I knew this would be a heavy topic to read, but I felt that it had the potential to be an important read if done well.

This book was done incredibly well. While it addresses issues that can be triggering, such as substance use, sex trafficking, rape, parental neglect, violence, and self-harm, it wasn't gratuitous, and the author included a content warning at the beginning of the book.

What I most appreciated about the book was the way the author focused on Alexa's journey of healing and learning how to adjust to her new life. While I can't even imagine what this process must be like, it was handled sensitively and felt authentic, but it broke my heart for Alexa, other girls in the book, and the many people around the world for whom this is not fiction but a reality.

I don't usually cry while reading books, but this one got me - it's touching, heartbreaking, painful, and hopeful. If you can handle the material, I'd strongly suggest reading it. It's worth it.

Poppy is her name given to her by her pimp. Her real name is Alexa and she was lured into sex trafficking by a friend of her mothers. When she is saved out of this life, her aunt, Krys, and uncle, Jamal, take her in.
Lex goes through many issues on her return to normal. She goes to a recovery center for girls like her. She has to catch up on the school she has missed before returning for her senior year. Her boyfriend, whom she has told about her past, corners her in the bathroom with four other guys. People find out about her past and ostracize her.
With her best friend and a male friend, she slowly recovers and takes back her life.
I was afraid to read this book at first. I knew it would be an emotional book that would take me on a roller coaster ride. Once I started it though, I couldn’t put it down. This book is gripping. It has its ups and downs but it is such a book of empowerment that I absolutely loved it. This is my favorite young adult book of the year.
Ms. McLaughlin weaves the story of Alexa being trafficked into the story of her recovery. Lex goes through many a battle but the book is so well written that you can’t help but feel. I felt compassion for her when I saw how her moms friend lured her into it. I felt sympathy when her boyfriend had his friends assault her in the bathroom. I felt relief when they sentenced her pimp. I felt so much through this entire book. You will finish this book but it will stay with you.

What an intense book! This book was a look inside the world of sex trafficking. Scary, terrifying, and heart breaking.

Alexa was groomed at a young age by a friend of her mothers. She feel in love with an older man that had an ulterior motive. Soon she was trapped in the underground world of trafficking. When police finally rescue her, along with a few other girls, Alexa doesn’t know how to live outside the world of trafficking. She’s not sure if the real world is where she belongs anymore. With a supportive, loving aunt Alexa must try to learn to live like a normal teenager again. She’s not sure that she will be able to or even wants to.

This book was hard to put down. Be warned that there are graphics parts and it could be a trigger for some that have experienced trauma. It was such an eye opening experience for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this hard-hitting and devastating novel! I haven't ever really researched much into sex trafficking; it is a terrifying reality that countless kids are thrust into, but it is a topic that remains mostly untouched whether it be in fiction or nonfiction. I applaud Kate for what she has accomplished with this novel. She brings us a story that gives us an unapologetic look at the lives of these young adults that have been irrevocably changed, but she inserts a spark of hope. There is the ever-present threat of danger, the fear of being too broken, and the struggle of returning to a normalcy that has since left you behind-- but the protagonist shows us all how strong women are, and no matter what your circumstances, you deserve happiness.

Alexa, better known as Lex, was taken by a man she trusted and turned into Poppy; a girl who was forced to have sex with men along with several other 'flowers'. She watched girls come and go, made bonds with a few, and attempted to hold on to herself while being plied with drugs and beaten to keep her docile and submissive. She never thought she would see anything else but the hotel she was confined to, and she was almost resigned to that fact until the police showed up one day. After being rescued, she finds out her estranged aunt is going to adopt her, and things start clicking into motion for her recovery. She watches her best friend from the hotel, Ivy, run straight back into the life, but she herself is stopped by the idea of a family. She endures rehab, making new friends, trusting the wrong boys, losing people she loves, getting talked about at school, and maybe even falling in love for the first time-- all while wondering how much of it she deserves, or even how much of it is real.

Lex is such a powerful character, because she has been through so much and yet is still able to see the good in people. The development that she has from page one to the end is like night and day-- the reader watches her build her self worth back and though it takes a long time, she also finds a sense of security and belonging that she had never felt before. This novel truly shows the magic of a good support system, as Lex is surrounded by love from her aunt, Krys from her release on, and all the people she meets afterwards act as a wall around her, protecting her from set backs and hardships, and lets her figure out who she is in her own time, but loving her every step of the way. This novel is not only a call to open our eyes to the harsh existence of sex trafficking, but also to treat those you meet in life fairly, as you never know what scars lie just beneath the surface.

Knowing Lex's history, some would be inclined to make snap judgments about her. Those people would never know her love for books and research, her affinity for public speaking, her strength, or the love she is capable of. She is a truly captivating protagonist, and though this story is heart-wrenching just know that it is a beacon of hope. Sometimes saving yourself will be the hardest thing you ever have to face. If you're taught your worth at a young age, it's going to be hard to overcome that, but it is always possible to change. You are not what this world will try to make you. It is cold and it is unforgiving, but you can find your people and yourself in spite of it. No matter how broken you feel, we are all stronger than we know. Lex's tale is sure to remind us all what unbreakable looks like, and if you look in the mirror, I know you'll see it too.

What Unbreakable Looks Like is a powerful story about healing and self-discovery told from the perspective of Alexa, who was groomed, manipulated, and trafficked as a young teen. When she is rescued and taken in by her Aunt Krys, she struggles to reintegrate into society and live as a “normal” teenager. Her connections with her Aunt, Uncle, and new friends, Elsa and Zack, help her learn to trust again and to discover her self-worth. This story is incredibly raw and real. I felt every ounce of Alexa’s pain, confusion, anger, shock, and joy as she fought for control of her life and learned to find comfort in others. The author successfully covers incredibly difficult topics, including assault, harassment, and self-harm/suicide, in a sensitive and profound manner. Thank you for spreading awareness of these topics and helping create a world where survivors are met with compassion, love, and a sense of security.

**WARNING: this book may trigger those who have been through a trauma.

Wow. That’s all I can say after finishing this book. I was completely engrossed in this book and had a difficult time putting it down. I was at the edge of my seat, not sure what would happen next. The author does an excellent job of showing that just because Poppy/Lex is out, that doesn’t mean life is great after. She still struggles. I love that she’s not perfect – in fact, she screws up left and right. I was particularly loving her relationship with her aunt. It filled my heart to see her gain friends, Elsa and Zach, and watch those characters develop as well. This book was HARD to read, from an emotional standpoint. I cried several times during this book. I will definitely seek out more from this author, and definitely recommend this!

5 Stars

What an amazing book! It was a little uncomfortable to read sometimes but that is one of the reasons it is such a great book. It also made me want to cry sometimes. I loved everything about this book. The plot was great, the characters were great, and you get enough of a resolution without everything being wrapped up in a neat little bow.

This book really blew me away. It brought out many emotions that I felt deeply in my soul. I cried more than I ever have while reading a book and it’s not a bad thing. This may be a hard read for some readers. Proceed with caution. We follow Alexa’s “Lex” on her recovery from sexual trauma. Her own healing process isn’t pretty and it isn’t meant to be. Lex struggles with her demons and the things that has happened to her. Through all of it, she finds her voice. She refuses to be a victim and her strength shines through. I applaud her! I was rooting for her the whole way.

The author did an amazing job on both the story and the characters. The story is emotional. One of the things I appreciated was how relatable it was. Some of the situations I have seen in real life. Like I mentioned earlier, I cried a lot. Most of the characters have a special place in my heart. I look forward to reading more from this author! Even though the subject isn’t a nice one, I highly enjoyed this book. I give this 5 stars.

~ Impossible to put this book down. Realistic, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Definitely a hard topic to read about BUT definitely necessary to have on the shelves. Reads as a realistic voice.

Book: What Unbreakable Looks Like
Author: Kate McLaughlin
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC.

I’ve actually had this title for awhile now. I’m glad I read it when I did. I’ve been in the mood for a hard hitting book and this one had it for me. The why it was written and the way the characters were presented just hit me in all of the right places. I love how the recovery period wasn’t shown as something quick and easy, but rather we got to see the hardships and difficult things that went along with it. What I’m getting out is I like how the road back to a so called normal life isn’t always easy and that the scars may never heal.

When most people think of human trafficking, they probably think of foreign countries. Kate doesn’t go there. She takes normal high school girl who finds herself in the life. We get to see how Alexa was pulled in. Not only that, but she could be the girl next door, she could be your best friend, you daughter. She’s the girl who everyone can relate to. This book will make people more aware of just how close to home this is and will maybe make them stop and think about these things before they judge. After all, you really don’t know what happened in someone’s life to make them get to this point.

This book also plays into the fact that it is so important to have a good support system. Kate talks about how Alexa was one of the only girls who didn’t go back. Alexa had some family who was willing to take her int and make her feel wanted. Those who went back, didn’t have this or believed that they had no other choice, but to return to the life. I think that if Alexa hadn’t had this support system, then she probably would have gone back.

We also get to see the ups and downs of trying to return to normal. Alexa goes through a lot of rough patches. We see bullying and her trying to move on. We get to see how she views herself and how this view of herself changes overtime. Like I said earlier, she is one of those characters that you can’t help but to fall in love with. You want her to be okay; you want her to get a second chance. You want her to find love and everything. However, the journey isn’t always easy. A lot of people will not go through what Alexa did, but everyone needs to heal at some point in their life. This book shows that it’s okay to take time to heal and to say that you’re not okay. There’s not a lot of books out there like this and I think that is why this book will be important.

I’m also going to put out there that this book does have some triggers. Just read the summary people before you pick this one up. I do not recommend this for more sensitive readers and younger readers. Kate does not sugarcoat anything.

I really enjoyed reading this one and I’m glad Wednesday Books recommended it to me. The release day is on June 23, 2020, so it is a bit away.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/oEXF5Tp0t4U

This is a powerful and horrifying book on the aftermath of sex trafficking. Told from the perspective of a teenager named Alexa (also named Poppy by her pimp), this novel reads like a memoir. It’s heartbreaking and eye-opening, and really sheds light on how a young girl is taken into this violent and tragic life. This isn’t an easy read. There are many descriptions of sexual assault that brought tears to my eyes. Alexa’s recovery and rebound are painful to bear witness, but you’ll find yourself rooting for her throughout the entire book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me captivated from the first page. At times heartbreaking, horrifying, uplifting, redeeming, and humorous, this book is not for the faint-hearted! The main character is a 17 year old girl who has been the victim of sex-trafficking, made worse by the fact that her mom's boyfriend is involved and mom is too strung out to care. While the effects of addiction are mostly glossed over, the horrors of sex trafficking are not.

I have no personal experience with trafficking from which to draw, but the book felt so real to me. The main character, Alexa, struggles with paranoia, depression, anxiety, worthlessness, and more. The book focuses more on her recovery experiences, but it does touch on some of the statistics worldwide. There are a few peripheral characters (other girls who also "belonged" to the her pimp) whose fates we get to see as well.

Although I found the wrap up just a little too tidy, I'm still giving the book 5 stars because I could not put it down.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book still haunts me and I finished reading it a month ago! McLaughlin paints an all too accurate and believable vision of what sex trafficking looks like in our own backyards. The characters are so well developed--I feel like Lex is an actual person that I could meet. I could not put this book down. a must read for anyone who thinks sex trafficking can't happen in their town.

I knew going into it this story would be dark, but what I didn't anticipate was how connected I would feel to Lex. She is a strong, powerful character and watching her reclaim her agency was inspiring!

Regretably, not for me. I misinterpreted the genre type and synopsis. The writing was strong and I wanted to read more, but the characters just didn't make me want to support them.

I received this ARC in exchange for a review. Unforntunently this novel was not my cup of tea. From someone whos dealt with sexual assault as a child, I just found it hard to read, bringing back the unwanted memories. I believe if the novel didn't affect me as it did, I might have liked it better. I do appreciate though that McLaughlin wrote this novel. One thing I wish is that there would be warnings in the description of what this novel covers gicing those who have experienced these events a warning beforehand.

This is an amazing story! This book presents the serious topic of human trafficking in a believable and informative way. This is a real and tragic situation that will find the reader empathizing with and routing for Lexi as they learn of her experiences. So powerful in the story presented and so hopeful for her character to triumph and learn to be cared about and loved by family and eventually a boyfriend. Kate McLaughlin does an outstanding job at relating difficult scenarios while creating characters readers will remeber long after reading this story. There are times in this book where suble cues are given as reminders for us all to take action when something doesn't seem right. One was with family regretting not getting more involved earlier in Lexi's life and another was a glimpse by a stranger when Lexi thought there may be an escape. I cannot recommend this enough! Powerful! Brave! Memorable!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I honestly LOVED this book!

5 stars

This is a powerful YA novel with extremely mature - and also incredibly important - themes.

Lex is trafficked by a piece of human waste who is 20 years older than she is...and a friend of her mother's and step-father's. Her mother, who is drunk throughout the historical and present day scenes of the novel, is too lost in her disease to function in a way that is at all safe for her daughter. It's important to note that her parents' connections to her situation, as well as the proximity of the motel Lex is taken to and her whiteness, all combat some of the stereotypes folks hold about who victims of trafficking are.

As any person who has read even a brief summary of this work can guess, it is NOT easy to stomach. There are revolting scenes of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, exploitation, stalking, physical abuse, emotional abuse, drug use, and more, and these scenes mostly involve underage girls. Also, they are not localized in the novel. Appropriately, Lex has many flashbacks in the form of intrusive thoughts and dreams as she continues her life. Her trauma is very much present for her, and so - responsibly, on the author's part - readers are forced to face it incessantly, too.

Though this book is difficult to read, it is also essential. The topics covered here are not gratuitous but real. Lex describes various rapists throughout, saying that most of them are just regular dudes. In a sea of troubling material, one of the hardest moments for me is her description of an altercation she has with a motel employee. A "normal" guest - i.e. a person who has not come to the motel to exploit young girls - sees Lex and the employee arguing. She gets the sense that the guest knows something is wrong...and then he does nothing. This moment encapsulates one of the central ideas of this work; that we cannot - and should not - ignore this issue. It's not distant or elsewhere or in some way DESERVED by those who experience it, and it is our responsibility to raise awareness and to stop it.

I'm sure folks will ban the heck out of this one in certain places because the material is so gritty, but that is an incredible mistake. This content is vital, the narrative is handled well, and one's fury after reading is a good thing. The movement from victim to activist? Well, it should similarly go from passive bystander to activist - or at least active bystander - for those of us who connect with this work. As an added bonus, there is an abundance of fantastic ancillary characters as well as pit bulls galore. I can get behind that for sure.

What Unbreakable Looks Like is a powerful story that will make you want to rise up and make a change in our society today. Human trafficking is a timely subject that is quietly happening in many cities. The book starts with a bang of action as 17 year old Lex is rescued from a motel. She is the lucky one who has someone to love her and help her readjust to "normal" teenage life. The first person narrative feels like a real life experience. Emotions are raw but mature. I was sure the author end note would tell us this was partially memoir, but it is fiction. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Wednesday Books for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 Stars.

I really enjoyed this book, even though the prose sounded really intense, and like something that would punch me in the gut. While it was very sad, I was able to read through it and finish the book. (Which I was fearful I wouldn’t be able to do) The Author had a very tasteful way of writing on such a terrible topic. I was nervous that it would be graphic and descriptive. So I was surprised to find it wasn’t.

Lex goes through a lot in this book, and the amount of bad people in her life outnumber the good. However, she was written as a strong female, and she chooses to surround herself with the like. She comes to her senses in this book early on and realizes when good things were happening for her. Part of me does feel like things were a bit too easy for Lex, and that it wasn’t a very realistic outcome. Regardless, I still devoured it in two sittings. It was a very fast paced read.

The sex trafficking topic is very hard to stomach, and the deplorable conditions that Lex/Poppy and the other flowers were kept in, and what they all experienced together was enough to really just hurt my heart, because that kind of thing is not fiction. This is a real issue going on in our world, and I am glad that YA Authors are shedding a light on this topic.

I loved Lex’s Aunt, Uncle, and her two friends, they really are the bright light in the darkness of this book.