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Broken by Shy Keenan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 22, 2025
I also appreciated how the author chose to word what was happening to her as “the bad thing” - I think this will also help make it not as triggering for some readers. There’s no escaping the subject matter but having it framed in that way does help a little.
An absolutely gut-wrenching story. My heart hurts for this little girl - who is now a woman. How she managed to survive her childhood and build a beautiful life for herself brings tears to my eyes. She’s such an inspiration.
It makes me sick the amount of people who could have stepped in and saved these precious children. Social services, doctors, nurses, on and on and on the list goes. I’ve always said the state (though it didn’t happen here it seems to be the same everywhere) is always “saving” those who don’t need saving and leaving those who truly need help completely alone.
Such a systematic failure happened here and it’s disgusting. The glimpses of her spirit came out throughout her childhood - she probably didn’t know it at the time, but this spirit is how she survived.
All these abusers can rot in hell. Fking sick fks.
A hard to read, but important story. You have a voice now and we hear you.
An absolutely gut-wrenching story. My heart hurts for this little girl - who is now a woman. How she managed to survive her childhood and build a beautiful life for herself brings tears to my eyes. She’s such an inspiration.
It makes me sick the amount of people who could have stepped in and saved these precious children. Social services, doctors, nurses, on and on and on the list goes. I’ve always said the state (though it didn’t happen here it seems to be the same everywhere) is always “saving” those who don’t need saving and leaving those who truly need help completely alone.
Such a systematic failure happened here and it’s disgusting. The glimpses of her spirit came out throughout her childhood - she probably didn’t know it at the time, but this spirit is how she survived.
All these abusers can rot in hell. Fking sick fks.
A hard to read, but important story. You have a voice now and we hear you.
August 8, 2025
A tragic, terrible childhood. Worse than most fictional thrillers this real life story is very depressing but has a lot of hope and a great ending.
Shy (Karen) was abused by her step-father Sydney, for many years along with her sister. He would hand her over to strangers and a few friends to continue the abuse. This awful man made up lies that fooled the police and social services for years. Her mother was no help at all, ignoring the situation.
It’s a hard to read (lots of red flags for the squeamish) detailed account so be prepared. Shy goes through many years of abuse and neglect and years later finally gets the justice she should have had many years earlier. A TV news show documented it in the end which brought to light all the government agency failures in the UK at that time. (70s-2000s).
Her efforts have been extremely valuable (and currently helpful) in giving a voice to other victims of abuse and finding other evil predators.
She is an example of someone that never gave up.
Shy (Karen) was abused by her step-father Sydney, for many years along with her sister. He would hand her over to strangers and a few friends to continue the abuse. This awful man made up lies that fooled the police and social services for years. Her mother was no help at all, ignoring the situation.
It’s a hard to read (lots of red flags for the squeamish) detailed account so be prepared. Shy goes through many years of abuse and neglect and years later finally gets the justice she should have had many years earlier. A TV news show documented it in the end which brought to light all the government agency failures in the UK at that time. (70s-2000s).
Her efforts have been extremely valuable (and currently helpful) in giving a voice to other victims of abuse and finding other evil predators.
She is an example of someone that never gave up.
September 17, 2024
such a heartbreaking story to come out with, even the language used in it to show it through the child’s eyes.
was even more devastating to see how all systems and agencies failed her throughout her life as someone that works within these industries - to this day more needs to be done and stories like this go to prove as such!!
within society as a whole we all need to guarantee that a child’s voice has the capacity to be heard first and foremost and looked into regardless of ‘bad records/reputation’ and adults/perpetrators claiming it to be lies!! so glad that despite the intense trauma and hardships Shy faced she was able to come out of the other end and bravely share this story to the world
was hard to read at times due to the graphic nature but couldn’t put it down in hopes of seeing where Shy had ended up!!
was even more devastating to see how all systems and agencies failed her throughout her life as someone that works within these industries - to this day more needs to be done and stories like this go to prove as such!!
within society as a whole we all need to guarantee that a child’s voice has the capacity to be heard first and foremost and looked into regardless of ‘bad records/reputation’ and adults/perpetrators claiming it to be lies!! so glad that despite the intense trauma and hardships Shy faced she was able to come out of the other end and bravely share this story to the world
was hard to read at times due to the graphic nature but couldn’t put it down in hopes of seeing where Shy had ended up!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
This book does come with a warning from the author before reading!
Worth so much more than any book rating anyone can give this!!
Little did I know when I picked up this book from the shelf in The Works, which was right next to The Tattooist of Auschwitz book, the world I'd be unlocking to myself and the shocking story I was about to read. Shy Keenan's inspirstional story.
A very raw and honest account. This author leaves nothing to the imagination when she describes what her childhood was like, the graphic details and the very real situations jumping at you from the pages. I internally screamed many times as her childhood unfolded in front of my eyes, and Shy couldn't get the help she needed from the people who were supposed to listen and help. Every blank wall she came up against, I cried for her. I'm glad she entered adulthood strong enough to fight for justice against these disgusting child abusers, for not only herself but all those other victims, in which there were many and she's still going today being an advocate for Pheonix Survivors!! A story that is so so so important. I'm glad she shared her story no matter how hard it must have been to go back in time and remember those horrible moments from as early as 3 years old!!! I count my luck stars every day that I have not come across these kind of monsters in my life, and encourage those who have children come and tell them something this jaw dropping and heartbreaking, Please please listen to them!!
Worth so much more than any book rating anyone can give this!!
Little did I know when I picked up this book from the shelf in The Works, which was right next to The Tattooist of Auschwitz book, the world I'd be unlocking to myself and the shocking story I was about to read. Shy Keenan's inspirstional story.
A very raw and honest account. This author leaves nothing to the imagination when she describes what her childhood was like, the graphic details and the very real situations jumping at you from the pages. I internally screamed many times as her childhood unfolded in front of my eyes, and Shy couldn't get the help she needed from the people who were supposed to listen and help. Every blank wall she came up against, I cried for her. I'm glad she entered adulthood strong enough to fight for justice against these disgusting child abusers, for not only herself but all those other victims, in which there were many and she's still going today being an advocate for Pheonix Survivors!! A story that is so so so important. I'm glad she shared her story no matter how hard it must have been to go back in time and remember those horrible moments from as early as 3 years old!!! I count my luck stars every day that I have not come across these kind of monsters in my life, and encourage those who have children come and tell them something this jaw dropping and heartbreaking, Please please listen to them!!
January 20, 2025
This is by FAR the most heartbreaking true crime story I’ve ever read. Shy narrates her own story beautifully. I wanted to put it down a few times, as the details were so horrific it made me almost uncomfortable. I’m glad I persevered though. I’m delighted she found justice. I so very thankful to read that she chooses to live her life in a meaningful and proactive way. Not to hate in her heart and helping other victims of sex crimes. She is a modern day hero!
March 7, 2025
It's hard to put a review into words for this book. It's hard to make yourself believe children could suffer this and live to write a book. My heart shattered more times than I could count. Every character, every day. I don't want to spoil anything but I hope this brilliant woman knows how worthy she is and how wrong she was done by so many people. This book will live in my head forever. Shy you're amazing.
April 22, 2024
Shy, what courage it took to write your story. I broke down more than once reading about your life. I swore out loud when the system failed you. My heart leaped for joy when you finally started getting results. You are truly an encouragement and inspiration to any and all that have fought the system and triumphed. Godspeed on your continued efforts to make the system work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
Although the subject matter was a hard read. It was really well written and I’m in awe of the strength and resilience the author showed throughout. Faced with unimaginable cruelty she rose above it ensuring something good came from something horrific and doing her best to help other victims of child abuse.
March 14, 2024
This one broke my heart and made me so mad. I want to be involved in being a CASA for this exact reason! When I was young I wasn’t believed either and it’s crushing. Shy IS an incredible woman! I’m so beyond proud of the fight she has!
March 22, 2024
I got this book for free on audible and figured I liked nonfiction true crime so how much different can this be! This book was sad. This book was rough. But in the end all that emotion went towards a positive outcome so it became up lifting!
April 10, 2024
I could not finish it. It is not for the faint of heart. I know she went through Hell, and the least I could do is honor her story…but I couldn’t stomach it. 💔
June 28, 2024
Such a compelling way that this has been written 🩷it is sad to hear how the systems fails so many x
August 7, 2024
Heartbreaking true story 💔
October 11, 2024
I simply don't have any other words except....heartbreaking.
December 10, 2024
Harrowing
January 12, 2025
Very hard subject to read about but she did a very good job of explaining the mental aspect of abuse.
February 22, 2025
Absolutely heart wrenching
April 9, 2025
It was a heartbreaking book worth reading.
May 2, 2025
Riveting! It’s so bad it’s almost incredible. So sad how helpless abused children were in the 60’s and 70’s. Amazing how she survived.
May 24, 2025
Heart breaking.
June 23, 2025
Utterly heartbreaking, but a wonderful inspirational story of survival
July 1, 2025
powerful, extremely upsetting, strength
July 29, 2025
such a heartbreaking memoir
September 6, 2025
This is not a read for the faint hearted, I am broken 💔 feels so wrong to rate a book like this but I'm glad Shy did write and release her story
September 30, 2025
This is definitely “trigger warning”. Took me a little bit to get through the first part. Overall the system failed this child and several others. Do better adults!
September 30, 2025
Excellent book, but extremely tough read due to the nature of the content. I pushed through hoping for this woman's triumph. I'll let you dive in to find out the end of the not-so-fairy tale.
October 1, 2025
This was a tough book to read due to the nature of the content, yet also amazing to hear her story of resilience
March 16, 2025
So heartbreaking that she went through all that she did. Such a good book though❤️
May 28, 2025
This book was very eye opening and painful but truth about the world we live in
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews