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Damaged: Natalie's Story
Natalie Jarrett is a seventeen-year-old girl who falls in love with the wrong boy. When she finds herself in the hospital after one of his violent attacks, she can no longer turn a blind eye. Suffering from severe injuries, her doctor tells her she will never be the same again. Although injured and feeling guilty, alone, scared and most of all, damaged, everyone seems to expect her to return quickly to her normal life – but how can she bounce back when she blames herself for all that’s gone wrong?
- GenresYoung AdultAbuseRomance
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2010
7 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 17, 2011
I have to give praise to Ms. Talia Jager for taking real life teen situations and putting them into writing for us. Her stories and characters are quite believable. It helps the reader to get sucked in and feel all kinds of emotions like they are becoming the characters themselves.
I appreciated reading Natalies Story. She had to fight demons to find her inner strength. Her biggest cheerleader being her sister, Miranda. I adored their relationship and enjoyed the fact that they had taken something so traumatic and awful, but found friendship in each other.
During the story, a lot of skeletons are revealed from this families closet. I liked that Natalie did not feel threatened by that. She embraced the fact that her family just wanted to protect her and it just made her try to fight harder.
During the reading of this book, I fell for Josh too. I can totally understand why Natalie loved him so much. It had taken me back to my first love. When all the pain and anguish would not go away because the love you felt for this other person was so new and so strong. Of course, I was brought to tears yet again.
“Don’t you understand?” He grabbed my shoulders. “I love you , Natalie.”
“I love you, too, Josh.”
Josh pulled me to him. “I’m sorry, Nat. Please don’t leave me.”
At first, I felt that the beginning was rushed. The fighting had started so early in Josh and Natalie’s relationship, but then I remembered that when you are young, you fall very fast and very hard. Natalie had questioned Josh’s behavior, but really liked him and made up different excuses for why he behaved the way he had. It is not until closer to the middle/end that the reader realizes how messed up Josh really is.
I am very happy with the ending of this book. I am glad that Natalie finally found the strength to push away her demons and really start to live her life. She had to realize that the way she had recovered was all she will ever get and it was FINALLY enough for her!
Thank you Talia for the review copy of this book! I loved getting to read about Natalie and her fight to come back from an awful experience.
I appreciated reading Natalies Story. She had to fight demons to find her inner strength. Her biggest cheerleader being her sister, Miranda. I adored their relationship and enjoyed the fact that they had taken something so traumatic and awful, but found friendship in each other.
During the story, a lot of skeletons are revealed from this families closet. I liked that Natalie did not feel threatened by that. She embraced the fact that her family just wanted to protect her and it just made her try to fight harder.
During the reading of this book, I fell for Josh too. I can totally understand why Natalie loved him so much. It had taken me back to my first love. When all the pain and anguish would not go away because the love you felt for this other person was so new and so strong. Of course, I was brought to tears yet again.
“Don’t you understand?” He grabbed my shoulders. “I love you , Natalie.”
“I love you, too, Josh.”
Josh pulled me to him. “I’m sorry, Nat. Please don’t leave me.”
At first, I felt that the beginning was rushed. The fighting had started so early in Josh and Natalie’s relationship, but then I remembered that when you are young, you fall very fast and very hard. Natalie had questioned Josh’s behavior, but really liked him and made up different excuses for why he behaved the way he had. It is not until closer to the middle/end that the reader realizes how messed up Josh really is.
I am very happy with the ending of this book. I am glad that Natalie finally found the strength to push away her demons and really start to live her life. She had to realize that the way she had recovered was all she will ever get and it was FINALLY enough for her!
Thank you Talia for the review copy of this book! I loved getting to read about Natalie and her fight to come back from an awful experience.
June 20, 2011
Damaged: Natalie’s Story
By: Talia Jager
ASIN: B003X4M6R0
Published July 23, 2010
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Natalie Jarret is a bright, beautiful seventeen-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her. When the new boy, Josh, charms her, she can’t help but fall for him. Behind his stunning good looks and sweet brown eyes lies a violent monster. All too soon, Natalie finds herself trapped in the ebb and flow of an abusive relationship. When she lands in the hospital with near-fatal injuries and permanent damage both physically and emotionally, she can no longer hide what Josh truly is. This is only the beginning of her troubles. Natalie must somehow learn to rise above her pain and live again.
I received a copy of Damaged from the author for review.
As this story began, I was a little worried by the, what I call, “matter-of-fact” style of writing. It didn’t take long, however, for me to be completely drawn into Natalie’s life. I began to relate to what she was feeling with Josh. I know all too well what it is like to love someone so much you do not want to see them for what they truly are. I endured an abusive relationship many years ago, and although it never escalated as far as Natalie and Josh’s relationship, it still changed my life and me forever.
This story will draw you in, terrify you, frustrate you, and break your heart. You will want to reach out to Natalie. You will want to shake her and tell her to get away while she can. You will want to scream at her that she is taking herself down a terribly destructive path. You will want to wrap her in your arms and tell her that you care—that you want to help her recover.
