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On the Road

Jack Kerouac and Ann Charters

8.5 (4 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Five decades after it was first published, Jack Kerouac's seminal Beat novel On the Road finally...

You Were Never Really Here

Jonathan Ames

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

A hammer was Joe's favourite weapon. He was his father's son, after all Soon to become a film...

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated What Unbreakable Looks Like in Books

Jun 25, 2020

This amazing, heartbreaking and powerful book blew my mind. It tugged at my heartstrings and will stay with me for quite some time. This is a must-read, everyone.

Lex is human trafficked and becomes Poppy, kept in a hotel with other girls with flower names. But then the girls are rescued, and Poppy must try to become Lex again. She moves in with her aunt and uncle—a place where’s she’s truly safe for the first time in a long time. But she’s been so hurt and broken and has a hard time trusting or believing she deserves anything good in her life. When she’s sexually assaulted by her boyfriend, Lex has to reckon with the fact that this isn’t something she deserves because of her past.

This book broke my heart and then patched it back together. McLaughlin writes Lex in such a way that she jumps off the page—a realistic, amazing, and wonderful heroine learning to be in charge of her own story. She covers human trafficking in its stark reality and yet this story is hopeful and tender. I loved the character of Lex, as well as her aunt, Krys. Knowing that Lex has been conditioned to think she deserves to be treated badly just breaks your heart--thinking sex is her only power, all she's worth. The way McLaughlin shows how human trafficking has destroyed Lex and distorted her self-image is one of the most powerful things I've read in ages.

This book blew me away. All the stars.

Kudos

Merissa (11958 KP) rated Get Away Closer in Books

Jun 25, 2020

Get Away Closer

S.H. Pratt | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Get Away Closer tells the story of an opposite pair (early bird and night-owl) living next door to each other, both with elderly grandmas in the local vicinity. I loved how they first met and Lanie's grumpiness when she was woken up. Their relationship is a slow-burning one although, when it moves, it moves. I loved the descriptions Ms. Pratt gives us in the book - of the storms, the blanket, the wood, and sky blue, pink, and purple.

Ms. Pratt also manages to show the reader how grandparents can be different with their peers than they are with their grandchildren! Out of the two, I will admit to feeling sorry for Esther more than Irene, but both these ladies know how to hold a grudge.

This is a lighter read than some of Ms. Pratt's works but she details magnificently how a "big, strong man" can be abused and how it makes him feel. I thought this covered the subject beautifully and even read parts out to my young daughters as I feel it is important for them to understand that 'bullying' is not just by one sex.

This was a wonderful story that kept my attention and the pages turning. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this story or, indeed, any other of Ms. Pratt's works. Brilliant.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!