This book made me cry. Specifically, the ending.

Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. The ending, though. Wow. There aren't too many books that have moved me to tears. I'm not going to give any spoilers. But, just be aware of a graphic plot twist. ( )

One of those books that you can't put down. Brought me to tears. Thought provoking and an emotional roller coaster ride.

I keep mulling this book over in my mind because the ending disappointed me. I feel what happened in the end was not something the main character would have done. After all she went through she would not have given up so easily.

I feel the reader could have been lead to believe it happened only to find that the main character couldn't do it to herself after all. It still would have left us in tears, but tears of sad joy rather than the crashing disappointment that I experienced at the end.

The author says she experienced many of the same trials that she puts her main character through and this is felt by the reader which makes the book exceptional. Yet the author is alive to write the book, so why couldn't she allow the main character to finally experience some happiness in life? Is the author trying to imply that the main character (and therefore herself) isn't worthy of a life after all?

This is one of those books that I wish I could re-write the ending. ( )

This book was brutal to read! The things Alessa had to deal with are things that no one, and especially children, should never have to deal with. I was sucked in and was always hoping for miracles to happen for her. About the middle of the book, I felt like the writing started being rushed. There were things that I felt should have been followed up on and they were just lost. I felt also, that the conversations in the end were not very good. Overall, the story was a good one to read since most people have no idea how the homeless live or what they have to deal with. It was an eye-opener for sure! ( )

Review for Believe Like a Child by Paige Dearth

First things first. Be very sure you want to read this book before you start. The subject matter is disturbing and the descriptions are sometimes graphic. That aside it’s a brave book that deals with the unpleasant subject of child abuse, incest and sexual exploitation.

Unfortunately for me it doesn’t quite work. The style of writing really confused me. It reads like an autobiography but it’s a work of fiction. Then I read the authors biography and realised that obviously a lot of it is based on her own experiences but still the novel seemed stuck in between, is it fiction or a personal account of childhood? The result was writing that at times was childlike, full of exclamation marks and an insistence on telling rather than showing which grated after a while. I don’t need to be told that being raped is awful, I don’t need to be told over and over again how brave Alessa is and how much she loves Lucy.
That complaint aside it’s a good story, it kept me reading I wanted to know what happened and how Alessa overcame the terrible things in her life. I finished the book and perhaps that was a mistake as the ending is awful. My advice is stop reading at 90% if you’re on a kindle because the ending takes all the enjoyment out of the story. I can’t say why I hated it without spoilers but it was a bit like reading all the Harry Potter books and then finding out Harry was a deatheater all along at the end.
I’m giving this two stars as I thought the story was Ok but I’m afraid the style of writing was not for me and the ending was just too much.
( )

Abused by her uncle from 7 years old and goes on to be abused again and again. Alessa should have been as tough as nails by this stage but was always naive which got her into more trouble. She comes across a young girl and looks after her - she, who can barely take care of herself! How would this have been allowed? This is a grim tale because the author herself has suffered abuse. Definitely NOT a 'feel good" book. ( )