Wow... what a punch to the gut.

Kate McLaughlin delivers a raw and powerful story about sex trafficking, drug use, prostitution, and sexual assault. I will say this is not the easiest book to read but I thoroughly enjoyed this so much.

Lex was taken and is now in the life known as "poppy." Lex was rescued at a hotel with a number of other girls. Lex was taken in by her aunt and uncle and is trying to survive as Lex and not "Poppy."

Kate McLaughlin truly approaches the topic of sex trafficking without holding anything back... and I respect the hell out of this author for writing about such a hard topic. We slowly see Lex's story unfold about her horrors of being trafficked and the reality of the aftermath.

It truly was so heartbreaking, beautiful, and emotional to see Lex work through her demons and pain through a world of darkness. I wanted to scream with Lex, cry with Lex, smile with Lex, hug Lex, and love her through this entire novel.

McLaughlin's talent shines across the pages of this novel that will haunt you in your sleep. This book will not leave me for a long time and I can't recommend enough to others. This isn't for the faint of heart and are some graphic descriptions of sexual assault and trafficking but I'm hoping it will leave a mark on your heart like it did mine.

5 stars!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin's press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub day: 6/23/20
Published to GR: 2/2/20

This book gave me all the feels! It is so heartbreaking and I loved this book. I could not put it down. I was so intrigued by the story and how the author was able to describe the story so vividly!

The story line and plot was solid and highly recommend this book! This will not be my last book by this author.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of Kate McLaughlin’s What Unbreakable Looks Like in exchange for an honest review.

Human trafficking, according to fbi.gov, is believed to be the third-largest criminal activity in the world and I love that Kate Mclaughlin shined a light on it.
This story opens with cops busting into the hotel where Alexa (Poppy) and the rest of Mitch's girls are held. The reader follows her through her recovery as she attempts to learn to trust and respect her body and emotions. The story moves fast and the reader is constantly left wondering will she go back? Will she stay? Will she trust again? This is a great book for young adults. It is not graphic in it's descriptions but gives the reader just enough detail so we can grasp the situation.
I wasn't a huge fan of Alexa's character. She felt almost too strong? She seemed to get over her pill addiction and exited 'the life' rather fast. I think situations like this are not as black and white as the book made it seem. I loved Jamie (Ivy)'s character. She was BRILLIANT! Her struggle felt more real and honest. The relationship between Alexa and Jamie was my absolute favorite part. Seeing their relationship unfold in both the past and the present was beautiful.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It illuminated important topics such as human trafficking, consent, and abuse. I am thankful for the opportunity to read the pre-pub version.

What Ubreakable Looks Like was well crafted and a detailed look into the implications of today’s social media culture. Lex’s struggles with reintegrating into “real” life were difficult to read in that they were gripping and moving. This book was so well written it was definitely hard to read at times. Overall, it was a fantastic read, even if it was tough to get through at times.

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

This book was amazing it started off right in the middle of the drama and didn't let up at any point. I like when stories give you both before and after tales of the current situation. This one did that but it wasn't at all confusing and it was perfect. Our main character Lexi (AKA Poppy) was trafficked and forced into the sex trade for god knows how long.However she is now rescued and living with her aunt and uncle. With her life back on track she struggles to live the life she had as the girl she was before is long gone, for now she is the prostitute Poppy. This book takes tough topics but makes them readable and more manageable for the reader. I really enjoyed how the book was mostly about Lexi regaining who she was before she was abused with flashbacks instead of actual moments happening to her. I think that was a very creative way to write the book that you don't see to often especially with this delicate of subject matters. It was also very sad to see the reaction of her friends and people that she knew before she was taken. It was crazy to see how they looked down on her and pitied her as well as seeing her as an object. This book was really good and I would recommend it to everyone.
With a young girls life broken and torn apart to a young girl who finds the strength to succeed and get her life back on track. It was sad but very powerful to see Lexi go through hell to get back to becoming the girl that she was and still is under all of the abuse. The only thing I didn't like was the time jumps were a little confusing to the reader to differentiate between. If they were a little clearer I think that it would have made a perfect read.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was beautiful and heartbreaking.

Lex is sent to live with her aunt after being trafficked and spends her days waiting for the other shoe to drop and find out her aunt is using her.

This book is incredibly compassionate.

After being turned out Lex, known as Poppy, lives in a hotel with several other girls. When the police raid the hotel, she is hooked on drugs, malnourished, and completely untrusting of anyone around her. When her aunt takes her in, Lex is immediately wary, constantly wondering what her aunt wants from her. As she struggles to return to a normal life, Lex must fights her own urges and instincts to turn back to a familiar and drug fueled existence.

This was a well paced, interesting, and heartbreaking book. Lex felt completely realistic, she could have been anyone. Overall, well worth picking up.

This is such a powerful book - equally tragic and harrowing as it is uplifting and hopeful. With an explicit depiction of the dangerous situations that can lead someone unwillingly into exploitative situations that they cannot escape from, this story is so important at this time. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC egalley.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I will come back and add to this, but I'm still working through my emotions on this book. It was such a powerful book about a subject that is very real but no one likes to talk about.

I'll be back to update once I process this, its that good.

This book is about as raw as it gets for a fiction novel based on sex trafficking. Dove right into the mental struggle of being trafficked and how hard it is to want to leave that like when you believe it’s the only time you’ve been loved. With a strong cast of characters supporting Alexa into the life she deserves after being rescued from a motel. The average days and the lowest of lows while Alexa tries to adjust to a “normal” life. I was educated, horrified, heartbroken, and happy.

*Disclaimer: I have not been/do not know anyone who has been trafficked. This review is my opinion only.*

I really liked this story because it gives insight into some of the challenges that are faced after someone is rescued from being trafficked. I loved the relationship that Lex was able to develop with her aunt throughout the story. This story was a tough one to read and know that this stuff (and worse) actually happens, but it was a good story about how things can change for the better. It is a book I would recommend as long as you are prepared for it, but it is definitely not for everyone.

4.5 stars

First there are a lot of trigger warnings for this book. This book contains human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, pedophilia, talk of suicide, suicide and violence. The author mentions this at the beginning and I really like that! A book that comes with trigger warnings.

This was a hard book to get through. I had to put it down a few times. Some of the things that Alexa goes through is just horrifying. What makes it even worse is that this actually happens in our world! Young girls and boys are tricked into trafficking and it’s just so horrible!!

This is a story about Alexa, she is rescued from a human trafficking situation and is lucky to be able to go home with her aunt. At the beginning we see how Alexa struggles to even live a normal life and how the mind of a person that has gone through this trauma thinks. She feels she doesn’t deserve any kind of love or to have people that care about her. Things happen to her while she is supposed to be safe and healing and it just made me so upset! This is a strong story and an important story! It really touched my heart because this kind of thing happens and we should all be preventing it from happening and being there for each other.

I totally recommend reading this book and I am very thankful for the opportunity of reading this before it comes out. As long as you are in the right head space to read then definitely do it!

What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin tells the unflinching self-narrated story of Alexa and the aftereffects of human trafficking on a young person's life.

I loved this book in its entirety and am so happy to have gotten the chance to read it early. Lex as the narrator was raw and honest in her experiences with the sex trade and it was fascinating to see her integration back into society after such a horrible experience. Her supporting characters and also, her own strength, gave the book the hopefulness it needed in order to make this so much more than just a cautionary tale. I love that McLaughlin focused her story on someone who made it out on top as, like the reader learns, most who are human trafficked aren't as fortunate. This subject matter is so relevant and I'm glad to know that people will be reading (and learning) more about it in the coming months through this novel once it is widely released.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin in exchange for my honest review.

This book deals with human trafficking and sexual assault. I was impressed by the way it managed to be both realistic and informative whilst appealing to young adults.

What Unbreakable Looks Like
By Kate McLaughlin
St. Martins Press
Wednesday Books
Publishing Date: June 23 2020
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads
E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

“Lex was taken–trafficked–and now she’s Poppy. Kept in a hotel with other girls, her old life is a distant memory. But when the girls are rescued, she doesn’t quite know how to be Lex again.”

What Unbreakable Looks Like is a unflinchingly raw tale of the aftereffects of what human trafficking looks like. Im not going to lie, this novel was heartbreaking. Knowing that this story is a fictional story of what happens to so many teens and young adults all over the world is disturbingly sad. However, Lex’s journey of hope and reclaiming her power and story is a story that needs to be told.

Disclaimer: There are very sexually graphic parts of this novel. There are many trigger warning that come with this book so please be aware of that before starting it.

I cant explain how beautiful and heart wrenching this book is. I absolutely loved it and really feel that more people should be talking about it. I come from a community where young girls (and boys) are very vulnerable to becoming trafficking victims. Lex can not only be a cautionary tale for these young people, but also a story of hope and resilience. The way McLaughlin explains Lex’s inner thoughts and feelings without having the reader inflict judgment on her is brilliant. Another thing McLaughlin does so well is show how the journey of recovery isn’t easy or linear. There are ups and downs and peaks and valleys for Lex. And her journey is so beautifully heartbreaking.

I would highly recommend this novel for the youth of today as well as adults. The more a light is shined on this horrific world, the more we can do to prevent it. I applaud McLaughlin for crafting a novel as timely as this one. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Wow….what a ride! This book covers very serious topics like sex trafficking, rape, prostitution, and drug abuse. But despite the heavy topics, this book is very enjoyable to read. I really like how the author didn’t try to sugar coat what had happened to Lex, but at the same time had her be hopeful of her future.

Lex used to be your typical teen till she got sucked into sex trafficking by her much older boyfriend who then placed her in a motel for prostitution purposes. When the police find her, she’s unable to think that her life could possibly get much better as she feels she’s damaged goods. And just when she starts to feel better about her new life with her aunt and uncle, something equally harrowing as her past occurs once more, she’s sexually assaulted by five of her peers at school.

But this time Lex doesn’t back down. She stands up for herself and wishes to take down those who did her wrong. I think this book explores very dark topics but does it with so much poise and dignity that you can’t help but root for Lex and her journey.

This is a very timely novel and I recommend this for both adults and teens to read. Lex is a beacon of hope and light in a world that can too often be the darkest shades of black.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Really loved this book! There needs to be more books that deal with this topic. I feel like there aren't many dealing with human trafficking. I love the main character and how strong she is and is able to love people again with a little help.

This was a difficult but fantastic read. I connected immediately and felt deeply for the characters in this book, I cried as well. Living near to where this tale unfolds brought me in even farther and I couldn't put it down. It's raw and powerful and I think it's so well written. My heart broke a few times. I would recommend this book (and might suggest is to my book club) and I would read more from this author without hesitation. Thank you for the opportunity to read this advance copy and to offer my opinion. I didn't find any errors and I didn't find anything that deterred from the story.

It has been a few days since I have read this, and I still don’t know how to write my review for this. I keep thinking about it and how stuff like this happens all the time and how more things need to be done to stop it.
Lexi is a 16-year-old girl who has red hair and blue eyes. She lived with her alcoholic mother and her boyfriend. Lexi was befriended by there friend Mitch and every time he came around; he would bring her gifts and compliment her. All the attention that she got from him she thought was love even though she was lied to.
To me the most horrible thing about this story and what intrigued me was that Lexi was part of a human sex trafficking ring and her new name was Poppy. All the things that Lexi goes through is horrible I couldn’t even fathom it all. The day comes when he finally gets rescued by a police officer and then moves into a loving home with her aunt. The title of the story is
When you think of stories about sex trafficking you think that its woman from foreign countries but really its not its from all over the world. And this book should be read by all IMO. even if you think that you might not like it, I still think that it’s a book that describes what happens in that part of the world and needs to be stopped.
The author approached a topic that not many authors that I know would tackle, let alone a YA book about it. I think the author did an amazing job making Lexi a loveable character and making the story feel real like you are right there along with her.

Wow, this is one of those books that rips your heart and soul out while reading, but also teaches you the disgusting this world possesses! This is a book that may not be suitable for everyone, as it definitely has themes that are often triggering for some, if you are not triggered by sexual abuse then you should pick this book up. Be sure to prepare for having your emotions pushed to a point you’d think is impossible. Well written, characters developed amazingly, and chilling! A must read for those who can stomach the disturbing darkness within the pages! A must read; for those who want a look into the dark world of sex trafficking!
I’ll make sure I buzz this book up on many platforms!