What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin

What Unbreakable Looks Like

by Kate McLaughlin

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Synopsis:

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.

After she moves in with her aunt and uncle, for the first time in a long time, she knows what it is to feel truly safe. Except, she doesn’t trust it. Doesn't trust her new home. Doesn’t trust her new friend. Doesn’t trust her new life. Instead she trusts what she shouldn’t because that's what feels right. She doesn’t deserve good things.

But when she is sexually assaulted by her so-called boyfriend and his friends, Lex is forced to reckon with what happened to her and that just because she is used to it, doesn’t mean it is okay. She’s thrust into the limelight and realizes she has the power to help others. But first she’ll have to confront the monsters of her past with the help of her family, friends, and a new love.

Kate McLaughlin’s What Unbreakable Looks Like is a gritty, ultimately hopeful novel about human trafficking through the lens of a girl who has escaped the life and learned to trust, not only others, but in herself.

Review:

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book wasn't perfect, but it was pretty dam close. What Unbreakable Looks Like is the story of Lex and her life after she is rescued from her life of prostitution. Picking up where Lex left off before her life in the sex trade is extremely difficult. With severe trust issues, fear of being sucked back into her old life and dealing with her new high school Lex is in for a fight if she hopes to take her life back.

What Unbreakable Looks Like is gritty, harsh, raw and completely captivating. Reading about Lex's recovery was heartbreaking while also hopeful. I felt this book was able to find a perfect balance in getting the imagery of life as a forced sex worker without being overly graphic. I think even if you do have a rough time getting through books that deal with mature, graphic topics such as this you should still be able to get through it. The writing was captivating; I found myself drawn into the story from the very first page. While the story was hard to read it was also difficult to put down. For me this is a definite must read.

What Momma Left Me by Renee Watson

What Momma Left Me

by Renee Watson

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Synopsis:

How is it that unsavory raw ingredients come together to form a delicious cake? What is it about life that when you take all the hard stuff and rough stuff and add in a lot of love, you still just might have a wonderful life? For Serenity, these questions rise up early when her father kills her mother, and leaves her and her brother Danny to live with their kind but strict grandparents. Despite the difficulties of a new school, a new church, and a new neighborhood, Serenity gains strength from the family around her, the new friends she finds, and her own careful optimism. Debut author Renée Watson's talent shines in this powerful and ultimately uplifting novel.

Review:

Ok.. this book was amazing! Throughout its pages my heart was broken to pieces and slowing pieces back together.

Why do women and girls keep such horrible secrets?

Serenity and her brother Danny are sent to live with their grandparents after the tragic death of their mother. Moving into their grandparents house means starting over; new house, new friends, new school and new church. The only thing Serenity takes with her are the secrets she's been taught to keep. When the secrets become too much Serenity must decide if keeping them is better or if she should let them go and give herself a chance to heal.

What Momma Left Me is so much more than your average story. With characters you can't help but falling in love with and writing that draws you in from the beginning, Watson takes you on a journey of pain, love and healing that you won't soon forget. Serenity is such a sweet main character. You won't be able to help adoring her. The situations she faces and works through at such a tender age will make you cheer her on long after the story has ended.

You can't truly enjoy a happy ending if you skip through all the bad parts.

I feel like this book would be good for about 10 years and older. While there is mature content, it is not graphic or detailed. We are given enough detail to break out hearts without it being graphic.

Purchase Links:

CAN - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1599904462

US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599904462

May by Kelli Green REVIEW

May

by Kelli Green

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Synopsis:

Marianna spent a lot of time doing her own thing on her own time, but when she turned 16, her parents gave her a surprise that would change the course of her life forever. Refusing to let her parents choose her destiny, she launched herself into the real world. Young, opinionated, naive, and strong-willed, Mariana makes friends, enemies, and quick decisions that set the stage for her life. One thing is certain. When Marianna chose to step out of her parents’ home, she stepped into her role as a woman; ready or not.

This fictional story is the first full-length novel in the Green Ivy Series, a series of short stories and novels written by, Kelli Green. If you've read, Elizabeth: A Short Story by Kelli Green, then you already know a few of the characters. This story takes place around the same timeline of, Elizabeth; but not to worry, reading Elizabeth only gave you a small peek into the world.

Purchase Link:

CA - https://www.amazon.ca/May-Novel-1-Green-Ivy/dp/B085HM89LY/

US - https://www.amazon.com/May-Novel-1-Green-Ivy/dp/B085HM89LY/

Review:

May is the story of 16 year old Marianna. Marianna is expected to do as she's told and just be happy with the life she's been given. However, as a strong-willed girl who knows what she doesn't want she is not going to lay down and accept anything. Marianna is not afraid work, she's not afraid of her parents and she's not afraid of the future she is struggling to create. 

I absolutely adored this book! I simply couldn't get enough and was reading it every chance I got. It took me less than 48 hours to go from start to finish. During this book I laughed, I cried and I cheered. Green managed to break my heart and then slowly put it back together again. The characters were all extremely well done, even though they are not all likeable. 

While there are a couple minor editing issues, I still can't help but give this book 5 stars. The story was simply wonderful, and had Green of added another 100 pages just to continue with Marianna's story I would of happily read until the end. Kelli Green is a story teller and I can't wait to read her next work. 

Author Bio

Kelli Green is a writer and history lover, and music and movie fanatic living in Pensacola, Florida. She loves writing, learning, reading, and listening to people's stories.

Social Media Links:
greenscenespirit.com
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