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It's Ok to Tell
Lauren Book, now 25, was 11 years old when her new nanny, Waldina Flores, joined the family. For the next six years Lauren endured daily sexual and physical abuse. "I was a people pleaser," she says. "I was beaten every day...Waldy was very smart, like all predators are. She hit me and bruised me where my parents wouldn't look. When you are 13 and 14 parents never look at their children's stomachs or lower backs or butts or upper thighs."
Lauren is the oldest of three children; her father, Ron Book, is a prominent Florida attorney and lobbyist. In 2002, after being encouraged by her boyfriend, Lauren confessed to her therapist, who in turn called her parents. Her father fired Flores. She fled to Oklahoma and was arrested one month later while coaching a 10-year-old girls' soccer team. While in prison, Flores wrote love letters to Lauren asking for money and ultimately was sentenced to another 10 years on top of the initial 15 years.
Since then, Lauren and her father have successfully mounted a legislative onslaught against predators; the many laws they are responsible for include the right to get 48-hour access to predators' HIV test results, a ban on molesters from ever contacting their victims or families, passed legislation to create a statewide network of sexual assault treatment centers, and the controversial act that barred predators from living 2500 feet from public places where children gather such as schools, parks, and playgrounds.
Lauren's memoir is a book about hope in the face of extreme adversity. While it deals with a tremendously sensitive and "dark" subject, the hope that it delivers to readers carries an everlasting positive impact. Her story will empower readers to address abuse issues in their own lives and move them to understand the resulting deep emotional matrix that results from abuse and the incredible power of an individual's ability to recover and embrace life.
Lauren is the oldest of three children; her father, Ron Book, is a prominent Florida attorney and lobbyist. In 2002, after being encouraged by her boyfriend, Lauren confessed to her therapist, who in turn called her parents. Her father fired Flores. She fled to Oklahoma and was arrested one month later while coaching a 10-year-old girls' soccer team. While in prison, Flores wrote love letters to Lauren asking for money and ultimately was sentenced to another 10 years on top of the initial 15 years.
Since then, Lauren and her father have successfully mounted a legislative onslaught against predators; the many laws they are responsible for include the right to get 48-hour access to predators' HIV test results, a ban on molesters from ever contacting their victims or families, passed legislation to create a statewide network of sexual assault treatment centers, and the controversial act that barred predators from living 2500 feet from public places where children gather such as schools, parks, and playgrounds.
Lauren's memoir is a book about hope in the face of extreme adversity. While it deals with a tremendously sensitive and "dark" subject, the hope that it delivers to readers carries an everlasting positive impact. Her story will empower readers to address abuse issues in their own lives and move them to understand the resulting deep emotional matrix that results from abuse and the incredible power of an individual's ability to recover and embrace life.
- GenresAbuseMemoirNonfiction
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 9, 2014
This is a true story about Lauren Book, a 11 year old girl who was sexually, physically, and mentally abused by her nanny, Waldina Flores, for five years. She endured extreme abuse at the hands of this awful woman including rape, beatings, and torment. Finally at the age of 17, with the support of her boyfriend, Lauren gets the courage to speak out against her abuser. Her father then fired Flores who fled to Oklahoma. Later Flores was arrested and tried and sentenced a life in prison.
Lauren and her father have fought and succeeded in passing laws to protect innocent victims of child abuse. She helped pass a law eliminating the statute of limitations for victims of child abuse under the age of 16. She has also founded Lauren's Kids to educate and prevent child abuse and let others know that it's OK to tell.
There are more than 39 million survivors of sexual abuse in America. OMG!
1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.
1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
1 in 5 children are sexually solicited while on the internet before the age of 18.
30% of sexual abuse is never reported.
I read this whole book in less than 3 hours as I was completely enthralled by it. Through most of it, I had tears streaming down my face at the sheer shock and horror of what happened to this girl. I hope you read it!
95% of sexual abuse is preventable through education!
Lauren and her father have fought and succeeded in passing laws to protect innocent victims of child abuse. She helped pass a law eliminating the statute of limitations for victims of child abuse under the age of 16. She has also founded Lauren's Kids to educate and prevent child abuse and let others know that it's OK to tell.
There are more than 39 million survivors of sexual abuse in America. OMG!
1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.
1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
1 in 5 children are sexually solicited while on the internet before the age of 18.
30% of sexual abuse is never reported.
I read this whole book in less than 3 hours as I was completely enthralled by it. Through most of it, I had tears streaming down my face at the sheer shock and horror of what happened to this girl. I hope you read it!
95% of sexual abuse is preventable through education!
October 2, 2014
It was hard to read, emotionally. My mind wandered to my nieces and nephews. I think this book was well written. It wasn't overly graphic; just enough to piss you off. It also felt like Lauren was sitting right next to you telling her story. I think I'm more aware now that I've read this book.
September 7, 2021
All the positive reviews are by associates of the Book Crime Family. This is an embelleshed account of alleged abuse that may not even be true. Lauren Book is a pathological liar, and she has tried silencing critics. Here is something she should add to her book-- she tried abusing the law to silence a critic. She lost. See Logue v Book, 297 So.3d 605 (Fla.App. 4 Dist. 2020).
Since Book consistently lies, I have to wonder if any of this story is true, or if the nanny walked in on her lobbyist dad engaging in some kind of illegal activity. Her father is a twice convicted criminal, yet is still allowed to be a lobbyist in Florida. Personally, I think it was all in her head.
Since Book consistently lies, I have to wonder if any of this story is true, or if the nanny walked in on her lobbyist dad engaging in some kind of illegal activity. Her father is a twice convicted criminal, yet is still allowed to be a lobbyist in Florida. Personally, I think it was all in her head.
June 15, 2020
Lauren courageously writes and shares her own story with respect to be sexually abused as a child. "It's OK to Tell" is the perfect title as often times victims are sworn into silence by their abusers--but should never hesitate to tell another adult and to report their incident(s) of being abused. The sooner they tell, the sooner abuse stops, and the sooner healing can begin. Thank you for sharing, Lauren.
December 16, 2020
This book was so hard to read at times. The physical and sexual abuse that Lauren went through at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect her took my breath away. I’m glad she told her story and I’m glad she found strength after this. It was very interesting, but I had to give myself some time to process what she wrote.
November 5, 2023
This book is a tough read, but an important one.
Lauren’s story is so gripping and heartbreaking. I’m grateful for her bravery and openness to share her story and for all she’s done as an advocate since.
Lauren’s story is so gripping and heartbreaking. I’m grateful for her bravery and openness to share her story and for all she’s done as an advocate since.
March 12, 2018
Hard to read but wanted to get information.
October 6, 2018
This was the most eye opening read ever. I understand myself so much now after reading this than what I have my entire life.
October 14, 2018
This book was amazing and very touching. It gave me hope after finding out about my childhood. Lauren turned her pain into an organization that has helped and continued to help many children.
June 8, 2020
This was a book that was so honest. The things that happened to this girl was horrific and the details were very hard to read. It is so sad that we have evil people living right among us.
March 7, 2017
Though graphic, it was helpful to read the journey of this sexually exploited child. Lauren Book's story has increased my compassion for what she and 39 million other survivors (in this nation alone) of childhood sexual abuse endure.
June 26, 2011
3.5 stars on An Ordinary World
Every year, an outrageous amount of child abuse happens, but only so many make headline news or even into a newspaper to begin with. It’s there but few people want to talk about it or bring it to light. In IT’S OK TO TELL, 25 year old Lauren Book goes back over a decade to recall the moment she was first abused – mentally, sexually, and physically – by a person who she was supposed to trust and who lived with her family 24/7. It’s a harrowing tale in which Book recalls the pain and confusion that crested throughout her life. The abuse doesn’t just start when Waldina Flores comes into her life but that’s when it culminates and overruns what Book has come to know about right and wrong.
The memoir is painful to read, as one can assume regarding the subject matter. Book is candid in her recounts of days and nights spent in the bedroom where Flores resided in her home, of the bruises created by everyday household items, and of the emotional turmoil caused by clever tactics from Flores. Book is quick to note that much of her distress came from the fact that she was already looking for someone to give her love and approval, due to a busy father and a slightly unstable mother – both who loved their children but weren’t always available.
With abuse of a minor the obvious forefront of this memoir, it’s a bit daunting to give it anything less than five stars. For telling her story and opening her situation to more than just her state, Book deserves the highest recognition for bravery and also for doing all she can to make changes for others in her situation. The problem I had with IT’S OK TO TELL was the way the story was told. There are moments that are, for lack of a better word, riveting. However, those moments were broken up by a present-day woman discussing political matters and remembering her moments in the hot seat for the trial. The latter moments are meant to begin a particular memory and it works – sometimes. I believe there would have been more impact if Book had told her story as she knew it and then went into what she did afterwards. Her writing is fluid when it comes to “storytelling” her childhood and for me, the jumps between her memories and a political agenda were jarring.
Despite the almost quick-cuts that occur in this memoir, Book manages to write a real account of what a child goes through during these types of abuse. She is honest and determined to help others, which is the main reason I believe her story needs to be heard.
Every year, an outrageous amount of child abuse happens, but only so many make headline news or even into a newspaper to begin with. It’s there but few people want to talk about it or bring it to light. In IT’S OK TO TELL, 25 year old Lauren Book goes back over a decade to recall the moment she was first abused – mentally, sexually, and physically – by a person who she was supposed to trust and who lived with her family 24/7. It’s a harrowing tale in which Book recalls the pain and confusion that crested throughout her life. The abuse doesn’t just start when Waldina Flores comes into her life but that’s when it culminates and overruns what Book has come to know about right and wrong.
The memoir is painful to read, as one can assume regarding the subject matter. Book is candid in her recounts of days and nights spent in the bedroom where Flores resided in her home, of the bruises created by everyday household items, and of the emotional turmoil caused by clever tactics from Flores. Book is quick to note that much of her distress came from the fact that she was already looking for someone to give her love and approval, due to a busy father and a slightly unstable mother – both who loved their children but weren’t always available.
With abuse of a minor the obvious forefront of this memoir, it’s a bit daunting to give it anything less than five stars. For telling her story and opening her situation to more than just her state, Book deserves the highest recognition for bravery and also for doing all she can to make changes for others in her situation. The problem I had with IT’S OK TO TELL was the way the story was told. There are moments that are, for lack of a better word, riveting. However, those moments were broken up by a present-day woman discussing political matters and remembering her moments in the hot seat for the trial. The latter moments are meant to begin a particular memory and it works – sometimes. I believe there would have been more impact if Book had told her story as she knew it and then went into what she did afterwards. Her writing is fluid when it comes to “storytelling” her childhood and for me, the jumps between her memories and a political agenda were jarring.
Despite the almost quick-cuts that occur in this memoir, Book manages to write a real account of what a child goes through during these types of abuse. She is honest and determined to help others, which is the main reason I believe her story needs to be heard.
May 2, 2015
It's OK To Tell, a memoir of Lauren Book's childhood. I read this book and three days and as I read, I saw pieces of my life. Picture this: a upper middle class family, a nanny and three children - you would think life would be sweet, right? Think again, Lauren's childhood was filled with abuse, neglect, and trying to discover who she was. As Lauren met people along with way who would encourage her to tell, she found freedom. And now, she's committed educate kids and parents about the ramifications of childhood sexual abuse.
One of the chapters in the book is called Walk In My Shoes. For the past 6 years, she's walked 1500 miles for the state of FL. And along the way, she's met many kids who have suffered childhood sexual abuse and walk with her on part of the 1500 mile. It was a privilege to read this and to last year, meet her.
I echo her message to every survivor as I am a sexual abuse survivor: It's OK To Tell
One of the chapters in the book is called Walk In My Shoes. For the past 6 years, she's walked 1500 miles for the state of FL. And along the way, she's met many kids who have suffered childhood sexual abuse and walk with her on part of the 1500 mile. It was a privilege to read this and to last year, meet her.
I echo her message to every survivor as I am a sexual abuse survivor: It's OK To Tell
April 21, 2014
This is hard to read knowing it is true as your tears flow freely but it is something that is a must read. Child abuse should not be hidden and it can happen to anyone by anyone. I've met Lauren and she is a remarkable person to have gone through what she's gone through and to speak about it and help bring about laws and more importantly talk about. I will hope that others will read her book and have the courage to speak out and not suffer and hide in pain. My prayers are to Lauren, her foundation and to all those who have suffered child abuse and sexual abuse.
June 25, 2011
This is a memoir - and an amazing one at that! It is totally relevant to my work, but it might be a little tough for some people to take. But, I am so thankful that Lauren would tell her story and I hope that this will not only educate others on child sexual abuse, but will encourage others to make their outcries and tell their stories as well.
August 29, 2016
Very heart-warming, sad, encouraging, and VERY well written. Every teen & parent SHOULD read! It's not a long book, but very worth a read! Eye-opening. You will feel angry and sad at the same time! This young lady takes you through her struggles as a sexual assault victim that her nanny put her though!
February 22, 2013
This was a good book. Reason I gave it 2 stars, was because the details of what this girl went through with her nanny were too much for me. What this nanny did to this girl was disgusting.
January 12, 2016
Great book
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about child abuse dynamics or who is healing from their own trauma
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about child abuse dynamics or who is healing from their own trauma
July 5, 2016
A poorly written, self published title that's an obvious cash grab. I can't help but to wonder if she bothered writing this book herself.
July 13, 2016
I thought this book was amazing and explains so much! Also, if any of you are able to attend any of her training and conferences, do it!!!!
January 9, 2018
Informative reading
Powerful and shocking story! Couldn't put the book down. A must read for for everyone. I can't believe such evilness against children exists.
Powerful and shocking story! Couldn't put the book down. A must read for for everyone. I can't believe such evilness against children exists.
May 22, 2013
Great book - Very informative
Read April 2011.
Read April 2011.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews