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First, Do No Harm
How does one write a full description of this book? Of any book?
I'll leave you with one
"This is a story that deserves to be told." - April, First, Do No Harm.
Content This is adult fiction with mature themes. Please read at your own discretion and ruthlessly DNF the content (themes of sexual violence) triggers you.
I'll leave you with one
"This is a story that deserves to be told." - April, First, Do No Harm.
Content This is adult fiction with mature themes. Please read at your own discretion and ruthlessly DNF the content (themes of sexual violence) triggers you.
- GenresFiction
166 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2024
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 1, 2025
Bold, thought-provoking and abiding
First, I am not a fan of first-person narrative. It’s really popular at the moment and often reads as an unfiltered stream of consciousness. This is not the case for Freya Kissane’s ‘First, Do No Harm’. This is a novel written from the protagonist’s perspective, yes, but it is a psychologically complex coming-of-age story. Kissane presents Australian April Matthews as she navigates the cliched transition from adolescence to adulthood. We start with a fairly raw depiction of everyday life (complex friendships, school tensions, crushes, etc.), but this prosaic scene rapidly descends into something much darker. Kissane does not shy away from childhood abuse and sexual violence and other traumatic accounts (there is an appropriate content warning), leaving the hard-and-fast division between truth and delusion hard to spot, especially when April finds herself in a psychiatric facility. This book does not have a neat story arc; it does not end in redemption. Instead, it is more life-like, more real, leaving the reader with a sense of the possible lack of resolution many survivors face.
April is compelling and almost-painfully believable as she voices the narrative. She is a victim. She is a fighter. She is that survivor. Yet despite her struggles, she is also a redeemer, determined to protect others from similar harm. Her thoughts are introspective and sometimes detached, and her mental illness sometimes makes her unreliable. She is a stark contrast to the other characters, who ghost in and out of her story, leaving us with the merest impression of their physicality. This is to best effect with the nicknames she uses (no spoilers: these are a delight) as April distances herself from their actuality. Kissane does this so well that we almost fail to notice April’s isolation.
This book explores a broad range of unsettling themes head-on. We have no doubt about the many facets of trauma and survival. Kissane examines how early abuse can shape memory, identity and a simple perception of reality. This is about mental health, and we see the whole gambit: hallucinations, paranoia and the blurring of reality and something that only exists inside the hero. April’s coming of age is reflected in a harrowing mirror: it is brutal, full of betrayal and institutional failure, all the while she is learning self-preservation. Kissane does a great job here too: wielding language carefully, almost with surgical precision, as April’s stylistic voice colours our view of her passage.
At its core, ‘First, Do No Harm’ is a powerful, emotionally charged book that will leave a lasting impression. Kissane shows her mettle as she tackles its complex subject with honesty and just enough compassion. I warmed to the journaling style in a few of the short chapters, though I never quite thought I was reading an actual secret diary. I did, on occasion, have to flip back a few pages to be sure I’d read it properly, but that’s probably more a view on my reading hours. I found this to be a bold, thought-provoking and abiding exploration of a theme I am lucky enough to know very little about.
First, I am not a fan of first-person narrative. It’s really popular at the moment and often reads as an unfiltered stream of consciousness. This is not the case for Freya Kissane’s ‘First, Do No Harm’. This is a novel written from the protagonist’s perspective, yes, but it is a psychologically complex coming-of-age story. Kissane presents Australian April Matthews as she navigates the cliched transition from adolescence to adulthood. We start with a fairly raw depiction of everyday life (complex friendships, school tensions, crushes, etc.), but this prosaic scene rapidly descends into something much darker. Kissane does not shy away from childhood abuse and sexual violence and other traumatic accounts (there is an appropriate content warning), leaving the hard-and-fast division between truth and delusion hard to spot, especially when April finds herself in a psychiatric facility. This book does not have a neat story arc; it does not end in redemption. Instead, it is more life-like, more real, leaving the reader with a sense of the possible lack of resolution many survivors face.
April is compelling and almost-painfully believable as she voices the narrative. She is a victim. She is a fighter. She is that survivor. Yet despite her struggles, she is also a redeemer, determined to protect others from similar harm. Her thoughts are introspective and sometimes detached, and her mental illness sometimes makes her unreliable. She is a stark contrast to the other characters, who ghost in and out of her story, leaving us with the merest impression of their physicality. This is to best effect with the nicknames she uses (no spoilers: these are a delight) as April distances herself from their actuality. Kissane does this so well that we almost fail to notice April’s isolation.
This book explores a broad range of unsettling themes head-on. We have no doubt about the many facets of trauma and survival. Kissane examines how early abuse can shape memory, identity and a simple perception of reality. This is about mental health, and we see the whole gambit: hallucinations, paranoia and the blurring of reality and something that only exists inside the hero. April’s coming of age is reflected in a harrowing mirror: it is brutal, full of betrayal and institutional failure, all the while she is learning self-preservation. Kissane does a great job here too: wielding language carefully, almost with surgical precision, as April’s stylistic voice colours our view of her passage.
At its core, ‘First, Do No Harm’ is a powerful, emotionally charged book that will leave a lasting impression. Kissane shows her mettle as she tackles its complex subject with honesty and just enough compassion. I warmed to the journaling style in a few of the short chapters, though I never quite thought I was reading an actual secret diary. I did, on occasion, have to flip back a few pages to be sure I’d read it properly, but that’s probably more a view on my reading hours. I found this to be a bold, thought-provoking and abiding exploration of a theme I am lucky enough to know very little about.
December 7, 2025
Shattering, Beautiful, and Unforgettable
Freya Kissane writes with such unfiltered honesty and emotional precision that you feel every tremor of her journey: the confusion, the longing, the small moments of youthful magic, and the devastating fractures that follow when trust is violated, and institutions fail the people they’re meant to protect.
From the opening pages of First, Do No Harm, Kissane captures the fragile intensity of young love and identity. Her reflections on “the moment that mattered” at a train station where hope and possibility spark like a kiss in the rain are tender, evocative, and recognizable.
Kissane distils adolescence into its purest elements: the masks we wear, the versions of ourselves others invent, and how a single fleeting experience can become a touchstone for years.
But the heart of this memoir lies in the labyrinth of fear, confusion, and gaslighting that descends when a young woman realizes that something in her world is dangerously wrong.
Kissane’s descriptions of feeling watched, undermined, or invaded convey the raw psychological toll of not knowing whom to trust. The scenes involving hospital stays, misplaced belongings, and warnings scrawled in marker evoke a deep sense of vulnerability.
What is extraordinary is Kissane’s structuring of these experiences as she folds in dark humour, self-awareness, and even surreal adventures, such as her unlikely collaborations with Rosemary and Mark as they “solve problems” from hospital armchairs.
These detours into creativity and escapism show how the mind fights to survive when reality becomes unbearable. They also highlight one of the memoir’s central themes: the importance of being taken seriously, especially when you have no proof beyond your own fear.
Kissane also touches, with great sensitivity, on the aftermath of violence. Rather than dwelling on the event, she focuses on what follows: the numbness, the disorientation, the loss of innocence, the painful silence. She captures that universal moment victims describe—when the world turns grey and ordinary tasks feel impossible. Her insight that the real wound is often in the aftermath rather than the act itself is quietly devastating.
One of the most powerful threads running through the book is the cost—and courage—of telling the truth. Kissane quotes Maya Angelou’s famous line about the agony of the “untold story,” and her entire memoir becomes an act of stepping into the light. She acknowledges the risks, the pressure to stay silent, and the people who tried to ensure she never spoke. Yet she writes anyway.
Kissane does not frame herself as a triumphant hero, nor as a figure of tragedy. Instead, she offers a portrait of someone learning to live with the shadows while still seeking colour, hope, and a sense of self-worth.
Kissane’s gift for storytelling comes to life in sharp, lyrical, often poetic prose as she captures fleeting sensations with the precision of someone who has spent years examining her memories from every angle. She balances vulnerability with wit, intellect with emotion. The writing is alive.
First, Do No Harm is deeply courageous, beautifully written, and unforgettable.