Within the pages of this book, there are great lessons about young love, abusive relationships, teen pregnancy, family ties, friendships, and alcoholism. Jager does a wonderful job of tying all these aspects together into one heartfelt story. Recommended for ages nine and above, it is a perfect way to help teach young girls about the very real dangers of domestic abuse and alcoholism.
This review can also be found at www.gatheringleavesreviews.blogspot.com.
By: Talia Jager
ASIN: B003X4M6R0
Published July 23, 2010
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★☆
Natalie Jarret is a bright, beautiful seventeen-year-old girl with her whole life ahead of her. When the new boy, Josh, charms her, she can’t help but fall for him. Behind his stunning good looks and sweet brown eyes lies a violent monster. All too soon, Natalie finds herself trapped in the ebb and flow of an abusive relationship. When she lands in the hospital with near-fatal injuries and permanent damage both physically and emotionally, she can no longer hide what Josh truly is. This is only the beginning of her troubles. Natalie must somehow learn to rise above her pain and live again.
I received a copy of Damaged from the author for review.
As this story began, I was a little worried by the, what I call, “matter-of-fact” style of writing. It didn’t take long, however, for me to be completely drawn into Natalie’s life. I began to relate to what she was feeling with Josh. I know all too well what it is like to love someone so much you do not want to see them for what they truly are. I endured an abusive relationship many years ago, and although it never escalated as far as Natalie and Josh’s relationship, it still changed my life and me forever.
This story will draw you in, terrify you, frustrate you, and break your heart. You will want to reach out to Natalie. You will want to shake her and tell her to get away while she can. You will want to scream at her that she is taking herself down a terribly destructive path. You will want to wrap her in your arms and tell her that you care—that you want to help her recover.
Within the pages of this book, there are great lessons about young love, abusive relationships, teen pregnancy, family ties, friendships, and alcoholism. Jager does a wonderful job of tying all these aspects together into one heartfelt story. Recommended for ages nine and above, it is a perfect way to help teach young girls about the very real dangers of domestic abuse and alcoholism.
This review can also be found at www.gatheringleavesreviews.blogspot.com.
August 31, 2012
Damaged: Natalie's Story is such a heart wrenching story about a teenage girl who has to overcome major obsticles after being in an abusive relationship. This is completly out of my genre of reading. I have never read anything like this, I usually stick with fantasy. The author asked me to read this and I agreed. When I started reading it I just wanted to put it down and move on to something else, because I don't read these type of books. I am so glad that something told me to go ahead and keep reading. Once I started I did not want to put it down.
Natalie is a seventeen year old girl who falls for the charming guy Josh. Everything goes great until he gets angry with her and then the abuse starts. Each time, it gets worse and each time Natalie takes Josh back. She feels it's her fault that she is making him mad. The last time Natalie ends up in the hospital clinging to life with permant brain damage. The story then follows Natalie's struggles with learning to talk, read, write and do all the normal things we take for granted. During her struggles she becomes depressed and turns to alcohol to take away the physical and emotional pain. She continually blames herself for what has happened to her. Along the way she improves physically but it takes the love and support of her friends and family to help her put the past behind her and move on. I loved the ending.
This was such an emotional rollarcoaster. There were so many ups and downs, I was frustrated with what Natalie was doing to herself once she started to get better. The writing was done so well, I felt like I was one of Natalie's friends. I have never been in a situation like this and cannot even begin to imagine what someone like this goes through. I am so glad that I read this, and I am recommending others read this.
This e-book was given to me by the author for review. This did not affect my review in any way.
Natalie is a seventeen year old girl who falls for the charming guy Josh. Everything goes great until he gets angry with her and then the abuse starts. Each time, it gets worse and each time Natalie takes Josh back. She feels it's her fault that she is making him mad. The last time Natalie ends up in the hospital clinging to life with permant brain damage. The story then follows Natalie's struggles with learning to talk, read, write and do all the normal things we take for granted. During her struggles she becomes depressed and turns to alcohol to take away the physical and emotional pain. She continually blames herself for what has happened to her. Along the way she improves physically but it takes the love and support of her friends and family to help her put the past behind her and move on. I loved the ending.
This was such an emotional rollarcoaster. There were so many ups and downs, I was frustrated with what Natalie was doing to herself once she started to get better. The writing was done so well, I felt like I was one of Natalie's friends. I have never been in a situation like this and cannot even begin to imagine what someone like this goes through. I am so glad that I read this, and I am recommending others read this.
This e-book was given to me by the author for review. This did not affect my review in any way.
June 14, 2012
The first maybe third to half of the book was very good, engaging and kept me hooked on what would be happening next. Then...I won't say specifically when, but for a while, the story felt like it significantly slowed and got really redundant for most of the rest of the book. I do feel, though, that the long part where it slowed was just as realistic as the rest of the book -- I can see everything of how it happened in the book happening exactly the same way to someone in real life, but...certain events, especially repetitive events (and thoughts and feelings), isn't so..interesting and engaging..when it comes to reading about it. I'd say maybe the last few chapters were where things picked up a bit more and switched it up a little from the slowness and repetition.
Nevertheless, I thought this story was a good one overall and one that I hope will really change the lives of a lot of girls and even adult women who find themselves in this kind of situation (an abusive relationship). I don't yet have kids, but when I do, I decided pretty early on in the book that it would be something I'd have my daughter/s read once she/they get to high school or perhaps even middle school. It's a story that all girls should be aware of, in my opinion, and it's realistic just not in terms of an abusive person and relationship but other things (without going into any detail) to watch out for when you're going through your teen years especially. Oh, and on a separate note, this really reminded me of a Lifetime movie (if it doesn't already exist, I could see this being made into one)!! Okay, that is all.
Nevertheless, I thought this story was a good one overall and one that I hope will really change the lives of a lot of girls and even adult women who find themselves in this kind of situation (an abusive relationship). I don't yet have kids, but when I do, I decided pretty early on in the book that it would be something I'd have my daughter/s read once she/they get to high school or perhaps even middle school. It's a story that all girls should be aware of, in my opinion, and it's realistic just not in terms of an abusive person and relationship but other things (without going into any detail) to watch out for when you're going through your teen years especially. Oh, and on a separate note, this really reminded me of a Lifetime movie (if it doesn't already exist, I could see this being made into one)!! Okay, that is all.
October 27, 2011
Sadly, this is is something that is a problem in our world day. Natalie is a happy 17-year-old from a good home. She is a normal teenager looking forward to college, trying to complete her Senior year when she meets and falls in love with Josh - the love her life. Everything goes well, they are happy - that is until Josh shows his violent side. Like many women in Natalie's situation, she thinks it is her fault, maybe she should not of made Josh mad, maybe she done something wrong, maybe she should of returned his call. Like many people in her situation, Natalie wants believe Josh will change and believes his empty promises of "it will never happen again." She gives Josh chance after chance - until she ends up in a hospital clinging to life with serious, permanent injuries. Natalie feels she can never trust again and upon returning home, she begins to engage in destructive behaviors, but with the love of family and friends, she has a great support system, which may seem like enough. This is a good book for any mother and her teen daughter to read and discuss together. It is never too late to be aware of red-flags and warning signs. You never know when it can save life and make a difference in someone you love. I DO recommend it, please consider reading it.
May 26, 2011
Come follow a teen's most important battle of her life!
This story starts out with Natalie Jarrett and Josh Kory, two high school teens, meeting, dating, and falling in love. At least, Natalie thought it was love until Josh suddenly turns very abusive and drags her though a very tumultuous relationship.
Tragedy strikes and Natalie must rely on her family and friends to totally rebuild her life. Her sister, Miranda, having a similar past, is very influential in her days of recovery from Josh's brutal attack. Follow her journey as she faces many trials and tribulations before she can finally put the pieces back together and find peace within herself and love in the end.
This is the fourth book of Talia Jager's that I have read, and I must say that I am totally impressed. She writes such strong and dramatic story lines with her teen characters. Her descriptions are very vivid and you feel as if you are right there with them.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys teen dramas! This is a definite must-read!!
This book was graciously provided to me by it's author for my honest review.
This story starts out with Natalie Jarrett and Josh Kory, two high school teens, meeting, dating, and falling in love. At least, Natalie thought it was love until Josh suddenly turns very abusive and drags her though a very tumultuous relationship.
Tragedy strikes and Natalie must rely on her family and friends to totally rebuild her life. Her sister, Miranda, having a similar past, is very influential in her days of recovery from Josh's brutal attack. Follow her journey as she faces many trials and tribulations before she can finally put the pieces back together and find peace within herself and love in the end.
This is the fourth book of Talia Jager's that I have read, and I must say that I am totally impressed. She writes such strong and dramatic story lines with her teen characters. Her descriptions are very vivid and you feel as if you are right there with them.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys teen dramas! This is a definite must-read!!
This book was graciously provided to me by it's author for my honest review.
May 4, 2015
I was looking around Amazon for a kindle book to review and I stumbled upon this little surprise. Searching on Amazon is much like a treasure hunt and I always get so excited when I find these treasures! This is a very important story and a really good topic that will open a discussion to teens about teen dating abuse. A lot of teens experience what Natalie goes through and a lot don't know what to do or who to turn to. Growing up, I saw it as more of an adult problem and didn't know teens went through heavy things like abuse from a boyfriend/girlfriends. It's sad it's more prevalent today but I am so glad Jager tackled the issue and turned it into something that will help a teen. Jager has the writing talent and heart to not only create stories but use her talent to help people and that's important to any author, that their stories will change someone and you cannot read Jager's books and not either be changed but to also be educated. Reading about these situations in a story format make the reader more sympathetic to people in these kinds of situations. This author is a beautiful treasure I am very blessed to have found!
April 14, 2011
I couldn't stop reading it! I also cried several times! I have already reccommended it to friends and family.
July 18, 2012
It was a good book but was kind of slow in the middle of the book I kinda got bored with it.
May 4, 2017
The story of Natalie's hardships was both inspirational and heartbreaking. I rarely give five stars for books, but this one definitely deserves it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews