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The Boarding House
Ellie Wayne doesn't just live. She survives.
Ellie Wayne has grown up in frightening circumstances, damaged by a sexually abusive father and mentally fragile mother. Scarred and still threatened by a father she hates and fears, Ellie believes her future holds nothing more than danger, shame and secrets . . . until the unspeakable happens, and Ellie is forced to choose. She can claim her life or continue to hide in the shadows.
One amazing man might be the miracle worker who can help Ellie see that she has the power to move on with her life, to hope for something more. If she can trust him.
Readers will cheer for this amazing woman as she struggles to leave victimhood behind
Ellie Wayne has grown up in frightening circumstances, damaged by a sexually abusive father and mentally fragile mother. Scarred and still threatened by a father she hates and fears, Ellie believes her future holds nothing more than danger, shame and secrets . . . until the unspeakable happens, and Ellie is forced to choose. She can claim her life or continue to hide in the shadows.
One amazing man might be the miracle worker who can help Ellie see that she has the power to move on with her life, to hope for something more. If she can trust him.
Readers will cheer for this amazing woman as she struggles to leave victimhood behind
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2012
77 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Sala
280 books2,306 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 13, 2025
Sharon Sala is one of my favorite romance writers but The Boarding House is not a romance. If I had known that, I would not have read it but I did and I am actually glad I did, although the subject matter is hard to take. Ellie Wayne is sexually abused by her father since she was a baby. I won't say anything else regarding the plot because I don't want to give away any spoilers. But I will say that its an intense story.
January 27, 2020
The Boarding House
All I can say is WOW! I don't remember ever reading a book like this. If I say anything I'm afraid I would be spoiling the story in some way. I will definitely tell you that you do NOT want to miss this story about Ellie Wayne as only Sharon Sala could tell it.
All I can say is WOW! I don't remember ever reading a book like this. If I say anything I'm afraid I would be spoiling the story in some way. I will definitely tell you that you do NOT want to miss this story about Ellie Wayne as only Sharon Sala could tell it.
May 26, 2012
Excellent book that was written beautifully on a subject that a lot of people shy away from, child abuse. I don't want to give anything away so all I will say is this a book that was wonderful and a must read. Sala writes in an area that I have never read her delve into before and she did it with such skill and compassion that the reader has to fall in love with Ellie and cheer for her and her recovery over all that she had to endure.
Excellent book and a must read!!!
Excellent book and a must read!!!
January 10, 2017
An excellent book of twists and turns that really was addictive.
The father is a pervert who abuses children, if you are sensitive to reading that type of scene you may want to skip over those parts, but the book in a whole is worth reading.
I never saw the big twist coming and was surprised and deeply engrossed at the situation. (Trying not give away too much )
The father is a pervert who abuses children, if you are sensitive to reading that type of scene you may want to skip over those parts, but the book in a whole is worth reading.
I never saw the big twist coming and was surprised and deeply engrossed at the situation. (Trying not give away too much )
July 27, 2012
Author: Sharon Sala
Published By: Belle Bridge Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Rating: 5
Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"The Boarding House" by Sharon Sala was some real tough well written read. This is a subject that a lot of people don't want to talk or read about..'child abuse' but it is something that must be addressed and this author did a wonderful job at it. This was done with such a compassion and skill that the reader is left only feeling the emotions for this person..Ellie Wayne. Wow was all I could say in the end." The Boarding House: was definitely a heartbreaking story with a twist toward the end that will only leave you thinking and saying ....OMG!
"The Boarding House" was a story that of surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a unbelievable ride. I don't want to tell you too much...it was a very difficult read for me with this child being a victim of child abuse and the molestations coming from a parent...and her feeling that she had no one to turn too?
I would recommend this wonderful novel to anyone (adult) who would like to see what this author wrote to make this such a excellent read dealing with child abuse.
Published By: Belle Bridge Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Rating: 5
Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"The Boarding House" by Sharon Sala was some real tough well written read. This is a subject that a lot of people don't want to talk or read about..'child abuse' but it is something that must be addressed and this author did a wonderful job at it. This was done with such a compassion and skill that the reader is left only feeling the emotions for this person..Ellie Wayne. Wow was all I could say in the end." The Boarding House: was definitely a heartbreaking story with a twist toward the end that will only leave you thinking and saying ....OMG!
"The Boarding House" was a story that of surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a unbelievable ride. I don't want to tell you too much...it was a very difficult read for me with this child being a victim of child abuse and the molestations coming from a parent...and her feeling that she had no one to turn too?
I would recommend this wonderful novel to anyone (adult) who would like to see what this author wrote to make this such a excellent read dealing with child abuse.
