Raw

by Marni Mulholland

A frank, shocking true story that reveals the truth about grooming and its aftermath.
     Marni thought she'd found a friend in her social worker, Matthew. But he groomed her from the moment she entered the children's home. A year later their 'relationship' crossed boundaries no child should know exist.

     As Matthew led Marni down the path of depravity, she grew up not knowing how to survive as a normal girl. It was a short step from Matthew's abuse to prostitution. Marni even thought -- at first -- she was enjoying it.

     But this girl was a fighter. She may have hit rock bottom, but there came a day when Marni decided that the past was not going to determine her future.

     Shocking and powerful, brave and inspiring, Marni Muholland's memoir reveals the full truth about grooming and its aftermath.

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2014

Reviews

[Bookworm86 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard book to read as very 'raw' and detailed. Will be honest and even though she went through alot I found her comment ****SPOILER ALERT**** after her abortion was disgusting and dont think any excuse for it. Very crude most of wsy through. Not for light hearted

[Siana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very difficult book to read and was not usually the kind of book I delve into but I couldn't stop myself from reading as I needed to find out what was going to happen. Although a large part of this book was extremely graphic and disturbing I think it was needed to help the person reading really see what a horrific life Marni had endured purely by the hands of fate. I rated it 3 stars instead of 5 as the way the book was set out somewhat confused me as I wasn't sure what age Marni was or what had happened in between, however that is just a personal opinion and the rest of the book is written brilliantly. My hat goes of to Marni for being able to retell the most personal details of her life and publish it for the world to see mainly to raise awareness of child grooming and show people that it is very real and happens in this day and age. I do recommend this book but not to those under 18 as there are extremely sexually explicit scenes throughout the book.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book to read and, ultimately, I feel like that's the point. It's not a story to be enjoyed or reread but rather pushes the reader out of the comfort zone into this terrible and painful space occupied by victims and their abusers.

Mulholland's memoir is open and certainly unforgettable, laying heavy on the heart, where it will hopefully drive more people to action in supporting others with the same story.

[Travis Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really tragic and disturbing story, it's worth a read if crudeness doesn't shock or offend you but I think the imagery and horrific aspects of it are important to getting the Authors emotions across.

[Abigail Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book I do not know how Marni coped!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very hard read. I couldn't read it again that's for sure