Sleeping With The Rabbits

A heartbreaking true story of survival, resilience, and the power of a mother’s love. From the outside, Susanne Defoe’s childhood looked ordinary. But behind closed doors, she endured relentless bullying, parental violence, and emotional neglect that left deep scars.

Her only comfort came from the pet rabbits she would escape to, climbing into their hutch as a toddler to find the warmth and safety she was denied at home. Pregnant at just fifteen and trapped in a relationship with an alcoholic partner, Susanne’s life spiralled into a cycle of abuse, poverty, and despair. Yet even in the darkest moments, she clung to hope—for herself, and for her four daughters. 

This raw and inspiring memoir charts one woman’s unbreakable spirit as she fights to break free from generational trauma and claim her right to dignity, love, and a better future. Perfect for readers of A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer, The Girl Nobody Wants by Lily O’Brien, and Don’t Tell Mummy by Toni Maguire, this book is a must-read for fans of real-life stories of courage, transformation, and maternal strength.