Destroyed: A Secret That Can't Be Told A Life Forever Ruined

by Jayne Sterne

When eight-year-old Jayne left bomb-torn Northern Ireland, her family stayed with relations and a distant relative began a campaign of abuse so horrifying that her world was shattered forever. When the family moved again, Jayne thought the nightmare was over. She was wrong. Her relative came too. And, as her parents had to work nights, Jayne's abuser became her carer. Raped repeatedly by him, beaten, abused and battered, Jayne's life was a living hell. One thing kept Jayne sane: the love and care of her older brother, Stuart. But he had demons of his own, and Jayne watched in helpless despair as the boy who had always protected her turned into an adult consumed by rage. Out of control and on the edge, Stuart went on to commit one of the most terrible crimes of recent years. DESTROYED is the heart-stopping tale of an innocence stolen and a family torn apart told by a woman who has finally managed to confront her harrowing past.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2008

Reviews

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am the author of destroyed, and wanted to thank you for the lovely comments on my story over the last year. I truely hope my story continues to help others.
jayne sterne xxx

[Nicola Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, very hard to put down. Such a awful time for a young girl and her family ,
Thankyou for telling your story

[Emily McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartbreaking true story. I felt I was right next to Jayne, sharing her tears as I read page by page. Such tragedy. I feel so strong towards jayne, I feel her grief, her sadness, her pain and most of all her strength. I wanted to put this book down many times, not because of it being boring, but because I wanted to have a breather, to take a moment away from her life of pure agony but I kept reading on, because if she can endure all this in life and still hold on with sheer willpower, I could atleast endure every heartbreaking page. My heart goes out to you Jayne. Your strength is inspiring. You are a true warrior!

And for anyone who enjoyed this heartbreaking story, check out Redemption by Emily McConville (myself). It's of very similar genre, also based on a true story 🩷

I hope you have found some healing Jayne 🩷

[Claire Rayner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A harrowing tragic memoir of physical abuse of a child who is treated so brutally physically, mentally , emotionally and sexually by a man who her family called a friend. An 8yr old girl having to perform sexual acts that an 8yr old girl should never know existed. Having her older brother by her side she feels strong enough to carry on and feel safe by his side. Although trying to put the memories of the past in the past, they always come back gradually to haunt all affected. Of course, there are never just the abused that suffer, in this case her brother finally gained a tortured soul. Although a sad but not exactly an unexpected conclusion to this tragic story it is a very true portrayal of an abused child that many people can see through the same eyes.

[DollyRockerBooksNmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a good read but after researching her story there was alot missed out like the fact the her brother murdered his wife in front of her two children yet there was no mention of children in the relationship

There was also no mention of her brother attacking his younger brother when they were little so it wasn’t the full story

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt read so well and succinctly described . So felt for this family . Jayne and her brother deal with their loss of childhood in such different ways . Deep family love but also so much heartache . A book that will stay with me and when I hear awful things or see children withdraw perhaps I will in some small way understand and help . A brave story .

[Sammy shortman · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this one started off very slow and I didn't think I would finish it but I pressed on with it and I'm glad I did as when I got into it I could t put it down it was a brilliant read, it was very sad coming to the end and it had a sad ending but was such a good read xxxx

[Georgia Flood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down and it had me in tears numerous times. Such a heartbreaking read, but I love to see authors share stories like this to bring light to the reality some people have to endure.

[Rowlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great account of a young girl's suffering and her subsequent making something of her life and trying to move on as best she can. She is an inspiration.

[Teilo Oxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouch..... just Ouch.

[Heidi de Goede · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayne, I can not even begin to imagine what you went through. Your story just made me realise that we are MUCH stronger than we think we are.

[Shaylee Quigley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodness me what a tragic story. Hard to imagine how different someone’s life would be if not for the horrific things that take place. Well written, easy read. Sad story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

very gripping, the way it is written makes the reader want to not put the book down

[Aly (Fantasy4eva) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts - Jayne stern is the age of merely eight when her family return back to England from Ireland due to all the chaos. Like a lot of readers out there, many will agree with me when I say Graham is a bully and a sick bastard.

