Everything I Might Have Missed

Everything I Might Have Missed is Alysha's story, a coming-of-age memoir about a young woman's path to healing in the aftermath of an abusive marriage, abduction, and divorce-all before she is twenty-one years old. Poignant and heartfelt, Everything I Might Have Missed urges us to turn our crucible moments into catalysts for our best days.

A self-professed "poster child" of an ideal kid, shy, studious Alysha conformed to the religious expectations of her upbringing. By the time she is nineteen and a college freshman, she is married to Jake, whom she met at her church. Jake promises Alysha unconditional love and security but delivers pain, when the charming, charismatic person Alysha fell in love with turns out to be a violent, manipulative stranger determined to silence her. After she summons the courage to leave, Jake abducts her, leading to court proceedings, more heartbreak, and Alysha feeling a world apart from her college friends.

Bearing deep-seated insecurities and shaken to the core after her ordeal with Jake, Alysha transfers to BYU-Hawaii for a fresh start, where she meets Annie and Luke. Drawn to self-assured, enigmatic Annie, Alysha lets down her guard and the two quickly form a bond. But warning bells about Annie begin to sound, and ultimately Alysha discovers the cost of their friendship. Meanwhile, Alysha and kind, steadfast Luke also share an undeniable connection that deepens through their handwritten letters when Luke leaves to go on a two-year-long mission. Yet, Alysha grapples with being honest with him about her past, and her ongoing struggle to navigate trust, vulnerability, and safety in relationships leads to bittersweet outcomes that shape her future.

Spanning the Mountain West to the North Shore of Oahu, as well the Cook Islands, Washington D.C., and New England, Everything I Might Have Missed chronicles Alysha's beauty-for-ashes journey through trauma and heartache toward healing, self-discovery, and the reclamation of her voice.

Alysha currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and three daughters. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Alysha loves hiking, skiing, and traveling to new destinations. She hopes readers who have experienced domestic abuse or similar trauma will be inspired by her story to share their stories and find the support and healing they need.