave, fearless and utterly generous with her wisdom … this beautiful book is a must for any Desert Island Discs fan and a miraculous salve for difficult times.’
Kat Brown, Author of No One Talks About This Stuff
‘An incredible new book. Prepare to be inspired by Jessica’s words as she takes us on an unforgettable journey to the top of the world. Jessica is TOUGH; mentally, physically and emotionally. What a woman, what a story, what a journey. It will encourage you to take on your next challenge!’
Sarah Williams, Tough Girl Podcast
‘An empowering story of transformation; a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome challenges. I couldn’t put it down, there’s such power and beauty in Jessica’s story.’
Penny Hearne, Chatty Soul Podcast
‘A fantastic book that had me in tears and left me emotional for several days. What this incredible woman has overcome and achieved is an inspiration. Thank you Jessica for being the most extraordinary version of you.’
Helen Gallagher, Happy and Childless Podcast
21 Miles
by Jessica Hepburn
When Jessica’s life didn’t go to plan, she ate and she swam.
This is the story of how Jessica met and ate with 21 inspirational women and then swam 21 miles in search of the answer to the question: ‘Does motherhood make you happy?’
Reviews
“Just delicious… it has made me feel better in a world where infertility can make you feel pretty rubbish”
A Mumsnet Summer Read
“An amazing, page-turning, jaw-droppingly honest read. In 2-3 pages she might just have summed up the entire truth and meaning of life.”
An Outdoor Swimming Society Book of the Year
“[A book] about the determination to do the extraordinary… An exploration of motherhood, swimming, and eating.”
“One of the things I love about the book is how she just keeps going and proves everyone wrong.”
“She writes with (painful) honesty and so beautifully”
“Achingly honest, moving, profound but also very funny”
“This book will help so many people”
“Jessica wins over the reader with her sparkling style.”
“It was this year’s most keenly awaited fertility book, and Jessica Hepburn’s 21 Miles – swimming in search of the meaning of motherhood doesn’t disappoint.”
“This inspiring book… We absolutely loved [it].”
“Remarkable… A very honest insight… Ten out of ten.”
“It will help encourage others to believe in themselves and hopefully find more meaning and a sense of achievement within their lives.”
“Relatable and moving in the extreme.”
“I couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone who wants to understand what it means to be a 21st century woman.”
“Jessica Hepburn should step onto the stage and take a bow.”
“Her writing style is quirky and humorous.”
…will have you in both laughter and tears, maybe at the same time.”
“It fed my heart and nurtured my soul.”
“She lays bare her soul in both self-deprecating humour and nobility.”
“As part of LGBT History month we honour Frida Kahlo.”
The Pursuit of Motherhood
by Jessica Hepburn
If you’ve ever felt a crumpling in your chest when another friend tells you they’re pregnant… If you’ve ever wondered why everyone else seems to find it so easy… If you’ve ever experienced the pursuit of motherhood…
This book is for you.
Reviews
“Jessica’s writing is easy and flowing and the book is a real page-turner; it’s a journey you’re compelled to join – her strengths and weaknesses, her guilty pleasures, and most of all her rollercoaster of emotions laid bare. It’s a great read and for anyone for whom fertility is an issue.”
Kate Brian, author of The Complete Guide to IVF
“After reading dozens of fertility books over the years, I’ve realised how hard it is to get a memoir about treatment right and to tell your own story in a way that other people will actually want to read, but Jessica Hepburn has managed it brilliantly in her book The Pursuit of Motherhood…”
“I have to say I very much enjoyed this book; Jessica writes with pace; she doesn’t wallow in her disappointment and you’ll be inspired by her tenacity and fortitude. The bumps in the road are described with a delicate honesty and Jessica leaves no stone unturned in her pursuit, embarking on what some readers may consider to be absurd lengths to address her lack of success.”
“Her story is not the traditional tabloid miracle baby happy ending, and yet it is the reality for many of the couples who go through fertility treatment…The Pursuit of Motherhood is a must-read.”