Review: Hope in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum

Goodreads: Fifteen-year-old Ashley Asher has spent half of her life living in fear. Her stepfather has been sexually abusing her for years, but her mother doesn't believe her. After his latest assault lands her in the emergency room, Child Protective Services finally removes Ashley from her home, and sends her to live with the father she barely remembers and his new family. Her new life in Patience, Texas, is much better. She's in therapy to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is trying to make her way in a new high school. She's getting used to living with her father, stepmother, and stepbrother, and she's made new friends in the summer course taught by her stepmother, Bev. She even joins the track team at the urging of her new African American friend, Z. Z.

But Ashley is so traumatized by her past that she sometimes scratches herself until she bleeds and sleeps in her armoire, even though she knows she's safe now. Worse, when her stepfather is finally put on trial for hurting her, she learns that truth and justice don't always go together. Will Ashley adjust to a better life? Will she trust enough to date Josh, the cute guy on her track team who likes her? YA readers will be caught up in the heart-pounding story of a damaged girl trying to heal herself and get on with the rest of her life.

Kritters Thoughts: What a great read. I absolutely loved this emotional and realistic depiction of a young woman who is battling with the life after abuse. I love to see her battle with being strong, but still feeling intense moments of weakness. And what a true story of how females are deeply affected by actions that ocurr in their younger years.

Knowing that the author had personal experience with abuse, I knew going in that this would feel like a real life story of a girl dealing with abuse. But I was amazed at how complex the after effects are - dealing with unsupportive parent and grandparents, while trying to cope with adult issues at a very young age. I cannot stop saying anything but the highest regards.

I am not sure if I would pass this book along to my young readers, but I would most certainly pass this book to anyone who is raising children or could have an impact on a child's life. I found myself hoping that my niece E will always have strong women around her to remind her how amazing she is and help her develop a great sense of self worth.

Unfortunately, this is the second book in the series, the first Courage in Patience, so I am headed to the library to pick up that one! Review to follow!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Pages: 310

GR Oct-Dec Challenge -