Author
Linda Ford Ayres
“With the insight of a psychotherapist, the talent of a writer, and the heart of a spiritual person, she weaves a memoir that is horrifying, haunting and yet humorous.
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“I write because I believe sharing our stories with others makes the world a less lonely and more bearable place to live in.”
Release date: September 8, 2026!
A raw, unflinching, and ultimately redemptive journey through the complexities of attachment.
Linda Ford Ayres shares the compelling true story of her and her adopted son’s journey through the harrowing trials of unconventional early intervention programs, the troubled-teen industry, the unpredictable world of the early cannabis industry, and the quiet, transformative moments of daily life. This memoir captures a mother’s evolution from feeling like an emotional orphan to being deeply enveloped in love.
Interwoven with vibrant detours into travel, theater, and art, this is a story about the radical courage it takes to become a family. Featuring four chapters written by Dana himself, The Shape of Us offers a dual-perspective look at what it means to go from an anxious past to a secure future—and how, even when we feel lost, we can eventually find the shape of who we are meant to be.
“The Shape of Us traces the fierce bond between a mother and her adopted son. Bursting with emotional storytelling and wise perspectives, this engaging memoir charts resilience, unwavering devotion, and the power of never giving up. Let it break and then brighten your heart.”
Early Praise for The Shape of Us
I wrote this blues song in my son’s voice during his teenage years, imagining the grit and hope it would take for him to build a life beyond his struggles.
Linda Ford Ayres has written a unique memoir, one that braids the complicated mother-daughter relationship from both points of view. With the insight of a psychotherapist, the talent of a writer, and the heart of a spiritual person, she weaves a memoir that is horrifying, haunting, and yet humorous.
~ Katherine Olivetti, M.A., M.S.S.W., Jungian Analyst, Author of The Guided Dream Journal
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Recovery from abuse is a painful and complicated journey. Linda Ford Ayres’ courageous life narrative might help you or a loved one find your path to safety and well-being. For anyone lost in that sea of dark waters, this personal testament could be a beacon of light on the road to recovery.
~ Sandra Haber, Ph.D., Psychologist, Fellow and Former President, Division of Independent Practice, American Psychological Association
She was her mother’s confidant, her target, and her final hope.
Linda Ford Ayres grew up in the shadow of a "monster"—a mother whose mental illness turned a family home into a psychological prison. Monster & The Daughter Who Loved Her is a raw, alternating-voice memoir that peeks behind the curtain of a life defined by unimaginable cruelty and unshakeable resilience. This is the story of a daughter who survived her mother’s attempts to destroy her, navigated a winding path through San Francisco’s counterculture and New York’s therapy rooms, and eventually found the courage to bridge the impossible chasm of the past. A harrowing, haunting, and ultimately redemptive testament to the mystery of love.
AMAZON REVIEWS for “Monster and the Daughter Who Loved Her:
“A page-turner from start to finish. Told in alternating chapters, you hear Linda’s voice versus her mother’s---a fascinating memoir.”
“Intriguing and addictive.”
“Forgiveness is a powerful thing. Excellent read.”
“An extraordinary journey…an exceptional story…written with exceptional insight by someone with grace and unflinching compassion…all seen through the prism of love.”