Abandoned

by Monica Allan, Ann Cusack, Joe Cusack

Monica was just five years old when her mother tried to kill her by forcing her head under running bathroom taps. She had already tried to strangle her as a baby.

Escaping into foster care, Monica would go on to experience horrific physical and sexual abuse at the hands of those she hoped would protect her.

She tried to find a new life and raise a loving family of her own. But living with the devastating secrets that had been buried for so long proved too painful.

Enough was enough. To live again, she knew she had to confront the demons of her past.

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2023

Reviews

[Harriet Bull]

Wow! what a fantastic but heart throbbing story, a true story written so well that it didn’t seem like it could be a real story! Such a sad life for Monica, i admire the author inclusion of Monica’s happy moments since her childhood up to present day.
A must read.

[Gail Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book I couldn’t put it down

[Caprice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was absolutely heartbreaking. I had to keep putting it down. The events that happened in the author’s life are truly the stuff of nightmares. This woman is resilient and strong, I hope she gets the justice she deserves. Honestly, such a sad story of neglect, abandonment and abuse on a young child that continued to affect her into adulthood. The author should be so proud of how far she has come and how she has turned out as a mother. To give love so purely and freely after living a life like that, I am in awe of this woman. So strong.

[Cheri Smallwood-ellerker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monica was nearly drowned by her mother, She was then placed in Foster care with the Stewarts. She arrived with just her baby bottle, which they cruelly took from her. She was still subjected to many beatings by her foster father. Then, she was sexually abused by her Foster brother. Birthdays and Christmas were nothing amazing for Monica.
She yearned for hugs and family love, but she never ever felt what that was like.
She got back in contact with her mum, who was still a raging alcoholic .
Many years later, Monica opened up about her past and learnt a lot more about herself. She took on the justice system to allow an old rule of "Under the roof" to be squashed, and this would allow all victims to claim for any wrongdoings that were done to them.

[Kirstie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read these true life books, it doesn't feel right to say that it was a good read , because they couldn't be further from being a good storyline or even a happy storyline.
But throughout this book, despite the abuse that Monica suffered at the hands of her mother, her foster father, and her foster brother, she came out the side smiling, and has had a family of her own that she absolutely adores, and has also managed to overturn a law that I didn't even know existed.
Even though Monica probably doesn't believe this about herself, she is actually very inspiring and because of her story I hope others feel that they can come forward about their own abuse.
Heartbreaking read.

[Chloe (Booksy_mommabear) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gripping book to read whilst being absolutely heartbreaking at the same time.
A woman (Monica) and her true story of her childhood filled with emotional, sexual and physical abuse. Attempted murder. Family loss. Heartbreak. Addiction.
Just a whirlwind of emotions throughout this book.
But what a resilient woman Monica becomes. Resulting in fantastic changes made to certain laws etc.

Genuinely a well written, devastating book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are no words to describe how this book made me feel, all i can say is that i recommend it highly, i couldn’t put it down. i am heartbroken by what she was put through, but so proud of the woman monica has become.

[Olivia Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shocking true story that has you in gasps at every page. It’s so disgusting what happened to Monica throughout her life and the description for it was so detailed. I’m glad she got justice and brave enough to speak out and make everyone aware and okay to speak out too

[Gail murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read hard to put down .

[Rebecca Fowkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book, I couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed it.

[Emblue26 Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down, it just shows you what some people go through and it makes you appreciate what you have, what an inspirational women she is and at towards the end gave me goosebumps.

[Kelly Halliday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this a while ago was very interesting and a nice flowing read

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

glad i read till the end =)

[Deri Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very very good read and a very sad read. Poor girl went through hell all of her life I felt so sorry for her it open my eyes.

[Amanda Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the whole book in one sitting, such an intense and heartbreaking story

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad failed by the system that was supposed to protect

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like true heartbreaking stories, then I truly recommend this book. My heart HURTS for this woman and the whole time I wished I could give her a hug.

[Carol Grihault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

[Kelly Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story and is heartbreaking but is so well written and the girls determination throughout her childhood and later into adulthood is admirable. I couldn’t put this down.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book if you can get past the narrator's baby voice when voicing the children. It got on my last nerve!!

[Mrs JK Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another excellent book with Ann Cusack , huge respect for those like Monica for speaking out and overcoming such abuse

[Charlotte Connell-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed, well written and heart wrenching.
Felt some bits dragged out and some bits quick

[Christine Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read

[Susan Bramhald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing true story of how people don’t know what is going on behind closed doors. Who would have known how people of the church were such bad people.

[Georgia Headdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of an awful childhood experience so eloquently written. A hard book to read due to the nature of the topics discussed but a great one no the less.