say Something was the first book I have read from this author. This YA was interesting and left me wanting more. Hope to read more from this author in the future.

Synopsis: Sometimes the most difficult choice is the only one you can make. Maggie knows the abuse she endured as a little girl isn’t all that defines her. She’s a strong student, varsity athlete, good person—but she’s careful not to let anyone close. Because letting someone in means risking the truth. And the truth didn’t work so well for her the first time.

Say something........but to say something can get you or your loved ones killed......that’s what they tell you.

But when your own mother makes you change the “story” of the abuse you suffered how do you trust anyone?

This story written well and is such a heart wrenching reality for many.

Thank you for writing a story about abuse and the reality of it all.

As a survivor of sexual assault myself when I was a child this book hit close to home for me.

Maggie was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend when she was 8. She spoke up but because he was a respected person in her community she was pushed to recant and deny the abuse. We see Maggie dealing with the lasting effects of the abuse when she discovers that her abuser has access to another little girl. Maggie has to decide if she wants to speak up to possibly save another child from the same fate she suffered.

This book is so important. I cannot state that enough. It was beautifully written and I really connected with Maggie.

Phenomenal read.

Heartwarming and heartbreaking story about Maggie who was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend when she was 8 years old. At the time, she told her best friend and it was reported to CPS. The abuser was a powerful man in the Community and "convinced" her mom to get her to recant. This brings us to the present day and Maggie realizes he is probably abusing another little girl. Maggie needs to find the courage to report him and accept the fact that her secret will no longer be a secret anymore.

This book isn't for the faint of heart since it discusses uncomfortable situations such as sexual abuse in young children. It was hard to read the descriptions especially those discussing physical and alcohol abuse. However, these things occur in many homes and I feel the author was able to stir my emotions as I read through these scenarios. It's a reminder that abusers can be close to home and that we never know the pain someone has been carrying around for years. It shows readers how and why protective walls are built. The plot is difficult to believe in regards to the timelines of the case being handled since this isn't how the majority of the cases are handled. Nonetheless, this is a powerful and emotion stirring book that will not disappoint.

I would like to thank Cold Fire Publishing LLC and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

I was immediately drawn to the cover of this book. It features the pretty Maggie in the background and in the foreground of the lockers.

We learn that she was sexually abused, that he called her a little beauty and that her mother made her change her story. Maggie has been keeping this secret deep inside her all this time. She knows that what she went through before doesn't make up her character, her personality. She's a strong student, a good person, she never lets anyone near her. Because if someone comes into her life, they're going to have to know the whole truth. She has a student in her class who likes her and she wants to get closer to him to be a normal student without her past. Except her attacker's back and a little girl's in danger. She has two choices, either stay silent or take action. She doesn't want this man to call any girl a little beauty anymore.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hooked into the story so moving, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters.

The author has done a good job in writing this book, it shows the cruelty of men towards young girls so fearful of them.

A must read book, one of my favorites for this year 2020.

Content warning for sexual abuse.

This is the story of Maggie and how she bravely faced her abuser. I’m not sure how to describe this book...a great read would be inappropriate. I felt like this was a story that needed to be told. Showing the after effects of be molested continuing into adulthood. I felt like it was done very tastefully. The only complaint that I have is that I felt like the ending was rushed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Maggie is a 17 year old high school student clinging to the outskirts in school. Forever changed and lacking trust due to being a victim of child sexual abuse, Maggie is triggered into reporting her abuse after seeing her abuser, powerful prosecutor Warren, at a restaurant with his girlfriend and her young daughter. A great YA book about the effects past and future of sexual abuse. The point is well made without graphic detail.

This was a difficult read, especially if you have had to go through anything mentioned in this book. However, i did find it a very compelling read and really highlights the subject of sexual abuse. This was heartbreaking, raw and an incredible piece of work.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This was intense and social topic that few wish to talk about at all. Maggie is hiding a dark secret of her past that she does not want to face now that she has escaped that. She does not let people into her live very easy, but that is when she meets Matt. Then of course the other shoe drops and she has to face her past at the risk of the life that she has now built for herself. What is she willing to risk to do the risk things. I think....Say Something....

As is clear from the blurb, Say Something covers the subject of child sexual abuse, but it is written in a sensitive manner. There are no graphic scenes or unnecessary descriptions. The story focuses instead on the victim, Maggie, as she navigates her recovery; her therapy sessions, the night terrors, not to mention surviving high school and her first potential boyfriend all whilst harbouring the dark secrets of her past.

Maggie is constantly being pulled in multiple directions, torn between her head and her heart: To pursue her blossoming romance with Matt, or step away. To let Matt know what happened to her, and who did it, or keep quiet. To go through emotionally painful treatments in therapy, or keep suffering her freshly returned night terrors. 

Her biggest decision of all, though, is when her abuser walks back in to her life. When she discovers another little girl could be in danger, Maggie needs to make the difficult decision of whether or not to finally speak up and report her abuser - And this time, no more recanting her story.

I found this to be such a powerful book, not only did the author tackle such a difficult subject, but she researched it well. The way the story is told continually highlights and reinforces the fact that abuse can happen to anyone, using real life facts and figures to get the message across. We need more books like this being published!

I received an E-Arc from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I want to start with this book is very trigering. All though I ended up liking this book, I wouldn't recommend to someone that has been abused sexually.

I found that this book shows some of the struggles that someone my face when they have been abused in a sexual way or even a mental way. However I really enjoyed the story after more than half of the book. The ending is what really made it for me. I'm happy that she finally made a decision for herself and not what someone else thinks.

This was a good drama however may be triggering to some. Definitely a good read. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about seventeen year old Maggie & how events from her past & the trauma that she faced effects her life & relationships. Within her health class at school she can tell you who had also been effected by abuse just by looking at them. Knowing there is a bond of kinship from the similar traumas that they went through. As the book goes on the wheels are set into motion & Maggie is able to confront her abuser from her past.
Overall the book was a good read & the author was able to portray Maggie’s PTSD from her abuse, her mom’s reactions & actions on what had happened with Maggie are realistic.
The only thing that was a bit too “perfect” was the event that lead up to Warren’s arrest. It just seemed a little too in order & neatly packaged before the end of the book.

"Say Something" is an interesting and delicately written novel, that covers a highly sensitive subject for the majority of readers. Cathy Morrison manages to achieve this in a way that doesn't rely on shock elements or graphically detailed descriptions but instead focuses on support and recovery.

In this well thought out book, the author provided flashbacks that explored what happened in the past but focused on the emotional aspect of Maggie's trauma.

Overall, I appreciated that this was a well-researched, valid book that wasn't sugar-coated but didn't rely heavily on graphical detail either.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Cold Fire Publishing LLC via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is the story of Maggie, a brave high school girl. As a young child she was abused by her mom's boyfriend and is still dealing with the aftermath of this as a teenager. The story is told first person by Maggie, each chapter starting with a short quote from her journal. It is a very touching and sad story, that also felt really real. It literally brought tears to my eyes a few times.

Say Something by Cathy Morrison is a emotionally powerful read dealing with child sexual abuse and how it has affected Maggie, our main character, for the past ten years.

Maggie is a seventeen year old high school student and while she may get great grades and is a fantastic athlete, she finds it hard to get to close or make friends with anyone. Maggie is still trying to define herself as a person and as a woman especially after what she went through as a child. The person who abused her is still free nor has he ever been arrested. She likes a boy, Matt, in her class and he seems to return her affections, but with a big secret between them, Maggie is very unsure of herself and her budding relationship. It is not until she sees her abuser again with another little girl does Maggie decide to speak up. Will her abuser finally face the consequences of his actions?

I had such a hard time reading this story, not because it isn’t written well, because it is. It has more to do with the subject matter. I hate seeing children hurt in any way and just the thought of knowing there are predators who target children is something inconceivable. Cathy Morrison really tells a heartfelt story that is both raw and emotional. Morrison shows the after effects of abuse and the daily struggle someone can go through, but it also shows such courage and redemption in Maggie’s story and the one main point that is hammered home is that maggie is a survivor and the abuse she suffered through does not define her life.

Say Something is a definitely a story that is honest and authentic. The writing flows so effortlessly through the pages and held my attention all the way through. I highly recommend.

2.5 stars rounded up.

This story is about a young woman named Maggie who endured sexual abuse as a child. Now as a high school student she has reverted into herself, put walls around herself to protect herself. But now things are changing. She is finally coming out of her shell, there is a guy she likes, a great guy. When things start looking up the man who abused her as a child comes back into her life and she fears he is hurting another little girl. Suddenly she has a lot of decisions to make, but will anyone believe her a second time?

I really loved the first half of this book. I felt like Cathy Morrison did a great job displaying the raw emotions and PTSD that Maggie goes through as a result of the trauma she went through as a child. As a reader I felt so empathetic for her, I wanted to help her. When life started to get better it made me smile, though you could still tell there was so much further she had to go and a lot of therapy she needed.

What I struggled with however was how everything ended in this book I don't want to go into the details but simply but everything just felt to connected and to after school special. I think Cathy Morrison could have benefit from writing a bit longer of a novel and drawing out the conflict of the story to make things more believable instead of having things be too simple.

While no trauma or sexual abuse is explicitly detailed in the novel there are definite trigger warnings fo this type of matter in this book. The after effects and struggles of those who have suffered at the hands of such abuse are fairly detailed and vivid. I feel like Cathy Morrison did a great job and really making us feel the struggle and PTSD that those who have been abused suffer. While I think books such as this one are important to read if it is something that will trigger or hurt to read never do so, your mental health is the most important thing.

I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys dark contemporary stories or someone who is trying to get a deeper understanding of emotions that are felt after an abusive situation. Though of course it should be said everyone will deal with their emotions and their situation differently.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for the eArc in exchange for my review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This book was okay. The subject matter is something that needs to be talked about and awareness needs to be spread. I'm not sure if the writing style or the plot was what bothered me but something just felt off to me.

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Say Something by Cathy Morrison is a wonderful story for teens or adults. Maggie was abused as a child and still suffers from the aftermath. She keeps to herself until Matt starts to pull her out of her shell. This helps her gain her courage to Say Something. Great read.