Top Girl

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Losing my son was the worst moment of my life, it completely changed the path I was hoping to take – to just be a mum,” says Marin. “I think that situation alone pushed me to be like, f**k the world. The only thing I can do now is make some money.”

Heartbroken, Danielle spirals deeper into gang life and becomes a key player in a sprawling county lines operation, running drugs to satellite towns all over the UK from the gang’s London HQ. The Harrods shopping sprees, designer handbags and hedonistic lifestyle are the envy of her friends, but the good times and cash mask the grim realities of her life. A turning point comes when Danielle is arrested and - with the help of a probation officer - she begins to question whether she really is ‘top girl’ after all. But after five years deep in the high-earning street hustle, can she really leave it all behind? We live in a housing association estate, due to the influx of people from England, amongst other countries, the price of living has been pushed so high that many of us born in this town, cannot afford to buy a house here. We have , in effect, been ghettoised and isolated to areas which others-read middles class people and above-see as 'no go' places to visit. My children have been the 'token poor kids' for parents in the school yard, teachers who pay little to no attention to those who are living in an area of socio-economic deprivation, and you can see how easily you become angry at the stereotypes forced upon you because of your post code. You live there, you must be like this. Thankfully, me and my other half are fiercely protective of our girls and have no issues standing up for what they deserve. I have lost count of the times my children have sat outside the head master's office listening to me raging about the latest outrageous happening. And I would do it all over again!A turning point comes when Danielle is arrested and - with the help of a probation officer - she begins to question whether she really is 'top girl' after all. But after five years deep in the high-earning street hustle, can she really leave it all behind? Myth busting and destroying the stereotypes of who and what a drug dealer looks like and where they come from. You don't sign up for a gang, they are your friends. Thank you NetGalley and Ab Lib Publishers for a gifted copy of this book, in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. All opinions are my own.**

Danielle is a tough grammar school Londoner, hanging around the streets with her mates, but not getting into too much bother, like most teenagers.Heartbroken, Danielle spirals deeper into gang life and becomes a key player in a sprawling county lines operation, running drugs to satellite towns all over the UK from the gang’s London HQ. Marin’s old life is never far away. “Where I live, who I know – sometimes it’s just on the other side of the road,” she says. “I see it every day.”

However, her allegiances bring terror to her doorstep when gun-toting rivals target her flat - and the authorities answer by taking away her baby. The letter to her son at the end is very sad, and poignant, However for her to say she did not see this coming is an absurd and narcissistic view. And never far from her thoughts is that little boy, her son, now 12 years old. Through the family courts, Marin is battling for a reunion. “That’s the dream,” she says. “Hopefully it’s going to happen. I’ll keep fighting until it does.”The warning signs come when she is separated from her friends, and passes the entrance exam to public school. Suddenly, she is travelling twice a day on a train, her friends are moving on in comp and her time to hang out with them is severely curtailed. Her efforts to stay in her friendship groups re-double as she clearly does not feel welcomed in her new school. You really do need to read “Top Girl” for yourself and encourage your teenage family members also, especially if London based - it’s as much educational as anything else. I was in awe of Danielle's strength of character, and that she could make a conscious decision to turn her life round. Top Girl is a powerful story that applies to today's younger generation. I think every school-age child should read this book as it's a lesson in the consequences of making bad choices. Highly recommend. * Netgalley * Danielle’s gritty, emotional, no-holds-barred memoir lays bare the reality of a county lines insider and reveals the truth about life on the frontline of Britain’s biggest drug threat for a generation.

Danielle is currently in witness protection since she has turned her life around with the help and support of probation services. She graduated from university with a first class honours degree and is currently studying for her Masters degree. She now advocates for women in the criminal justice system and speaks with law enforcement agencies about the role of women in gangs. This is the true-life account of Danielle Marin, "a smart grammar school student turned county line drug dealer." Hard-hitting, addictive, and thought-provoking, I 100% agree with the publishers when they said: "This book should be on the National Curriculum." It definitely needs to be studied by the younger generation, as Danielle's brutal honesty leaves nothing to the imagination. Despite the dark side to this tale, there is also a lighter side, where Danielle spreads the message that no matter what mistakes are made, there is always a way out, and there can be sunshine after the rain. The synopsis reads: "Danielle has a safe, happy childhood in West London. But her bright future fades when, betrayed by the police after a brutal gang rape, she finds protection under the wing of local criminals and falls in love with the ‘top boy’. Her allegiances bring terror to her doorstep when gun-toting rivals target her flat – and the authorities answer by taking away her baby. Heartbroken, Danielle spirals deeper into gang life and becomes a key player in a sprawling county lines operation, running drugs to towns all over the UK from the gang’s London HQ. The designer handbags and hedonistic lifestyle are the envy of her friends, but all that cash masks the grim reality of her new life. Then, when Danielle is arrested, a probation officer has her questioning whether she really is ‘top girl’ after all – and can she leave it all behind?" Its raw and honest. It isn't a glamorous or a pretty story but I really liked 'D' and the honesty with which she told her story. I liked that she took responsibility for her own actions and didn't try to play the pity card and even though in a lot of ways she was a victim she didn't play the victim either.

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