Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Avid Reader Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this amazing memoir by Betsy Cornwell. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
After finishing her education in the US, at age 24 Betsy Cornwell leaves behind her abusive family and heads to Ireland to fulfill her dream of becoming a novelist. She falls in love with the beautiful country, and life seems idyllic when she meets and elopes with a charming man. But her fairy tale soon becomes a nightmare and she finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage with a newborn baby. She flees once again, but this time with the help of a community, and starts again. Can she make her dream come true to use her writing to not only buy a home of her own, but to offer support to others as well?
This is such a powerful, must read, book for women especially, but anyone dealing with the trauma of domestic abuse. Betsy is so honest in her retelling, but never venturing into the lurid, or compromising others. This book details not only how she put her son first to get out of a terrible situation, while still being concerned for others in her situation. It reads almost like a suspense novel, because I was holding my breath in so many places, just hoping and praying for good outcomes. Even more important is the focus on community to help us when we need help, to be there in unimaginable ways, and for us to be there for others as well. There are so many passages I highlighted with words of wisdom that hit home. Plus, this is a love story to Ireland and you’ll definitely want to visit after reading. Don't miss this one!
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