Untitled for Now: Based on a True Story

by Desiree Moore

Helen wanted to break the cycle.

Raised in the deserts of Southern California by a family plagued with addiction, poverty, and trauma, Helen's life was fraught with heartache and turmoil. Nevertheless, this fueled her desire to make it out. That was until one day, she broke.

When Helen wakes up in a mental hospital, her mind is shattered, her memories are gone, and she clings to the comfort of not remembering. But, when a memory of her daughter emerges, Helen has no choice but to unearth the painful truth and face her past.

Through dual timelines, readers will be immersed in the intricate tapestry of Helen's life, gradually unraveling the events that led to her broken state. Untitled for Now captures the difficulty of breaking chains, the essence of mother/daughter relationships, grief, compassion, and finding forgiveness for yourself. It is a novel for those who revel in the lived experiences of others and want to know that even the saddest stories can have a happy ending.

Genres: Memoir, Audiobook, Emotional, Realistic Fiction, Nonfiction, Mental Health

274 pages, ebook

Published August 30, 2023

Reviews

[Taelyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional. This book is incredibly well written and the story is quite literally earth shattering. I read it in one sitting, it's so well thought out and the events flow so well together it was easy to devour it. I cried and my heart shattered, but reading the MCs story was amazing. The development from their start to their end was inspiring. Well worth the read.

[Emily Monelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal! Every once in a while I need a book to make me feel everything - a book to make me cry - and this book did just that and more. I read it in a few hours and stayed up till 3 am because I HAD TO KNOW what happened. Each page brings you closer to the truth and further from reality. It truly sucked me in until the last sentence. Some books make me cry, this one had a visceral effect. I cried so much and so hard it was difficult to see the words at times. But you wipe the tears away and keep going because not doing so would be like abandoning Helen. Some characters made me sick to my stomach, some enraged me, and some made me want to give them a big bear hug. Never have I felt so connected to a character.I cannot praise this book enough DO NOT let yourself miss out on this incredible telling of this horrifically beautiful story which is Untitled For Now.

[Shellie Wilbur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent she poured her heart and soul in to this book! it’s definitely worth the read I finished it within 24 hours

[Lyss Chiampi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I left the copy she gave me on my shelf for well over a year. I listened to it on Spotify, and my only regret is not reading it sooner. I devoured this one. It was so real. So triggering. So raw. A story so relatable, yet our trauma was different. I haven’t read a book this fast in many years. So beyond captivating.

[Linz_loves_books (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, we follow Helen as she tries to break a cycle of addiction and trauma. However, Helen wakes up in a mental hospital and her mind is shattered. She cannot remember why she is there, who her family is, and her memories are gone. Through the process of trying to remember, Helen must unearth painful memories and face a past of heartache and turmoil.

We follow Helen through dual timelines, before she lost her memory and the present. We embark on a journey with Helen from the time she was a little girl until she grows into a woman. We visit topics such as heartache and grief, addiction and abuse, compassion and hope. The writing was so beautiful that it made you go through the emotions while reading it. I got so mad at parts I wanted to rip through the pages to help, and yet so sad at parts that I wanted to curl up and cry. There are a lot of heavy topics so please check trigger warnings, but to read this through the eyes of someone who went through it is nothing short of heartbreaking yet remarkably full of hope. Beautifully written and I am glad the author included an epilogue from her daughter.

I know reading is subjective and our experiences help shape that so for me this is a 5⭐️ book in every way. I applaud the strength and perseverance of the person “Helen” was based off of. It is truly beautiful and empowering to read about someone who holds on to the tiniest spark of light in the overpowering darkness and still find their way out.

The author hit it on the head when she said, “It is a novel for those who revel in the lived experiences of others and want to know that even the saddest stories have a happy ending.”

[Stephanie Chantae · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Disclaimer* A 5 star review is very rare from me, 4 is high praise. I was honored to be a beta reader for this debut novel. She did such a good job approaching triggering and traumatic topics with respect and authenticity. I saw so much of myself reflected in the main character and her struggles that I had to know what happened next. I tore through this manuscript quickly! You can’t help cheering for her. Very emotional and the fact that it is based on a true story made it that much more engaging for readers.

[De Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my absolute time with this book because it is based on a very true story.

Just read it

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heavy and emotional book. There's heartbreak, despair, hope, and resilience. Definitely a lot of triggering themes so investigate before reading. My heart hurt so much while reading, especially knowing this is based on a true story. But knowing it's a true story and reading the ending helped my heart heal.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 overall

This was such a good book. I think as a social worker, this should be something that all social workers who work in CPS need to read. The story Desiree was able to tell was so moving. You see Helen grow, learn, get knocked down, and claw her way up again. This book is heavy to read, because the way in which the trauma is written in this book is nuanced and heartfelt.

Thank you so much to Desiree for sharing your story with the world.

[Heather Rakus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. It was so well written. I read between innings, in the car, and any free moment and devoured it in less than 24 hours. It is incredibly heavy & heartbreaking. A story of trauma, grief, but ultimately, forgiveness.

[Rachel Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best, most powerful book I have read in years! It is easy to follow, emotional, raw and so well written. I actually cried, twice! I got the digital copy and loved it so much I had to order the physical cover. Must read!

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did the audiobook which was read by the author. This book made me feel a lot, I highly recommend, be aware there are a lot of heavy topics discussed in the book.

[The Anxious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart.

Desiree Moore gives us a raw, unflinching view into trauma, survival, resiliency and what life starts to look like after everything completely breaks and then needs to be put back together piece by piece.

The dual timelines of the past and present flowed together flawlessly and I absolutely applaud this woman for putting this story out there. Her writing is immersive and you can feel every single emotion she poured into it.

Don't let this book slip past you.

[Jendella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. “Untitled For Now” by Desiree Moore is an absolute gem of a novel! I was thoroughly captured not just by the story but the way the story is told. Desiree gives us this novel with dual timelines which keeps your attention locked in, your imagination yearning for more, and just when you think you can see where the plot is headed…. Nope!

I can’t stress enough how great this novel is. Check it out!

[Amy Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really, really loved this book! I read it so quickly and didn’t want to put it down. I don’t recall how I heard of this book and why I bought it but it’s been on my shelf almost a year. I finally just picked it up to read because I forgot what it was supposed to be about.

I think it was very well written and even though it jumped from present to past it was very easy to follow and keep track of the characters.

[Kim P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hauntingly beautiful book. It is ‘based on a true story with the author stating what “these pages are genuine reflections of my journey through life, it is crucial to understand that this is a work of fiction based on real-life events.” For her to even have experienced ANY of these events that would have broke so many of us readers leads me to want to hear more about her. Love and loss, joy and sadness, kindness and grief. All feelings I joined in with the author as I read her words.

[Nicole Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down. As someone who has struggled with both addiction and abuse from a spouse, I connected so much with the FMC. Beautifully written. It may only be january, but this book has the serious potential to be the best of the year. Absolutely amazing.

[Erin M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried. A lot. This book was beautifully written. It was heartbreaking but my heartbreak was nothing compared to what the main character went through (and the author.) I'm so glad I read this book. It was hard to read (emotionally) but worth it.

[Jaylynn Bouyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so beautifully written. I am so glad it was picked for our book club. What a concept of understanding as an adult that your mother did the best she could while being a mother yourself. I would give this a bajillion stars if I could 🥹😭

[Michele rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want your heart to break over what someone has lived? Want to feel every single emotion possible? Want to still generate hope from it all? Want to have a Billy Ray in your life? This book will take you places. Just be prepared to cry.

[Melissa Patneaude · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!! VERY deep & emotional, but loved it.

[emerson campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely heartbreaking and i could not put it down. the storytelling was very beautiful and i absolutely loved her story. i don’t know when the last time a book had such a profound impact on me like was. my onlyyyyy gripe is i feel sometimes it is very rushed and things are not as expanded as id like them to be. i felt things jumped, especially in the beginning. like shed say “i went to college” and then 3 paragraphs later she was graduated. it felt like little plots were thrown so we could keep up, but i wish things were more expanded on

[Sylvia Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wish the epilogue was included in the book. Great book heart breaking story of breaking cycles of generational trauma.

[Sybil Steenblock · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I didn’t have to work I would have devoured this book in a day. Desiree has a gift! My heart was torn for Helen and Raina and Josie. What a great telling of adversity.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreak and hope all wrapped into one powerful story you won’t be able to put down. I’ve loaned my copy to my daughter with the advice of leave a whole day for when you open this book because you won’t put it down

[Courtney McDunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just something beautiful about listening to a raw and emotional story being told by the person who lived it.

[HorrificallyCute · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes beyond just being a story of survival; it delves into a profound and transformative journey of self-healing and forgiveness.

[Kelly Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo to Desiree Moore on an amazing book!! This book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat. It even had me in tears as well. I was honored to received an advance copy ebook from the author.

This book comes out on August 30th. Go preorder it now. I give it a 5/5

[Marge Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I need to know the title of your story”

[valerieamanda09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come