What do you think?
Rate this book
This Happened to Me: A Memoir
“Price not only rises above the hurt and hate, she uses her hard-won insights to shine a light for others.” —Jeannette Walls, #1 New York Times bestselling author
For readers of Educated, The Glass Castle, and Know My Name comes a powerful new memoir that is a remarkable testament of survival and resilience. At once harrowing and exquisite, haunting and inspiring, Kate Price’s story will leave readers with a profound assurance in the power to heal..
Kate Price grew up in a small mill town in central Pennsylvania with her sister and parents in northern Appalachia. At the insistence of her mother, and through her academic accomplishments, Price escaped the unbroken cycles of poverty, violence, addiction, mental illness, and abuse that had plagued her family for generations. She started a new life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in pursuit of her master’s and PhD. But despite having left this dark world behind, it still kept a firm grip on her.
Overcome with unexplainable grief and sadness and having sustained a series of hazy flashbacks accompanied by a “chilling of her blood and uncomfortable feeling in her bones,” Price sought out Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a trauma specialist to help heal her constant emotional pain through EMDR therapy. He went on to write the bestselling book, The Body Keeps the Score, which features Price's story, as the two worked together to find out about her past. When Price, whose brain had been protecting her by shutting out these horrific memories, felt safe enough, she along with van der Kolk as her guide, discovered what that darkness that lay within her was. Her father had abused and trafficked her as a child.
Price grappled with what had been revealed. Did this really happen to her? How could a parent do this to a child? A dedicated researcher and academic, she knew she needed confirmation, proof that what she had remembered had happened. And so began a 10-year quest alongside a journalist, to prove what Price knew to be her truth. With many trips back to the hometown she thought she had left forever, the two eventually found the hard-earned evidence Price had been searching for.
In this exquisitely rendered, transformative memoir, Price describes how she broke free of that which had defined her childhood and went on to create a purpose-driven life and family, on her own terms. Eventually returning to the same Appalachian community to use her education and advocacy to help ensure children are given the attention, protection, and services that she never received.
From victim to advocate, from fearful child to empowered adult, and from despair to triumph, This Happened to Me is a story of astonishing resilience and breathtaking determination.
For readers of Educated, The Glass Castle, and Know My Name comes a powerful new memoir that is a remarkable testament of survival and resilience. At once harrowing and exquisite, haunting and inspiring, Kate Price’s story will leave readers with a profound assurance in the power to heal..
Kate Price grew up in a small mill town in central Pennsylvania with her sister and parents in northern Appalachia. At the insistence of her mother, and through her academic accomplishments, Price escaped the unbroken cycles of poverty, violence, addiction, mental illness, and abuse that had plagued her family for generations. She started a new life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in pursuit of her master’s and PhD. But despite having left this dark world behind, it still kept a firm grip on her.
Overcome with unexplainable grief and sadness and having sustained a series of hazy flashbacks accompanied by a “chilling of her blood and uncomfortable feeling in her bones,” Price sought out Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a trauma specialist to help heal her constant emotional pain through EMDR therapy. He went on to write the bestselling book, The Body Keeps the Score, which features Price's story, as the two worked together to find out about her past. When Price, whose brain had been protecting her by shutting out these horrific memories, felt safe enough, she along with van der Kolk as her guide, discovered what that darkness that lay within her was. Her father had abused and trafficked her as a child.
Price grappled with what had been revealed. Did this really happen to her? How could a parent do this to a child? A dedicated researcher and academic, she knew she needed confirmation, proof that what she had remembered had happened. And so began a 10-year quest alongside a journalist, to prove what Price knew to be her truth. With many trips back to the hometown she thought she had left forever, the two eventually found the hard-earned evidence Price had been searching for.
In this exquisitely rendered, transformative memoir, Price describes how she broke free of that which had defined her childhood and went on to create a purpose-driven life and family, on her own terms. Eventually returning to the same Appalachian community to use her education and advocacy to help ensure children are given the attention, protection, and services that she never received.
From victim to advocate, from fearful child to empowered adult, and from despair to triumph, This Happened to Me is a story of astonishing resilience and breathtaking determination.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 5, 2025
222 people are currently reading
10099 people want to read
About the author
Kate Price
1 book49 followersKate Price grew up in a small mill town in central Pennsylvania with her sister and parents in northern Appalachia. At the insistence of her mother, and through her academic accomplishments, Price escaped the unbroken cycles of poverty, violence, addiction, mental illness, and abuse that had plagued her family for generations. She started a new life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in pursuit of her master’s and PhD. But despite having left this dark world behind, it still kept a firm grip on her.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
May 5, 2025
Kate Price’s This Happened to Me is a raw, luminous memoir of survival and self-reclamation. With the piercing clarity of someone who’s done the hard work of healing, Price unpacks the trauma of growing up in rural Appalachia under the shadow of a violent, abusive father, her first full sentence as a child, chillingly, was not a question of curiosity, but one of fear: “Where’s Daddy?”
In the tradition of The Glass Castle and Know My Name, Price’s story isn’t just one of survival, but of metamorphosis. Her drive to excel in school became her lifeline, propelling her out of the cycle of generational trauma and into a new life in Boston. But she doesn’t stop there, this memoir doesn’t end with escape. It’s about return. It’s about going back, not as a victim, but as a force for change.
With lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, Price charts her journey from silence to voice, from shame to advocacy. She returns to the very community that once failed her, not to punish it, but to build the support systems she never had. Her life becomes a bridge between the world she was born into and the one she created.
This book is difficult. It’s also deeply hopeful. It refuses to be reduced to tragedy and instead demands to be seen as testimony: that healing is possible, that systems can change, and that resilience isn’t just surviving, it’s choosing to thrive and lift others up with you.
A must read for those who believe in the power of telling your story and rewriting its ending.
🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶-Five out of five hand hearts for the compassion, advocacy, and the loving life she built for others and herself.
In the tradition of The Glass Castle and Know My Name, Price’s story isn’t just one of survival, but of metamorphosis. Her drive to excel in school became her lifeline, propelling her out of the cycle of generational trauma and into a new life in Boston. But she doesn’t stop there, this memoir doesn’t end with escape. It’s about return. It’s about going back, not as a victim, but as a force for change.
With lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, Price charts her journey from silence to voice, from shame to advocacy. She returns to the very community that once failed her, not to punish it, but to build the support systems she never had. Her life becomes a bridge between the world she was born into and the one she created.
This book is difficult. It’s also deeply hopeful. It refuses to be reduced to tragedy and instead demands to be seen as testimony: that healing is possible, that systems can change, and that resilience isn’t just surviving, it’s choosing to thrive and lift others up with you.
A must read for those who believe in the power of telling your story and rewriting its ending.
🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶-Five out of five hand hearts for the compassion, advocacy, and the loving life she built for others and herself.
July 1, 2025
Let me tell you about the most dangerous book I have ever read.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is a book which dives into the science of trauma and how it can literally remap your brain. I call it dangerous because I have personally known people who knew they needed a therapist and tried to jump into the book instead. It doesn't go well. I have also known therapists who told their patients, "You aren't ready for that book, yet." It is groundbreaking but it can also lead to some dark places. I know this because I read the book at the direction of my own therapist while being treated for PTSD.
One of those dark places in van der Kolk's book is the story of Kate Price which she tells in her memoir This Happened to Me. As with all memoirs, I want to make clear that my critique is purely based on how well the author tells her story. If it were only about Price's bravery in telling the story at all, it would be 5/5 stars and let's move on.
Unfortunately, the story is a problem with this book. First off, Price says before the book even starts that she created composite characters and shifted timelines. This is a personal pet peeve. I often find when authors do this that certain parts feel a bit too perfectly timed or perfectly said. It's not that I question the accuracy of the work, but merely find myself distracted with wondering when something was streamlined or if it happened exactly as presented. I fully acknowledge not all people will be bothered by this.
Another problem is that Price has cut this narrative way too much. This leads to assertions by Price which seem unsupported. For example, her grandfather is lambasted multiple times for only caring about money while also offering to pay off school debt. Again, I don't doubt Price's perspective, but she does not support it in the story. It left me wondering if I missed a page where she actually expounded on her viewpoint. She didn't, which made me wonder why she needed to say it at all. This is just one example, but it is not the only one. There are other sections which seem jammed into the narrative because she is proud of them, but they don't fit the overall flow.
Finally, Price reveals her trauma for all the world to see. There is no taking away from that. However, Price still has her guard up with the reader. The best memoirs which handle mental health are no holds barred with showing the effects of mental illness and trauma. The two best I have ever read are Jennette McCurdy's I am Glad My Mom Died and Maria Bamford's Sure, I'll Join Your Cult. The authors of these books do not shy away from the stories which show that trauma means you don't always have the right words, and you won't always make the right choice. Recovery is a long slow road which is not linear. The best example of Price's issues with this is the introduction of her husband. She talks somewhat briefly about her fear of entering a relationship but when her future husband comes along he is wonderful and supportive and always says the right thing. Price, again briefly, worries about revealing her trauma, but when she does it all goes swimmingly. It is all too neat and shiny. As a reader, I could feel so much had been cut out instead of giving the reader the full story. Even the best relationships have rocky moments and hard times. In a way, Price is actually not giving herself enough credit. She makes it look easier than it clearly was.
Ultimately, I just felt this book was unfinished. The sections with van der Kolk show what could have been because they seemed to be much more focused and detailed. However, other parts of the book felt like they were missing something. It's not a bad book, but it could have been much more.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Gallery Books.)
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is a book which dives into the science of trauma and how it can literally remap your brain. I call it dangerous because I have personally known people who knew they needed a therapist and tried to jump into the book instead. It doesn't go well. I have also known therapists who told their patients, "You aren't ready for that book, yet." It is groundbreaking but it can also lead to some dark places. I know this because I read the book at the direction of my own therapist while being treated for PTSD.
One of those dark places in van der Kolk's book is the story of Kate Price which she tells in her memoir This Happened to Me. As with all memoirs, I want to make clear that my critique is purely based on how well the author tells her story. If it were only about Price's bravery in telling the story at all, it would be 5/5 stars and let's move on.
Unfortunately, the story is a problem with this book. First off, Price says before the book even starts that she created composite characters and shifted timelines. This is a personal pet peeve. I often find when authors do this that certain parts feel a bit too perfectly timed or perfectly said. It's not that I question the accuracy of the work, but merely find myself distracted with wondering when something was streamlined or if it happened exactly as presented. I fully acknowledge not all people will be bothered by this.
Another problem is that Price has cut this narrative way too much. This leads to assertions by Price which seem unsupported. For example, her grandfather is lambasted multiple times for only caring about money while also offering to pay off school debt. Again, I don't doubt Price's perspective, but she does not support it in the story. It left me wondering if I missed a page where she actually expounded on her viewpoint. She didn't, which made me wonder why she needed to say it at all. This is just one example, but it is not the only one. There are other sections which seem jammed into the narrative because she is proud of them, but they don't fit the overall flow.
Finally, Price reveals her trauma for all the world to see. There is no taking away from that. However, Price still has her guard up with the reader. The best memoirs which handle mental health are no holds barred with showing the effects of mental illness and trauma. The two best I have ever read are Jennette McCurdy's I am Glad My Mom Died and Maria Bamford's Sure, I'll Join Your Cult. The authors of these books do not shy away from the stories which show that trauma means you don't always have the right words, and you won't always make the right choice. Recovery is a long slow road which is not linear. The best example of Price's issues with this is the introduction of her husband. She talks somewhat briefly about her fear of entering a relationship but when her future husband comes along he is wonderful and supportive and always says the right thing. Price, again briefly, worries about revealing her trauma, but when she does it all goes swimmingly. It is all too neat and shiny. As a reader, I could feel so much had been cut out instead of giving the reader the full story. Even the best relationships have rocky moments and hard times. In a way, Price is actually not giving herself enough credit. She makes it look easier than it clearly was.
Ultimately, I just felt this book was unfinished. The sections with van der Kolk show what could have been because they seemed to be much more focused and detailed. However, other parts of the book felt like they were missing something. It's not a bad book, but it could have been much more.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Gallery Books.)
September 9, 2025
I cannot believe there are people as courageous as Kate Price in the world. Those that are willing to slice open their worlds and bleed their truths dry. To not only face the unimaginable cruelty of innocence stolen by those it was entrusted to, but to then share that painful truth with the world.
