Sometimes I write really long reviews talking about a lot of different elements of books and what makes them good or bad, but this book left me speechless. I cried for all of the characters in this story, and then at the end I cried for myself because I caught myself wanting Lily to forgive Ryle and I realized I was caught in the cycle myself.

The cycle of abuse, whether it be mental, physical, or verbal, is incredibly difficult to break, if not close to impossible. I have witnessed this, I have been a part of this, and reading this book made it feel like I was personally experiencing everything Lily was going through. Sometimes the ones who love us are the ones who hurt us the most, and it's more difficult than someone who hasn't experienced this can imagine to stand up for yourself and remove yourself from these situations. Lily was a strong, independent woman who inspired me and I'm sure is inspiring many other young women who need a role model like her, even if they are fictional.

All I can say is thank you, Colleen. Thank you for writing a book that helps me understand my mom. Thank you for writing a book that makes me stronger as a woman. Thank you for writing a book that I would want my daughter to read. And thank you for being strong enough yourself to write this novel, because this is an important book. You've done an important thing here.