July 4, 2012
The Boarding House was a very well written book that dealt with some tough issues. I found parts of it disturbing, but it was extremely difficult to put down. I felt for the main character, Ellie Wayne, and my heart broke for her many times during this book. I am a longtime Sala fan, and while this was quite a departure for her, it was a great book.
Ellie Wayne has a troubled childhood with an emotionally damaged, standoffish mother, and a father whose cloying affection hides the more sinister sexual abuse he doles out to his daughter. Whatever future Ellie has looks to be filled with even more despair, but as she grows up, she has to decide if she can make a better life for herself.
While it was sometimes difficult to read, this was a very good book. It deals with a girl who is a victim of child abuse and molestation from the person she should have been able to trust the most. She has no one to turn to, which results in some shocking twists and turns. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
Ellie Wayne has a troubled childhood with an emotionally damaged, standoffish mother, and a father whose cloying affection hides the more sinister sexual abuse he doles out to his daughter. Whatever future Ellie has looks to be filled with even more despair, but as she grows up, she has to decide if she can make a better life for herself.
While it was sometimes difficult to read, this was a very good book. It deals with a girl who is a victim of child abuse and molestation from the person she should have been able to trust the most. She has no one to turn to, which results in some shocking twists and turns. I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley.
November 14, 2012
I cannot fully express how craptastic I found this book. I could not connect with the characters, and all the horror, twists & revelations felt forced and insincere. If you were to outline the plot of the book, it would come across as unique, intriguing and maybe even touching, but in actuality the story was just flat.
Yes, I realize that she is a veteran author and has won awards for her work. I have even read some of her books in the past and have been entertained, but I was really let down with this one.
Yes, I realize that she is a veteran author and has won awards for her work. I have even read some of her books in the past and have been entertained, but I was really let down with this one.
May 28, 2012
I'm giving this book 5 stars not for the difficult(Child Abuse/Molestation) topic,but because the book was one of the most well written books I've read in a long time..It's the story of Ellie and there's a surprise twist that I never saw coming and left me stunned..A book well worth reading..
June 8, 2012
I read this book in 5 hours, I couldn't put it down. One of the best book I've read! I never saw the twist coming. It's a book that will stay with you for day's after you read it .
December 9, 2015
Great book and would like to give 4,5 stars cause I felt the last part of the book was a little unrealistic. Great plot twist though
March 8, 2016
to stunned for words.
July 22, 2019
I'm a die hard Sharon Sala fan, but this book was just too traumatic for me, I couldn't handle it. It ended fine but from the beginning of a dysfunctional family through, all the horrible things that happened, I was just devastated.
What happened to the children, the daughter in particular was unbelievable and just too much. I've read books with similar topics but this was maybe just too much. The timeline was to long and the events were just continuous. I read most of it and the end justified the story. But is wasn't a happy ending just a resolution of a life that was marred by a horrible person. It took me 21 days to get through this book.
What happened to the children, the daughter in particular was unbelievable and just too much. I've read books with similar topics but this was maybe just too much. The timeline was to long and the events were just continuous. I read most of it and the end justified the story. But is wasn't a happy ending just a resolution of a life that was marred by a horrible person. It took me 21 days to get through this book.
December 10, 2021
Worth the time
So I am an Athiest and I have serious aversion to the Christian church. It is a religion that encourages the seeking of solution in prayer instead of action. As such I really wanted to kick all these women in the arse for their looking for real solutions to real problems through imaginary sources. However I stuck with it and in the end I am glad I did. Because it was truly the message of the entire book. Have faith but take action. So that all. A good read , if a bit horrific. I do not think I would want a young adolescent picking this up. Definitely R rated or Parental guidance.
So I am an Athiest and I have serious aversion to the Christian church. It is a religion that encourages the seeking of solution in prayer instead of action. As such I really wanted to kick all these women in the arse for their looking for real solutions to real problems through imaginary sources. However I stuck with it and in the end I am glad I did. Because it was truly the message of the entire book. Have faith but take action. So that all. A good read , if a bit horrific. I do not think I would want a young adolescent picking this up. Definitely R rated or Parental guidance.
June 12, 2018
Truthfully speaking, I couldn't decide, at first, on how to go about reviewing this novel. I like Sharon Sala’s masterful writing and her immense capability of coming up with the most attention-getting storylines, and this one is no different, but the novel is about a taboo subject, child abuse in its worst form.
The main character in the story is the child, Ellie, and the story is written from her viewpoint and through her very strong voice. The story is more about what the abuse does to Ellie’s mind rather than the acts themselves. Yet, the sexual acts in this novel are not described too graphically, but what they imply, metaphorically, is more than graphic as it involves a child and her father, and how this situation hurts the entire family. To say more on the plot would spoil it for the readers.