An easy five stars, this book will stay with me for a long time to come. If you are someone who values the truth-tellers, or appreciates a very well-written memoir, this is a must-read, especially on audio narrated by the author herself.
‼️ Given the very sensitive subject, please check trigger warnings first and take care when reading it.
Q: Do you enjoy reading memoirs? If so, what’s one you loved? If not, what is your current read and are you enjoying it?
An easy five stars, this book will stay with me for a long time to come. If you are someone who values the truth-tellers, or appreciates a very well-written memoir, this is a must-read, especially on audio narrated by the author herself.
‼️ Given the very sensitive subject, please check trigger warnings first and take care when reading it.
Q: Do you enjoy reading memoirs? If so, what’s one you loved? If not, what is your current read and are you enjoying it?
October 7, 2025
Wow. My heart completely shattered. Kate's memoir dives deep into her abusive childhood. As an adult she searched for clarity and answers in regard to what exactly happened to her. She escapes the cycle, pursues an education and harnesses it for good. Kate is an inspiration.
I cried often. Devastation doesn't even begin to cover it. My husband asked me, "why do you read books like this, ones that you know are going to upset you"?
I had to think about that but turns out it's quite simple.
If someone is brave enough to share their personal horrors with the world then someone should listen. My only hope is that enough and the right people listen because I can't think of anything more important than protecting children from the monsters masquerading as loved ones.
Thank you Kate for telling your story and for shining a light on the terrifying reality of child abuse.
I cried often. Devastation doesn't even begin to cover it. My husband asked me, "why do you read books like this, ones that you know are going to upset you"?
I had to think about that but turns out it's quite simple.
If someone is brave enough to share their personal horrors with the world then someone should listen. My only hope is that enough and the right people listen because I can't think of anything more important than protecting children from the monsters masquerading as loved ones.
Thank you Kate for telling your story and for shining a light on the terrifying reality of child abuse.
September 4, 2025
This memoir is a deeply personal and courageous account of a woman's journey through severe abuse and the long, painful road toward healing. What resonated with me the most was how honestly the author portrayed the lasting effects of trauma. Victims often live with a never ending sense of danger for decades after the fact, never quite trusting others. The author talked a lot about "not feeling safe." This memoir captured that reality with heartbreaking accuracy.
This was not an easy book to read. Trauma rippled through every part of her life: dating, college, work, friendships, intimacy, and family. It's effects weren't pretty. But what was emphasized the most was her healing. This felt genuine. I admire the strength it must have taken for her to not only confront her dad but then to share her story publicly.
At times this book felt long but I appreciated the story of survival, the search for truth, and healing. I hope her words find those who need them. 4 stars.
This was not an easy book to read. Trauma rippled through every part of her life: dating, college, work, friendships, intimacy, and family. It's effects weren't pretty. But what was emphasized the most was her healing. This felt genuine. I admire the strength it must have taken for her to not only confront her dad but then to share her story publicly.
At times this book felt long but I appreciated the story of survival, the search for truth, and healing. I hope her words find those who need them. 4 stars.
February 3, 2025
Inspiring memoir that will appeal to fans of The Glass Castle. Author Kate Price grew up in Appalachia in a household that included a violent father who abused her in a myriad of ways...all horrific. What saved her was her drive to excel in school and excel she did. Transformative memoir where a scared little girl grows up to be a confident woman.
This book will be on many book club lists.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated
This book will be on many book club lists.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated
December 19, 2025
A survivor story of childhood physical and sexual abuse. It is just stunning how often this occurs and how widespread the silence around it remains. And the victims are way too often blamed for a crime they are powerless to stop.
September 4, 2025
I really try not to rate memoirs- it’s someone’s story and life and it’s not my business to judge it. Solely based off the flow of the writing and storyline of how she brought her truth to life- this was choppy for me and just mediocre.
Kate tells the tale, beginning when she was a very small child, of her horrific upbringing in the Appalachian area of Pennsylvania. Molested, abused and trafficked by her father all before she turned 12- then the growing up trying to recall what happened to make her so anxious and depressed as a teen and young adult.
It’s a hard read bc it’s so vile to imagine but it happens everyday.
