Scan barcode
stephnm26's review
5.0
HOLY WOW. Crying then anger to being so happy was such a rollercoaster. There were topics that might be hard to read but everything was written so well. I could not put it down.
colleenbrownauthor's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR. I've never been on such a rollercoaster ride where one moment I'm crying tears of heartbreak to rage to pure happiness.
I want to be clear about something, this is not usually a genre I would read. I'm the kind of person who tends to avoid anything that could be true or is true (I can't read or watch any true crime because it haunts me), choosing to hide away in fantasy. I am so happy that I read this though as the characters were so well-rounded and REAL that it felt like I was hearing a life story from someone close to me. It was everything it should have been; heartfelt, sad, happy, angry, and everything in between.
When Bonnie's heart broke, my heart broke. When she found happiness, I felt her happiness. The story was carefully crafted to evoke a sense of walking in their shoes. This was one of the most challenging books for me to read because of the sensitive subjects within. There is child abuse (mental, physical, and emotional), pedophilia, child marriage, rape, and racial inequality.
As a child, Bonnie tried to take care of her siblings because it was obvious no one else was going to. She was right though; Mamas are supposed to LOVE their babies, NOT throw them away like trash. It was so hard to see a child struggle with BIG emotions that just constantly bombarded her. To see a child pinning for their mother's love, knowing though that even if she got it, it was false... I shattered. Everything with Max, I couldn't stop crying. Even now, thinking about it, I am struggling.
Jessica wrote an amazing story. Full of so much emotion that resounds from generation to generation throughout this novel. The message of the wrongs done to Bonnie, to her son Max, and to all of them struggling with their own demons will forever follow me. As they should any reader. Thank you for sharing this with the world Jessica!
* Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. *
I want to be clear about something, this is not usually a genre I would read. I'm the kind of person who tends to avoid anything that could be true or is true (I can't read or watch any true crime because it haunts me), choosing to hide away in fantasy. I am so happy that I read this though as the characters were so well-rounded and REAL that it felt like I was hearing a life story from someone close to me. It was everything it should have been; heartfelt, sad, happy, angry, and everything in between.
When Bonnie's heart broke, my heart broke. When she found happiness, I felt her happiness. The story was carefully crafted to evoke a sense of walking in their shoes. This was one of the most challenging books for me to read because of the sensitive subjects within. There is child abuse (mental, physical, and emotional), pedophilia, child marriage, rape, and racial inequality.
As a child, Bonnie tried to take care of her siblings because it was obvious no one else was going to. She was right though; Mamas are supposed to LOVE their babies, NOT throw them away like trash. It was so hard to see a child struggle with BIG emotions that just constantly bombarded her. To see a child pinning for their mother's love, knowing though that even if she got it, it was false... I shattered. Everything with Max, I couldn't stop crying. Even now, thinking about it, I am struggling.
Jessica wrote an amazing story. Full of so much emotion that resounds from generation to generation throughout this novel. The message of the wrongs done to Bonnie, to her son Max, and to all of them struggling with their own demons will forever follow me. As they should any reader. Thank you for sharing this with the world Jessica!
* Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. *
vickyd18's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Cursing, Animal cruelty, and Drug abuse
More...