Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Reflections: A Collection of Poems & Short Stories

Rate this book
A collection of poems and short stories by Emily Nelson, author of The Heart of a Child.

124 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2010

88 people are currently reading
169 people want to read

About the author

Emily D. Moon

1 book1 follower

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
121 (45%)
4 stars
65 (24%)
3 stars
54 (20%)
2 stars
17 (6%)
1 star
11 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy.
78 reviews2 followers
November 24, 2012
The beginning of this book really pulls the heartstrings as an abused child is mercifully given a real chance at a 'good' life - a normal life.

A touching and real story of growing up where love and relationships are valued and appreciated. Delightful!
Profile Image for Arlene Pasternak.
19 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2014
Amazing read

Short story so it was easy to read even during a work day. Made me laugh, made me cry, and made me think of all the love in life. Tear jerker and a page Turner. Beautifully written. Highly recommended. And, it was free!!
Profile Image for sue peters.
4 reviews
March 12, 2015
Great read well worth

Couldn't put this book down .the beginning was a little difficult with the abuse...but the happy ending made it so worth while .it's been a long time a book gripped me to tears ....awesome book . I would give it six stars
Profile Image for Eileen Brodowski.
12 reviews
November 17, 2012
Child abuse is always difficult to read about. I almost quit reading, but am thankful I did not!
Profile Image for Marsha  Ronquist .
251 reviews5 followers
July 6, 2020
Believable fiction

I know the story was fiction. I wanted to hug the little unhappy hurting child. My own father was not perfect but he was gentle and kind. I have known many female friends in my lifetime who had fathers who where abuse and mother's who simply ignored what was happening. It is a story which will make you cry. And make you smile.
Profile Image for Gail.
1,875 reviews17 followers
September 22, 2020
WOW

This is a very moving book. They writing made me feel like I was there and wanted to rescue young Julia from her abusing father and school tormentors. Her writings are amazingly descriptive. The author brings out strong emotions in every event in Julia's life. This is a fantastic first book. I hope to read more by this author and highly recommend this book.
50 reviews
August 14, 2020
Wow

Starting out I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading this book but I'm really glad I did. It was sad a lot but also happy. Very well written and had me crying before the end.
1 review
August 21, 2019
What a beautiful and moving story.

I am glad to say my story is heavily the same but with different twists,but I know I am loved.
258 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2020
About child abuse

A hard read. I almost did not finish it. I was a victim of rape as a teenager. Any abuse is hard and takes a long time to heal. Bless all the little children!
Profile Image for Frances M. Burris.
79 reviews
May 19, 2021
Tears and love

This is Emily Nelson's first book. She depicts the cruelty and love that are in this world we live in. Please read. It will touch your heart.
Profile Image for Dawn Jameson.
1 review
October 30, 2023
This novel will break your heart and put it back together again. Full of magnificent storytelling and prose.
Profile Image for Amber.
1 review
November 2, 2023
Touched my heart so deeply-- not to mention that the writing was some of the best I've ever read. Five stars!
1 review
December 19, 2023
The most honest portrayal I've ever read on abuse. So well done.
Profile Image for Jill.
468 reviews
February 21, 2017
Heartbreaking

Emily Nelson does a fantastic job of capturing the essense of child abuse. While very difficult to read, it is an important subject that we should all be aware. Beautifully written, this novel gives us a very real reminder of how we can make a positive difference in someone else's life.
Profile Image for Wesley Hamlin.
1 review
November 2, 2023
So gritty, so real, perfect really. Made me feel more than I expected. Highly, highly recommend.
Profile Image for Terrie's Just Another Book B*tch.
161 reviews160 followers
July 8, 2014
I received an ARC for an honest review.

I would have to say that I really had high hopes for this book. It begins with a very difficult tale of abuse, that made my heart go out to Julia, who is victimized by her mother and her father, and by a "friend" later in life. I wanted so much for Julia. I wanted justice for her. What I got was ... two halves of two different stories

The Locket had promise. It could have been a powerful story but unfortunately it fell very short. I'm not sure why the author switched gears mid story to a completely different love story, passing over the love story she began with, with Julia.

While I did see the love she portrayed with her caregivers and saviors it just wasn't enough. She may have TWO great books here but she will definitely have to separate the two and complete them. At this time I can only give this book 2 1/2 stars.
Profile Image for Whitney.
140 reviews
June 4, 2012
The beginning of this novel was a bit difficult to get through - it was excellently written but the child abuse scenes were hard to get through since they were so descriptive. The story continued on and was becoming quite enjoyable until three quarters of the way through. After that it became laughable.
The romance was arguably even more cheesy than a Nicholas Sparks novel, appeared out of nowhere and turned this once stomach-wrenching novel into a full blown joke.
If it hadn't been for this sad turn I would have rated this three stars but after that it is a stretch giving it two.
1 review
November 24, 2011
Loved this book - reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks' title. Tough to read at first as it deals with the emotional subject of domestic abuse and child sexual abuse but love triumphs in the end. Several storylines intertwined including friendship, betrayal, heartbreak and death - the Angel Oak tree near Charleston, SC plays prominently in the storyline.


Keep a hanky nearby as you will definitely need it!
Profile Image for Holly.
18 reviews20 followers
June 30, 2014
This quick read begins with accounts of horrific child abuse and ends with undeveloped fairy-tale romance. While heartfelt, the love-story was unbelievable and the characters somewhat one dimensional. I didn't appreciate the religious sentiment that everything is part of "God's providence," which was a common sentiment expressed throughout the novel. Whether a person is religious or not, I think anyone would agree that child abuse is not something that is ever meant to happen.
27 reviews
January 2, 2017
Shocking but truthful

The first part of the story is horrific but so truthful. It draws you in and you want to protect the protagonist of the story. Then you read on to discover how her life unfolds. Cheering and crying both. I was sobbing at the end but never wanted the story to end. This author is one to keep your eye on
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.