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Unforgivable
Collette's childhood was a time of filth and terror. Her prostitute mother abused and neglected Collette, leaving her with clients, starving her and beating her to a pulp.
But the worst thing was that the people who were supposed to protect Collette turned a blind eye.
She slipped through the net and only just survived.
This is the story of a little girl who waited years for justice. It's the story of a woman determined to protect other children from suffering the same fate.
But the worst thing was that the people who were supposed to protect Collette turned a blind eye.
She slipped through the net and only just survived.
This is the story of a little girl who waited years for justice. It's the story of a woman determined to protect other children from suffering the same fate.
314 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
52 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 13, 2019
I tend to read these sad child abuse memoirs in the hope I can understand more about humans.
If you were to just look at Colette in an isolated moment, say when she was 20 - single mother, council flat, taking drugs, living with a string of abusive boyfriends and doing everything to make her situation even worse, you get one picture, but to read another picture, the 10 year old getting bashing’s from her mother, starved and discriminated against and the total lack of any real parental love, you get another picture (and clues why people end up the way they do.) I hope by hearing the children’s stories it will help me identify in others when they need help or somebody to stick up for them, and by hearing the adults stories it helps me figure out why they ended up the way they are and not be too judgemental. Also I think it highlights how easy it is for this to happen, how little social services, other family members and friends can or will do, and how over human history there must be a huge number of kids who have accepted abuse as their “normal”, which is really a very sad thought. As with anybody who writes their difficult and sad story, I thank the author for being brave enough to share it.
If you were to just look at Colette in an isolated moment, say when she was 20 - single mother, council flat, taking drugs, living with a string of abusive boyfriends and doing everything to make her situation even worse, you get one picture, but to read another picture, the 10 year old getting bashing’s from her mother, starved and discriminated against and the total lack of any real parental love, you get another picture (and clues why people end up the way they do.) I hope by hearing the children’s stories it will help me identify in others when they need help or somebody to stick up for them, and by hearing the adults stories it helps me figure out why they ended up the way they are and not be too judgemental. Also I think it highlights how easy it is for this to happen, how little social services, other family members and friends can or will do, and how over human history there must be a huge number of kids who have accepted abuse as their “normal”, which is really a very sad thought. As with anybody who writes their difficult and sad story, I thank the author for being brave enough to share it.
March 8, 2017
What an exemple or courage and survival. This woman had a seriously damage mum how never loved her. Her daughters will for sure be well cared! And a good husband makes all the different! I encourage to reed this book! Not everything is good in life and these kind of books open eyes to many people.
January 28, 2020
A really sad heartbreaking read. Collette was let down by her mother in the worst ways possible and still managed to become a strong inspirational woman. I truly hope she has the happiness she deserves with her daughter's and husband after suffering with the let down of social services and the system throughout her whole childhood.
May 7, 2021
Easy to put down
I found the main character of the book was someone that cared only about herself, too the extent of placing her children in danger so that she could have some space. The book is all about Me, Me, which after a while became very boring, a bit like watching paint dry.
I found the main character of the book was someone that cared only about herself, too the extent of placing her children in danger so that she could have some space. The book is all about Me, Me, which after a while became very boring, a bit like watching paint dry.
April 26, 2019
Such a hard book to read. Very well written with an honesty that’s refreshing. Collette’s come through the most horrific childhood and now as an adult and mum herself she should be proud of who she’s become
April 4, 2020
Very sad, yet had a nice overall feel to the book about power and courage. I felt very empathetic towards collets life and what she went thought, however I am happy she overcame her troubles and managed to find her peace with it as well as social services
February 24, 2020
Outstandigly brave woman
What a brave woman and such a brave little girl i just wish i cud give that little girl a hug n take her away from the nightmare she lived for so long
What a brave woman and such a brave little girl i just wish i cud give that little girl a hug n take her away from the nightmare she lived for so long
July 3, 2020
Great book
Collette went through so much she is a very strong woman I’m so glad she found someone she could finally trust in her life
Collette went through so much she is a very strong woman I’m so glad she found someone she could finally trust in her life
April 30, 2021
Well written, emotional book. Such a brave lady
June 27, 2021
It’s a hard book to read to know that a mother can do anywhere near what collettes mother did. Well done Collette for all u have achieved
March 29, 2025
Raised by a prostitute mother in filth and squalor, A childhood no one should ever witness.
February 11, 2017
Eye opening!
August 5, 2014
Wow what can I say about this book. I have literally been left speechless, and felt almost every emotion possible throughout this book. Collette's story was so upsetting how a child could so easily slip through the system, and suffer so much. I have so much admiration for Collette going through what she did and coming out the other end, which I'm sure most wouldn't have, which just goes to show what a strong person she is. I'm so glad she managed to have her happy ending for the sake of herself and her children.
July 15, 2014
when I started reading this story, I didn't realize that I was reading a true story. I got carried away with this story from day 1, and I wanted to see justice for everything that poor girl had to suffer. I am just glad that Collette did find that happy ending. This book would of received 5* but I felt towards the end it was a whole load of case notes thrown in. But I really enjoyed reading this story, it let's us see how a blind eye isn't the best option.
July 18, 2016
A tragic story of child abuse told by women who survived it. There were times when I got frustrated with the older Collette's choices, but then I had to remind myself that she was hampered by her horrible childhood and emotionally affected by it. It was very sad to read about her suffering. I'm glad she finally found happiness, and some small measure of justice through the settlement with Child Services.
October 3, 2015
what a very sad story. anouther case of a child neglected by social services and other professionals.
December 22, 2014
Great book
This was a good book that is well written. She tells her experiences growing up with abuse and how it affected her adult life.
This was a good book that is well written. She tells her experiences growing up with abuse and how it affected her adult life.
May 28, 2015
I didn't know that this was a true story but it is absolutely heartbreaking. Such a strong woman to have overcame all of this and be prepared to have shared her story.
February 7, 2017
Not many books make me cry. This book has. I feel so proud for Colette knowing how far she has come.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews