Emotionally Draining Read Must Read for Those Experiencing a "Shattered" Life
592340
An amazing recounting of the days between when the writer's wife was diagnosed with cancer and when she takes her final breaths. Absolutely beautifully and emotionally told, and in a manner that takes you into the heart, mind and soul of the author.  He literally takes you into their lives in such an personal and powerful way, one that caused me to put the book aside for a short while after the retelling of his wife's final days simply because I was emotionally drained.
Although few things in life could be worse than losing your soul-mate, the author speaks of the love that endures and the spirit of God that has seen him through his darkest hours.  It is a time of helplessness, some anger and bitterness, but most importantly, hope and love.  Through his experience, the author gives others a bold taste of his experience and then inspires everyone to remain faithful to God and to trust in Him.
Finally, it is a wonderful love story, told by a man who found himself helping to ease his wife's suffering by doing things most men would not or could not have done.  Through this new intimacy, he and his wife found touching ways to express their never-ending and deeply rooted love for one another.
Simply an incredible read and a necessary one for those who are experiencing a similar shattering of their lives.
3705510
If you, or someone you know, has had to deal with the nightmare of Parental Alienation, then this book is a must read.  It eloquently and heart breakingly tells the story of how the legal system doesn't benefit anyone who follows the rules and guidelines.  It also accurately describes the emotional rollercoaster of disbelief followed by incredible joy only to be replaced by a shattered heart that an alienated parent experiences as they watch their adored and loved child(ren) fall prey to the hands of someone who hates their ex-wife more than he loves his child(ren).  I cried as I read my own story in Ms. Richardson's words and only pray that my own children do not share the same fate as her innocent son.
2593506
My roommate was reading a book that she couldn't seem to put down and it was The Fear of the Blow.  When she finished it, I read her copy and then decided to buy some to share with my support group. In my opinion, this is a must read for any person who is suffering, or has suffered, abuse. Especially if you're a parent who has been in an abusive relationship that your children have witnessed or fallen prey to, this is a must read for you. I don't think we focus enough on what the children involved in domestic violence situations go through. Jena Parks does a phenomenal job expressing just that; what the child suffers through, how it shapes their thought process and lays the foundation for how they go through life. It's just heart breaking. There are so many appalling things in this book yet there are also some very inspiring and informative aspects. Jena's faith, determination and sheer will shine through as the greater message in this tragic story. I'm a fan. So well done Jena Parks. I can't wait to read what's next from you.
2638396
My Thoughts:

Tissues...Lots and Lots and Lots of Tissues Needed!!!!!!!

For me to say this is a heavy read is a total understatement.  I was not at all prepared for the emotional ache this book put me through.  The level of despair I felt moved me to my core.

I knew just by the title and cover that I was in for a deep, deep ride.

Ash's grief, despair and guilt were fabulously written.  I thought several times that this storyline could go south really quickly and become redundant...BUT I was sooo happy to say it DID NOT!  The author found every possible conceivable way to describe and express grief/guilt/despair.  I kept thinking..OH God...What's next?? But it would always be different...never the same...never repetitive.  I enjoyed that I was kept on my toes.

"So in fact, my life is far from normal, it's actually complete s***."

That's saying it lightly.  Connection with Ash's `not so normal life' was very easy.  I many not have felt her level of guilt, but I understood it on some level.  I may not have had her level of loss, but I have felt it.  That connection with her kept pulling me in.  I wanted her to overcome her emotional turmoil and every time she fell...I'd fall right with her.  I feel that Ash has some of the best character development I've read.  I know her, feel for her and want her to be happy.

I love, love, loved how the author wrote the `memories' of all the different losses Ash experienced.  It was a great way to do flashbacks.  Not only did we learn deeper into her past; each one was a mini-story that was wonderfully detailed and jammed pact.

I really feel that Luke was sent by Ash's angels above to help her work her s*** out.  He was so unbelievably patient and held her as if she would break at any moment.  He was so admirable and an overall great guy.  I love how Luke could see through Ash's mask and dig into her, but yet be so careful and patience with her.  It was so very endearing.

The entire book is written in Ash's perspective.  We get to swim in her sea of turmoil.  I would have loved to hear Luke's POV!!!!  That is the only downfall I have with this book.  I wanted inside his brain soooooo badly!  I wanted his feelings about everything going on.