Freya Kissane writes with such unfiltered honesty and emotional precision that you feel every tremor of her journey: the confusion, the longing, the small moments of youthful magic, and the devastating fractures that follow when trust is violated, and institutions fail the people they’re meant to protect.
From the opening pages of First, Do No Harm, Kissane captures the fragile intensity of young love and identity. Her reflections on “the moment that mattered” at a train station where hope and possibility spark like a kiss in the rain are tender, evocative, and recognizable.
Kissane distils adolescence into its purest elements: the masks we wear, the versions of ourselves others invent, and how a single fleeting experience can become a touchstone for years.
But the heart of this memoir lies in the labyrinth of fear, confusion, and gaslighting that descends when a young woman realizes that something in her world is dangerously wrong.
Kissane’s descriptions of feeling watched, undermined, or invaded convey the raw psychological toll of not knowing whom to trust. The scenes involving hospital stays, misplaced belongings, and warnings scrawled in marker evoke a deep sense of vulnerability.
What is extraordinary is Kissane’s structuring of these experiences as she folds in dark humour, self-awareness, and even surreal adventures, such as her unlikely collaborations with Rosemary and Mark as they “solve problems” from hospital armchairs.
These detours into creativity and escapism show how the mind fights to survive when reality becomes unbearable. They also highlight one of the memoir’s central themes: the importance of being taken seriously, especially when you have no proof beyond your own fear.
Kissane also touches, with great sensitivity, on the aftermath of violence. Rather than dwelling on the event, she focuses on what follows: the numbness, the disorientation, the loss of innocence, the painful silence. She captures that universal moment victims describe—when the world turns grey and ordinary tasks feel impossible. Her insight that the real wound is often in the aftermath rather than the act itself is quietly devastating.
One of the most powerful threads running through the book is the cost—and courage—of telling the truth. Kissane quotes Maya Angelou’s famous line about the agony of the “untold story,” and her entire memoir becomes an act of stepping into the light. She acknowledges the risks, the pressure to stay silent, and the people who tried to ensure she never spoke. Yet she writes anyway.
Kissane does not frame herself as a triumphant hero, nor as a figure of tragedy. Instead, she offers a portrait of someone learning to live with the shadows while still seeking colour, hope, and a sense of self-worth.
Kissane’s gift for storytelling comes to life in sharp, lyrical, often poetic prose as she captures fleeting sensations with the precision of someone who has spent years examining her memories from every angle. She balances vulnerability with wit, intellect with emotion. The writing is alive.
First, Do No Harm is deeply courageous, beautifully written, and unforgettable.
December 6, 2025
I am torn on what rating to give this book, so I am going with a solid 3.5, which rounds up to 4. Starting with the good, the author has a very distinct voice, and I enjoy her writing style. While there are inconsistencies that another round of editing would have fixed, I was very engaged with the first half of the book. The story was interesting, even though it feels like an anthology of unconnected stories about the same character; it had enough throughlines to make me want to continue reading. The first half, or until we get to the college story with the rich boy, was very enjoyable.
Then the second half goes off the rails. I understand what the author was trying to do; a horrific event clearly happened to the MC, and she becomes an unstable/unreliable narrator. These stories do an excellent job of establishing that she is dealing with a traumatic event, but they would have benefited from more breadcrumbs, leading to a climactic reveal of what actually happened. Instead, we get more of a dreamlike explanation of something terrible that happens to the MC after she has already been committed to a mental ward. As a reader, I was distracted trying to figure out what had happened, which took away from my understanding of what was currently happening.
The book also ends rather abruptly with no real resolution for the character. Now, I understand that in real life, this happens all the time. However, this is a novel, not a biography. I struggled to understand the real impact of the traumatic events on the MC. In fairness to the author, she is only 27, so she might not know what the real impacts are on her and her life, but there is certainly enough material available for her to draw some conclusions.
Strangely enough, this is one of the few books I have read that is simultaneously too short and not long enough. Ultimately, the final chapter was not earned. If this is a work of fiction, it deserves a more concrete ending. If these stories were based on real-life experiences, they would have benefited from a few more years of separation, maturity, and life experiences before putting pen to paper. Either way, these chapters should have included more fleshing out, more world-building. It reads like a second draft, not a final draft.
If this is a true story, I commend the author for having the courage to speak about her life experiences. Her writing is excellent, and I would be interested in reading more of her work. Hopefully, her next book goes through a more rigorous editing process so her words can shine even brighter.
Then the second half goes off the rails. I understand what the author was trying to do; a horrific event clearly happened to the MC, and she becomes an unstable/unreliable narrator. These stories do an excellent job of establishing that she is dealing with a traumatic event, but they would have benefited from more breadcrumbs, leading to a climactic reveal of what actually happened. Instead, we get more of a dreamlike explanation of something terrible that happens to the MC after she has already been committed to a mental ward. As a reader, I was distracted trying to figure out what had happened, which took away from my understanding of what was currently happening.
The book also ends rather abruptly with no real resolution for the character. Now, I understand that in real life, this happens all the time. However, this is a novel, not a biography. I struggled to understand the real impact of the traumatic events on the MC. In fairness to the author, she is only 27, so she might not know what the real impacts are on her and her life, but there is certainly enough material available for her to draw some conclusions.
Strangely enough, this is one of the few books I have read that is simultaneously too short and not long enough. Ultimately, the final chapter was not earned. If this is a work of fiction, it deserves a more concrete ending. If these stories were based on real-life experiences, they would have benefited from a few more years of separation, maturity, and life experiences before putting pen to paper. Either way, these chapters should have included more fleshing out, more world-building. It reads like a second draft, not a final draft.
If this is a true story, I commend the author for having the courage to speak about her life experiences. Her writing is excellent, and I would be interested in reading more of her work. Hopefully, her next book goes through a more rigorous editing process so her words can shine even brighter.
September 8, 2025
First off, I have to commend Freya Kissane for the bravery and emotional stamina and bandwidth that it surely took in order to write this novel. I vacillated back and forth so many times during my reading as to whether or not I believed the story was a novel based on true events (aka an autobiography of sorts) or whether it was all fiction but something the author believed could have happened. Either way, this was truly a life-shattering, heartbreaking story. The main character, April, recounts the many experiences she suffers in her life that are unimaginably difficult: from inappropriate sexual encounters with trusted adults from a very young age to a full fledge horrifically violent sexual assault. April has a heart that truly wants to help other girls know how to deal with circumstances they find themselves in that April can relate to. April's wisdom gained from experiences likely helps some of these girls heal from their trauma in ways April herself wasn't able to. April reaches out and tries to protect other girls because she has learned to recognize the signs of a relationship between a perpetrator and a victim. By the age of 18, April has dealt with so much trauma that she is committed to a mental facility. The people she entrusts her life and emotional health to only do further damage. I struggled to understand if what Freya narrated was actually happening during April's confinement or if it was her having dreams or hallucinations as she tried to deal with her PTSD and unmet emotional needs. Clearly, the author presents the mental health system as severely lacking in tools and resources to truly help people who are having mental breakdowns due to childhood trauma. The truth behind this book is frightening and would make me very cautious to every allow someone in the medical mental health field to treat me. The author uses amazing similes and metaphors to describe how April feels throughout the book. This wasn’t an easy or pleasant read, but whether it is fully a work of fiction or an autobiography wrapped in the packaging of a fiction novel, this book should be required reading for anyone who wants to work in the mental health field or anyone who knows someone who has experienced any sort of sexual trauma.
January 19, 2026
When I first saw this book, I thought it was a non-fiction novel about the Hippocratic oath because of the title and cover. As a fan of both Greek philosophy and history, I decided to take a closer look.
However, “First Do No Harm” is not a tale about the history of medicine.
Rather, it’s a coming of age story that is beautifully written in a way that is raw and deeply compelling. It’s an honest look back at a teenager’s chaotic hurdle into adulthood through the eyes of April, the narrator. It’s a tale about the harsh realities of adulthood and the stripping away of childhood innocence and naivety that is incredibly relatable to many people.
It should be noted that this story deals with rape, sexual assault, and eating disorders. These themes may be triggering to some. But they’re necessary themes for the novel. Because it’s gritty, it’s real. And real life is messy. That being said, there were a couple places where I had to set the book down for a while.
The book was magnificently edited and formatted. I could tell that the author put a lot of passion into it. However, I think it needs a new cover that’s befitting of the story inside.
The reason I took off a star was because of the Omegle chat scene. it made no sense to me how April was able to get Mark medical help when she was in Australia and all she knew about Mark’s location was “somewhere in the United States.” It’s unclear what happened to him. Also, the time zone difference isn’t clear. Australia is anywhere from 14-20 hours ahead, depending on which time zone you’re in. Mark asks what April is doing up so late. However, assuming that April is talking to Mark at 10:45 PM when his friends leave, it would be between 2:30 AM and 8:30
AM. I might just be nitpicking at this point, but I feel like it’s a detail that should have been clarified. Now I feel like I’m in the middle of one of those math problems involving two different trains.
For a section of the book, it becomes way too similar to the movie Mean Girls, which I guess is a good thing if you enjoyed that movie.
If you’re wondering why you should take the time to read this book, I’ll let April answer that question for you: “Because this is a story that deserves to be read.”
However, “First Do No Harm” is not a tale about the history of medicine.
Rather, it’s a coming of age story that is beautifully written in a way that is raw and deeply compelling. It’s an honest look back at a teenager’s chaotic hurdle into adulthood through the eyes of April, the narrator. It’s a tale about the harsh realities of adulthood and the stripping away of childhood innocence and naivety that is incredibly relatable to many people.
It should be noted that this story deals with rape, sexual assault, and eating disorders. These themes may be triggering to some. But they’re necessary themes for the novel. Because it’s gritty, it’s real. And real life is messy. That being said, there were a couple places where I had to set the book down for a while.
The book was magnificently edited and formatted. I could tell that the author put a lot of passion into it. However, I think it needs a new cover that’s befitting of the story inside.
The reason I took off a star was because of the Omegle chat scene. it made no sense to me how April was able to get Mark medical help when she was in Australia and all she knew about Mark’s location was “somewhere in the United States.” It’s unclear what happened to him. Also, the time zone difference isn’t clear. Australia is anywhere from 14-20 hours ahead, depending on which time zone you’re in. Mark asks what April is doing up so late. However, assuming that April is talking to Mark at 10:45 PM when his friends leave, it would be between 2:30 AM and 8:30
AM. I might just be nitpicking at this point, but I feel like it’s a detail that should have been clarified. Now I feel like I’m in the middle of one of those math problems involving two different trains.
For a section of the book, it becomes way too similar to the movie Mean Girls, which I guess is a good thing if you enjoyed that movie.
If you’re wondering why you should take the time to read this book, I’ll let April answer that question for you: “Because this is a story that deserves to be read.”
October 28, 2025
This book is reminds me of when i was a teen. So it definitely fits in perfectly with the coming-of-age story genre. It's character-driven with a first person POV which immerses you into April's (the main character) feelings and personality. She's flawed, confused, and her internal conflict is understandable in all the right ways living in that that awkward in-between stage of becoming an adult and trying to make sense of who you are intrinsically as a person. Also, even though there is a disclaimer for mature themes, i'd still say with about 95% surety that readers wouldn't have an issue with it... unless the themes themselves are triggering to the reader specifically. There wasn't anything explicit so don't worry about that if you're purchasing as a gift. It's just to be aware that the book talks about certain themes, but this shouldn't be an issue at all for the age group it's advertised for.
I'd say the book definitely needs to be fine tuned and edited... just a little bit further to tweak and weed out any inconsistencies. Some persons might miss it, but i'm an avid reader and I noticed a few grammar issues, tense inconsistencies, and a few awkward sentences here or there, but still nothing too rough. The narrative itself definitely is strong enough to shine through though... but with some polishing, it would refine the book to an even higher level. And the COVER. Oh boy... The cover doesn’t do the story justice in the slightest. I would definitely say this is the biggest thing that needs to change for the most impact. I had no idea what the book was about just looking at it without reading the description. It actually gives off more non-fiction vibes to me. It doesn’t visually represent what the book is about or the emotion behind it, which is such a shame because the writing and character work deserve better presentation. A stronger cover would most assuredly bring in the type of readers this book deserves and calls for.
Despite those issues, the story is pretty good. It’s heartfelt, raw, and brings just the right amount of emotion to any coming of age book. With some polishing and a more fitting cover, this book could really stand out. Nice work!
I'd say the book definitely needs to be fine tuned and edited... just a little bit further to tweak and weed out any inconsistencies. Some persons might miss it, but i'm an avid reader and I noticed a few grammar issues, tense inconsistencies, and a few awkward sentences here or there, but still nothing too rough. The narrative itself definitely is strong enough to shine through though... but with some polishing, it would refine the book to an even higher level. And the COVER. Oh boy... The cover doesn’t do the story justice in the slightest. I would definitely say this is the biggest thing that needs to change for the most impact. I had no idea what the book was about just looking at it without reading the description. It actually gives off more non-fiction vibes to me. It doesn’t visually represent what the book is about or the emotion behind it, which is such a shame because the writing and character work deserve better presentation. A stronger cover would most assuredly bring in the type of readers this book deserves and calls for.
Despite those issues, the story is pretty good. It’s heartfelt, raw, and brings just the right amount of emotion to any coming of age book. With some polishing and a more fitting cover, this book could really stand out. Nice work!
November 8, 2025
For a lot of this book, I struggled to work out what it was actually about, not least because the description tells us almost nothing aside from it’s a coming-of-age story about a girl facing the world’s harsh realities. The title implied it would have something to do with the medical profession (and later on, it does), but this isn’t the predominant theme of the book. April recounts her life and all the traumatic things she has experienced, from witnessing the sexual assault of other young girls, to her struggles to form friendships, and ultimately, her own rape. She desperately wants to help and protect others from situations it’s implied she experienced herself, to the detriment of her own mental health. Just when it seems she may be starting to live a more ‘normal’ life, she becomes paranoid and suffers some sort of breakdown, ending up in a mental hospital. We never learn the nature of her condition, but we experience her delusions (hallucinations?) along with her, which makes it difficult to figure out what’s actually happening when a lot of things are going on. When she is assaulted by someone in a position of authority at the hospital, the story feels more grounded again, but it’s still a little difficult to tell which parts are real and which are imagined. The ending is quite bleak but there’s a glimmer of hope, which feels realistic for a story like this.
This book would definitely benefit from a copy edit. There are a number of spelling and grammar mistakes which sometimes took me out of the story. I also found it a little hard to connect with April, as she seemed somewhat distant from everything that was happening, although on another level, this did work well as it showed how she was forced to detach herself from it all in order to survive. It’s certainly a thought-provoking read that covers some difficult topics - it’s not graphic, but the author certainly doesn’t shy away from darker subjects. Although a little too introspective at times, there are also some beautifully written lines, and it’s an unflinching look at how unresolved trauma can break a person, even years after the fact.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
First, Do No Harm is a fascinating, gritty look at mental health and survival through April Matthews' eyes. Set in Australia, the story follows April from a perfectionist 14-year-old to a young woman battling the shadows of trauma and a literal descent into psychosis. It is a raw, unflinching, and deeply moving look into the mind of a survivor. Though it starts off like one, if you’re looking for a "light" coming-of-age story, this isn’t it. Or at least it doesn't end that way.
Initially, the author brilliantly captures the specific, jagged edges of teenage life. Whether April is navigating the social minefield of ice skating with preteens or dealing with her truly Evil Science Teacher, the writing feels incredibly authentic. Mark's "911" sequence, as she tries to call 911 from Australia, particularly struck me; it perfectly illustrates April’s desperate need to fix things, even when she’s just a kid behind a computer screen.
The story takes a sharp, dark turn when we jump to April at 18. Her "quest for perfection" masks a deepening struggle with disordered eating, paranoia, and a mental health crisis that eventually leads to a harrowing hospital stay. The chapter "Red Mattress Night" is admittedly very tough to read—it’s a visceral portrayal of assault and trauma—but it’s handled with a level of respect and "unfiltered" honesty that you don't often see.
What I loved:
The Character Voice: April is complex, witty, and deeply flawed. You really feel like you’re inside her head.
The Realism: The author doesn’t sugarcoat anything. From "Burn Books" used to expose a creepy teacher and other repulsive men to the terrifying reality of a mental health breakdown, it feels incredibly real.
The Themes: It explores the messy intersection of trauma, justice, and the "self-inflicted quest for perfection."
A quick heads-up: The book goes to some very dark places, including assault and self-harm, especially in the later chapters. It’s a mesmerizing read that stays with you long after you finish the last page. If you appreciate raw, psychological fiction that prioritizes truth over "happy endings," pick this up.
Initially, the author brilliantly captures the specific, jagged edges of teenage life. Whether April is navigating the social minefield of ice skating with preteens or dealing with her truly Evil Science Teacher, the writing feels incredibly authentic. Mark's "911" sequence, as she tries to call 911 from Australia, particularly struck me; it perfectly illustrates April’s desperate need to fix things, even when she’s just a kid behind a computer screen.
The story takes a sharp, dark turn when we jump to April at 18. Her "quest for perfection" masks a deepening struggle with disordered eating, paranoia, and a mental health crisis that eventually leads to a harrowing hospital stay. The chapter "Red Mattress Night" is admittedly very tough to read—it’s a visceral portrayal of assault and trauma—but it’s handled with a level of respect and "unfiltered" honesty that you don't often see.
What I loved:
The Character Voice: April is complex, witty, and deeply flawed. You really feel like you’re inside her head.
The Realism: The author doesn’t sugarcoat anything. From "Burn Books" used to expose a creepy teacher and other repulsive men to the terrifying reality of a mental health breakdown, it feels incredibly real.
The Themes: It explores the messy intersection of trauma, justice, and the "self-inflicted quest for perfection."
A quick heads-up: The book goes to some very dark places, including assault and self-harm, especially in the later chapters. It’s a mesmerizing read that stays with you long after you finish the last page. If you appreciate raw, psychological fiction that prioritizes truth over "happy endings," pick this up.
January 1, 2026
In First, Do No Harm, Freya Kissane dismantles the romanticized notion of the "coming-of-age" story, replacing it with a jagged, high-stakes exploration of what it truly costs to grow up. Through the eyes of April Kissane crafts a narrative that is both a tender character study and a brutal indictment of the world’s indifference.
A Protagonist Rooted in Reality
April is not your typical literary heroine. She is "gutsy" in a way that feels earned, navigating the transition into adulthood not with grace, but with the raw, stumbling energy of someone trying to survive a storm. Kissane excels at capturing the "stinging pain of change," portraying April’s journey through a lens of intense, forceful truth. The adult world she enters is not a sanctuary of freedom, but a landscape of "heart-wrenching consequences."
The Complexity of Connection
At the heart of the novel is a passionate, often suffocating tangle of relationships. Kissane explores how intimacy can be both a lifeline and a weapon. The dynamics between characters are never black and white; they are messy, codependent, and occasionally destructive.
Tone and Atmosphere
The prose is evocative and heavy with atmosphere. Kissane doesn’t shy away from "mature themes," and the "adult fiction" label is well-earned. The narrative carries a weight of "forceful and intense truth," making it a demanding read that requires emotional fortitude. It is a story that lingers long after the final page, particularly in its portrayal of how trauma shapes the architecture of one's identity.
Final Verdict
First, Do No Harm is a powerful, albeit harrowing, literary achievement. It is a book for readers who prefer their truths unvarnished and their characters deeply flawed. While the themes of sexual violence necessitate a strong content warning, those who feel able to engage with the material will find a story of profound emotional depth and a striking new voice in contemporary fiction. April’s journey reminds us that while the passage to adulthood is often marked by loss, there is a certain rugged beauty in the survival that follows.
A Protagonist Rooted in Reality
April is not your typical literary heroine. She is "gutsy" in a way that feels earned, navigating the transition into adulthood not with grace, but with the raw, stumbling energy of someone trying to survive a storm. Kissane excels at capturing the "stinging pain of change," portraying April’s journey through a lens of intense, forceful truth. The adult world she enters is not a sanctuary of freedom, but a landscape of "heart-wrenching consequences."
The Complexity of Connection
At the heart of the novel is a passionate, often suffocating tangle of relationships. Kissane explores how intimacy can be both a lifeline and a weapon. The dynamics between characters are never black and white; they are messy, codependent, and occasionally destructive.
Tone and Atmosphere
The prose is evocative and heavy with atmosphere. Kissane doesn’t shy away from "mature themes," and the "adult fiction" label is well-earned. The narrative carries a weight of "forceful and intense truth," making it a demanding read that requires emotional fortitude. It is a story that lingers long after the final page, particularly in its portrayal of how trauma shapes the architecture of one's identity.
Final Verdict
First, Do No Harm is a powerful, albeit harrowing, literary achievement. It is a book for readers who prefer their truths unvarnished and their characters deeply flawed. While the themes of sexual violence necessitate a strong content warning, those who feel able to engage with the material will find a story of profound emotional depth and a striking new voice in contemporary fiction. April’s journey reminds us that while the passage to adulthood is often marked by loss, there is a certain rugged beauty in the survival that follows.
January 8, 2026
First, Do No Harm is a short but deeply affecting novel that unfolds with a kind of quiet intensity—one that lingers long after the final page. From the outset, the story evokes an instinctive, human response: the desire to reach out, to offer comfort, to wrap the protagonist April in the kind of hug that says, I may not understand everything you’ve endured, but I understand your need to be held through it. That impulse becomes the emotional compass for the entire reading experience. For anyone who has witnessed a young person struggle with mental illness, the resonance is immediate and profound.
At its core, the novel is a confessional exploration of trauma, survival, and the fragile resilience of a young woman whose life has been shaped—and repeatedly fractured—by violence, neglect, and psychological turmoil. April’s voice is raw, stripped back layer by layer, revealing a narrative that blurs the line between memoir and psychological fiction. Her journey through adolescence and into the sterile confines of a psychiatric ward is rendered with a clinical precision that chills yet never feels gratuitous. The infamous “Red Mattress Night” chapter is a threshold between safety and horror, written with such detachment that the emotional impact becomes even sharper.
The novel’s coming-of-age elements are complicated by its darker themes—abusive relationships, predation, paranoia, and a violent assault—making it more suitable for mature readers despite its youthful narrator. Yet the writing remains accessible, immersive, and deeply character driven. April’s confusion, her blurred sense of reality, and her desperate need to be believed are portrayed with heartbreaking authenticity.
While the book would benefit from another proofreading pass, its emotional truth is undeniable. It is a story that demands compassion—not just for April, but for every young person navigating trauma without the safety nets they deserve. This is a book that breaks you open, but also reminds you that looking away is a privilege not everyone has.
At its core, the novel is a confessional exploration of trauma, survival, and the fragile resilience of a young woman whose life has been shaped—and repeatedly fractured—by violence, neglect, and psychological turmoil. April’s voice is raw, stripped back layer by layer, revealing a narrative that blurs the line between memoir and psychological fiction. Her journey through adolescence and into the sterile confines of a psychiatric ward is rendered with a clinical precision that chills yet never feels gratuitous. The infamous “Red Mattress Night” chapter is a threshold between safety and horror, written with such detachment that the emotional impact becomes even sharper.
The novel’s coming-of-age elements are complicated by its darker themes—abusive relationships, predation, paranoia, and a violent assault—making it more suitable for mature readers despite its youthful narrator. Yet the writing remains accessible, immersive, and deeply character driven. April’s confusion, her blurred sense of reality, and her desperate need to be believed are portrayed with heartbreaking authenticity.
While the book would benefit from another proofreading pass, its emotional truth is undeniable. It is a story that demands compassion—not just for April, but for every young person navigating trauma without the safety nets they deserve. This is a book that breaks you open, but also reminds you that looking away is a privilege not everyone has.
August 24, 2025
To start with, I'd like to say that I'm not surprised few people have picked up this book to review. I believe it might be in the wrong categories on Amazon. It is a coming-of-age story, but I would have also put it into young adult fiction, and although some of the content may be of an adult nature, I didn't perceive anything in the way of erotica or even romance.
In spite of those observations, this is a compelling and difficult read because of the biographical treatment of the main character April. You're drawn into this coming-of-age tale from the very start. April is a troubled teen, trying to get on in life and navigate her way through her challenging world into adulthood. She has friends, but no boyfriend and can't seem to find one. The boys she does encounter start off promising before turning out to be weird disappointments, and in fact some of the characters in the book all turn out to be pretty strange, while others have disturbing traits. It's a good thing they don't stick around long enough in the story. Life at home isn't great, either: April has a fraught relationship with her parents. Despite these obstacles, she manages to work her way through school and into university, until various triggers affect her mental health and send her on a frightening journey.
This book is a reflection of how someone's life can be turned upside down very easily by events and the price they can pay when they have no control. I cared very much what happened to April while trying to overcome the challenges she was forced to face.
A short book with not much in the way of characterisation, but altogether a page-turner.
In spite of those observations, this is a compelling and difficult read because of the biographical treatment of the main character April. You're drawn into this coming-of-age tale from the very start. April is a troubled teen, trying to get on in life and navigate her way through her challenging world into adulthood. She has friends, but no boyfriend and can't seem to find one. The boys she does encounter start off promising before turning out to be weird disappointments, and in fact some of the characters in the book all turn out to be pretty strange, while others have disturbing traits. It's a good thing they don't stick around long enough in the story. Life at home isn't great, either: April has a fraught relationship with her parents. Despite these obstacles, she manages to work her way through school and into university, until various triggers affect her mental health and send her on a frightening journey.
This book is a reflection of how someone's life can be turned upside down very easily by events and the price they can pay when they have no control. I cared very much what happened to April while trying to overcome the challenges she was forced to face.
A short book with not much in the way of characterisation, but altogether a page-turner.
October 26, 2025
Shades of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
April, the protagonist in this book, is an unreliable narrator. She admits as much because of her mental health issues, stemming from being abused as a child. So, we know from the outset that this story will not be for the faint-hearted. Are the nasty things that happen to April real or imaginary? That is the underlying thread throughout this hard-hitting tale.
Things begin to get unpleasant from the start. On a Thursday, April consoles a younger girl in her school when she sees her being sexually harassed by a teacher. Later, April saves another girl from being raped in the bathroom of the local ice rink. Although April is still very young, her voice and actions are far more mature than her years, due to her childhood experiences. Her voice is honest and sincere, lamenting a world filled with predators, which helps to create a believable character that the reader roots for.
The novel is written in a very matter-of-fact way, without sentiment but with just enough emotion to give the story a truth that resonates. Since the narrative distances itself from the horrible/sad/unpleasant/eating disorders, and paranoia events that occur, the impact of these heartbreaking episodes becomes sharper because of the detail and unsentimental way they are expressed. That is the power of this author's storytelling. Reserved, yet hugely impactful.
This is a well-written and thought-provoking book that lingers long after reading. A must for anyone young or old who is suffering, or has suffered from mental health issues, has been the victim of sexual abuse, or knows someone who has.
April, the protagonist in this book, is an unreliable narrator. She admits as much because of her mental health issues, stemming from being abused as a child. So, we know from the outset that this story will not be for the faint-hearted. Are the nasty things that happen to April real or imaginary? That is the underlying thread throughout this hard-hitting tale.
Things begin to get unpleasant from the start. On a Thursday, April consoles a younger girl in her school when she sees her being sexually harassed by a teacher. Later, April saves another girl from being raped in the bathroom of the local ice rink. Although April is still very young, her voice and actions are far more mature than her years, due to her childhood experiences. Her voice is honest and sincere, lamenting a world filled with predators, which helps to create a believable character that the reader roots for.
The novel is written in a very matter-of-fact way, without sentiment but with just enough emotion to give the story a truth that resonates. Since the narrative distances itself from the horrible/sad/unpleasant/eating disorders, and paranoia events that occur, the impact of these heartbreaking episodes becomes sharper because of the detail and unsentimental way they are expressed. That is the power of this author's storytelling. Reserved, yet hugely impactful.
This is a well-written and thought-provoking book that lingers long after reading. A must for anyone young or old who is suffering, or has suffered from mental health issues, has been the victim of sexual abuse, or knows someone who has.
November 25, 2025
A thought-provoking and compelling psychological fiction
When I started reading this book it simply felt like the personal diary of a teenager moving towards adulthood. Soon there were clues to it being something psychologically darker and the lines between fact, fiction and fantasies became blurred. Author Freya Kissane segued improbable events into the narrative in such a convincing way that even by the end of the book I was still unsure whether I had read a mental health memoir or an unforgettable psychological fiction. As a reader, I could feel the protagonist April Matthews' pain and angst at not being believed or understood, and dismissed as a paranoid teenager. Her mental detachment from the most graphic circumstances made them easier to read.
I agree with other reviewers who have queried the classification as a 'coming of age' fiction as it's questionable whether this book is suitable for readers under 18 years, due to the adult themes of paedophilia, paranoia, and one violent rape scene. However, difficult as those themes are, they were conveyed in a way that felt almost dreamlike, due to the author's accomplished writing skills, which kept me turning the pages of this well-crafted story. Unfortunately, the book badly needs another proofread as there were many issues of typos and sentences with missing or repeated words, and that is why I've rated it four stars rather then the five stars the story and writing deserve. The book would be insightful for anyone working with teenagers or in mental health settings, and it's a thought-provoking and impactful read for those who appreciate character-driven psychological fiction.
When I started reading this book it simply felt like the personal diary of a teenager moving towards adulthood. Soon there were clues to it being something psychologically darker and the lines between fact, fiction and fantasies became blurred. Author Freya Kissane segued improbable events into the narrative in such a convincing way that even by the end of the book I was still unsure whether I had read a mental health memoir or an unforgettable psychological fiction. As a reader, I could feel the protagonist April Matthews' pain and angst at not being believed or understood, and dismissed as a paranoid teenager. Her mental detachment from the most graphic circumstances made them easier to read.
I agree with other reviewers who have queried the classification as a 'coming of age' fiction as it's questionable whether this book is suitable for readers under 18 years, due to the adult themes of paedophilia, paranoia, and one violent rape scene. However, difficult as those themes are, they were conveyed in a way that felt almost dreamlike, due to the author's accomplished writing skills, which kept me turning the pages of this well-crafted story. Unfortunately, the book badly needs another proofread as there were many issues of typos and sentences with missing or repeated words, and that is why I've rated it four stars rather then the five stars the story and writing deserve. The book would be insightful for anyone working with teenagers or in mental health settings, and it's a thought-provoking and impactful read for those who appreciate character-driven psychological fiction.
December 15, 2025
I anticipated a simple story regarding youth, but this book offered something intense. Freya Kissane writes with a style that feels raw and unfiltered. It resembles a private journal found under a mattress and lacks the gloss of a polished novel. April Matthews is the protagonist, and she starts as a regular teenager dealing with school tension and complex friendships in Australia. The plot descends into darkness at a rapid pace. The author displays the world through April’s eyes, and the perspective is fascinating. The view is grim. The story explores mental health and trauma in a manner that strikes with force. You begin to question the difference between truth and delusion. I felt like I was losing my grip on reality with her. It is a wild ride through her mind as she navigates the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The way the narrative blurs the lines of reality kept me glued to my Kindle for hours.
The psychological depth in this novel is impressive. This is a somber story with a messy ending, but it feels authentic. April faces tough situations, and the book demonstrates the way memory can twist facts. I liked the way the author handled heavy subjects with respect. It is a solid look at survival and the invisible scars people carry. The way April describes the other characters adds to the mystery and isolation she feels. She is a fighter and a survivor. The writing is sharp and cuts to the bone. I thought about this story for days after I finished the last chapter. You should read this if you want a book that challenges your perception. It is a brave piece of fiction that feels true to life.
The psychological depth in this novel is impressive. This is a somber story with a messy ending, but it feels authentic. April faces tough situations, and the book demonstrates the way memory can twist facts. I liked the way the author handled heavy subjects with respect. It is a solid look at survival and the invisible scars people carry. The way April describes the other characters adds to the mystery and isolation she feels. She is a fighter and a survivor. The writing is sharp and cuts to the bone. I thought about this story for days after I finished the last chapter. You should read this if you want a book that challenges your perception. It is a brave piece of fiction that feels true to life.
December 20, 2025
This book follows a young girl, April, as she moves through some very hard moments while trying to grow up. April feels real, flawed, and emotional, and her reactions to the world around her often felt honest. I found myself caring about what would happen to her, even when I didn’t always agree with her choices.
I will say that I didn’t always understand how she ended up in some of the situations she was in. At times, it felt like she was suddenly thrown into a serious situation and explanation of how she got there was very unlikely. There were also moments when information was shared that didn’t seem clearly connected to the main story, and I found myself wondering why it was included or how it would matter later. That confusion pulled me out of the story now and then.
Even with that, I kept turning the pages. There is something very compelling about the emotional tone of the book. The feelings are strong, sometimes uncomfortable, and often sad in a quiet way. The relationships are messy and complicated, which felt very true to real life, especially during the teenage years. The story does not shy away from showing that growing up can hurt and that change often comes with consequences.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and emotional read. While I didn’t always follow every detail or fully understand every situation, the heart of the story kept me engaged. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about how confusing and painful the step into adulthood can be, even when you don’t have all the answers.
I will say that I didn’t always understand how she ended up in some of the situations she was in. At times, it felt like she was suddenly thrown into a serious situation and explanation of how she got there was very unlikely. There were also moments when information was shared that didn’t seem clearly connected to the main story, and I found myself wondering why it was included or how it would matter later. That confusion pulled me out of the story now and then.
Even with that, I kept turning the pages. There is something very compelling about the emotional tone of the book. The feelings are strong, sometimes uncomfortable, and often sad in a quiet way. The relationships are messy and complicated, which felt very true to real life, especially during the teenage years. The story does not shy away from showing that growing up can hurt and that change often comes with consequences.
Overall, this was a thoughtful and emotional read. While I didn’t always follow every detail or fully understand every situation, the heart of the story kept me engaged. It’s the kind of book that makes you think about how confusing and painful the step into adulthood can be, even when you don’t have all the answers.
October 20, 2025
Genre defying novel about a young woman’s journey.
“First, Do No Harm” by Sydney author Freya Kissane cannot be easily pressed into categories that modern books are “supposed” to comply with. It is a story about April, a teen who struggles to bury past abuse. It is a coming-of-age story as April grows into a young adult hiding from her childhood trauma with a façade of perfection. It is a story of April’s awkward steps into first love. It is also April’s surreal journey in a psychiatric hospital where pills and her past conspire to bend her reality. It is a story of a broken girl. Real life doesn’t neatly fit into categories either. April’s character also fights against labels. She is far from perfect, can be aggravating, can be a champion of others who are abused, can be unreliable, can collapse under the weight of the life she tries to so carefully construct. This book feels like it might have been written decades ago, such as in the 1960s, when writers were free to create, experiment, and smash through expectations. The author took a risk writing a book that is sure to displease the algorithms. This book is also for readers who are willing to take a risk reading a book that disobeys approved genres, that addresses uncomfortable topics. “First, Do No Harm” is a challenging book. It requires thought. It requires stepping outside safe reading to discover the untamed, yet fascinating books living in the creative wilderness.
“First, Do No Harm” by Sydney author Freya Kissane cannot be easily pressed into categories that modern books are “supposed” to comply with. It is a story about April, a teen who struggles to bury past abuse. It is a coming-of-age story as April grows into a young adult hiding from her childhood trauma with a façade of perfection. It is a story of April’s awkward steps into first love. It is also April’s surreal journey in a psychiatric hospital where pills and her past conspire to bend her reality. It is a story of a broken girl. Real life doesn’t neatly fit into categories either. April’s character also fights against labels. She is far from perfect, can be aggravating, can be a champion of others who are abused, can be unreliable, can collapse under the weight of the life she tries to so carefully construct. This book feels like it might have been written decades ago, such as in the 1960s, when writers were free to create, experiment, and smash through expectations. The author took a risk writing a book that is sure to displease the algorithms. This book is also for readers who are willing to take a risk reading a book that disobeys approved genres, that addresses uncomfortable topics. “First, Do No Harm” is a challenging book. It requires thought. It requires stepping outside safe reading to discover the untamed, yet fascinating books living in the creative wilderness.
October 17, 2025
Wow, what a beautiful, complex, and heartbreaking novel! While this isn’t the longest book, it certainly packs a punch and leaves a lasting impact. Although fictional, this book follows a memoir-style and walks us through the life of the protagonist, April. The story takes us through a variety of April’s experiences from childhood into adulthood that shape her into the woman she becomes, many of which are quite raw and painful. April’s character feels very realistic in the way her mental health is depicted from the trauma and abuse that she’s endured. In fact, I think this story does an excellent job at showing the lasting ramifications and invisible scars of abuse and how it can shape a survivor’s life in numerous ways even years after the event. To echo what others have said, I do believe that this book is currently a bit miscategorized on Amazon, as I certainly wouldn’t categorize it as a romance book. Additionally, there were a few scenes in the story where I had a little trouble figuring out what was real versus what was a potential hallucination of April’s. However, I enjoyed this book overall and I thought the writing style was beautiful. While this book got graphic in some scenes, I believe that it’s a very important read, especially for anyone who works with young adults and/or in the mental health field.
October 29, 2025
A Mirror Held to Pain and Survival
This book doesn’t whisper, it trembles, bleeds and demands to be felt. Through April’s eyes, we witness the brutal unmaking of innocence and the fragile reconstruction that follows. The first half of the book feels almost like reading someone’s private journal, full of teenage longings, awkward crushes and the subtle cruelties of growing up. But once April enters the mental institution, the tone fractures into something darker, more claustrophobic and deeply psychological.
One chapter that haunted me was “The Rat.” It captures April’s paranoia with devastating realism, the creeping dread of being watched, the confusion between danger and delusion. Alec’s conversation with her about the stalker felt both terrifying and symbolic, as if the Rat represented the lingering trauma that keeps clawing back into her mind. The image of the 1950s house, with its hidden crawl spaces, becomes a perfect metaphor for the dark corners of memory that April can’t seal shut.
Kissane doesn’t offer comfort or tidy resolutions. Instead, she gives us something braver, a portrait of survival in its rawest form. First, Do No Harm is unsettling, beautifully written and unforgettable. It’s the kind of book that changes the way you breathe for a while.
This book doesn’t whisper, it trembles, bleeds and demands to be felt. Through April’s eyes, we witness the brutal unmaking of innocence and the fragile reconstruction that follows. The first half of the book feels almost like reading someone’s private journal, full of teenage longings, awkward crushes and the subtle cruelties of growing up. But once April enters the mental institution, the tone fractures into something darker, more claustrophobic and deeply psychological.
One chapter that haunted me was “The Rat.” It captures April’s paranoia with devastating realism, the creeping dread of being watched, the confusion between danger and delusion. Alec’s conversation with her about the stalker felt both terrifying and symbolic, as if the Rat represented the lingering trauma that keeps clawing back into her mind. The image of the 1950s house, with its hidden crawl spaces, becomes a perfect metaphor for the dark corners of memory that April can’t seal shut.
Kissane doesn’t offer comfort or tidy resolutions. Instead, she gives us something braver, a portrait of survival in its rawest form. First, Do No Harm is unsettling, beautifully written and unforgettable. It’s the kind of book that changes the way you breathe for a while.
November 27, 2025
Brave and Affecting Read
I went into First, Do No Harm hoping for a thoughtful coming-of-age story and found something rawer and more unsettling. This book is not for everyone. You are warned. April’s voice felt vivid and human, stubborn and scared at once, and the book let me sit with her as she moved from childhood into a world that was too sharp for her age. The prose read like a private journal, close to the bone, with small details that made classrooms, bedrooms, and institutional hallways feel painfully real. I admired how the author treated trauma without sensationalism, showing how memory can blur, how loyalty and self-protection clash, and how healing is rarely tidy.
I also appreciated the honesty about content. The themes are heavy, especially the depictions of violence, and I was grateful for the clear warning. At times the early pacing wandered and a few side characters felt more like shadows than people, but the emotional throughline held. This did not read like a romance to me, more a psychological portrait of harm, coping, and stubborn hope.
I finished feeling protective of April and respectful of the book’s courage. If you can sit with difficult material and want a story that values truth over comfort, this is a brave, affecting read.
I went into First, Do No Harm hoping for a thoughtful coming-of-age story and found something rawer and more unsettling. This book is not for everyone. You are warned. April’s voice felt vivid and human, stubborn and scared at once, and the book let me sit with her as she moved from childhood into a world that was too sharp for her age. The prose read like a private journal, close to the bone, with small details that made classrooms, bedrooms, and institutional hallways feel painfully real. I admired how the author treated trauma without sensationalism, showing how memory can blur, how loyalty and self-protection clash, and how healing is rarely tidy.
I also appreciated the honesty about content. The themes are heavy, especially the depictions of violence, and I was grateful for the clear warning. At times the early pacing wandered and a few side characters felt more like shadows than people, but the emotional throughline held. This did not read like a romance to me, more a psychological portrait of harm, coping, and stubborn hope.
I finished feeling protective of April and respectful of the book’s courage. If you can sit with difficult material and want a story that values truth over comfort, this is a brave, affecting read.
January 2, 2026
First, Do No Harm by Freya Kissane is a deeply moving and emotionally demanding coming of age novel that does not shy away from difficult truths. Through April’s voice, the reader is pulled into a life shaped by trauma, survival, and the painful process of growing up too soon. The writing feels intimate and raw, almost memoir like, which makes April’s experiences feel unsettlingly real. Kissane captures the long shadow of abuse with honesty and care, showing how its effects ripple through adolescence and into adulthood in ways that are not always visible or easy to explain.
What makes this book especially powerful is its refusal to offer neat resolutions. April is gutsy, flawed, and human, and her emotional struggles are portrayed with sensitivity and realism. The pacing is tight, with every scene serving a purpose, and the prose is both beautiful and devastating. While some moments are difficult to read, they feel necessary and thoughtfully handled. This is not a light story, nor is it a romance, but it is an important one. First, Do No Harm is a courageous and unforgettable novel that will resonate deeply, especially with readers interested in mental health, healing, and the true cost of growing up.
What makes this book especially powerful is its refusal to offer neat resolutions. April is gutsy, flawed, and human, and her emotional struggles are portrayed with sensitivity and realism. The pacing is tight, with every scene serving a purpose, and the prose is both beautiful and devastating. While some moments are difficult to read, they feel necessary and thoughtfully handled. This is not a light story, nor is it a romance, but it is an important one. First, Do No Harm is a courageous and unforgettable novel that will resonate deeply, especially with readers interested in mental health, healing, and the true cost of growing up.
October 22, 2025
The 1st half of this book really drew me in. I started reading it and couldn’t put it down. The voice felt raw and honest, almost like reading someone’s private journal or memoir. April was incredibly relatable, especially in the first half of the story, which focused on the struggles and emotions of being a teenager through her ice skating, crushes, teachers, and parents. I appreciated all the real-life references to movies and cultural events that made the world feel authentic and familiar, especially the Mean Girls chapter.
However, once the story shifted to the mental institution, the tone changed drastically. It became darker, more chaotic, and emotionally intense. It was sometimes challenging to keep track of things, especially with the introduction of so many characters who caused April much harm. I felt like I needed more time to understand and process each part before moving on to the next, so I took some breaks between chapters. The ending tied everything together in a way that felt meaningful and complete. Ultimately, this is a story of survival and resilience, and learning to live on.
However, once the story shifted to the mental institution, the tone changed drastically. It became darker, more chaotic, and emotionally intense. It was sometimes challenging to keep track of things, especially with the introduction of so many characters who caused April much harm. I felt like I needed more time to understand and process each part before moving on to the next, so I took some breaks between chapters. The ending tied everything together in a way that felt meaningful and complete. Ultimately, this is a story of survival and resilience, and learning to live on.
October 25, 2025
What does it mean to grow up when the world keeps stealing pieces of you? Freya Kissane’s First, Do No Harm doesn’t whisper an answer. It shouts, trembles, and bleeds it onto the page. April, our fierce yet fragile guide, stumbles through the wreckage of adolescence, where every “safe” adult hides a shadow and every friendship teeters on the edge of betrayal. Have you ever read a book that made you flinch, not because of the violence on the page, but because of how true it feels?
This isn’t a story dressed up as trauma porn or faux-inspirational recovery. It’s raw, unsettling, and unapologetically human. April’s voice, sometimes lucid, sometimes fractured, draws us into the fog of her PTSD, the failures of the systems meant to protect her, and the impossible task of surviving when trust itself has become dangerous.
Is it fiction? Memoir? Hallucination? Maybe all three. Does it matter? Kissane turns the question of truth into a kind of art therapy for the reader. By the final page, we aren’t just witnessing April’s undoing; we’re complicit in it, changed by it.
First, Do No Harm isn’t pleasant. It isn’t easy. But, then again, what act of necessary compassion ever is?
This isn’t a story dressed up as trauma porn or faux-inspirational recovery. It’s raw, unsettling, and unapologetically human. April’s voice, sometimes lucid, sometimes fractured, draws us into the fog of her PTSD, the failures of the systems meant to protect her, and the impossible task of surviving when trust itself has become dangerous.
Is it fiction? Memoir? Hallucination? Maybe all three. Does it matter? Kissane turns the question of truth into a kind of art therapy for the reader. By the final page, we aren’t just witnessing April’s undoing; we’re complicit in it, changed by it.
First, Do No Harm isn’t pleasant. It isn’t easy. But, then again, what act of necessary compassion ever is?
November 15, 2025
The Line Between Ordinary Life and Unthinkable Violence
The book captures trauma with a precision that chills. April, the narrator, is a young woman whose life has been shaped and repeatedly broken by trauma. From her teenage years through the sterile halls of a psychiatric ward, she becomes both the subject and witness of the book’s central question: how thin is the line between ordinary life and unthinkable violence? It’s that line the entire book walks, trembling but unbroken. What begins as a story about survival becomes a study in the terrible proximity between safety and brutality.
The hospital room in Chapter 24, “Red Mattress Night” is less a place than a threshold, “two locked doors, a hundred metres” from normalcy to horror. Kissane’s writing is unflinching but never gratuitous; her use of language is clinical, detached, almost surgical, which only heightens the reader’s horror.
When April wonders, “If I could change them now, would I choose a different path?” the novel reaches its most devastating truth: sometimes survival itself is the bravest, hardest choice.
This book will break you open. But it also insists that looking away is a luxury not everyone gets.
The book captures trauma with a precision that chills. April, the narrator, is a young woman whose life has been shaped and repeatedly broken by trauma. From her teenage years through the sterile halls of a psychiatric ward, she becomes both the subject and witness of the book’s central question: how thin is the line between ordinary life and unthinkable violence? It’s that line the entire book walks, trembling but unbroken. What begins as a story about survival becomes a study in the terrible proximity between safety and brutality.
The hospital room in Chapter 24, “Red Mattress Night” is less a place than a threshold, “two locked doors, a hundred metres” from normalcy to horror. Kissane’s writing is unflinching but never gratuitous; her use of language is clinical, detached, almost surgical, which only heightens the reader’s horror.
When April wonders, “If I could change them now, would I choose a different path?” the novel reaches its most devastating truth: sometimes survival itself is the bravest, hardest choice.
This book will break you open. But it also insists that looking away is a luxury not everyone gets.
December 28, 2025
The short fiction stories in which the character April describes parts of her life are truly heartbreaking and deeply moving. They read almost like an intimate journal, offering raw insights into how to survive in extreme and overwhelming situations. The book beautifully captures the essence of a broken, confused teenager wrestling with inner conflict, and it powerfully illustrates how fragile life can become under such harsh circumstances.
The diversity and intensity of emotions and thoughts are conveyed with remarkable clarity, making it effortless for readers to empathize with April’s struggles. I was genuinely impressed by the depth and vividness of each event she experiences, which often feels haunting and unforgettable. However, I would have appreciated a smoother narrative flow and stronger connections between the chapters, as at times the stories feel somewhat fragmented.
This book is especially meaningful for young adults who are navigating the complexities of external challenges while balancing their own internal battles. It serves as both a mirror and a guide for those seeking resilience and hope in the midst of chaos.
The diversity and intensity of emotions and thoughts are conveyed with remarkable clarity, making it effortless for readers to empathize with April’s struggles. I was genuinely impressed by the depth and vividness of each event she experiences, which often feels haunting and unforgettable. However, I would have appreciated a smoother narrative flow and stronger connections between the chapters, as at times the stories feel somewhat fragmented.
This book is especially meaningful for young adults who are navigating the complexities of external challenges while balancing their own internal battles. It serves as both a mirror and a guide for those seeking resilience and hope in the midst of chaos.
January 2, 2026
Daring and absorbing coming of age novel that treats abuse and sexual assault less like a victim narrative, because April is a fascinating character reacts in ways that aren't expected or cliched, she has a constant moral compass and lots self-criticism and self-diagnosis. She often takes justice into her own hands, and doesn't do things to be popular, but to be right. For instance, she saves a man from dying of an overdose over webcam even though he's in another country. Her narration can be sometimes seem cold, but more due to her attempts of being analytical, there's always a sense of something darker and unspoken. There's a few spelling and grammar errors but that kind of adds to the realism as the narrator is so young. I felt the book trailed off a bit when it went into her university years, though it picks up again and the later chapters are truly heart breaking. I think it teaches something of choice and consequence. Not to be read by anyone triggered by its themes. It makes me wonder how much of it is fiction and how much is autofiction, but maybe that's because it feels genuine.
October 22, 2025
First, Do No Harm by Freya Kissane was a well-written look into the horrific experiences of a teenager, April: from sexual abuse and assault to hallucinations, the story packs a punch.
However, I feel it could do with an edit; The novel was slow to get off to a start: there were lots of “I did that” and “I did that,” with really not much happening. I almost put the book down.
Some minor inconsistencies I noticed:
[1] Numbering: “When I was 11” in some places; “At fourteen, I was” in others.
[2] This is set in Australia, but I am very confused as to why the kids were going to “gas stations” (instead of petrol stations) and “movies” (instead of films). While British people understand "gas station" from American media, they don’t naturally use it in everyday speech.
I almost didn’t buy the book because of the cover: it looks like a non-fiction book, perhaps a guide to not doing “self-harm.” It was only reading the description I figured out this was a novel. It was tough to get through and I had to skim the last few pages.
However, I feel it could do with an edit; The novel was slow to get off to a start: there were lots of “I did that” and “I did that,” with really not much happening. I almost put the book down.
Some minor inconsistencies I noticed:
[1] Numbering: “When I was 11” in some places; “At fourteen, I was” in others.
[2] This is set in Australia, but I am very confused as to why the kids were going to “gas stations” (instead of petrol stations) and “movies” (instead of films). While British people understand "gas station" from American media, they don’t naturally use it in everyday speech.
I almost didn’t buy the book because of the cover: it looks like a non-fiction book, perhaps a guide to not doing “self-harm.” It was only reading the description I figured out this was a novel. It was tough to get through and I had to skim the last few pages.
October 23, 2025
Freya Kissane’s First, Do No Harm reads almost like a memoir with its closeness. April’s voice is frank, wounded, and determined, and the book tracks how early violations echo through a life long after the moment has passed. The scenes inside April’s head feel true to the way trauma reshapes memory and daily choices. I appreciated how the story refuses easy labels or neat fixes; it lets the contradictions stand and trusts the reader to sit with them. It is not a comfortable read, but it carries real compassion.
A few gentle critiques. The pacing sags in spots early on, and the prose can turn quite plain in places, which serves the voice but occasionally flattens tension. Secondary characters come and go quickly, so some relationships land more as impressions than arcs.
Those notes aside, this is a thoughtful, unflinching portrait of survival and the uneven routes healing can take. I would recommend it to readers who work with teens or in mental health, and to anyone who values character-driven fiction that treats difficult subjects with care.
A few gentle critiques. The pacing sags in spots early on, and the prose can turn quite plain in places, which serves the voice but occasionally flattens tension. Secondary characters come and go quickly, so some relationships land more as impressions than arcs.
Those notes aside, this is a thoughtful, unflinching portrait of survival and the uneven routes healing can take. I would recommend it to readers who work with teens or in mental health, and to anyone who values character-driven fiction that treats difficult subjects with care.
November 2, 2025
I liked some things about this book, and other aspects were okay. I thought the writing style was quirky, which made the heavy subject matter more palatable. Often the characters were given idiosyncratic monikers, like 'Portrait girl' or 'Evil Science teacher' and I think this worked well, especially since the book was written in fictional memoir style, or like reminiscing from a place of deeper knowledge on the past events. On the flip side of that, though, I felt at times that too much reflection created distance rather than what could have been conveyed had the story been told as April was experiencing it in the thick of the action. That might be a style preference though, and I'm sure other readers might not be bothered by the introspective narration. Aside from that, I found that April had a good balance of vulnerability and heroism, particularly when simultaneously dealing with her own trauma and helping other girls from predatory experiences. Although dealing with serious topics, the book never felt 'heavy' itself, always told from a perspective of hope.
November 12, 2025
I bought First, Do No Harm because I saw the writer is from Sydney which was my hometown growing up and I am also a fellow indie author. Although it's a work of fiction, it reads like a memoir and the story angered me at first because of the kind of predatory men that are out there, especially where I grew up. It had me wondering if this was the author's own personal experience growing up and how much of it is actually true.
It follows April from high school to college and the real world - basically through adolescence and the many struggles that she goes through, some horrific. There’s an ongoing theme of paedophilia and I suspected that April was a victim of it herself. What unfolds is a brutally raw and deeply personal coming of age story
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers but the book takes a turn - first I didn’t realise what was going on but then saw this as the character's way of dealing with trauma… at least that's how I saw it.
It’s rare I give five stars but I really commend the author for telling this disturbing but meaningful story.
It follows April from high school to college and the real world - basically through adolescence and the many struggles that she goes through, some horrific. There’s an ongoing theme of paedophilia and I suspected that April was a victim of it herself. What unfolds is a brutally raw and deeply personal coming of age story
I don’t want to give away too many spoilers but the book takes a turn - first I didn’t realise what was going on but then saw this as the character's way of dealing with trauma… at least that's how I saw it.
It’s rare I give five stars but I really commend the author for telling this disturbing but meaningful story.
December 10, 2025
Disclaimer: I did not read this book (although I did skim through it), but my daughter did.
My daughter elected to write a book report on this book, for her school. I'm a single dad, and trying to connect with my girl at this time in her life is a continual struggle. Certain subjects are tough to talk about with anyone, much less with your teenage daughter or your dad--but they're important subjects nonetheless. While that's something I have to work on, exposing her to these sensitive topics via personal mediums like this, helps.
I've never been a victim of a sexual crime like the protagonist is, and I'm not a girl, but the first-person storytelling is deeply personal and familiar. The feelings of insecurity, embarrassment, excitement, frustration, hope--these are all hallmarks of adolescence, and they're depicted masterfully.
I did come across a couple of grammatical mistakes. On one hand that's annoying, but on the other hand, it does make the book seem more raw and more personal.
My daughter elected to write a book report on this book, for her school. I'm a single dad, and trying to connect with my girl at this time in her life is a continual struggle. Certain subjects are tough to talk about with anyone, much less with your teenage daughter or your dad--but they're important subjects nonetheless. While that's something I have to work on, exposing her to these sensitive topics via personal mediums like this, helps.
I've never been a victim of a sexual crime like the protagonist is, and I'm not a girl, but the first-person storytelling is deeply personal and familiar. The feelings of insecurity, embarrassment, excitement, frustration, hope--these are all hallmarks of adolescence, and they're depicted masterfully.
I did come across a couple of grammatical mistakes. On one hand that's annoying, but on the other hand, it does make the book seem more raw and more personal.
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