THE DAY SHELLEY WOODHOUSE WOKE UP
Laura Pearson
Boldwood Books
April 6, 2024
305 pages
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I went into this book with blinders, I didn’t know what it was about or what to expect. It grabbed my interest very quickly.
The theme of this story is generational abuse and violence. Naturally, this can be a trigger warning to many readers. The author handled it in a very professional and respectful manner.
Shelley, the main character wakes up in a hospital thinking that her abusive husband had put her there. She has no idea how convoluted her past actually has been. It takes time for everything to fall into place.
Every story has heroes and villains. The heroes for Shelley are Dee, her long-time best of the besties; her Grandmother Rose who loved her and protected her; and Matt, a man who visits her in the hospital. Well-developed characters, very likable. David and her stepfather were the villains. Enough said.
While the subject matter was heavy, the book is easy to read. It is divided into Now and Then, alternating chapters. Self explanatory. The Then brings us up to speed with the Now. Quite the journey. It flowed well.
The story demonstrates the effects of abuse. The abuse may stop but the physical and mental aftermath stays with victims for a long time. Lack of trust, low self-esteem, fear…..these things take time to overcome.
This is my second book by Laura Pearson. I enjoyed both books, I will have to hunt down the other ones.
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