Parts of this book were utterly gut-wrenching.  I went through a huge amount of tissues.  I even did the whole sobbing on my kindle thing..but don't let that detour you from reading.  A little crying is good for the soul!

I did love how each chapter outlined the music that went along with that chapter It helped me make a deeper connection with the book.  Music tends to do that.

Please do not go into this book thinking is a happy go lucky--because it is not.  It is dark, sad and grief ridden--but that said it is an awesomely written book with a great story line.  I would highly recommend reading it.
275321
This book was incredible! It was just what I needed to read. It was full of beautiful personal stories from the author's life experiences. This book challenged me in ways that I did not expect, causing me to rethink just what it means to be a follower of Jesus. This book made me laugh out loud and cry for the heartaches in the world and for my own failure to see the suffering in the lives of those around me. The author has some great insights on grief and suffering. This is a must read for any person who is suffering, grieving, or seeking to grow in their walk with Christ.
2952377
This book is a must read for anyone who has experienced grief - or is part of the support system for someone who has. Beautifully written, with a raw and unapologetic viewpoint right in the middle of the authors multiple losses . Im so thankful it included thoughts from  few of her closer friends as well. Thank you for the courage to share your story!
2165961
I grabbed this book from a Simon & Schuster galley grab. And the one thing I can say is, this book hit me hard. Now I'm not an alcoholic or an addict of any kind. But I'm a single mom like Cadence ended up and I would simply go nuts if I lose my child for whatever reason. The author wrote Cadence's character so well that I felt so bad for her. It felt like I was going through the pain with her.

Being an alcoholic is a serious disease. It's hurts not only the person addicted to it but also others around them. It's a sad thing to see someone go through that addiction but even worst when a child goes through the pain of seeing a parent addicted. Now I'm not trying to justify Cadence's behavior, but I can see how a situation can push someone to the edge. The thought of a husband cheating, a divorce and then raising a child as a single mom is terrifying plus having to work too. However there are thousands of single moms like myself that has made the best of what they have. Just some women are not as strong as others.

Cadence's marriage fell apart due to infidelity. Becoming a single mom now comes with responsibilities that a couple raising a child together doesn't have to go through. She had to deal with work and making enough money to support them both and basically keeping a roof over their heads. So basically everything just became too overwhelming and before she knew it, one glass of wine ended up to a whole bottle.

Usually people with some kind of addiction doesn't acknowledge they have an addiction. And by the time it hits them, things went from bad to worst. So in Cadence situation, she hit rock bottom when her little boy had to call his dad because she wouldn't wake up. That's when the walls caved in and her worst nightmare happened and her "Best Kept Secret" was revealed.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author did a great job writing her characters and was very descriptive with the emotions they were all feeling, that I felt like I was going through the same roller coaster with her. This book is a definite 5 stars for me and a definite "Good Choice for Reading."

[...]
4440966
This book has impacted me in tremendous ways... The brokenness and hurt in your life does not disqualify you from God's plans for you. There is so much abundance that comes from good brokenness!! I wish I could eat these words and remember them forever. Ann has a powerful way with words and I would recommend this book to anyone!!
205281
I am an emotional wreck reading this book. It is filled with some things that women put up with in order to be with a man they love. It had me in tears reading about the father being sick, because it reminded me of my father who I lost a year ago; had me in tears. Now patiently eating on the next part because I had a feeling about what would happen to the dad.
1850113
Wonderfully written not only from a mother's day-to-day experiences, but also from Jeff's input as he lived his addiction.  One attempts to understand both sides of this story. I highly recommend reading this book multiple times to comprehend the impact and consequences of this illness which consumes family and friends. This story was extremely painful and difficult to live, and it seems equally painful and difficult to put into words so others may learn.  Much praise for this heart-wrenching story!!
927848
"Grief is the intense emotional response to the pain of a loss. It is the reflection of a connection that has been broken. Most important, grief is an emotional, spiritual, and psychological journey to healing." pg. 227

This book has been a tremendous help to me. I lost my husband, my best friend 7 months ago. I am not the kind of person who opens up to my close friends and family much less a therapist. I new I needed some help to get a perspective of what I was experiencing and feeling in my loss.
I saw myself going through the 5 stages of grief; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
In going through all these stages and reading this wonderful book I realize that it is ok to feel sad, it is ok to look at the picture of us and cry and even be angry because we won't be going back to Hawaii like we talked about. It's ok to not want to get out of bed some days.
The most important thing I gained from reading this book is the fact that because he went away, my life is forever changed, I will never "get over it", and my family and friends will have to realize that.
"The person you were is forever changed.
A part of the old you died with your loved one. And a part of your loved one lives on in the new you." pg. 119
1735836
*warning may contain triggers

A powerful story that I couldn't pull myself away from

Darkness and nightmares are my future now. This is my life, my never-ending nightmare.

I feel like I've been put through the ringer! My heart broke so many times For Emmy. I just finished and I still feel like someone has a knee on my chest. I thought this book was going to break me! So well written I felt everything Emily was going through. Pain, loss, hopelessness.. We get a glimpse in the prologue, to the hell that Emily had to endure, and from then on this book did not let me go.

Emily is plagued by the torment that she lived through. Surrounded by her family and friends she can't help but feel trapped and alone. I hurt for her as a parent, as a sister, and as a woman. I wouldn't call this a dark read for my lovely dark divas. What I will call it, is a powerful and amazing story about love, strength and survival.

I can say without a doubt that I will be reading everything this author writes. While this story does contain triggers that some may need to be weary of I still would suggest that every woman reads this. This book reminds us that we are strong no matter what. It's that strength to hold on, to fight, and to believe in ourselves that we may lack.

Justanotherbookbitch(dot)com
573975
This book is so astounding, I can't even put it into words. I'm only halfway through and need another tissue box. It hits a part of me that has been broken for so long after losing my best friend to the chaos of life. I have the overwhelming need to mail this book to her, and I think I will.

WARNING: Don't read this book around someone who you'd be ashamed to see your ugly cry.
1792165
I really didn't know what to expect going into reading Stages of Grace.

Grace lives with her boyfriend of 3 years, and she's stuck. We go on a trip through the stages along with Grace.

  Denial
  Anger
  Bargaining
  Depression
  Acceptance

Being that I am generally not a person who enjoys lots of monologue in a story I was surprised that this didn't bother me in this one. It was necessary to get an inside look at what goes on in Grace's mind. It helps create that connection to her. I was also engaging & help suck me into her world.

It's healing to see what Grace is like at the beginning of the book & the person she become at the end of the book.

Stages of Grace is an emotionally charged book. Leveling out at just under 300 pages, as your reading it, it feels like 500. However, you are so engaged in the emotional roller coaster you're on that it shocks you to realize just how far into the book you are. This book can touch everyone in one way or another.

The Denial at knowing that a relationship is over, but holding onto hope that it can be saved.

The Anger we have all felt when we found we were wronged.

The Bargaining at which we decide - do we give it one last shot or move on?

The Depression over making the choices & questioning whether they are the right ones or not.

The Acceptance of realizing the decisions you have made were the right ones for you to give yourself what you deserve - happiness.

Carey Heywood - WOW! Just wow. Props for an amazing story! This book affected me so deeply, as I have been through each of these stages in my own life.
1291203
I wish I could give this book a higher rating than 5 stars. I read a lot of books, and rarely ever leave a comment, but this one impacted my life in a way that can not be ignored. I was captivated, but at times had to put it down to catch my breath. I've experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide. I could feel Violets heartbreak as I read this book. This is a "must" read! Have some tissues at hand, and be prepared to have your emotions bombarded!
4230111
this book is a must read for anyone who has been or is in a bad relationship (lets face it we have all been there) this covers all feelings, spectrums and attitudes on relationships..., this is a great read without being overly dramatic
2889898
Before ready Perfectly Broken, I had spent the majority of my 35 years on this earth trying to understand why I was the ONE child of 13 children on both sides of my Family
Tree to be chosen as "the abused one". I was at that point in my life, a two time sexual abuse victim, a five time domestic violence victim and at the will of my "father's
family a mental abuse victim and dumping ground for the hatred they had for my
mother. A few months ago, I had the privilege of hosting a book signing for a woman named Raven Faith at my coffee shop in East Texas. With the book signing date approaching I downloaded the ebook, Perfectly Broken to read so that I would not offend Ms. Faith by not having the courtesy to read her book before hand. I had no clue the dramatic impact this ebook as well as this Raven Faith would soon have on my life.
Through reading Perfectly Broken and meeting and instantly becoming friends with Raven, I have found my faith in myself, my personal strength and I am no longer a victim but a SURVIVOR!
Perfectly Broken is a must read for any broken soul in need of mending.