I have to applaud the author for the unexpected twist at the end, even if as a reader, I felt shocked to find out that some things were not what I was led to believe until the story unwrapped itself as if in the mystery or suspense genre, answering my question from the beginning, “Why isn’t anyone saying something?”
The novel, despite all its twists and turns, shows a strong main character and it keeps coming up with one hook after another. Added to this is the author’s superb storytelling. In short, this is a strong, haunting, well-written novel when everything is put together.
The main character in the story is the child, Ellie, and the story is written from her viewpoint and through her very strong voice. The story is more about what the abuse does to Ellie’s mind rather than the acts themselves. Yet, the sexual acts in this novel are not described too graphically, but what they imply, metaphorically, is more than graphic as it involves a child and her father, and how this situation hurts the entire family. To say more on the plot would spoil it for the readers.
I have to applaud the author for the unexpected twist at the end, even if as a reader, I felt shocked to find out that some things were not what I was led to believe until the story unwrapped itself as if in the mystery or suspense genre, answering my question from the beginning, “Why isn’t anyone saying something?”
The novel, despite all its twists and turns, shows a strong main character and it keeps coming up with one hook after another. Added to this is the author’s superb storytelling. In short, this is a strong, haunting, well-written novel when everything is put together.
April 10, 2023
A Real Tear-jerker
I have never cried so much reading a book as this one. The story was not what I thought it would be, but I loved the ending. This is not a feel good love story with a HEV ending. It is a story about strength and the will to survive. I would recommend this book for anyone who is struggling with anything. If Ellie can make it, so can you!
I have never cried so much reading a book as this one. The story was not what I thought it would be, but I loved the ending. This is not a feel good love story with a HEV ending. It is a story about strength and the will to survive. I would recommend this book for anyone who is struggling with anything. If Ellie can make it, so can you!
August 11, 2019
I only started reading this a week ago. I think I’ve blocked out any memory of it. I remember thinking ...this just dreadful, how did it even get published? Was reading it on a flight, got about 1/2 through and never picked it up again.
April 15, 2020
Such a wonderfully sad book.
Sharing Sala always knows how to write such sad stories that have such an uplifting ending. She writes about things not many authors can or will do. This is why she will always be one of my favorite authors.
Sharing Sala always knows how to write such sad stories that have such an uplifting ending. She writes about things not many authors can or will do. This is why she will always be one of my favorite authors.
May 19, 2020
I didn’t want to read this book when it came out because of the subject matter but it went on sale and lI needed something to read....I’m really glad I decided to read it....rough subject but very well written.
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January 21, 2022Sequel needed. Great book!
Very good book. Will not tell the story as I don't want to add any spoilers. It definitely needs a sequel book as I want to know how Ellie adapts to her new life.
Very good book. Will not tell the story as I don't want to add any spoilers. It definitely needs a sequel book as I want to know how Ellie adapts to her new life.
June 1, 2022
Awesome read!!
I really enjoyed this book. I love what Ellie did at the end in the restroom. It was exactly what I thought she should do.
You will definitely enjoy this book. Way to go Sharon!!
I really enjoyed this book. I love what Ellie did at the end in the restroom. It was exactly what I thought she should do.
You will definitely enjoy this book. Way to go Sharon!!
November 21, 2022
Wow…. This book was such an emotional thing! With only 240 pages I thought I’d zip through it pretty quick, but man I had to slow it down… the details were intense, but I can’t imagine this sort of thing happening in real life, though it does!!! Great book!
October 7, 2024
It was hard to read because of the content, but it is a good book. It’s sad to know that this kind of thing can go on right under our noses and we have not a clue. The book is well written and seriously a good book.
December 14, 2017
I was riveted. I read the whole thing through without stopping!
November 16, 2018
If you know someone who questions there belief in God. This is a must read
March 26, 2020
Oh my, so good yet so disturbing. I’ve read this twice to understand it better.
May 2, 2020
.
Loved this book, very interesting characters & story . Hold your interest all the way though. Very surprising and not what I expected...very good
Loved this book, very interesting characters & story . Hold your interest all the way though. Very surprising and not what I expected...very good
September 1, 2020
This book was one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I read lots of books. A real page turner. This author will now be one of my favs.
April 9, 2021
At first I thought it was bad writing, but then I realized it was part of the story line. Overall decent book.
January 13, 2022
One of my favorite authors does it again. Can't put it down exciting. A marvelous psychological book. The twists and turns are mesmerizing!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews