
Life in Instalments is a raw and emotional memoir by Danielle Sartorelli, chronicled as "Donna," that delves into the unpredictable, sometimes unbelievable events life throws our way.
It chronicles the heartbreaking journey of being a sister to a brother lost to addiction and crime, revealing how even the most ordinary moments can give way to unimaginable chaos.
Through years of struggle, Donna grapples with the painful reality of her brother James's descent into drug addiction, criminal activity, and the relentless toll it takes on their family. From childhood adventures filled with innocence to the crushing weight of legal troubles and strained relationships, her story vividly portrays the turbulence and heartbreak that addiction inflicts on everyone it touches.
As James spirals further into manipulation and self-destruction, Donna and her family face impossible choices—how much they can sacrifice to save him and how to navigate the betrayal, criminal acts, and emotional devastation that follow.
With unflinching honesty, Life in Instalments explores the complex dynamics of family, love, guilt, and the devastating consequences of addiction. It is a story of hope, heartbreak, and the gut-wrenching reality of trying—and failing—to save someone you love from themselves.
A must-read for anyone who has experienced the impact of addiction, crime, or the struggle to heal and rebuild amidst the wreckage of a loved one’s choices.
True Story, Memoir, Addiction, Redemption, Family
About The Author

Danielle Sartorelli is a memoirist driven by a deep need to tell the unvarnished truth about love, loss, and the complexities of family. Writing under the name "Donna" in her debut memoir Life in Instalments, Danielle draws from her own life to explore the raw and painful reality of being a sister to someone lost to addiction and crime.
Her writing is marked by emotional honesty and a fearless willingness to confront the chaos that can arise from even the most ordinary beginnings. Through her storytelling, Danielle gives voice to the often-silent struggles families face behind closed doors—struggles with guilt, hope, betrayal, and the heartbreaking realization that sometimes, love isn't enough to save someone.
Life in Instalments is not just her story; it’s a reflection of the turmoil and resilience so many experience but rarely speak about. Danielle writes to heal, to understand, and to connect—with anyone who has lived through the wreckage of a loved one’s choices and emerged searching for meaning.
I never set out to write a book—I started with a chapter, a small act of defiance against the chaos around me. A way to make sense of the turmoil, confusion, and heartbreak that was slowly taking over every aspect of my life at the time. I am now a first-time author, not because I set out to be, but because I needed to be.
Writing became my sanctuary, my safe space to wrestle with my past and my present. It was through this process that I realised something profound: the act of writing is not just about creating a story for others to read. It’s about creating a path for yourself to walk—one where you find peace, freedom, and a way to accept what you ultimately can never change. The journey from chaos to creation has been healing.
My book may be my first, but it’s also one of my most personal victories. My story is mine, but I share it with the hope that it will inspire others to find their own voice, and to claim their own healing journey.
Danielle lives in Australia with her husband of twenty-three years, their two sons. When she is not writing, or teaching, Danielle is busying tending to all the animals on the family’s hobby farm.
