Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Date Published: 04.11.2017
However, after a traumatic experience leaves Mara in a state of mental distress, she finds herself keeping more secrets than she intended, most of them her own. Finding herself in trouble with the law, her dreams of being a therapist are jeopardized and as a consequence, Mara is ultimately forced into group therapy. While in therapy, Mara holds on to her secrets with a death grip, but when life comes full circle, her past is revealed and with it the potential to destroy her future career, her friendships, and ultimately herself.
Mara is a fighter, even if she doesn’t know it yet, but with each attempt to salvage what she can of her broken life, she is met with a consistent punch to the gut. After being pushed to the edge by meddling roommates, a persistent ex-boyfriend, and a potential new boyfriend, Mara comes to the precipice of her destruction. Yet with her destruction also comes her rebirth, and revelations of love, pain, and growth.
REVIEW:
This read had a bit of sensitivity to it, but I think the author handled it quite well. She handled the topics with care and respect. I was intrigued to read this because my major (and master - in clinical and forensic) in college was psychology. Plus I wanted to know what secrets she kept and what happened to her to have secrets. As I was reading the story and learning about Mara, she goes through a traumatic experience that many go through in real life. After this sad and scary moment, she begins to unravel and desperately needs help and eventually is forced into group therapy which she isn't thrilled about but desperately needs. I loved that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Making this an inspirational read for those who have encountered the same (or even some of the same) sad times that Mara encountered. She's dealt with a lot, got past it, then more muck (for lack of a better word) is on her shoulders but she still gets her head above water and finds out more about herself and how much of a fighter she really is.
Yes, this is an emotionally challenging read at times, but I think it is so worth it.
Excerpt:
The house was quiet, but I knew that my peace wouldn’t last long. I jumped at the sound of my phone ringing, chiming from an undisclosed location in my mess of a room. I kicked up clothes and moved books and papers from bed to floor with one smooth brush of an arm, but the damn thing stopped before I could find it. I still wasn’t completely awake, and the thought of having to search everything made my head hurt even more. I stormed around the room, tossing everything to an area of less clutter, until I caught a glimpse of myself in the floor mirror next to my desk and realized that I was still naked.
Why am I naked?
I reached down to the floor and rummaged through a pile of clothes, looking for a long T-shirt to put on. Maybe Frankie had been there, or maybe it was someone else. My heart stopped. Could it have been someone else? I crouched down to the floor.
“Hello…” I called out, still hearing the sleep in my voice. I pulled a dirty clothes pile up to my naked body. There was no response, so in relief I let the bundle fall back to the floor, keeping only a semi-clean tee, and resumed my search.
I held the T-shirt in my hand and viewed my naked form in the mirror, still not seeing the beauty that people tended to babble on about. I never thought that I was beautiful, but I didn’t think I was ugly either. The sunlight blessed my body, and I admired the brownness of my skin and the slenderness of my face, but I still found myself wishing I looked like my mother. The Jamaican goddess whose curves could rival any racetrack. Unfortunately I took after my scrawny father, whose leanness left me small-chested and ass-less.
About The Author:
Harlow Hayes was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has always had a passion for writing and storytelling in its many forms, and when she’s not immersed in her writing, she enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction, watching movies, and
Contact Information
Website: https://harlowhayesbooks.com/
Facebook: Harlow Hayes @harlowhayesbooks
Twitter: Harlow Hayes @harlow_hayes
Goodreads: Harlow Hayes
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