Rating: ★★★★★
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an amazing but heartbreaking read!
This book is a memoir. It details Erin Cole’s childhood told through short vignettes. What she went through growing up was so sad and intense. When you’re reading it, you keep thinking that her situation might get better, but it doesn’t until the very end.
On the flip side, it was still inspiring. The fact that she was able to persevere and become successful is so incredible.
I really like how the book was written because it had a nice balance between the good and the bad. There were a lot of sad stories but also some more humorous ones. Additionally, I enjoyed the writing style. It was very easy to read and flowed nicely. Using a co-author seemed to help in that regard.
I also liked how honest the book was. It never felt like the author was ever overly harsh or exaggerating. Going back to the balancing aspect, she even highlights a few nice memories/incidents with some of the people who hurt her in the past (like her dad’s girlfriend). She showed her situation as truthfully as possible.
Lastly, I also loved that she included some of her mom’s journal entries throughout the book. It gave a glimpse into her mind and an overall better understanding of why her mom was the way she was. The inclusion of the letters also goes back to the honesty of the book.
All in all, this book broke my heart but was so worth reading. I hope she continues to tell her life story in another book.
Odd and Bookish 
Hi, your review is good but it violates the laws of the Federal Trade Commission for an author to give you a book “in exchange for a review.” Or so I was told by a magazine that accepts reviews from newbies like me. I was told to write the following at the end of all of my reviews: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from (the publisher, the author, etc.). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
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I don’t think it necessarily violates the law. I looked up the section and my statement seems to be close to example 7: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/16/255.5
I think writing for the magazine may be a slightly different scenario (since it gets more visibility) which is why they told you what they did.
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Thanks for clarifying. I will continue to add it so that I am covered, as well as the author or whoever provided the book.
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