Shattered Dreams Restored

by Irene Spencer

SHATTERED DREAMS . . . Thank you for making my first book, Shattered Dreams, a New York Times best-seller. In it, I told the story of my plural marriage to Fundamentalist Mormon, Verlan LeBaron. As the second of ten wives, I bore him thirteen children so that he could become a god of a future planet and guarantee my eternal life. But instead of salvation, I felt the damnation of alienation, poverty, abuse, and a broken heart. I watched as twenty-eight family members and friends, who dared to oppose my brother-in-law “Evil Ervil,” were murdered in cold blood. The book ended when Verlan was killed in a tragic car collision—and I was left alone, with seven children to raise. . . . RESTORED In this book, I’ll honestly answer the many questions people have asked after reading my memoirs. I’ll fill in many of the details from my early life. And I’ll bring you up to date with the many ways my life has changed. Where there was abuse, I have been wonderfully healed. Where there was hunger, I have been richly fed. Where there was a desperate longing for love, I have been blessed with unconditional love. And where there were shattered dreams, they have been restored!

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2013

About the author

Irene Spencer came from five generations of polygamy. As the second of ten wives, she was the mother of 14 of her husband's 58 children. Her captivating story provides an intimate look at the daily struggles Irene faced as a plural wife.

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irene's third (and final) book lets us know what happened after Verlan's death, which is something I really wanted to learn more about. I knew there had to be more to her story, and I was right.

I was not expecting those Lane Stubbs chapters through, and the things we found out about him...I feel so bad for all the kids.

The Hector chapters were by far the best part of the book, Irene finally got her long-awaited happily ever after. Hector seemed like a great man, who loved her as she deserved to be loved. I'm glad they managed to find each other and spend 2+ wonderful decades together.

Shattered Dreams Restored was a wonderful conclusion to Irene's story, I feel very thankful that she decided to write it all down and share it with us, and I wish her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren nothing but the best.

[Erin Krol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Irene Spencer's books and was eagerly awaiting this one to hear the "what happened after..."
This book was redemptive and bittersweet. Irene finally gets to be the favorite and only wife. She reveals a part of her story that she said friends feared would alienate some readers. Without giving away this part of the story, I found my heart breaking for Irene as she is, once again, let down and left to meet others' needs before her own. Irene's stories are real. What you see is what you get. She's a wonderful storyteller and her books, this latest included, will stay in your heart. Irene's previous books were filled with much humor, even as she was relating very difficult circumstances. This book doesn't have as much humor; I suspect because it was written during her beloved Hector's illness and subsequent death. Don't write it off, though! Irene's more serious tone lends itself to a deeper look into her spiritual growth and relationship with God as she moves from Mormonism and polygamy. This book completes the circle and fills the reader in on what happened after the events of the last books while focusing more of Irene's personal and spiritual growth. You won't be disappointed in this one!

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book I laughed I cried I couldn't put it down shattered dreams and shattered dreams resorts are two of my favorite books very well written one amazing author!!! Not only is she an amazing author but she is an even more amazing grandma!!! I love you grandma!!!!

[Sherry Haning · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Fantastically written and very informative and gut wrenching!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emotional rollercoaster ride out of polygamy and into monogamy

Emotional rollercoaster ride out of polygamy and into monogamy

I feel badly for these women who are in polygamy, living with polygamy, and growing up in polygamy. My heart breaks for their sorrows but I applaud the strength they had to get out. I understand the why's and the wherefores to leave their religion as they practiced it however I am a woman in the Mormon Faith which is the LDS Church which banned polygamy back in the 1890s and I would never practice polygamy in this life because it doesn't work for anyone. All of my educated Church friends would not practice polygamy because we feel that the Lord delights in monogamy as stated in the Book of Mormon. We believe in the bible, in the divinity of Christ and in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are strong women married to humble family loving men and in having one wife to love and cherish. My heart goes out to all who suffer under cruel and inhumane treatment at the hands of those who think they are gods and can do anything except take care of what they are responsible for doing. Protecting and providing for their one wife and children. Blessing be upon Irene for your kind and loving heart and your love for the family and children no matter whose they are. you will be called blessed by all your defendants.

[Angie and the Daily Book Dose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short follow up companion piece to Spencer's 2007 book Shattered Dreams.

This book follows the author as she is left widowed by her polygamous first husband, Verlan LeBaron, remarries for a second time, and finally marries her third and only monogamous husband. Essentially her life was redemptive in that she was able to attain her dream of safety, security, and love.

I've got issues with her referring to the 'Mormon' God and separating him out from the Christian God as they are the same entity. Her experience within the Mormon culture was one of extremes and not at all normal.

[Plan4theBoys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene's story comes full circle in this final book of her Trilogy. It broke my heart but I rejoiced with her at the same time. My only critique of her three books is that she seems to repeat herself from one book to the next, telling some of the same stories, even if only in abbreviated form. I think she should have assumed her readers were reading all 3 books in sequence. Still highly recommended.

[Candida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

This bOok is nothing short of.amazing .What a strong living women Irene is . I couldn't put this book down

[Lydia E Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying end

When I finished Shattered Dreams, I felt a little cheated. I wanted to know more about Irene’s life AFTER polygamy and Verlan’s death.

This book was a satisfying end, as I finally got to see what happened to Irene and how she met the love of her life, her husband Hector who she shared with no other wives.

I wish less of the book had been about her mother and her childhood, as I knew much of it already. I was shocked to find out that she married Lane for a time. I was even more shocked when I realized that Verlan’s sixth wife, Susan, had very nearly become Lane’s second wife herself! Irene not only had a family “forest”, but some of those branches are pretty twisted. 😂

I’m glad Irene eventually found happiness. She seemed to be a truly kind and caring woman. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were all blessed to have her in their lives.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting memoir written by an immensely likeable narrator. A major flaw is the obvious lack of editing. It is, nonetheless, still a good read.
It is an eye opening story and it is shocking to think that people are treated in this abominable way. The author tells a bleak story but her humour manages to keep the book from becoming too sad to read.

I am glad that the author survived her ordeal and managed to take control of her future. She is inspiring and worthy of admiration.
I recommend this and particularly her first book as being enjoyable to read but also important in that they show the truth of the evil that is committed upon the innocent in the name of religion.

[Lisa J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot that kept my attention through about half the book. Unfortunately, the many spelling and grammatical errors began to interfere with my enjoyment. The ending, all about Hector, felt as if it droned on and on. Irene's story is amazing in and of itself. I would love to hear her speak about it as the written version was a little cumbersome.

[Angeline Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I first heard of Irene when I read her sister-wife's memoir, "Favorite Wife" and was immediately drawn to Irene's wonderful personally described in that book. I was delighted to learn that Irene had her own books. She is still amazing woman and a great example of womanhood, loving wife. I've really enjoyed this book which made me laugh and cry.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notes from 2018:

This was the sequel to Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist Wife – the memoir of Irene Spencer of the LeBaron Group. I have not read the original yet. This was a sequel which gave additional information and filled in some holes, mostly of what happened in Irene’s childhood and also after she left the LeBaron Group.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing was slightly disjointed, especially in the first section, but her stories are amazing and it was so sweet to see the restoration she has been blessed with after all the pain detailed in her previous books.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book

I don’t know how those that have lived such a life can survive & believe in a God but many do, what an inspiration, another amazing lady, respect to her & all her family xx

[Zellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of the book is sharing what we already knew - growing up in a polygamist family and then marrying into one, sharing different stories from her previous books. The 2nd half of the book shared the parts of her life we hadn’t read about yet, very intriguing!

[R. Small · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one was an emotional read... its raw and honest and hard to sit with... Irene doesnt sugarcoat her expriences and you can feel the strength it took to rebuild her life. I started this one off thinking wtf... but it is definitely a heavier memoir... heavy and inspiring

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cult Stories

Gets a bit preachy about God sometimes but an interesting read about how to break free from a cycle of abuse

[Krystal Myrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but so much unnecessary information that it felt like it drug on a bit. Then things that felt really big were at times glossed over. I don’t like rating others traumatic experiences.

[Katherine White · Rating 1 out of 5]

The lead-up to addressing the child SA was infuriating, wrong, and triggering.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you read her last book this was a lot of information that we already read for about half the book.. love her writing and her ability to story tell though.