A true story of a teen in love wth an adult male stripper. After a time she discovers she is pregnant, as she is getting caught up in his lies. A story that may hit close to home for many. Good book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really appreciate this book because it is so unapologetically honest and raw. The book grapples with thoughts, and raw emotions of a young girl forced into adult situations too soon. The author shares her incredible journey of her life opens her difficult past to share with the rest of us.

This was a very powerful read, and it takes you immediately with that first chapter. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a memoir and not fiction because some of the things these men were doing were just so outlandish and harmful. We follow 16-year-old Caroline's relationship with a much older man from the start, and the ongoing struggles their relationship faces - a young mother and teen pregnancy, financial burden, infidelity, but crucially, Gary Richard's repeated arrests and criminal investigations..

I think there is a very interesting discussion on "victimhood" and what being a "victim" means - for outsiders, law enforcement, lawyers etc. it's very easy to apply this label of victim as we are objectively aware of the black and white definition of their actions; a 24-year old man had unprotected sex with a 16-year old. However, for the 16-year old, who at this point is deeply in a relationship with her abuser, remembers her own context surrounding the same scenario: she wanted to be with him. It must be incredibly difficult to detach the context of your relationship and family from the crime. Caroline states it well, when she discusses that she wasn't crying or hurt or injured from these attacks, so how could she be a victim? And the stigma surrounding victimisation and victimhood is very strong, particularly with women. Repeatedly, women who are abused are interrogated as to whether they really were, why they didn't do anything to stop it. Being a victim becomes synonymous with guilt, weakness and shame.

I think this is an interesting read; the writing itself was a bit stilted and jarring at times - it jumped quite drastically timelines wise and mentioned pieces of information (e.g., how many siblings Caroline had) that wasn't previously explained, but it doesn't negate the message that one is not defined by their past choices, relationships or struggles, and there is always light.

cw// sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, grooming, rape, domestic violence

This is a sobering book to read. It is written with such candour and in a matter of fact style that makes what is happening all the harder to take in and to understand the impact. The power of men to make her believe what they, and she, wanted to believe is frightening. The story is ultimately of hope, of being a mother and being able to give your all to raise your children well and to save yourself. Brandi finds God amongst the pain and the impact of this is visible in the end of the book and flows through the last chapters. Worth a read to understand the strength that people have when the odds are really stacked against them.

Wow a page turner. Such reality in the story and a reminder personally that God is there for me no matter what. An encouragement to be reminded that we are each HIS masterpiece created for His pleasure to worship Him in all things.