Sacha T. Y. Fortuné

A memoir of a personal family tragedy and its long-term repercussions on the family members

This was my thirty-second book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

The tragic loss of the author’s father when she was a young child resulted in long-term effects on the whole family. Interweaving her memories of music during that time, and her own expertise in handwriting analysis, the author recounts her experience growing up and overcoming the trials of life that her family faced.

The Pros & Cons

This was a memoir of a personal family tragedy and its long-term repercussions on the family members.

Beginning with the father’s actions right before his disappearance, we learn about the author’s family and how they were impacted by his loss. I liked reading this short book, and appreciated that the author shared her story.

This will resonate well with others who had similar experiences. I especially enjoyed handwriting samples and music lyrics interwoven into the story — they make you feel as if you are part of her story, and help you experience the era through her eyes.

It was humorous at times as we see the children growing up and playing pranks, and then heartbreaking at times as some of the family members crumble and head down dark paths themselves. Her mother in particular was hit hard by the early loss of her partner, and I can only imagine that kind of pain and how it never gets the chance to heal when you have to focus on raising your family. As we learn about her siblings’ struggles with mental health, it became difficult to read on as we feel their pain.

Though I enjoyed and appreciated this memoir, my challenge from a reader’s perspective was its overall format and its intended audience. Firstly, this will be invaluable to her own family, as a record of their lives to capture what may fade in their memories over time. Secondly, for a wider audience, I can see the book (or excerpts of it) being powerfully delivered in a speech to inspire others. If perhaps I had attended a conference about mental health, and this book was distributed or sold in collaboration with the author’s presentation, I could see it being extremely useful and well received as a tool to inspire others.

However, when a reader picks up a book with no other knowledge of the author, it only has that to go on (as was my case). As a book, the preview is absolutely beautiful, and intrigued me to read further; but as the story unfolds, it covers an entire lifetime of experiences within a short word count, so the initial taste of mystery and nostalgia emerges into a more factual approach to the events that occurred. It would have worked better (as a book) if it were part of a larger volume of many people’s experiences, or if perhaps several of the individual family members’ experiences from their perspectives were combined to weave the tale of what happened to everyone. I was intrigued by the glimpses we get of their lives, but as a reader I just wanted to know so much more! Nevertheless, on its own merit, I was grateful that the author was able to reflect on the past, and this memoir in itself is a triumph — it truly is a story of resilience.

Conclusion

Overall, this memoir is well-written and interesting. I have reviewed quite a few memoirs recently and what stayed with me was the power of the author’s voice as they chart the emotional journey from past to present. Though I did wish for a bit more in terms of wider context, that emotional journey is definitely here, and makes this memoir memorable. I am sure writing this — putting thought to paper — was a cathartic experience, and sharing with others is part of the healing process. I recommend to other readers, and really hope the author uses this book in as many ways as possible to inspire others with her story of resilience and perseverance.

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A touching coming-of-age story about the Caribbean experience colliding with the American dream

This was my thirty-first book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Celestine has the opportunity of a lifetime — a scholarship to study in the U.S.A.: the land of the free, home of the brave, and the destination of the common “Caribbean dream” to migrate and create a life in a first world country. At her university, she becomes involved in romance and politics — both of which affect her deeply as she strives to fit in and create lasting friendships with both Americans and others like herself from other countries.

The Pros & Cons

This was a touching coming-of-age story about the Caribbean experience colliding with the American dream.

The tense relationship with Celestine’s mother and the love/hate tug-of-war with her sister are aptly captured. Though the Caribbean is known for the warmth and friendliness of its people, behind closed doors the typical Caribbean home often functions with these types of relationships that lack communication and expressions of love. In Celestine’s case, though she knows her mother loves her, it comes across as dislike:

My mother radiates despair. She has no control over it, I know, and so I forgive her again and again […] She gives her love like feeding babies from bleeding, cracked breasts. […] When she was loving us, it was yelling matches.

Celestine struggles to fit in with her American peers, but whenever she becomes comfortable and indulges herself in her new environment, she is put in her place by a pop culture reference or unknown dish that reminds her she is alone.

She even feels self-conscious when her new peers overhear her slipping into her “gibberish” local dialogue on the phone when talking to someone from home; for her, “code-switching” is crucial to survival as there is an additional pressure to represent herself as a Black, Caribbean woman:

I wondered who I was, wondered if I had been abducted and placed here as a ruse. […] I was wired all the time, in the process of being Celestine and making sure that Celestine was being properly consumed by others.

