By the Time You Read This

The Space Between Cheslie's Smile and Mental Illness

By: Cheslie Kryst, April Simpkins

Narrated by: April Simpkins, Emana Rachelle

A New York Times Bestseller!

By the Time You Read This is the story former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was about to publish before her tragic suicide. Her mother, April, wraps up the narrative by exploring the mental illness and depression that took her daughter’s life.

The text read, “By the time you get this . . .” This is the story of Cheslie Kryst, a former Miss USA, in her own words.

When the world awoke on the morning of January 30, 2022, many were shocked to learn of the tragic death of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst.

For most people, the news was unfathomable. How could a young woman in the prime of her life—a pageant queen, accomplished attorney, Extra correspondent, and tireless advocate for charity organizations—have been lost to the world so suddenly?

By the Time You Read This shares the manuscript Cheslie wrote before her passing, her story in her own words—from the highest highs of passing two bar exams, winning Miss USA, and beginning an exciting career as an entertainment journalist to the lowest lows of heartbreak, betrayal, and persistent depression.

When Cheslie’s mother, April Simpkins, picks up the narrative, she shares for the first time what she experienced in the aftermath of Cheslie’s suicide. When faced with such a devastating loss, how does a mother find a way to carry on?

Whether you are someone who struggles to maintain your mental health, or you love someone who does, this book will share insight into a reality that impacts thousands of families every year—as well as provide hope for those who are left behind.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 April Simpkins (P)2024 April Simpkins

Never stop believing

the lessons learned here are never stop believing the difference you make on this planet. it's not always about you and your needs, sometimes we, women just have to keep working through and past our doubts. Accolades are great for 5 seconds but we have to learn to keep things simple and real as often as possible and laugh about the mishaps. Our deep wisdom is often meant for others, and others' wisdom is for us. we have to make peace with ourselves that we will never be satisfied with ourselves. Learn to listen to those wiser and older, there is a reason they are here, and have stood the test of time. your mama's Baby girl, you are missed even by people who never got to meet you in person. Even before your memoir. I know I do. May you rest in eternal peace.

Disappointing & misleading to say the least

I bought this book on audible and unless the audible version is vastly different from the hard copy book, the audio book is 90-95% about her beauty pageant competitions, wins, losses and essentially the life of a beauty pageant contestant and her Ms. USA reign. There were 24 chapters of the audio book and I forced myself to listen up to chapter 12 and then I was done because half way through this book, it proved to be very misleading at best and deceptive at worst.
If you want to understand what it’s like to be involved in beauty pageantry life, then this is definitely the book for you! They did a excellent job conveying the many aspects of that topic in almost every chapter I listened to because I now know way more about beauty pageants than I ever cared to know. However, if you’re trying to connect with the mental/emotional aspect of someone suffering because your brain is trying to get you to delete yourself as this young beautiful lady ultimately did, please choose another book because this definitely ain't it!