I wish there would have been more coherence with the timeline because she jumped quite a bit and it was more about becoming an advocate for this traumatic experience than the actual experience.
Kate tells the tale, beginning when she was a very small child, of her horrific upbringing in the Appalachian area of Pennsylvania. Molested, abused and trafficked by her father all before she turned 12- then the growing up trying to recall what happened to make her so anxious and depressed as a teen and young adult.
It’s a hard read bc it’s so vile to imagine but it happens everyday.
I wish there would have been more coherence with the timeline because she jumped quite a bit and it was more about becoming an advocate for this traumatic experience than the actual experience.
August 18, 2025
I have no words. What a devastating truth.
August 15, 2025
A phenomenal read. Kate is so brave to share her story and be the advocate for children that she needed. This is so well written and engaging— despite knowing nothing about her, I felt myself rooting for Kate throughout and feeling excited for her successes. I listened to this on audio and I appreciated the short chapters. The therapy portion of the story was particularly interesting. Would recommend for fans of Educated and Spotlight.
August 18, 2025
I’m always grateful when people are willing to share their traumatic histories in order to bring awareness and to help individuals who are unable to speak out themselves.
It is enough to be a survivor, and to be able to move past horrific events. It is both honorable and impressive to stop cycles of abuse and to become an advocate for others. This was a hard and heavy read, but an important one. Any story that can bring empathy, understanding, and awareness to a continual problem is worth my time and energy.
The lack of justice for victims of child abuse makes me ill. I can only hope that there’s a special place in hell for perpetrators.
It is enough to be a survivor, and to be able to move past horrific events. It is both honorable and impressive to stop cycles of abuse and to become an advocate for others. This was a hard and heavy read, but an important one. Any story that can bring empathy, understanding, and awareness to a continual problem is worth my time and energy.
The lack of justice for victims of child abuse makes me ill. I can only hope that there’s a special place in hell for perpetrators.
November 3, 2025
Kate faced her demons and brought her dark trauma to light with this memoir. She waited until she was 52 years old to tell her story and bring awareness to sex trafficking in America. It is never too late to tell your story. Although I don't know her personally, I am so proud of her. Kate is so brave and so strong. It is so inspiring to hear how far she has come. What a heartbreaking yet beautiful story!
July 5, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book, and I could not put it down. I started and finished it in a day—it’s been a long time when a book has been engaging enough for me to do that. If you are a fan of the Glass Castle and Know My Name, you will find this to be a must read. Actually, if you’re just a person, who cares about other people, children, and the world around them, this is a must read. I don’t want to give a full review with spoilers until the book is officially released but I cannot recommend this book enough.
September 8, 2025
While this was definitely a heartbreaking story, I found the writing somewhat boring. Had a hard time reading it, not just because of the content but because of the way it was presented.
September 2, 2025
5 ★ Powerful, Courageous, and Unforgettable
This book floored me. From the opening pages, where Kate recalls the chilling moment of seeing her father in a way no child ever should, I knew this was going to be a difficult but necessary read. The scene where she nervously presses her father’s CB radio and hears him answer with the nickname “Chicken Plucker” was one of the most haunting moments in the book. It made my stomach drop.
Her journey through therapy, especially with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The way EMDR helped her unlock memories she had buried for so long felt raw and real, and it showed how trauma really does live in the body. The confrontation with her father, when she bravely said, “Dad, you raped me. A lot,” is one of the most powerful passages I’ve ever read in a memoir. His denial, and her steady insistence on the truth, will stay with me forever.
I also found her work with journalist Janelle Nanos fascinating. Their investigation into her past, culminating in a Pulitzer-finalist Boston Globe article, gave the memoir an almost investigative feel while still being deeply personal.
The final pages, when she discovers her father’s obituary and feels relief instead of grief, hit me the hardest. It was such a profound, quiet moment of freedom that spoke volumes about her resilience.
This is not an easy read. It is devastating, heartbreaking, and at times overwhelming. But it is also incredibly important. Kate Price’s courage to tell her story and transform her pain into advocacy makes this one of the most powerful memoirs I’ve ever read.
This book floored me. From the opening pages, where Kate recalls the chilling moment of seeing her father in a way no child ever should, I knew this was going to be a difficult but necessary read. The scene where she nervously presses her father’s CB radio and hears him answer with the nickname “Chicken Plucker” was one of the most haunting moments in the book. It made my stomach drop.
Her journey through therapy, especially with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, was both heartbreaking and inspiring. The way EMDR helped her unlock memories she had buried for so long felt raw and real, and it showed how trauma really does live in the body. The confrontation with her father, when she bravely said, “Dad, you raped me. A lot,” is one of the most powerful passages I’ve ever read in a memoir. His denial, and her steady insistence on the truth, will stay with me forever.
I also found her work with journalist Janelle Nanos fascinating. Their investigation into her past, culminating in a Pulitzer-finalist Boston Globe article, gave the memoir an almost investigative feel while still being deeply personal.
The final pages, when she discovers her father’s obituary and feels relief instead of grief, hit me the hardest. It was such a profound, quiet moment of freedom that spoke volumes about her resilience.
This is not an easy read. It is devastating, heartbreaking, and at times overwhelming. But it is also incredibly important. Kate Price’s courage to tell her story and transform her pain into advocacy makes this one of the most powerful memoirs I’ve ever read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
Perhaps the most well-constructed book I’ve read regarding the subject. Price finds the perfect balance between blunt and graphic, and the chronology and pacing of this was really impressive. Deeply moved by this.
October 18, 2025
Read this book in two days, hard to put down. A story of triumph over unimaginable childhood abuse. If you liked Educated, I would highly recommend this book.
October 26, 2025
This is a book I hope many people will read. While challenging and intense, Kate's story was incredibly validating and healing. As the saying goes, "We are only as sick as our secrets," and survivors deserve to be able to speak the truth and walk free from the lies and violence they had to bear. (CW: Some portions are explicit, so use discernment and get support if needed.)
August 9, 2025
I was fortunate enough to receive the ARC of this book through Goodreads and would give more than 5 stars if the system allowed me.
Memoirs are often considered warranted only if written by people already a household name. You may not have heard of Kate Price, but you NEED to hear her story.
With eloquence, Kate walks the reader through years of her horrific abuse, the dissolution of her family, ended relationships , and the tremendous mental health weight of how she was objectified, abused, and exploited by her father.
I am angry, horrified, and utterly disgusted with how our society prioritizes sexual needs of (especially white ) men over the protection of women and children. This book is important, well written, and captivates the reader with Kate’s resilience.
Bravo to Kate Price for finding her voice and taking back her power while using that to assist children in need.
(And she loves some of the same great music and books as me)
Memoirs are often considered warranted only if written by people already a household name. You may not have heard of Kate Price, but you NEED to hear her story.
With eloquence, Kate walks the reader through years of her horrific abuse, the dissolution of her family, ended relationships , and the tremendous mental health weight of how she was objectified, abused, and exploited by her father.
I am angry, horrified, and utterly disgusted with how our society prioritizes sexual needs of (especially white ) men over the protection of women and children. This book is important, well written, and captivates the reader with Kate’s resilience.
Bravo to Kate Price for finding her voice and taking back her power while using that to assist children in need.
(And she loves some of the same great music and books as me)
Read
January 10, 2025Coming in August 2025. Kate Price endured a shocking and unimaginable childhood. On the list of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) hers are off the charts. The local library become her sanctuary. Reading books by Judy Blume and others saved her spirit and probably even her life. Price's tale documents her survival, coming to terms with her childhood, and devoting the rest of her life to helping others and changing the systems which damaged her. Hers is a tale of resilience, privilege (she's smart and she's white so accessing help was likely easier for her than for some) and dedication. An important addition to the list of culture-challenging memoirs.
September 28, 2025
A heartbreaking memoir. Lots of trigger warnings but also heartwarming.
July 11, 2025
This is a difficult memoir to read, particularly the first quarter. I’m glad I kept going.
September 11, 2025
Fuuuuuucked up
September 4, 2025
If you’ve read Educated by Tara Westover or the Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, you will want to read This Happened to Me by Kate Price.
What makes Kate’s memoir particularly powerful and inspiring is the journey she shared after her childhood. The first third of the book details her childhood, and the next two thirds are what came next. Her dedication to unraveling the past to build a strong future was impressive.
Kate’s story is surely haunting, but something I know I’ll remember about Kate’s story is her love of books. She shared specific titles of books she read that were poignant for her. As a child, Kate said she often found solace in her local library, and it made my heart so happy to hear that. Libraries (and librarians) are unsung heroes of our communities.
While the book is marketed as a nonfiction memoir and it most certainly is exactly that, it’s also, in no small part, a book about books which is something I always love to read.
As always, please check content warnings before reading any book.
What makes Kate’s memoir particularly powerful and inspiring is the journey she shared after her childhood. The first third of the book details her childhood, and the next two thirds are what came next. Her dedication to unraveling the past to build a strong future was impressive.
Kate’s story is surely haunting, but something I know I’ll remember about Kate’s story is her love of books. She shared specific titles of books she read that were poignant for her. As a child, Kate said she often found solace in her local library, and it made my heart so happy to hear that. Libraries (and librarians) are unsung heroes of our communities.
While the book is marketed as a nonfiction memoir and it most certainly is exactly that, it’s also, in no small part, a book about books which is something I always love to read.
As always, please check content warnings before reading any book.
October 26, 2025
Growing up with her family in central Pennsylvania, Kate Price endured an abusive and traumatic childhood, finally escaping to Cambridge, Massachusetts to pursue her Master’s and PhD. However, as flashbacks haunt her adult life, she begins to work with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a trauma specialist, in hopes of breaking free from the years of abuse.
This was such a powerful and heartbreaking memoir. While this is an incredibly heavy read, it is also a hopeful read, as the author speaks on overcoming her trauma and advocacy work. The content of the book is very sensitive material, so I would caution reviewing any trigger warnings prior to reading. I commend Kate Price for sharing her story with such vulnerability and grace.
This was such a powerful and heartbreaking memoir. While this is an incredibly heavy read, it is also a hopeful read, as the author speaks on overcoming her trauma and advocacy work. The content of the book is very sensitive material, so I would caution reviewing any trigger warnings prior to reading. I commend Kate Price for sharing her story with such vulnerability and grace.
September 2, 2025
For a memoir to really stand out it has to have a next-level prose. While Price’s personal journey is impressive and I am happy for her success in creating a life after all the abuse she suffered, the story as memoir is overly long and the writing is often self-indulgent. By the later half of the book, I was tired by the repetitious narration and found her reconnection with her sister to be the only emotionally touching part. One of those books where the process of writing is more significant to the author than the reading is significant to the reader.
September 10, 2025
If this was a rating for Kate Price's life story, it would be an easy 5/5. The absolute evil she has endured at the hands of her own father is bone chilling. But this memoir seemed a bit unfocused to me, even when Kate kept referring back to these awful events as a constant undercurrent in her life. There was so much time spent on the breadth of her life, but I think the book would be better served by more a more detailed exploration of certain areas. Her experiences with Bessel Van Der Kolk, for example, felt really thin. Regardless, her willingness to search for the truth - even when she knew it would be so dark - is truly inspirational. I really enjoyed listening to this.
September 11, 2025
I typically don’t add a rating to memoirs, especially when they include such traumatic experiences, but I feel Kate Price deserves to know how impactful her vulnerability was. She approached this memoir with the mindset that she would be helping others and bringing attention to childhood trafficking and abuse. A completely selfless decision when peeling back layers and sharing her story of a complex, traumatic, abuse filled childhood and its impact on her life through adulthood. This is not an easy read, but it is a necessary one. I thoroughly enjoyed Kate’s narration of the audiobook
August 19, 2025
Kate Price’s memoir of the horror abuse that she endured as a child was at times difficult to read. Her father sexually abused Kate’s sister and herself and also trafficked them. How does a patent do this? Her survival, and willingness to share her story shows her as a strong woman, who now works to help children like herself. Not an easy read yet, important and powerful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
This is an incredible memoir. The strength, resilience, and persistence that it took to tell her story is remarkable. Kate’s story was important to tell, but she’s also a beautiful writer on top of it. This isn’t an easy read, but awareness of child trafficking is so important, and the only way to fight for justice is to not look away.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews