Author: Peggy Kern
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA Contemporary
Format: ebook
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Source: egalley received from publisher via Edelweiss
Rating: 3.5 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***
Synopsis
from Goodreads:
What do you do if
you're in trouble?
When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.
Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.
But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.
This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.
When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.
Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.
But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.
This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.
My
Review:
I was so nervous going
into this book. Obviously the subject matter is dark. Unfortunately, it’s also
realistic. But I had heard good things and I think this is a story that needs
to be told. So I risked the emotional onslaught I was sure to feel and dove in.
This story is
heart-breaking. And the reason that it’s heart-breaking is that this isn’t just
Michelle’s story. This is the story of millions of young girls all over the
world. I can’t even imagine the terror of being in Michelle’s shoes. The
feeling that you don’t belong anywhere. That the only thing keeping you safe is
this life you’ve been forced into. That feeling that these people, even though
they are your abusers, are the only ones who care about you and keep you safe.
God, my heart breaks for all these girls.
This book is very
short. Only about 200 pages so I was finished with it within an hour or two.
Michelle kept me engaged the whole time reading. Her experiences were told in a
raw and honest way. Her two friends, Kat and Baby, broke my heart as well.
Baby, just 12 years old and subjected to this life. And Kat, beautiful, strong,
Kat. She put on a tough exterior, but she was hurting just as bad as the rest
of them. And Michelle. Just wanting a place to belong. Just missing her
grandfather and wanting to feel safe again. Damn, this story broke my heart.
The author did such a
great job with this admittedly tough subject matter. I believe that she told
the story truthfully and respectfully. There wasn’t anything thrown in that
shouldn’t be. She told this story with intensity, intensity that completely fit
with the situation.
My only tiny complaint
is that I didn’t connect to the story as emotionally as I thought I would or
would have liked to. And I honestly think that that was due to the short
length. However, with the difficult subject matter, I’m not sure how much more
I could have read on it. I think her decision to keep the book short and just
give us a glimpse of the horrors Michelle experienced was a good one. This is
definitely a story that needs to be told. As hard as it was to read, people
need to read this so they become more aware. This is real. This is happening.
And it happens right here in America. It’s not just sequestered to poor
countries. This book will open people’s eyes to that and maybe, just maybe, we
can start to make a change together as the author’s note at the back of the
book says.
Have you read this one yet? What were your thoughts?
Oh my goodness, this book looks hearbreaking. But, you're right, it's a story that needed to be told. There are more slaves in the world TODAY then there have ever been before in world history. America is no exception. Thank you for introducing me to this book.
ReplyDeleteI know. It's so sad. It's the highest profiting trade in the world. Makes me sick.
DeleteYeah, not going to read this one…sounds WAY too depressing for me. But I'm glad the author did a great job with such a tough subject matter. Great review! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's definitely a dark, dark subject matter. But I think it's important for people to recognize that this happens right here at home.
DeleteYou know, the other reviews I've read of this book have been saying the same thing about how it's really eye-opening and deals with tough subjects- but also that they couldn't really connect emotionally to the book. I guess short length may factor in to that, but perhaps also just because it's just subject matter that's hard to relate to? Maybe.
ReplyDeleteYes, agree. I think maybe I distanced myself on purpose because I know that the subject matter was going to be really emotional. My subconscious was probably protecting myself. Definitely eye opening though.
Delete