The Hurricane Within: Beyond the Storm by Ashlee Leppert

A raw and riveting peek into the post-service life of a bonafied hero, The Hurricane Within Volume 2: Beyond the Storm by Ashlee Leppert is a road memoir like few others.

While the first installment focused on her military journey and heroic efforts during Hurricane Harvey, this second part rounds out the full story of Leppert’s inspiring life. The text begins by probing the painful and profound moments of her formative years, from the death of her best friend and a brutal sexual assault to solidifying her relationship with God and taking that first leap of faith with the Coast Guard. The story then moves to the end of her military career and her medical separation from the Air Force, which led her to buy a colossal recreational vehicle and embark on a Quixote-like quest across America.

Running from pain, the past, and even her faith, Leppert gradually discovers what so many existential adventurers learn: “The road was not just a means to reach a physical destination, but a pathway into the depths of my own soul.” This revealing reflection offers a stark glimpse at the complex interplay of trauma, duty, desperation, and faith that affects so many who have served in the US military, while still maintaining a universal appeal, as her story is both gripping and affecting. Matching every mile she drives with anecdotal memories and vulnerable evaluations of her life’s path, the prose is a relatable blend of honesty and empowerment for survivors and veterans alike.

Exploring the essential moment between letting go and starting over, this emotive memoir is a powerfully told journey on the quest to find rest, closure, safety, and peace.