Book Blurb:
“A bittersweet story of young love, independence, and soul-crushing manipulation. J.A. Owenby shines a light on the impact that mental illness can have on a family.” —Dr. Sheri Kaye Hoff, PhD, Professional Life Coach
Mama didn’t want me. In fact, she would’ve traded my soul back for someone different if God would’ve let her, but he didn’t, so she was stuck with me.
For eighteen-year-old Lacey, life at home is a rollercoaster. She doesn’t think she’ll ever be good enough to truly deserve Mama’s love.
But when Lacey enters college and meets Walker, everything starts to change. Suddenly, Lacey is face to face with the realization that maybe what she’s always seen as normal really isn’t. Her entire life—and everything she’s ever believed about herself and her family—is abruptly hanging in midair.
Lacey is left facing two paths, and she has to make a choice. The first means walking away from everything she’s ever known. The other means never really knowing the truth.
The Truth She Knew offers an honest and powerful glimpse into mental illness, the meaning of true love, and the psychological waltz that a daughter dances as she endures her mother’s unpredictable emotions, manipulation, and abuse.
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My Review:
3 Out of 5 Stars
Genre: Romance(??)--
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started this book. I can't even say that I liked this book, I kinda feel like I hated it...but I can't really say that either because I read it in one sitting, not able to put it down, and I feel emotionally devastated after reading what was written in the pages. I am so wrapped up in this story and the destruction I feel I don't know how I am suppose to start reading a new book. I can honestly say that this was one of the most depressing books I have read (and that means a lot coming from the girl who grew up reading every Lurlene McDaniel I could get my hands on). I guess I have to say that regardless of my hate of the topic and what happened, the author dragged out my feelings and made this book stick with me long after I finished reading the pages.
I feel like the book was split into 3 parts for me. 1)The getting to know the character and the tone of the book, determining if I want to keep reading the story. 2)The unrealistic fairytale full of neverending awkward declarations of love and sex, where I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. And lastly, 3)The nightmare, full of horrible and sad things that completely overwhelmed me emotionally and I have yet been able to shake off after finishing the book.
I could not even a little bit relate to Lacey, which usually makes it hard for me to get invested in a story, especially one that is character driven only. She was such a broken person, an 18 year old woman treated like a criminal for doing normal healthy things and accepting that she was wrong. The fact that she honestly believed that she was evil and potentially possessed shocked me. Honestly, if someone told me I was evil and had demons in me, I would give them some demons, but alas Lacey took her abuse as her due. There were so many times I wanted to shake her out of her brainwashing, yet all I could due was continue reading and keep my fingers crossed that she would find some truths. I loved the ending and I wanted to stand and cheer for her and her strength. I wish only happiness for Lacey to come. I absolutely loved her two best friends, Joss and Emma, and she is so lucky that they stayed true against the horror they learned.
Lacey's family is quite a piece of work; she literally received no support from the people who were suppose to love and cherish her. Let's talk about the Devil in the room, aka Mama. She was a complete beast, in every possible way and I can easily with no qualms say I hate her. The levels she goes to to control Lacey were shocking and made me sick, and I think she deserve to be in jail for the rest of her life.
Patsy deserved everything she got from Mama from her part in the manipulation. I have a lot of unanswered questions when it came to Mama and Patsy and their relationship that I would love to know. Like did they really know each other since they were young, was there really an act of sexual abuse, was Mama always a lesbian and if yes then where did her girls come from?
Krissy is a terrible human being as well, and I completely hope Lacey wants nothing to do with her ever, but I am sure she will forgive her as it is her nature.
Walker is another character that I hate too (even though his family was the best). He seemed like such an amazing, understanding guy, but then he underwent a complete 180 in two weeks. And he never even asked why!!! He knew Lacey's history and the level of abuse she had experienced, but he couldn't see past his own selfish needs. I hope that Lacey meets an amazing man and lives happily ever after just to run into Walker later in life, find him unhappily married, fat and balding. That would give me some joy. (I do hope that Garrett can stay in Lacey's life somehow, though, because he was amazing and saw the truth in Lacey...if only he was a few years older).
I survived this book without throwing my ereader on the floor after the roller coaster of feelings I had to cope with. I have such a love-hate thing with this story but one thing I know for sure is I need book 2 and I need it now. I have to see what will happen to Lacey in the future, I need just as much closer on her life as I expect she does. I feel like my heart was ripped apart with the last 30 pages of the book and I HAVE to read more. Well played Ms. Owenby.
I received this title in return for my honest review.
Author Bio:
J. A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two cats.
She’s a published author of six short stories and is beginning her first full length novel. J.A. doesn’t mess around when it comes to working with a professional team in order to present her best writing.
She also runs her own business and helps people find jobs they love as a professional resume writer.
She is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult and young adult novels. She loves music, movies, and pop tarts. Her downtime consists of a beautiful summer evening, snuggling with her hubby outside underneath the stars. If it’s winter, listening to the rain and watching NFL football.
You can follow the events of her upcoming novel on
https://www.facebook.com/JAOwenby
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