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DonnaMae
“Wiping my face, I feel half-dried trails from tears I don’t remember shedding. Where am I? I close my eyes against the throbbing pain in my head, leaning against the wall behind me. Think Mae, think. What the hell happened last night?”
Life has never been easy for DonnaMae. After losing her mom as a young girl, she learns to navigate a world full of uncertainty with her dad and brother. Just when she begins to find her footing, a devastating betrayal from someone she trusted turns her world upside down.
Left grappling with the aftermath, DonnaMae faces the ultimate Will she let what happened define her, or will she fight to reclaim her life?
Through every twist and turn, you’ll laugh, cry, and root for her as she finds her way. DonnaMae is a powerful story about finding light in the darkest moments and the unbreakable spirit it takes to fight for your future.
Life has never been easy for DonnaMae. After losing her mom as a young girl, she learns to navigate a world full of uncertainty with her dad and brother. Just when she begins to find her footing, a devastating betrayal from someone she trusted turns her world upside down.
Left grappling with the aftermath, DonnaMae faces the ultimate Will she let what happened define her, or will she fight to reclaim her life?
Through every twist and turn, you’ll laugh, cry, and root for her as she finds her way. DonnaMae is a powerful story about finding light in the darkest moments and the unbreakable spirit it takes to fight for your future.
539 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 8, 2025
Bad ass women don't just happen. They create themselves by overcoming terrible obstacles. This is a story of one such bad ass. Once again, AJ Springer draws us in with her delightful and heart-wrenching storytelling.
March 14, 2025
This was a wonderful book 2 after reading Mary Lou -
Great story , family life’s and very highly recommended!
Great story , family life’s and very highly recommended!
March 8, 2025
Springer delivers a powerful, heartfelt coming-of-age story in DonnaMae, a novel that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. This book is more than just a story—it’s a raw and unfiltered look at resilience, identity, and the unbreakable spirit of a girl navigating life after loss.
DonnaMae is not your typical heroine. She’s tough, stubborn, and full of grit, but beneath that exterior is a heart that beats with longing, love, and an unrelenting desire to prove she belongs. Raised in a world of fast cars, boxing rings, and expectations she never signed up for, she fights to carve out her own path—one that isn’t defined by tragedy but by strength.
Springer’s writing is immersive and vivid, pulling readers into the dusty backroads, under the bright lights of race tracks, and into the deep emotions that shape DonnaMae’s journey. The relationships—whether complicated, supportive, or strained—are beautifully developed, making the reader feel every punch, every loss, and every victory alongside her.
What makes DonnaMae stand out is its authenticity. It doesn’t romanticize struggle; it lays it bare. It doesn’t hand out easy wins; it makes them earned. And at its core, it’s a tribute to every person who has ever been knocked down and had to claw their way back up.
This is a book for the fighters, the dreamers, and the ones who refuse to quit. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, DonnaMae is it.
🔥 Must-read for fans of powerful female leads, stories with heart, and books that make you feel something real.
DonnaMae is not your typical heroine. She’s tough, stubborn, and full of grit, but beneath that exterior is a heart that beats with longing, love, and an unrelenting desire to prove she belongs. Raised in a world of fast cars, boxing rings, and expectations she never signed up for, she fights to carve out her own path—one that isn’t defined by tragedy but by strength.
Springer’s writing is immersive and vivid, pulling readers into the dusty backroads, under the bright lights of race tracks, and into the deep emotions that shape DonnaMae’s journey. The relationships—whether complicated, supportive, or strained—are beautifully developed, making the reader feel every punch, every loss, and every victory alongside her.
What makes DonnaMae stand out is its authenticity. It doesn’t romanticize struggle; it lays it bare. It doesn’t hand out easy wins; it makes them earned. And at its core, it’s a tribute to every person who has ever been knocked down and had to claw their way back up.
This is a book for the fighters, the dreamers, and the ones who refuse to quit. If you’re looking for a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, DonnaMae is it.
🔥 Must-read for fans of powerful female leads, stories with heart, and books that make you feel something real.
April 19, 2025
I am still dipping my toes in the world of fiction books since historically, I have been more of a self-help book reader. Knowing that I thoroughly enjoyed AmyJae’s first book, DonnaMae, I knew I would enjoy her 2nd book and more than likely, not be able to put it down, and I wasn’t. I read this book over a long weekend and somehow found time to consume the pages even with my busy and hectic scheduled. DonnaMae is a book of overcoming obstacles, growth and an inspiring story of perseverance. Life is not fair and this book is a depiction of Donnamae’s experience with that, and how we all can find a silver lining when it seems like one does not exist. This book can be ready independently of Marylou although I highly recommend reading the two in sequence as they both tell a beautiful tale of what it is like to overcome obstacles, never give up and to make lemonade out of lemons.
May 10, 2025
AJ has done it again with this incredible story. It’s beautiful, real, and raw. It’s also super funny! This story follows DonnaMae and how she navigates childhood, being a teenager, and young adult. This book embraces the obstacles she faces and the courage to keep pushing herself to accomplish her goals! All while remembering her mother and hoping to do her proud. This is such a beautiful story and highly recommend it.
September 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed DonnaMae. This story was heartbreaking, frustrating, and empowering all at the same time.
DonnaMae went through so much, and there were definitely parts that had me mad and hurting for her, but I loved seeing her strength come through. It’s one of those stories that breaks your heart a little but also makes you root so hard for the woman at the center of it.
Emotional, powerful, and definitely worth the read.
I really enjoyed DonnaMae. This story was heartbreaking, frustrating, and empowering all at the same time.
DonnaMae went through so much, and there were definitely parts that had me mad and hurting for her, but I loved seeing her strength come through. It’s one of those stories that breaks your heart a little but also makes you root so hard for the woman at the center of it.
Emotional, powerful, and definitely worth the read.
October 27, 2025
What a gift when a young writer bares her soul with such honesty and fluidity. Is this a work of fiction? Yes. But the author couldn’t have put it on paper without having witnessed or experienced something life-changing. The powerful finale made me want to go back and do my life over. Well done, A.J. Springer!
April 27, 2025
DonnaMae by A.J. Springer is raw, powerful, and beautifully written. The story is emotional and real, capturing both heartbreak and resilience. Springer’s honest writing pulls you in and stays with you long after the last page. If you want a moving, empowering read, this book is a must.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2025
DONNAMAE! Is one badass hick chick! ❤️
April 27, 2025
This review took time to write. I love the first book. Second books are hard to surpass the first. This author wrote such an amazingly raw, strong, emotional second book.
From start to finish, it grabs you in every way. The FMC is a bad ass in my opinion. It is such a heartfelt coming of age story. There is such emotion behind every page. The FMC overcomes such deep obstacle; everyone should read this story. If you have ever struggled with loss, anything related to mental health, abuse. This book allows you to read how one woman has gone through so much and overcome it all.
This book had me at page one and didn't let go until the very last page.
I am now looking forward to the next.
This book has stayed with me, and it took time for me to write this review.
Thank you again AJ, for another beautifully written story.
Side note, if you are a lover of music, this book and the first Marylou, have an amazing list of songs written throughout. I have created one amazing playlist!
From start to finish, it grabs you in every way. The FMC is a bad ass in my opinion. It is such a heartfelt coming of age story. There is such emotion behind every page. The FMC overcomes such deep obstacle; everyone should read this story. If you have ever struggled with loss, anything related to mental health, abuse. This book allows you to read how one woman has gone through so much and overcome it all.
This book had me at page one and didn't let go until the very last page.
I am now looking forward to the next.
This book has stayed with me, and it took time for me to write this review.
Thank you again AJ, for another beautifully written story.
Side note, if you are a lover of music, this book and the first Marylou, have an amazing list of songs written throughout. I have created one amazing playlist!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews