I could not put this down. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this, but what I got was so much more than I had ever anticipated. This is by far the best book I've read this year. I wasn't expecting to cry. I wasn't expecting to fall in love with these characters.
This is so much more than a typical romance novel - the sex scenes are brief and don't include a ton of detail, but the amount given was enough. I was not left disappointed or wanting more. This book wasn't about sex. It was about living through and overcoming years of mental and physical abuse. It wasn't all sad though. There were some light parts to the book, scenes that had me laughing. The British slang took a bit to get used to, but I'm still chuckling over some of the words and I may start stealing some of them in the future. Ponsy cockwomble..
Mia's story is sad. She managed to escape her abusive husband after suffering a fractured shoulder and multiple broken ribs at his hand, and was able to get a job as an IT consultant. The characters (other than the grumpy boss) at this office are fun-loving and light-hearted, sometimes to the extent of doing yoga in the lobby.. kind of ridiculous but probably needed so as not to make the story TOO dark.
Mia hid her true identity, hid her past, and hid her injuries. But she couldn't hide her fear and discomfort. Many reading the book are probably rolling their eyes, thinking 'how could these people ignore the signs right in front of them?' But that's the sad, scary truth about domestic violence, all too often the signs are seen and ignored, or brushed off and forgotten. Even if an odd reaction here or there may get noted, it's later forgotten as the victim has had years of hiding and pretending that things are ok.
Enter sexy, grumpy boss Max, who was (yes a bit cliché) actually a huge teddy bear. He was rough and spoke his mind but had the best heart, and with his recent history of being burned by a woman, he was even rougher and moodier towards Mia, because as soon as he first saw her he felt some interest towards her. Definitely NOT love at first sight. But an interest. So he had his guard up a bit too. Even in her terrorized state she could appreciate a pretty face, and she felt some level of attraction to him too, even though he scared her most of the time.
Eventually it got out that Mia was homeless, and had been 'living' at the office for weeks. She contracted pneumonia and subsequently went into sepsis due to being malnourished and her broken ribs, so was rushed to the hospital where Max learned a little more about her situation. Not enough. Still no clue she was abused. Having no where else to stay, Max eventually invited her to stay at his house. Enter Max's 17 year old stepson Ted, whose mother basically abandoned to Max while she went off to live the life she wanted. So Ted hated pretty much everyone and took it out on Max, who viewed Ted as his own kid.
Mia's story slowly came out more and more, along with me wiping my tears away as her story unfolded. Her inner circles of coworkers/friends finally learned her situation, and not long after Max realized it too. Together they worked with her in different ways to get her the support she so desperately needed. Throughout this whole time she had been getting closer to Max, beginning to trust him, and like him more than just a passing fancy. Their feelings slowly come to light and they eventually get intimate.
Enter evil husband/abuser. Without going into a ton of detail he appeared back in her life, made her feel helpless again, and she barely escaped with her life (again). But she didn't give up. She never gave up. Mia kept fighting, using the tools she had learned from her new friends.
Mia especially is SO well written. Her insecurities, her fears, her flashbacks and reactions, they made my heart bleed. In reading the afterword, it turns out the author Susie Tate works with victims of domestic abuse. She sees their stories and their coping. And she was able to transcribe that into a beautifully sad story about overcoming the near impossible. So very well done.
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Popular Highlights in this book
With real strength comes the integrity not to use physicality to control others, or emotional abuse to chip someone down to a shadow of their former self. Real strength means helping to build someone up so that they can be a real partner, an equal.Highlighted by 1,936 Kindle readers- “That’s your big secret, isn’t it?” she said. “What’s that?” “You – you’re kind. You’re a good man. You would never hurt me.” “No, love,” I said softly, searching her face and pushing her fringe back from her forehead. “Not ever.”Highlighted by 1,688 Kindle readers
- “Yaz, why do I have a stone for recharging vaginas in my house?” Max asked, which I thought was a reasonable question.Highlighted by 1,596 Kindle readers
- Mia smiled for the first time that day. It was closed-mouthed and edged with anxiety, but it was a smile. And for some reason I was furious it wasn’t directed at me.Highlighted by 1,341 Kindle readers
- This was how I won. Living this unperfect life surrounded by love was my victory.Highlighted by 1,094 Kindle readers
About the author
An emotional ride, couldn't put it down.
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up as a palate cleanser and could not put it down. As a survivor of dv this book really spoke to me. And Roger was a lovely character.
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
Top reviews from other countries
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SilkeReviewed in Germany on January 1, 2025
Gut geschriebene und fesselnde Geschichte
- GroovedaneReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2022
A tender and powerful love story
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