Jayne's strength always seems to amaze me. How can a child face so much and still be willing to be there for others, and then even want to believe in love is beyond me. It takes a lot of strength and determination to do what she did, that's for sure. To survive what she had to live through and then have the strength to write this book is so admirable. The one thing that stood out to me was Jayne's and Stuarts relationship. Their bond was a beautiful one.

Stuart loves to fight and ever has since they lived in Ireland and he had to fend for himself it has become almost an addiction. At times I found myself so moved because their bond was such a similar one to the one that I share with my own brother. Jayne has lost so much in life, yet she willed herself on, wrote a novel about her life. That alone takes so much courage to do, and for many young girls and women who are going through or have been through a similar situation. I can imagine this book being very inspirational for them.

Stuart is probably one of my most favourite characters and that is why it angered yet pained me so much as I could only watch him spiral into this bottom-pit of self- destruction. His past, his life was also a tough one. It seems that it was only a matter of time until it caught back up with him. Then there were the times when things seemed so promising that that I hoped so hard that everything was going to be okay now. Deep down though maybe a part of me knew it was too good to be true, and since when is real life ever fair?

There was one thing good in Jayne's life apart from her brother. Simon. It makes me smile just to think of him because he brings such happiness into Jayne's life. We watch as Jayne goes through these destructive relationships but when Simon is introduced all that changes for the better. Simon is exactly what Jayne needs and he is someone who will be a constant pillar of great support. He is someone who she can completely depend on and just as it is for the reader, for Jayne that is such a lovely relief.

The ending? WOW: Just so horrifying. She describes it so vividly and with so much pain that you want to close the book right then and there because you can see it coming. Trust me; it’s not pretty in the slightest. After that ending I wonder how Jayne is so freaking strong, how she has managed to cope when people break and loose grip on reality because of much less. I respect this woman so much for all she has endured and overcome: an amazing novel that must be read by all.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contains little spoilers but not to much.
This book could of been 150 pages shorter.The first half of the book I couldn't put it down because she talks about how she got raped and what her life was like before it happened.The second half of the book shes just going on about her brother later on in there life who has alcohol and drug addiction problems and his wife ends up divorcing him because he wouldn't change his lifestyle.Her brother should start acting his age and take responsibility for his actions instead of feeling sorry for himself for a divorce he caused.I struggled finishing the second half of the book I was that bored but I finally made it to the end.Apparantly her brother was drinking at a very young age in the street but it doesn't say how he bought the alcohol in the shops when he was under age.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was borrowed to me by my mum, so not my usual type of reading material. I must say it is a very sad story and I think Graham should definitely be punished for what he has done. This book will hopefully empower people who have had to suffer from abuse to do the right thing and tell someone. I'm so glad that Jayne has finally got her happy life with her children and grandchildren and hopefully she is at peace with what has happened, such a brave woman who has had to live through more than any one person does in their lifetime.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. It was a fast read. You can feel all the pain and hurt that Jayne and Struat went through. Graham should have been the one that had died instead of Struat, Vicky and Emma. Monsters like Graham should have no trial, no questions should be asked, they should just be shot the first think in the morning when they open their eyes. They destroy the lives of so many inocennet childern. These kind of people make me sick.....

[Erin Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, although is distressing to read about the downward spiral her brother takes towards the end. Every time she spoke to her brother as a child I was willing her to tell him about the abuse, wanting him to beat the living daylights again out of Graham and for him to be sent down and punished for what he did to her.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rating of "I really liked it" seems wrong somehow-this is an horrific tale of abuse that defies human decency. However, it is the strength and courage shown by the author that "I really liked..". No child should have their childhood destroyed in such a hideous manner-my heart breaks at the thought that there are still children living this nightmare.

[Laura jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book shows how abuse destroys not just one person but whole families and the subsequent effects of the abuse in later years. this is not just a story of surviving but of living and the devastation that follows in later years a book you wont be able to put down or forget

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

full of suspense. books like this always give me inspiration and teach me to appreciat life more . don't give up easily . :)

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading this type of book to hear how someone has found the strength to come out the other side, I loved reading this book

[Nephthys; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as a teen, was a really difficult story but an important one!