The throes of first love — with a white American boy, no less! — and the inevitable confusion and heartache when it fizzles out also influence her experience. As her friend Lucy explains, though Richard is a nice guy and might have true feelings for her, to him Celestine was still a “thing” — a thrilling, exotic object to serve his liberal progressive purpose, rather than a multi-dimensional person.

As she becomes involved in campus politics and strives for diversity, Celestine encounters adversity from both whites and Blacks — but she “forgets” at times to be soft and accommodating to temper her words. She realises that the “kinship of melanin” only goes so far — even to Black Americans, she is still seen as “other”. Nevertheless, she is eventually able to make small steps towards significant change.

Though I loved and appreciated this story, there were a few drawbacks. There was a chapter from her father’s perspective that seemed disconnected from the rest of the story, and there was some jumping around of perspectives where “Celestine” suddenly appears repeatedly in third person. I also felt at times that there were so many characters and sub-plots to keep track of (mainly her friends’ relationship dramas); I could easily have seen a few of these being cut out or reduced, as it didn’t need *quite* so much additional fluff to distract me from the beauty of the main story. Celestine was amazing on her own!

Conclusion

As a fellow Caribbean woman with Guyanese ancestry, and as someone who also studied abroad, this novel resonated with me personally — and I know it will be the same with others like myself. The author’s voice is powerful and unique in the way it unravels Celestine’s tale, and I loved the way she eloquently and expertly touches on some aspects of the Caribbean experience as a “fish out of water” in a first world country, always questioning if you belong there and if it will ever really feel like home, and also feeling that pressure from back home to “make it”. I am grateful that the author shared this story — much needed in the cacophony of homogeneous whiteness; we truly need to hear more Caribbean voices! I would recommend this novel to others, and I look forward to reading more by the author.

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A short, insightful essay about a woman’s quest to examine her family’s history and linkage to Black ancestors

This was my thirtieth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

A DNA test showing there is a black ancestor in her family leads the author to pursue a historical quest to examine the past secrets in her family, and confront racism in the modern world, as well as her own white privilege.

The Pros & Cons

Deeply affected by the global wave of protests in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and other Black persons, the author reflects on the impact of racial bias and her own white privilege.

She examines the common claim that many white Americans tout: the “Cherokee blood” story to explain darker pigmentation in some family members, stating that Americans like to align themselves to the “noble” heritage of the persevering Indian. However, they usually distance themselves from Blackness.

When she learns of her ancestor Celia, a Black woman, she wants to bring light to her legacy, which leads her on a quest into her past — and she eventually learns that Celia was not even the only Black person to whom she could trace her ancestral roots.

She is conscious of her own whiteness when she reaches out to a family member:

Would it seem like I’m this white woman excited about having some “ethnicity”, all eager to meet a Black cousin on social media so I can tell him about his white great-grandpappy who was getting it on with his great-grandmother — and now yippee, we’re second cousins?

There were also some profound and eloquent moments of her reflection on white privilege, as she recalls laughing with Black friends and only later learning the underlying seriousness of the situation: the simple act of turning in someone’s driveway is something that she has never had to think about, but her Black friends do as they could be perceived as a threat.

She also expresses concern at the way in which white people want Blacks to “move on” past racism, rather than admit that history influences the present conditions in later generations:

If the Black experience in America were metaphorically represented as female, it is fair to say that we came along and raped her repeatedly for hundred of years, then told her to get up, get back to work and act like nothing happened. And why should that not affect her children?

I appreciated the research and excellent points brought across by the author, and I liked the way her story was presented from her perspective that also aimed to be respectful and mindful of her whiteness. I would, however, have loved to see some greater context about what white privilege represents in a social, economical and political context about the opportunities and barriers Black persons face in society to achieve simple things such as affordable housing and education. I do, however, understand the premise of the book was to share her personal memoir, rather than examine these issues in a more academic way.

Conclusion

I found this essay insightful, and am glad that the author shared her story. I have to admit though that it was incredibly short, and I would have liked to get a better sense of the full breadth of the story — who the author is, why the audience should want to know her story, and what makes her story unique. Her family sounds interesting and I felt like there was a lot more there to explore. I would have loved to see this bloom into a wider story that is shaped around this premise, but also included more of her life. Nevertheless, the prose is excellent, and the information is well researched and presented. I would recommend to any reader who has interest in the topic, and I hope the author continues writing and sharing her insights and wisdom on these crucial issues.

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A tongue-in-cheek go-to guide with helpful tips to get you set up in Norway and integrate into Norwegian culture

This was my twenty-ninth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy. I chose this book after also reviewing the author’s prior companion book: Working With Norwegians.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

American venture capitalist Sean Percival collected his thoughts to compile a reference guide for people who will be moving to Norway and need to get set up quickly. Touching on some insights about the country’s belief system and practices, he offers several tips in categories including setting up telecommunications, hunting for jobs and accommodations, acclimatising to Norwegian culture, and much more.

Head over to the official website: https://livingwithnorwegians.com/

The Pros & Cons

This was a tongue-in-cheek go-to guide with helpful tips to get you set up in Norway and integrate into Norwegian culture.

As a largely homogenous culture, with a deep-seated belief system centred around equality and monopolistic government practices, Norway can be a difficult country to infiltrate as a foreigner — particularly from the author’s viewpoint as an American.

Whereas the American mindset celebrates freedom and free speech, Norwegians are far more polite, which can lead to misunderstandings when their discomfort is not voiced. Norwegians can also appear “stand-offish”, and their tendency to keep to themselves may be very unhelpful to newcomers. This guide aims to counteract that by giving ex-pats a few quick tips to get started.

There are some aspects of practical advice — job sites and real estate sites, setting up telecommunications, stocking up on vitamins and meds, transferring money, duty-free shopping, setting up a bank account, accessing healthcare, using transportation, and much more.

There are also some suggestions of things to do to fit in with the Norwegian culture — firstly, understand the law of Jante! This refers to the cultural values that encourage Norwegians not to excel above and beyond their peers, and to remain modest and humble. With that as the centrepiece of your approach, you can try a taste of Norwegian culture: go skiing, try brunost, attend a nachspiel, do a dugnad, go to the hytte, try snus, eat a Kvik Lunsj on top of a mountain, attend a julebord, or perhaps jump into a freezing fjord.

In terms of the writing style, it was very brief and jaunty so that you can quickly scan through — both figuratively with your eyes, and literally with your phone. Several sections throughout the book have QR codes to go directly to the resources the author provides — joining ex-pat groups, finding job listings, visiting the Utlendingsdirektoratet website (the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration), and even links to get discounts for shopping for clothes and accessories.

Apart from the general tips, there was also some background information to give greater cultural context: atheism is common, Swedes are their rivals, and casual sex is the norm. A few survival tips will also come in handy — know the mountain weather rules, take your vitamin D, and enjoy the rare appearance of the sun! Finally, a glossary ties it all in with a reference guide for some of the language used throughout the book.

Fair warning: as with the other book in the series that I reviewed prior, keep in mind that this guide is based on personal experience rather than formal research, and therefore it would not be representative of the entire gamut of all reader types especially in terms of diversity, race, gender, sexuality, disability, cultural and geographical background, etc. Nevertheless there is a huge wealth of information here, presented in an easily digestible format for a modern tech-savvy audience — illustrations, large fonts, and QR codes; and this book would serve as a great starting point for anyone. It gets you to the point quickly and efficiently, and definitely hits the sweet spot for those who want a light, short “cliff notes” guide rather than a scholarly tome.

Conclusion

As a second-time reader of this author and this series, I again enjoyed this swift, humorous read — which I snapped up quickly once I saw it was available! I loved the easy-to-read format with tips and accessible resources, and I feel that I also gained a deeper appreciation of what it would mean to uproot my life and move to a country that is so special and unique (especially with all that “nature porn”!).

Now, bear in mind you can’t take things too seriously while reading this book. It’s not meant to be the only research you do before migrating! I can see this being the perfect book you’d gift to a friend who just got a job and will be moving to Norway. It might save someone a bit of stress in the earliest stages of such a move, and may bring a smile to their faces when they do inevitably meet that (somewhat rude) Norwegian who says: “Welcome to Norway! Do you plan to stay?”

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Head over to the official website: https://livingwithnorwegians.com/

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A young adult murder mystery sports thriller – ideal for teenage girl sleuths!

This was my twenty-eighth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Issy is a promising young star athlete on her school’s mediocre basketball team, and a well-rounded young woman despite being raised by only her father, a retired sportswriter. She has an interest in her forensics class at school, and fancies herself a bit of a detective. With a blend of coming-of-age teen drama and her keen eye for uncovering mysteries, Issy tries to figure out why there seem to be sports-related murders cropping up in her town. Meanwhile “The Judge” — the killer, is on the path for revenge, knocking off his past adversaries one by one — and Issy may soon become an unlikely target. Can she solve the case before it’s too late?

The Pros & Cons

This novel was a young adult murder mystery sports thriller — ideal for teenage girl sleuths!

Reading a character like Issy was a breath of fresh air. Far too many young adult novels focus on “popular” or “shy” girl tropes, or have way too much emphasis on the teenagers’ love lives, or teenagers are unnecessarily rude to their parents and angsty for no good reason! Here, we have a young girl who has a lot going for her — she’s a good student (for the most part), she has loyal friends, she’s interested (but not OBSESSED) with boys, and more than anything: she is an athlete with a promising future.

We get to see her close, sweet relationship with her dad, whom she clearly admires, and who was able to raise a decent young woman, in the absence of her mom who couldn’t be bothered with the burden of motherhood. I loved that their relationship is laid-back and contains a degree of respect and camaraderie that is often lacking between father-daughter stories.

I appreciated that Issy’s character was well developed, and we get to see her going about her daily life interacting with her friends, coach, teachers and father — not to mention a certain boy that sparks her interest (and he himself has his own “growing up” to do!) As she becomes drawn to the murders she hears about on the news, her senses click into overdrive as she makes connections that even the expert cops miss.

Issy’s story develops alongside that of “The Judge”, the killer who is on the rampage to avenge those who harmed him in the past. We learn his motives, and even feel pity for him although he is technically the “bad guy” in the story here. He has been wronged, and he has been a victim, and I appreciated that there were sympathetic aspects to his character as well — not everyone is necessarily all good or all evil, and we do get to see “The Judge” struggling with this duality: his deceased wife’s calm reasoning, countered by the vengeful “General” commanding him to commit murder.

My only letdown in this story was that the action takes a good while to get there. Mind you, the teenage sports drama was interesting, and held my interest; and the killer’s story was intriguing, and also held my interest — but it just took awhile to mesh the two entirely different stories and points of view into one cohesive story. There also seemed to be quite a bit of “extra” information that didn’t seem connected to anything, that I could’ve done without — e.g. entire excerpts from her father’s novel seemed to be an odd inclusion (given the genre, I expected it to be some kind of clue — it wasn’t). These minor things aside, nevertheless when the two stories do finally connect, the rest of the story is brilliant and winds to a satisfying end — with Issy triumphantly saving the day, in more ways than one!

Conclusion

Overall, this was a good genre-mashup — it’s not often you get a young adult coming-of-age story that’s also a murder mystery! I loved the main character’s spunk — with a flair of temper and a whole heap of bravery, she’s not afraid to jump right into the fray and tackle a murderer. I can see this book being a hit with an audience of teenage girls, and it gives them a great character to admire. I really loved the characters and the way the author builds and reveals the story, unraveling a tale that is thrilling and beautifully written. This was a pleasurable read, and I would love to read more by this author.

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A fast-paced time-travel medical romance thriller mystery with a twist

This was my twenty-seventh book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Awakening in a hospital after a fatal accident that killed her sister, Taylor discovers that though she survived, she now faces debilitating medical episodes that may threaten her life. Surrounded by medical professionals who can’t diagnose or treat her illness, and unable to make sufficient progress to be discharged, she becomes depressed and plagued by the emotional trauma of reliving her own past mistakes. With the help of her doctors — especially the handsome and intriguing Dr. Riaz, and her ailing friend Carrie, she must fight against time to visit her past and discover the clues that led to her condition — and that may lead her out.

The Pros & Cons

This was a fast-paced time-travel medical romance thriller mystery with a twist — quite the mouthful, but the novel manages to blend these genres skilfully and satisfyingly!

I appreciated that each character was really well developed, and we get to see relationships bloom even within the sterile, cold environment of a hospital. Despite the boredom and fear of living with an ongoing traumatic brain injury, there is a lot of humour interlaced throughout, and Taylor’s personality is both believable and endearing as she tries to connect with others. Her relationship with Carrie was lovely, and I loved their people-watching “Cubies” game they played to pass time!

When Dr. Riaz begins to investigate her case, they soon grow close as they interact, but he tries to maintain a professional distance, particularly when her condition seems to be getting worse and her organs begin to fail. As she shares her story with him, the mystery builds, revealing piece by piece the history and sequence of events that led to Taylor’s existence in the hospital.

As she jumps back and forth, patterns emerge: she seems to be going back in time in a particular sequence, and apart from just being able to observe, she has the power to change things. But could this threaten her own present timeline?

As with any time-travel story, there are points that get a wee bit confusing if you try too hard to follow the science, so you need to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride! There was also a bit of dialogue here and there that detracted from the novel’s pacing (in order to flesh out the blooming love story — quite a delicate balance!); but above all, this was a thrilling joyride of a novel that keeps you intrigued all the way through and satisfies you as it winds to an end.

Conclusion

Overall, this was an excellent genre-mashup read that packs a powerful punch. Though the main characters are in their twenties, I believe that this would also suit a younger audience of teenage girls. There are beautiful messages interwoven into the story about self-development, family, love, and dealing with (or avoiding!) domestic abuse — so though on its surface it may appear to be a lighthearted time-travel story, there is a much deeper substance here that is empowering for young women. I can’t imagine what’s next in this series as it ties things up nicely, but I would love to read more with these same characters or perhaps meet new ones. I really look forward to more by this author.

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A heartbreaking memoir about the physical, social, and emotional abuse experienced by an autistic savant

This was my twenty-sixth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Charting her life from a young child to an adult, this memoir recounts Jennifer’s experience of multiple forms of abuse by organisations, agencies and laws created to “protect” her. From her struggles connecting with others as a child and teenager, to her prolonged experience in confinement in the mental health system, she emerges triumphant despite her harrowing experience. In sharing her story, she also provided tips and strategies to equip other autistic people and their families, so as to avoid them making the wrong decisions that could lead to her same fate.

The Pros & Cons

This was a heartbreaking memoir about the physical, social, and emotional abuse experienced by an autistic savant. From her earliest memories, Jennifer has always known she was different. A high-functioning autistic, she was not diagnosed until much later in life.

This memoir follows her journey as she struggles to make friends and connect with others as a child and teenager. Her thoughts and behaviours overpower her, and she genuinely believes that her repetitive, obsessive actions will be a matter of life or death for her mother.

As she gets older, her difficulties result in her being institutionalised — first for temporary periods at her parents’ volition, and then eventually for an indefinite period she found herself trapped, as she had surrendered some of her rights and her parents had done the same as they believed it was in her best interest for treatment.

The institutions did not match her profile — her behaviour was not the same as others who self-harmed, or ran away from home. This led to a feeing of dissonance, as she didn’t understand how her treatments didn’t match her illness; as she terms it:

I felt like I was trapped in some weird cult but hadn’t been brainwashed yet[…] I hid my joy deep inside so it wouldn’t be stolen by that place and those people.

Group homes overmedicated her, and she gained weight and experienced deep depression on medications that focused on external control rather than internal control. She was also forced to do menial labour, and was severely punished for the slightest infractions by methods including shock therapy. She felt stymied in terms of growth and development:

I WANTED to do well, to get well. But nobody helped me[…] I wanted so passionately to experience real adult life. I was in my thirties. I wanted and needed to experience meaningful work and friendships.

Eventually, she was gradually able to achieve incremental success at regaining her rights and her independence, and as she emerged from the horror she experienced, she was struck by the real world:

Freedom was the candy[…] I had so much unlearning to do. I had been programmed, and I was just now realizing this.

Overall this was an excellent and moving read. My only minor note would’ve been to keep the recount of her experience i.e. the “story” separate from the “lessons” i.e. the tips — for me, this would have better kept the narrative intact to engross the reader, and would have allowed for a full reference section at the end. This would also have circumnavigated the repetition; as it was divided by chapter, some points came up several times, especially the warnings to families to investigate the institutions properly — though certainly that point is one that deserves repetition, as it is so critical!

Conclusion

This memoir was incredibly difficult to keep on reading at times. I felt a wave of pain just trying to grasp how the author must have felt — trapped in her body and mind as her liberties are ripped from her and she is forced into a life that punishes her for being different. The experience was soul-crushing and dehumanizing, made even worse by the fact that institutions were able to enact these forms of torture under the banner of “legal” practices — in essence, it was legalized abuse. I am grateful to the author for sharing her experience, and appreciate that she took the time and care to also provide tips and guides for other individuals with autism and their families that may have to cope with some of these issues.

