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Stronger Than You Know
After police intervention, fifteen-year-old Joy has finally escaped the trailer where she once lived with her mother and survived years of confinement and abuse. Now living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in a comfortable house, she’s sure she’ll never belong. Wracked by panic attacks, afraid to talk to anyone at her new school, Joy’s got a whole list of reasons why she’s crazy. With immense courage, Joy finds friends and grows closer to her new family. But just when hope is taking hold, she learns she must testify in her mother’s trial. Can she face her old life without losing her way in the new one? Will she ever truly belong in a world that seems too normal to be real?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
23 people are currently reading
2794 people want to read
About the author
Jolene Perry
47 books851 followersHiker. Occasional Yogi. Equestrian. Couch potato. Music lover. Mediocre guitar player. Sailor. Tailor. Home body. Traveler. Enjoys suffering from being interested in everything. Owner, editor and teaacherr at Waypoint Author Academy. (www.waypointauthors.com)
Also.
I only rate books I loved.
Also.
I only rate books I loved.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
November 4, 2014
As an author, I love all my books, but I don't love them equally.
This book is my precious baby of a book.
The one I shed more tears writing than any other, and the one whose ending brought me more satisfaction than any other.
I'm SO thrilled it's found a home and will be making its way into the world.
This book is my precious baby of a book.
The one I shed more tears writing than any other, and the one whose ending brought me more satisfaction than any other.
I'm SO thrilled it's found a home and will be making its way into the world.
January 18, 2022
Painful, bitter and complete with tender moments that made my heart heavier and lighter at the same time.
Does that make sense?
Rating:✨✨✨✨ 4.0
The slow moving building of relationships, straying glances that lingered too long but weren't completely unaccepted. Screams, cries for help, building up from a torn foundation, everything resonated with the image of someone who thought they are broken, yet were actually some of the strongest people in life.
I liked how the pace was understanding of the situation the main character was in. Not rushed ad not belittled, instead, it took its time to form boundaries and tell a story that would tug at the soul and make the reader gasp in the sweetest of instances.
The characters were wonderfully crafted, the romance most of all. I blushed even with a brief hand holding second between the love interests because it felt like a big deal. Because it was and I'm so glad tiny details like personal space and confined places were addressed when considering a relationship so soon after a horrific past the MC was gotten out of.
I honestly believe this was a very special book, I didn't fall irrevocably in love because I think some things were resolved a tad too quickly, but the fact that the MC fought against the pain she was feeling, the panic she endured, makes me feel glad that I read this book.
Because perhaps I didn't love it, but many people did and if they read it well, perhaps they found a key to feeling this sort of joy that says 'it's okay to feel broken, it's okay to feel alone sometimes' and at the same time it's willing to clean the tears and bring you a cup of tea just for the fun of it.
Joy was strong and resilient and didn't give up, so maybe that's the true message.
........................................
It's that time of year again. The time when I add a bunch of heartbreaking books and hoping to come out unscathed and without my soul thrown in the trashcan.
Does that make sense?
Rating:✨✨✨✨ 4.0
The slow moving building of relationships, straying glances that lingered too long but weren't completely unaccepted. Screams, cries for help, building up from a torn foundation, everything resonated with the image of someone who thought they are broken, yet were actually some of the strongest people in life.
I liked how the pace was understanding of the situation the main character was in. Not rushed ad not belittled, instead, it took its time to form boundaries and tell a story that would tug at the soul and make the reader gasp in the sweetest of instances.
The characters were wonderfully crafted, the romance most of all. I blushed even with a brief hand holding second between the love interests because it felt like a big deal. Because it was and I'm so glad tiny details like personal space and confined places were addressed when considering a relationship so soon after a horrific past the MC was gotten out of.
I honestly believe this was a very special book, I didn't fall irrevocably in love because I think some things were resolved a tad too quickly, but the fact that the MC fought against the pain she was feeling, the panic she endured, makes me feel glad that I read this book.
Because perhaps I didn't love it, but many people did and if they read it well, perhaps they found a key to feeling this sort of joy that says 'it's okay to feel broken, it's okay to feel alone sometimes' and at the same time it's willing to clean the tears and bring you a cup of tea just for the fun of it.
Joy was strong and resilient and didn't give up, so maybe that's the true message.
........................................
It's that time of year again. The time when I add a bunch of heartbreaking books and hoping to come out unscathed and without my soul thrown in the trashcan.
October 22, 2016
Grade: C-
After being confined to her trailer for most of her fifteen years, Joy is now safe living with her aunt, uncle and cousins. The scars on the outside of her body don't even slightly represent the pain she carries inside. She barely talks, spends most of her time in her room and has panic attacks when she's near males. Slowly, she begins to take risks and trust her new family and friends.
Jolene Perry created a realistic, traumatized character in Joy, though the speed at which she overcomes many of her issues is unrealistic. There's no way someone with her history of abuse goes from panic attacks looking at men to dating a boy. I understand publishers think YA novels almost need a romance, but I think that sends the message boys help heal trauma.
Perry's writing was strongest in the flashbacks, the only part of the book where I felt any tension. Often chapters ended just when an emotional breakthrough was about to happen, so as readers we don't get to read the payoff.
STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW has a great message about the emotional rewards than come from risks, that healing from even the worst experiences is possible. I thought the timeline was much too rushed and ending was far too easy.
THEMES: sexual abuse, physical abuse, family, romance, trauma, therapy
STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW is a glimpse into the life of a teen recovering from abuse, with an impossible timeline and corny ending.
After being confined to her trailer for most of her fifteen years, Joy is now safe living with her aunt, uncle and cousins. The scars on the outside of her body don't even slightly represent the pain she carries inside. She barely talks, spends most of her time in her room and has panic attacks when she's near males. Slowly, she begins to take risks and trust her new family and friends.
Jolene Perry created a realistic, traumatized character in Joy, though the speed at which she overcomes many of her issues is unrealistic. There's no way someone with her history of abuse goes from panic attacks looking at men to dating a boy. I understand publishers think YA novels almost need a romance, but I think that sends the message boys help heal trauma.
Perry's writing was strongest in the flashbacks, the only part of the book where I felt any tension. Often chapters ended just when an emotional breakthrough was about to happen, so as readers we don't get to read the payoff.
STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW has a great message about the emotional rewards than come from risks, that healing from even the worst experiences is possible. I thought the timeline was much too rushed and ending was far too easy.
THEMES: sexual abuse, physical abuse, family, romance, trauma, therapy
STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW is a glimpse into the life of a teen recovering from abuse, with an impossible timeline and corny ending.
August 22, 2020
Another hard to classify book, except to say it is a leading contender right now for my Book Of The Year award. Powerful, thought provoking, unforgettable, I cannot come up with enough good things to say about this book. Joy has become one of my all time favorite book characters.
There are so many things I cannot say without ruining this book. You need to read it, and then read it again.
In my lifetime there have been perhaps 1 or 2 dozen books that really, truly hit me in my heart and soul. this is one of those.
There are so many things I cannot say without ruining this book. You need to read it, and then read it again.
In my lifetime there have been perhaps 1 or 2 dozen books that really, truly hit me in my heart and soul. this is one of those.
July 25, 2014
Powerful writing sucks you right in from page one. The story is realistic and painful but loaded with hope.
Until a few months ago, Joy lived her entire life locked in a trailer with an abusive mother and further abused by a string of visitors. Now, suddenly rescued from it all, she's having to navigate a life she never dreamed possible, while dealing with the damage of 15 years of unspeakable trauma.
Someone living in such a nightmare may find the strength to escape after reading this book. Someone who has lived through similar abuse may find affirmation that he or she is not alone, and no matter how hard things are, they can and do get better. Someone who has never experienced anything like this can celebrate his or her good fortune and perhaps help to support someone who has lived through such things.
Great book! When it is out we WILL carry it in our shop, Reach And Teach
Please note that this review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy.
Until a few months ago, Joy lived her entire life locked in a trailer with an abusive mother and further abused by a string of visitors. Now, suddenly rescued from it all, she's having to navigate a life she never dreamed possible, while dealing with the damage of 15 years of unspeakable trauma.
Someone living in such a nightmare may find the strength to escape after reading this book. Someone who has lived through similar abuse may find affirmation that he or she is not alone, and no matter how hard things are, they can and do get better. Someone who has never experienced anything like this can celebrate his or her good fortune and perhaps help to support someone who has lived through such things.
Great book! When it is out we WILL carry it in our shop, Reach And Teach
Please note that this review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy.
January 1, 2019
I wasn’t expecting this. I love this book with all my heart😢
May 29, 2014
3.13 stars
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Albert Whitman & Company and NetGalley.)
16-year-old Joy has spent her entire life in a caravan with her mother and her continual string of abusive boyfriends. Joy has been abused emotionally, physically, and sexually, but now she’s free to live the rest of her life with her aunt, if only she can come to terms with what has happened to her.
Can Joy heal? And can she learn to not be scared of men?
This was an okay story, but I didn’t like it as much as I expected to.
Joy was a really messed up girl. It was obvious how much her life with her mother had affected her, and it was obvious that those sort of wounds wouldn’t be healed overnight. I did feel sorry for her and what she had gone through, but I also wanted her to open up and begin to heal too.
The storyline in this was okay, but it just felt a bit lacking to me. The story was basically concerned with Joy overcoming her past, and learning to move on with her future, but there wasn’t a whole lot else to it until the very end. The whole story was concerned with Joy’s journey, and that just wasn’t quite enough to keep me interested unfortunately.
There was a touch of romance, which was okay, but I didn’t really like that either.
The ending was okay, and we did get a bit more action towards the end, but it really was the very, very end, and it didn’t last long then!
Overall; okay story, but I didn’t love it,
6.25 out of 10.
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Albert Whitman & Company and NetGalley.)
16-year-old Joy has spent her entire life in a caravan with her mother and her continual string of abusive boyfriends. Joy has been abused emotionally, physically, and sexually, but now she’s free to live the rest of her life with her aunt, if only she can come to terms with what has happened to her.
Can Joy heal? And can she learn to not be scared of men?
This was an okay story, but I didn’t like it as much as I expected to.
Joy was a really messed up girl. It was obvious how much her life with her mother had affected her, and it was obvious that those sort of wounds wouldn’t be healed overnight. I did feel sorry for her and what she had gone through, but I also wanted her to open up and begin to heal too.
The storyline in this was okay, but it just felt a bit lacking to me. The story was basically concerned with Joy overcoming her past, and learning to move on with her future, but there wasn’t a whole lot else to it until the very end. The whole story was concerned with Joy’s journey, and that just wasn’t quite enough to keep me interested unfortunately.
There was a touch of romance, which was okay, but I didn’t really like that either.
The ending was okay, and we did get a bit more action towards the end, but it really was the very, very end, and it didn’t last long then!
Overall; okay story, but I didn’t love it,
6.25 out of 10.
Want to read
April 6, 2014Waiting for this is gonna be torture!
September 2, 2014
ORIGINAL REVIEW CAN BE SEE HERE.
I adored Stronger Than You Know. I think everyone who has ever been through tough situations should read it just so they know that its possible to make it through anything. Also, as a warning, this book is about some pretty terrible abuse. So if you don't like reading about that then steer clear of this book.
Joy is such a timid little thing. When we first meet her all the answers we get are through questions her therapist asks. She is afraid of her uncle and she won't look up from her feet when shes at school. She is broken.
As the book moves forward Joy goes back and forth from progression to recession. She moves so far ahead only to be knocked back even more by a word, scent, thought, etc.
I think Joy and Justin are PERFECT for each other. She calms him and he encourages her. He helps her move forward so much more than anyone else did I think. Well, aside from Uncle Rob.
Once Joy started talking to Uncle Rob he actually became a HUGE character in the book. She was her protector and I think he needed her to be safe just as much as she wanted it. Most family situations like this aren't as close or there is a lot more stress and fighting. This family was pretty much perfect and Nicole and Rob has so much love to give. Joy got extremely lucky with her Aunts family.
Seeing Joy open up and let people in is a huge deal. You get to see exactly what can happen when a child is emotionally and physically abused. They pretty much shut down and think the deserved everything that happened to them. I am glad she go over that and was able to thrive.
Further along in the book we no longer see the chats with Lydia. I think that is because her talks with Lydia aren't as big an impact as her growing and learning to trust those around her. She is building other relationships and opening up to her family. Lydia was the way we learned about her but now that Joy talks to other people we don't need Lydia anymore to ask questions so we have answers.
I feel like the book ended rather abruptly. Everything was ended in 3 short chapters and I would have loved to have found out her mothers verdict. Whether or not her and Justin last. And if Trent stayed the nice guy.
I do love that Joy had a happy ending. Most kids in her situation hardly ever have happy endings. They either crumble under the stress or they try to end their pain in different ways. Sadly, as the author said, the inspiration for this story didn't end as happily.
Overall I gave the book 5/5 Kitties regardless of my unanswered questions.
I adored Stronger Than You Know. I think everyone who has ever been through tough situations should read it just so they know that its possible to make it through anything. Also, as a warning, this book is about some pretty terrible abuse. So if you don't like reading about that then steer clear of this book.
Joy is such a timid little thing. When we first meet her all the answers we get are through questions her therapist asks. She is afraid of her uncle and she won't look up from her feet when shes at school. She is broken.
As the book moves forward Joy goes back and forth from progression to recession. She moves so far ahead only to be knocked back even more by a word, scent, thought, etc.
I think Joy and Justin are PERFECT for each other. She calms him and he encourages her. He helps her move forward so much more than anyone else did I think. Well, aside from Uncle Rob.
Once Joy started talking to Uncle Rob he actually became a HUGE character in the book. She was her protector and I think he needed her to be safe just as much as she wanted it. Most family situations like this aren't as close or there is a lot more stress and fighting. This family was pretty much perfect and Nicole and Rob has so much love to give. Joy got extremely lucky with her Aunts family.
Seeing Joy open up and let people in is a huge deal. You get to see exactly what can happen when a child is emotionally and physically abused. They pretty much shut down and think the deserved everything that happened to them. I am glad she go over that and was able to thrive.
Further along in the book we no longer see the chats with Lydia. I think that is because her talks with Lydia aren't as big an impact as her growing and learning to trust those around her. She is building other relationships and opening up to her family. Lydia was the way we learned about her but now that Joy talks to other people we don't need Lydia anymore to ask questions so we have answers.
I feel like the book ended rather abruptly. Everything was ended in 3 short chapters and I would have loved to have found out her mothers verdict. Whether or not her and Justin last. And if Trent stayed the nice guy.
I do love that Joy had a happy ending. Most kids in her situation hardly ever have happy endings. They either crumble under the stress or they try to end their pain in different ways. Sadly, as the author said, the inspiration for this story didn't end as happily.
Overall I gave the book 5/5 Kitties regardless of my unanswered questions.
September 13, 2023
i just wish there wasn’t any romance in this
May 29, 2014
(I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
Stronger Than You Know had a few slow patches, but i really liked it!
I really liked Joy, and i loved her new family.
Out of all the characters, my favorite was Rob, so i was really glad when she started to talk to him.
The only one in the family i didn't get along with was Trent, but near the end of the book, he changed, and he grew on me.
The pacing could be quite slow, so there was times where i started to lose interest a bit... but thankfully those parts didn't last very long.
Overall, a really good read.
I'll defiantly be checking out the author's other books!
Stronger Than You Know had a few slow patches, but i really liked it!
I really liked Joy, and i loved her new family.
Out of all the characters, my favorite was Rob, so i was really glad when she started to talk to him.
The only one in the family i didn't get along with was Trent, but near the end of the book, he changed, and he grew on me.
The pacing could be quite slow, so there was times where i started to lose interest a bit... but thankfully those parts didn't last very long.
Overall, a really good read.
I'll defiantly be checking out the author's other books!
May 30, 2016
Interesting perspective into abuse and mental health issues. Great character development. However, the ending had too many loose ends for my liking and was a bit ambiguous and abrupt.
December 5, 2019
I read the book “stronger than you know” by Jolene Perry. I felt this book was sad but had a happy ending and it relates to me really well. In the book, the main character was named joy and when she was younger she was abused. She would have panic attacks when a guy got close to her. Then she moved to her aunt’s house and was having a perfect life. She had parents that loved her, friends, and a boyfriend. She never talked about her past because she was scared to but then she had to testify and became stronger than she ever was. What I like about this book is that she was able to turn her life around. I like that in the end she had a happy ending and everything was going ok. I don’t like that this is a real-life thing and happens to so many people and some people don’t get the ending joy had. If you like books that are things that happen in real life or books that have a happy ending then you should read this book. I highly recommend this book.
May 9, 2019
This book introduces in depth problems many people face in the real world, in a softer enviornment than the real world. Stronger Than You Know perfectly illustrates the concept of smiling on the outside, crying on the inside, and is an inspiration for anyone battling a silent fight.
September 20, 2025
3.75 stars. What I loved the most about this book was the development of Joy's relationship with her uncle Rob. That made the book for me. I could have done without the little romance plot and Trent's behavior was a little too hot/cold.
July 15, 2017
I enjoyed the story and like the characters in the story. The only reason that I gave it one less star was that the changes in the characters happened way too fast at times. i understand that it is a short book and pacing needs to be maintained, but people were doing about faces in only a few pages. If those issues were cleaned up, it would have easily been a five star book.
May 19, 2019
I have to pause reading this because of life stuff. I read 92 pages and LOVED THEM and look forward to reread them and finishing this book in the future. I hope an audiobook comes out ASAP!
September 11, 2019
"You're going to start breaking free from this, Joy, and when you do, life's going to be good to you."
August 21, 2020
i liked how realistic this book is, especially the therapy parts, and how it took Joy time to warm up to her therapist
January 5, 2021
A very heavy story of a girl, who believed she is broken and crazy for what happened to her in the past. Such an emotional journey that she goes on. A hard, but a good read.
August 12, 2021
2.5/5 ⭐️good story, but felt like a watt pad author :/ i cringed a lot
July 16, 2023
Teen book, but written well and told wonderfully. I absolutely LOVED the relationship Joy had with her Uncle. It was refreshing to see a story where the uncle is there for good, positive reasons!
November 5, 2018
I have not cried over a book in so long!!! Ugh! All of the feels.
January 4, 2016
Read more reviews at: http://rainbowreviews.wix.com/reading...
Published in 2014.
Pages: 244
Number of books by author: 6 YA Novels
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
When someone saves Joy from her very own Hell, her Aunt and Uncle decide to take her in to prevent her from going into the foster care system. We follow Joy as she is on her own path of personal-discovery while trying to cope with her past and get acclimated to her future.
You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:
Childhood/Coming of Age
Depression/Mental Illness
Family/Family Life
Second Changes
Sexual/Domestic Violence
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.18. I think it was more deserving of a 3.00.
Pros: The descriptions, the actions, the thoughts that are associated with Joy's PTSD and anxiety are very well done. It is hard to accurately write these feelings and emotions without becoming the next DSM. But Perry does a really good job of writing it into a casual conversation by using not only her shrink, but her own personal stories and analysis of herself in combination with her Aunt and Uncle's observations about what is -and isn't- acceptable during the recovery of severe trauma. As someone who experience many of the same emotions, feelings, and behaviors as Joy, it felt very realistic, and it was able to take me back to that time when I used to have to avoid people standing behind me, or when people couldn't touch me, or this or that; making it so easy to be empathetic to Joy... and not to the point where I felt like Joy was whining or playing the victim-card - and because of that this book deserves more credit than I can give it. This book could be the next Speak, if it wasn't so full of negatives.
The basic knowledge, the basic writing in this book made it easy to literally just breeze through from page to page, which was perfect for yesterday's cold & gloomy environment. (For some, with this subject matter, it may be a negative how basic it was, but for me, it was a nice transition from the heavier, 10-font size print books I've read over the course of the last few weeks.)
Cons: Half, give or take a chapter or two felt unneccessary. As I reviewed the chapter-by-chapter summary I did, most of the summarizations were "Joy did this." When I really wanted, "Joy did this and because she did, this also happened," but it was just like writing the same sentence over and over again. I felt as if Perry was just filling in pages to make the book 250 pages instead of 150 pages (which for me, wouldn't have been so bad because if each word on each page counts and portrays what it needed to, the book can still be worthy of itself).
This isn't so much a con as it is an observation - but if I didnt' have the past I did, I may not understand why Joy had a panic attack if someone recognized her; I wouldn't understand why she needed a security net to cope with existing. I think Perry could've maybe given a bit more information with the first page of the book from the standpoint of the psychiatrists' notes. I think it would've been helpful to see a brief definition of PTSD from the DSM that was translated into laments terms to be given to the Aunt or Uncle... or something that made it feel more-or-less explained.
The thing that may have driven this book even further into a hole was the lack of character growth. It was really all about Joy - and Joy growing, and Joy regressing, and it became kind of old. We saw character growth from other character, and while it was discussed over the last several chapters, what about the other three main characters? And what about the lack of presence from the shrink at the end? The book kind of dropped off into Joy-land and forgot that others characters made a huge impact on the book simply by being present.
And sadly, it was another YA book with another YA-predictible-ending. This is more of a pet-peeve than anything. Most YA books have this happy-ending with a huge moment of resolve (especially when we're talking about YA books about mental health issues). I am not the type of person who needs a happy ending. I just need a realistic one.
Published in 2014.
Pages: 244
Number of books by author: 6 YA Novels
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
When someone saves Joy from her very own Hell, her Aunt and Uncle decide to take her in to prevent her from going into the foster care system. We follow Joy as she is on her own path of personal-discovery while trying to cope with her past and get acclimated to her future.
You may like this book if you like the following sub-genres:
Childhood/Coming of Age
Depression/Mental Illness
Family/Family Life
Second Changes
Sexual/Domestic Violence
Goodreads users gave this book a 4.18. I think it was more deserving of a 3.00.
Pros: The descriptions, the actions, the thoughts that are associated with Joy's PTSD and anxiety are very well done. It is hard to accurately write these feelings and emotions without becoming the next DSM. But Perry does a really good job of writing it into a casual conversation by using not only her shrink, but her own personal stories and analysis of herself in combination with her Aunt and Uncle's observations about what is -and isn't- acceptable during the recovery of severe trauma. As someone who experience many of the same emotions, feelings, and behaviors as Joy, it felt very realistic, and it was able to take me back to that time when I used to have to avoid people standing behind me, or when people couldn't touch me, or this or that; making it so easy to be empathetic to Joy... and not to the point where I felt like Joy was whining or playing the victim-card - and because of that this book deserves more credit than I can give it. This book could be the next Speak, if it wasn't so full of negatives.
The basic knowledge, the basic writing in this book made it easy to literally just breeze through from page to page, which was perfect for yesterday's cold & gloomy environment. (For some, with this subject matter, it may be a negative how basic it was, but for me, it was a nice transition from the heavier, 10-font size print books I've read over the course of the last few weeks.)
Cons: Half, give or take a chapter or two felt unneccessary. As I reviewed the chapter-by-chapter summary I did, most of the summarizations were "Joy did this." When I really wanted, "Joy did this and because she did, this also happened," but it was just like writing the same sentence over and over again. I felt as if Perry was just filling in pages to make the book 250 pages instead of 150 pages (which for me, wouldn't have been so bad because if each word on each page counts and portrays what it needed to, the book can still be worthy of itself).
This isn't so much a con as it is an observation - but if I didnt' have the past I did, I may not understand why Joy had a panic attack if someone recognized her; I wouldn't understand why she needed a security net to cope with existing. I think Perry could've maybe given a bit more information with the first page of the book from the standpoint of the psychiatrists' notes. I think it would've been helpful to see a brief definition of PTSD from the DSM that was translated into laments terms to be given to the Aunt or Uncle... or something that made it feel more-or-less explained.
The thing that may have driven this book even further into a hole was the lack of character growth. It was really all about Joy - and Joy growing, and Joy regressing, and it became kind of old. We saw character growth from other character, and while it was discussed over the last several chapters, what about the other three main characters? And what about the lack of presence from the shrink at the end? The book kind of dropped off into Joy-land and forgot that others characters made a huge impact on the book simply by being present.
And sadly, it was another YA book with another YA-predictible-ending. This is more of a pet-peeve than anything. Most YA books have this happy-ending with a huge moment of resolve (especially when we're talking about YA books about mental health issues). I am not the type of person who needs a happy ending. I just need a realistic one.
July 5, 2023
I enjoyed the read a lot. It was an easy one. There was a lot of truth to the book. A lot about child abuse and neglect.
What I didn't like about the book was how simple it ended. This girl went through severe trauma in her life, suffering from flashbacks and nightmares. Her life was awful and she went through horrifying events, but the way the book ended was as if it all was better. It isn't a good depiction of what such traumas are actually like. I wish it had a more realistic ending because the beginning of the book was done well in my opinion.
What I didn't like about the book was how simple it ended. This girl went through severe trauma in her life, suffering from flashbacks and nightmares. Her life was awful and she went through horrifying events, but the way the book ended was as if it all was better. It isn't a good depiction of what such traumas are actually like. I wish it had a more realistic ending because the beginning of the book was done well in my opinion.
July 8, 2014
Stronger Than You Know tells the story of a fifteen year old girl who has dealt with things she never should have had to deal with. It also tells the story of how she learns to navigate the challenges that come along with trying to figure out who she is and where her place is in the world.
I have to admit, when I finished this book, my first thought was that I would never ever do this story justice with a review. This always happens to me when I read something that I absolutely love and Jolene Perry has catapulted this story onto my favorites shelf by creating characters I loved and a story that made me go through just about every single feeling.
Joy grew up with a mother who neglected and abused her and she allowed her boyfriends to treat her horribly as well…in every single way you can imagine. I was immediately pulled into Joy’s story and while she is adapting to living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins, they are also adapting to living with her. Their lives are impacted just as greatly as Joy’s is and I thought it was wonderful how much they were willing to do in order to help Joy.
While every single one of these characters just made me want to climb into this book and give them all hugs, I have to call out her Uncle Rob. While at first Joy struggled to be comfortable with him, he completely understood he needed to give her time and space. I loved seeing their relationship change and grow until she realized that he really was there to make sure she was safe and he would do whatever he could to provide that security for her. Admittedly, he was one of my favorite characters and this was one of my favorite parts of the story.
As Joy faces her fears and setbacks, she begins to build relationships with not only her new family, but also people like Daisy and Justin. These characters both played different roles in Joy’s growth and change and were critical to her moving beyond her issues. They both showed her she has strength, feelings, and friends no matter what happened in her past.
Since this story is from Joy’s perspective, we go through the highs and lows right alongside her and that is the piece that made this story so impactful for me. While Perry doesn’t go into a lot of detail of what happened to Joy, enough is revealed for us to know that she went through hell and through a twist of fate, ended up with a loving and caring family that treated her like their own sister/daughter. The good times had me grinning like a fool for her and the bad times had me almost in tears for the pain and suffering she was feeling.
Now, I know some people are saying that they didn’t think a lot happened in this book and I have to disagree. I think the challenge here for some is that this is very much a character driven story (which I LOVE) and all of the things that happen are linked to the growth and change in Joy and those around her.
Hopefully my rambling isn’t horribly distracting and helps you realize that this is one of those stories that make it impossible for me to do it justice. Just trust me and check out this book when you can as this is a moving story that pulled me in and even now has me thinking about everything.
Thank you to Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company for the review copy.
I have to admit, when I finished this book, my first thought was that I would never ever do this story justice with a review. This always happens to me when I read something that I absolutely love and Jolene Perry has catapulted this story onto my favorites shelf by creating characters I loved and a story that made me go through just about every single feeling.
Joy grew up with a mother who neglected and abused her and she allowed her boyfriends to treat her horribly as well…in every single way you can imagine. I was immediately pulled into Joy’s story and while she is adapting to living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins, they are also adapting to living with her. Their lives are impacted just as greatly as Joy’s is and I thought it was wonderful how much they were willing to do in order to help Joy.
While every single one of these characters just made me want to climb into this book and give them all hugs, I have to call out her Uncle Rob. While at first Joy struggled to be comfortable with him, he completely understood he needed to give her time and space. I loved seeing their relationship change and grow until she realized that he really was there to make sure she was safe and he would do whatever he could to provide that security for her. Admittedly, he was one of my favorite characters and this was one of my favorite parts of the story.
As Joy faces her fears and setbacks, she begins to build relationships with not only her new family, but also people like Daisy and Justin. These characters both played different roles in Joy’s growth and change and were critical to her moving beyond her issues. They both showed her she has strength, feelings, and friends no matter what happened in her past.
Since this story is from Joy’s perspective, we go through the highs and lows right alongside her and that is the piece that made this story so impactful for me. While Perry doesn’t go into a lot of detail of what happened to Joy, enough is revealed for us to know that she went through hell and through a twist of fate, ended up with a loving and caring family that treated her like their own sister/daughter. The good times had me grinning like a fool for her and the bad times had me almost in tears for the pain and suffering she was feeling.
Now, I know some people are saying that they didn’t think a lot happened in this book and I have to disagree. I think the challenge here for some is that this is very much a character driven story (which I LOVE) and all of the things that happen are linked to the growth and change in Joy and those around her.
Hopefully my rambling isn’t horribly distracting and helps you realize that this is one of those stories that make it impossible for me to do it justice. Just trust me and check out this book when you can as this is a moving story that pulled me in and even now has me thinking about everything.
Thank you to Netgalley and Albert Whitman & Company for the review copy.
March 25, 2016
Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
Stronger Than You Know is a horrifying portrayal of one girl's struggle to feel normal after facing abuse for her entire life, leading her to severe trust issues, anxiety issues, panic disorder, and fear of the outside world and most of the people in it. It is a story of survival and overcoming odds, as well as finding happiness and a good life afterwards.
Joy has only ever known the small trailer that she lived in with her mother and the random men that her mother dated. She rarely went outside, and she suffered abuse from her mother and her mother's boyfriends, including sexual abuse. When her mother ends up going to jail, Joy's aunt and uncle are called and asked if they would like to take her in. Happily, they agree - and as they find out the extent of Joy's suffering, they help to make her life whole again.
It's difficult for the whole family - Joy can't be around her uncle at first, because she doesn't trust men and does not want to be around someone who she fears might repeat the same abuse as the other men that she has known. Joy's cousins try to be understanding, even though it is difficult for them to accept this girl they've never met coming to live in their home - a girl who has severe anxiety and panic attacks set off by the slightest things. While they aren't used to it, they try to help her get accustomed to real life - school, friends, and doing the things that teenagers do, such as going shopping and getting a boyfriend.
When Joy meets a boy while walking to school one day, it is difficult for her to talk to him, but he sticks around and eventually the two of them strike up a friendship - something healthy and positive for her.
This book was difficult to read - especially Joy's reactions to her family members (such as her uncle), and her fear of even being outside. I felt a lot of emotions while reading this book, and it really is a powerful novel about abuse and severe anxiety.
The main problem I had with this book (and the only one, really), was the fact that I wasn't really able to connect to the characters in a way that I would have liked. They all seemed a bit superficial, as opposed to being deep and complex, which you would expect in a novel like this one. Maybe if the book had been a little longer, there would have been more room for character descriptions and development, but there just wasn't any there (with the exception of Joy - it was wonderful seeing how she learned to cope with everything that was going on).
I can't imagine being in Joy's shoes - things were really rough for her, and it really shines a new light on anxiety and panic disorder. Stronger Than You Know does a good job portraying what it is like to have a panic attack - and how debilitating one can be. Joy did have a great support system, and this played an important part in her recovery.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Stronger Than You Know is a horrifying portrayal of one girl's struggle to feel normal after facing abuse for her entire life, leading her to severe trust issues, anxiety issues, panic disorder, and fear of the outside world and most of the people in it. It is a story of survival and overcoming odds, as well as finding happiness and a good life afterwards.
Joy has only ever known the small trailer that she lived in with her mother and the random men that her mother dated. She rarely went outside, and she suffered abuse from her mother and her mother's boyfriends, including sexual abuse. When her mother ends up going to jail, Joy's aunt and uncle are called and asked if they would like to take her in. Happily, they agree - and as they find out the extent of Joy's suffering, they help to make her life whole again.
It's difficult for the whole family - Joy can't be around her uncle at first, because she doesn't trust men and does not want to be around someone who she fears might repeat the same abuse as the other men that she has known. Joy's cousins try to be understanding, even though it is difficult for them to accept this girl they've never met coming to live in their home - a girl who has severe anxiety and panic attacks set off by the slightest things. While they aren't used to it, they try to help her get accustomed to real life - school, friends, and doing the things that teenagers do, such as going shopping and getting a boyfriend.
When Joy meets a boy while walking to school one day, it is difficult for her to talk to him, but he sticks around and eventually the two of them strike up a friendship - something healthy and positive for her.
This book was difficult to read - especially Joy's reactions to her family members (such as her uncle), and her fear of even being outside. I felt a lot of emotions while reading this book, and it really is a powerful novel about abuse and severe anxiety.
The main problem I had with this book (and the only one, really), was the fact that I wasn't really able to connect to the characters in a way that I would have liked. They all seemed a bit superficial, as opposed to being deep and complex, which you would expect in a novel like this one. Maybe if the book had been a little longer, there would have been more room for character descriptions and development, but there just wasn't any there (with the exception of Joy - it was wonderful seeing how she learned to cope with everything that was going on).
I can't imagine being in Joy's shoes - things were really rough for her, and it really shines a new light on anxiety and panic disorder. Stronger Than You Know does a good job portraying what it is like to have a panic attack - and how debilitating one can be. Joy did have a great support system, and this played an important part in her recovery.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2015
Have you ever wanted to know what a girl with depression and anxiety is thinking and feeling? Well this realistic fiction book is a book you should read. I honestly love this book, this book gives you so many details and descriptions on Joy's point of view of things.Joy is the main character of this book. "Stronger than you know" is a book that will get you thinking and wondering how she was able to survive through all those problems she had back home. You will be amazed when you read this book, you will also be amazed to know how strong Joy really is.
Joy is fifteen years old and she is now living with her aunt and uncle because her mom was sent to jail. Joy is a girl that is depressed, she has anxiety,and she describes herself as "broken". Joy is just getting used to the whole change that happened in her life, she's afraid to be near her Uncle Rob and she only communicates to her Aunt Nicole, Joy also lives with her two cousins Trent and Tara. Joy has a social anxiety disorder, she gets nervous when people get near her or try to talk to her she even sometimes gets panic attacks. Joy meets a cute boy named Justin and for once Joy feels comfortable near a boy, Joy also makes a new friend and her name is Daisy. Just as things are getting better for Joy, she finds out that the state of California is prosecuting her mom and she has to testify. She manages to get through it and finally goes home, to her new home.
The author adds suspense whenever Joy gets a panic attack or there is an obstacle that gets in Joy's way of moving forward in life. The title itself is an attention grabber because it gets you thinking, wondering what kind of problems the main character will face. The setting of the story adds to the theme because in this book her old home where Joy to used to live with her mom is what affected her, and her new home is helping her a lot it's helping her heal.
If I were the author I would've make a second part to this, like another book based on the same story. In my opinion I think this book is amazing. It just gives you a bunch of good quotes. "I have no idea if this means I'm moving backward or forward, maybe I'm just running in circles" this is the quote that really got my attention because it just has a powerful meaning.
I rate this book five stars because it was honestly really good. I recommend this book to people who like to read dramatic realistic fiction, someone who loves a book to be filled with thoughts and meaning. Do you ever wonder what goes on in a girl's mind? Well if you read this book you'll get a chance to know how they feel and think.
Joy is fifteen years old and she is now living with her aunt and uncle because her mom was sent to jail. Joy is a girl that is depressed, she has anxiety,and she describes herself as "broken". Joy is just getting used to the whole change that happened in her life, she's afraid to be near her Uncle Rob and she only communicates to her Aunt Nicole, Joy also lives with her two cousins Trent and Tara. Joy has a social anxiety disorder, she gets nervous when people get near her or try to talk to her she even sometimes gets panic attacks. Joy meets a cute boy named Justin and for once Joy feels comfortable near a boy, Joy also makes a new friend and her name is Daisy. Just as things are getting better for Joy, she finds out that the state of California is prosecuting her mom and she has to testify. She manages to get through it and finally goes home, to her new home.
The author adds suspense whenever Joy gets a panic attack or there is an obstacle that gets in Joy's way of moving forward in life. The title itself is an attention grabber because it gets you thinking, wondering what kind of problems the main character will face. The setting of the story adds to the theme because in this book her old home where Joy to used to live with her mom is what affected her, and her new home is helping her a lot it's helping her heal.
If I were the author I would've make a second part to this, like another book based on the same story. In my opinion I think this book is amazing. It just gives you a bunch of good quotes. "I have no idea if this means I'm moving backward or forward, maybe I'm just running in circles" this is the quote that really got my attention because it just has a powerful meaning.
I rate this book five stars because it was honestly really good. I recommend this book to people who like to read dramatic realistic fiction, someone who loves a book to be filled with thoughts and meaning. Do you ever wonder what goes on in a girl's mind? Well if you read this book you'll get a chance to know how they feel and think.
September 2, 2014
Joy is fifteen and until three months ago she lived a terrifying existence with her mother. Now her mother is in jail, and Joy is safe, living with her aunt, uncle and two cousins. But Joy doesn't feel safe, even though she knows she is. She can't stop the panic attacks when she has to talk to someone, especially men. She feels completely crazy and out of control and isn't convinced that things will ever get better.
For most of the book, it isn't stated explicitly what happened to Joy. Depending on the maturity of the reader, you might make different assumptions. Joy has a very hard time speaking to men. Being alone with a man, even her uncle or cousin, can cause a panic attack. She's afraid of the smell of beer. She can't stand people looking at her. I assumed she's been emotionally and physically abused by her mother, and raped by her mother's boyfriend, which we find out at the end of the book, at the trail of her mother, that's what happened. The word "rape" is not mentioned the entire time until one sentence at the very end.
Because of this, this book might be a good choice for upper middle grade looking for a serious issues book. It's not graphic or explicit. It deals mainly with the aftermath and Joy trying to work her way through what happened to her and try and learn that she's safe now.
It does not happen all at once. When the book starts, Joy has been with her aunt and uncle for three months and hadn't made very much progress. She's not convinced she'll ever make progress. But she slowly begins to. She's able to be in the same room as her uncle, and then she's able to talk to him. They eventually become close and he becomes her biggest advocate. Joy starts making friends. She is able to speak up a little more, and discovers new things about her personality.
It isn't all smooth sailing. Joy has lots of stops and starts, and sometimes she falls backwards. She worries what an imposition it must be to her aunt and her family to have to take her in. She is surprised to learn her aunt feels horrible guilty for not getting Joy away from her mother earlier. Joy has to deal with one of her cousins who is tired of everyone tiptoeing around her and doesn't understand why she can't just be normal already.
I thought Stronger Than You Know did an great job showing the aftermath of trauma and how it is truly a process to overcome it. The book ends with hope, and we know, that even as Joy continues to struggle, she'll come out on top.
Stronger Than You Know came out September 1, 2014.
For most of the book, it isn't stated explicitly what happened to Joy. Depending on the maturity of the reader, you might make different assumptions. Joy has a very hard time speaking to men. Being alone with a man, even her uncle or cousin, can cause a panic attack. She's afraid of the smell of beer. She can't stand people looking at her. I assumed she's been emotionally and physically abused by her mother, and raped by her mother's boyfriend, which we find out at the end of the book, at the trail of her mother, that's what happened. The word "rape" is not mentioned the entire time until one sentence at the very end.
Because of this, this book might be a good choice for upper middle grade looking for a serious issues book. It's not graphic or explicit. It deals mainly with the aftermath and Joy trying to work her way through what happened to her and try and learn that she's safe now.
It does not happen all at once. When the book starts, Joy has been with her aunt and uncle for three months and hadn't made very much progress. She's not convinced she'll ever make progress. But she slowly begins to. She's able to be in the same room as her uncle, and then she's able to talk to him. They eventually become close and he becomes her biggest advocate. Joy starts making friends. She is able to speak up a little more, and discovers new things about her personality.
It isn't all smooth sailing. Joy has lots of stops and starts, and sometimes she falls backwards. She worries what an imposition it must be to her aunt and her family to have to take her in. She is surprised to learn her aunt feels horrible guilty for not getting Joy away from her mother earlier. Joy has to deal with one of her cousins who is tired of everyone tiptoeing around her and doesn't understand why she can't just be normal already.
I thought Stronger Than You Know did an great job showing the aftermath of trauma and how it is truly a process to overcome it. The book ends with hope, and we know, that even as Joy continues to struggle, she'll come out on top.
Stronger Than You Know came out September 1, 2014.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2015
FIRST THOUGHTS:
More like 4.25-4.5 stars. I didn't expect to be completely blown away. A little reminiscent of If You Find Me, Joy's story is incredibly heartbreaking but still manages to be hopeful. I really really liked this one!
REVIEW:
(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
Stronger Than You Know is the story of a girl name Joy, who is currently trying to deal with the aftermath of the terrible circumstances she was used to and adjust to her brand-new "normal" life. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Perry, however, takes this premises and adds extra detail to take Joy's story to a different level entirely. With an exquisitely moving combination of painful heartbreak and peaceful hope, Stronger Than You Know is seriously impressive.
Joy begins this novel broken and beaten down by all the abuse she experienced while she was still living with her mother. Her grief holds her down, and it broke my heart completely to have to witness her so afraid and frustrated and desperate and hopeless. Perry doesn't hold back, so readers will bear witness to how hard it is for Joy. Joy has a long road to recovery ahead of her, and in spite of the difficulties, there's a lot of hope, encouragement, support and love to be encountered along the way.
Help comes in the form of many people in Joy's life - her therapist, her classmate Justin, a new friend named Daisy, her relatives Aunt Nicole, Uncle Rob and cousins Tara and Trent. Even though it's not easy (for her or for them), most people (Trent being the only exception) were patient with Joy and willing to accept and shelter this broken, battered, difficult girl. In fact, I'm especially fond of the relationship she develops with her Uncle Rob, as it just made my heart feel so full. But all these people become a safe haven for her, offering understanding and a place to heal.
Really, Stronger Than You Know was such a pleasant surprise! It's painful in how realistically Joy's struggle is portrayed, especially considering how much abuse she endured. Even though her journey involves setbacks and hard things, there's also such inspiration to be drawn from how Joy fights to find some peace and live up to her name. It was incredibly moving (to the point where I teared up towards the end). I'm so glad I got to read this, and will definitely be recommending you do the same.
More like 4.25-4.5 stars. I didn't expect to be completely blown away. A little reminiscent of If You Find Me, Joy's story is incredibly heartbreaking but still manages to be hopeful. I really really liked this one!
REVIEW:
(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
Stronger Than You Know is the story of a girl name Joy, who is currently trying to deal with the aftermath of the terrible circumstances she was used to and adjust to her brand-new "normal" life. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Perry, however, takes this premises and adds extra detail to take Joy's story to a different level entirely. With an exquisitely moving combination of painful heartbreak and peaceful hope, Stronger Than You Know is seriously impressive.
Joy begins this novel broken and beaten down by all the abuse she experienced while she was still living with her mother. Her grief holds her down, and it broke my heart completely to have to witness her so afraid and frustrated and desperate and hopeless. Perry doesn't hold back, so readers will bear witness to how hard it is for Joy. Joy has a long road to recovery ahead of her, and in spite of the difficulties, there's a lot of hope, encouragement, support and love to be encountered along the way.
Help comes in the form of many people in Joy's life - her therapist, her classmate Justin, a new friend named Daisy, her relatives Aunt Nicole, Uncle Rob and cousins Tara and Trent. Even though it's not easy (for her or for them), most people (Trent being the only exception) were patient with Joy and willing to accept and shelter this broken, battered, difficult girl. In fact, I'm especially fond of the relationship she develops with her Uncle Rob, as it just made my heart feel so full. But all these people become a safe haven for her, offering understanding and a place to heal.
Really, Stronger Than You Know was such a pleasant surprise! It's painful in how realistically Joy's struggle is portrayed, especially considering how much abuse she endured. Even though her journey involves setbacks and hard things, there's also such inspiration to be drawn from how Joy fights to find some peace and live up to her name. It was incredibly moving (to the point where I teared up towards the end). I'm so glad I got to read this, and will definitely be recommending you do the same.
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