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A harrowing memoir about the systematically abusive laws of child protection agencies

This was my twenty-fifth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Within weeks of her honeymoon, Susan’s 9-year-old daughter is taken away from her and her new husband is falsely accused of child sexual abuse. What ensues is a years-long struggle to regain custody of her daughter and to clear her husband’s name. Along her journey, she encounters other families adversely impacted by the “child savers” — protection systems put into place to protect children’s rights, which were burdened by corruption and overzealous practitioners. Coupled with her harrowing recount of the events that forever changed her family, Susan accompanies her tale with prayer and shares her faith in God to lead her through.

The Pros & Cons

This was a harrowing memoir about the systematically abusive laws of child protection agencies in the 1980s. I chose this memoir because I have a personal interest in children’s rights, and I am always curious to get a better understanding of the fine line between truth and lie when it comes to sexual abuse in general, and in particular the blend of truth and “fantasy” when it comes to the reliability of a child’s words.

The work of child protection agencies is gritty, grim, and horrific at times — and most of the time, they do save families and rescue children from the grip of disgusting predators. In this instance, however, they got it very, very wrong.

The innocent “tickling” between a stepfather and his stepdaughter took a sinister turn when the child was asked direct questions by a teacher and wound up inadvertently lying. This one small lie blossomed into every mother’s worst nightmare: first, that her child could possibly have been abused; and secondly, that her husband could possibly be a predator. Susan immediately knew that this was wrong on both accounts, but due to the strict laws of the “child savers”, she was unable to prove it for a prolonged period of time.

Faced with the impossible decision to chose between her husband and her child — smear a man’s good name, or “rescue” her daughter by separating from him to please the authorities — she risked waiting for the truth to play out. At first, it seemed as though it would surely be revealed soon, but as time bears on, you can feel the mounting tension and emotional ravaging she must have felt as a mother and wife as her world crumbled around her.

Through all of this, she also struggled financially to make ends meet so that she could afford the legal fees, and to manage all her other relationships including parenting her older daughter — whom, she points out, strangely was not seen as any kind of risk to the “predator” living in their home!

Though I know that some families may be the victims of the system sometimes “getting it wrong”, never before had I imagined just how wrong it could be. With the interweaving of real documents and words from the past, her fervent prayers, and a powerful storytelling voice, we connect and follow the emotional rollercoaster of Susan’s journey.

It was appalling to see how badly words and deeds could be twisted into something so dark. At the same time, it was uplifting to see the way Susan was able to persevere, and even to connect with other families to provide support for others who may have experienced similar situations.

Conclusion

This was a touching, heartfelt memoir of epic proportions that was moving and memorable. It is by no means a glossy recap of a true event — we see and feel every moment that unfolds, both bad and good, and as a result of this honesty, we feel very deeply touched by the injustice she and her family faced. I also really appreciated that she did not flinch away from the truth, and allowed us to see shameful parts of her past with overmedication, depression and poor judgement — and more than anything, I was thrilled that beyond all of this, she emerged triumphant and able to pick up the pieces of her life to rebuild something beautiful.

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A raw, emotional, gritty drama about the ties that bind, and the mental illness that betrays the concept of family

This was my twenty-fourth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Charting a family’s history beginning in the late 1950s, an epic drama unfolds: forced into early marriage in her late teens, Diane does not acclimatise well to wifehood and motherhood. Richard, barely a man himself, struggles to keep the family together. Years later, their young daughter Frankie is the one who pays the price — living with an absent father, and under the dominating madness of her mother’s fragile mental health. Told from the individual perspectives of all three main characters, this tale reveals the dark and fragmented nature of love and loss.

The Pros & Cons

Whew! This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is a gritty family drama about the ties that bind, and the mental illness that betrays the concept of what a family should represent.

Beginning with a flash-forward to Diane’s spiteful act to the cherry tree in their yard, it traces the origin of her distaste for it as a symbol of family and love.

When she first got pregnant, Diane barely knew Richard, and yet their parents forced the young couple together. It’s “what was done” back in that era — and while Richard jumped at the chance, eager to marry the woman he loved… Diane felt absolutely horrified. She barely remembers their encounter; her virginity was squandered to a boy she barely even liked. She was not in love, and had no plans to fall in love with him.

Richard’s almost immediate pull away from the family to follow his military career also had a negative impact on Diane, who felt alone in her dismay and unqualified to become the concept of “mother” and “wife”. She soon sought love elsewhere, and this led her down a dark path emotionally. As Richard fought, at first, to keep his family together, she railed against him at every step of the way.

When he finally gives up on them, Diane’s mental illness only worsens. By the time Frankie is old enough to understand, she is already aware of her mother’s rage and cowers from her mood swings. When tragedy hits, it sends Diane further down that dark path, and she has a breakdown. The novel’s ebbs and flows chart Diane’s volatile nature over the years as Frankie matures and realises that not all mothers are like this — nor should they be. As the novel winds to a close, ending the first part of a trilogy, things come to a head between Diane and Frankie, and irrevocable decisions are made.

I loved and hated this novel because it made me feel things deeply. I was able to connect so much with each character, and the writer does an excellent job of making each voice sound distinct. I really appreciated the way it unfolds gradually to explore how mental illness expands over time like a dark stain on the family — until it becomes entrenched. There are a few uplifting parts that seem promising and redemptive, but they are soon crushed by Diane’s overwhelming struggles, which in turn affect everyone else. It made for a bumpy, scary, fragile ride of a novel that had me frantically turning the pages to see what would happen next!

There were a few very minor bits and pieces that detracted from the overall reading experience — in terms of pacing, the timeline jumps around a bit and took some getting used to, as multiple characters are recalling incidents at different times from different viewpoints. But overall, this is an exquisite tale of the dark side of love, marriage, and mental illness.

Conclusion

This novel was raw and emotional. It is well written in its characterization, as you love each character and hate them at the same time — they are all fundamentally and fabulously flawed. While you despise Diane’s treatment of her family, you also feel sorry for the pressures she feels as a woman of that time. Similarly, Richard’s approach was infuriating at times, though he was just trying to do his best. This novel really makes you think deeply and consider these characters’ motives, making it feel like a true story or memoir. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this trilogy, and I look forward to reading more from this new author.

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I received this book from the author, for whom I had already reviewed another book Rue. I also saw it on Reedsy and reviewed it for that platform as well, which makes it my twenty-third book via Reedsy. My Reedsy review can be found here.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

After a tragic car accident as a child, Riley’s maturity into adulthood is coupled with her experience feeling an intuitive connection — a “gift” — that she is unable to ignore. She doesn’t know where it comes from, or what it means, but it follows her through her life.

Adam’s role in the accident also follows him like a plague from the past, along with his own strange connection to Riley that he cannot ignore. When they meet as adults, can they find a way to forgive the past and build a future together?

The Pros & Cons

This was a beautiful story of pain and loss that finds redemption in the beauty of love. I absolutely loved the opening, which immediately dives into the fraught relationship that the two main characters have — a force compels them to be together, despite the tragedy of their past.

I was thrilled to see Riley finding her way in life after experiencing such a loss. My heart went out to Adam — a well-intentioned action can cause so much irrevocable damage to others, and his survivor’s guilt is something he has to live with his entire life, which can never really go away. I also liked that we get to see glimpses of Kathy, especially her serious consideration of her multiple lives — such a profound concept for a child to discuss!

It was amazing when the two characters do finally find each other, and despite others’ opinions that they are an odd match because of their tragic history, they each know they are fated to be together. I really appreciated the themes of faith, love and redemption that are explored here — mixed with a smidge of fantasy that seems almost paranormal with Riley’s extraordinary talents.

I enjoyed this story but did take some time to get used to the storytelling style that mixes Riley in first person and then Adam in third person (it may have worked better for me with both first person, or both third person). Also Adam’s family drama situation was such a profound moment of revelation that I wished it had been explored more — at the book’s end, I still had so many more questions about that situation!

Conclusion

Overall, this was a beautiful story. It was also unique, as I didn’t know what to expect from the ending — there’s romance, but also a fantasy element, and then profound literary-fiction moments drop in here and there as Riley ponders the meaning of life and the origin of her gift. The novel’s themes are powerful and take you on an emotional journey. It made for a bumpy ride that was unsettling but also uplifting, and left me still thinking about the book long after I had finished. This is my second book by this author, and I really like that she doesn’t follow the usual cookie-cutter trajectory of a novel, and I would love to keep reading more of her work to see what else is in store!

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