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In Plain Sight: A True Story of Kidnapping and Rape

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Held against her will and raped by her 38-year-old boss, 19-year-old Anna tries to make sense of her unbelievable situation. How did an innocent friendship with her boss turn into weeks of forced sex and the inability to leave her oppressor's side? Furthermore, what happens when weeks of rape result in a pregnancy?

This true-life novel depicts a graphic and raw recounting of the unimaginable horrors of the Summer of 2010.

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Published March 2, 2021

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Anna D. Stoddard

1 book29 followers

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5 stars
1,364 (54%)
4 stars
600 (23%)
3 stars
401 (16%)
2 stars
103 (4%)
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38 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda H.
3 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2020
Amazing

I got this book because I watch the author on tiktok. I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. I found myself angry for the situations she was in from the very start of her life. Angry because no one could see in her eyes she was screaming for help. I cried. I felt an overwhelming sense of achievement when she finally found her voice to tell her abuser off. Anna if you are reading this I am so happy you were able to find a good person to share your life with and I wish you all the best!
Profile Image for Share.
607 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2020
Raw. Real. Emotional.

I couldn't put this book down once I started it. There is no fluff in this book. The book is about the real life traumatic and heartbreaking events by the author - Anna. The story made me so angry. Her mom, her sister, her abuser....she had so many unhealthy people in her life and it broke my heart. How can humans treat others so horribly? I felt sick to my stomach.

And while I have to admit I caught myself wondering what I would have done in the situation, it is easy for me to say, I would have told the police, I would have ran..I would have...I would have....but I am fortunate I have never been in these sort of situations and cannot judge.

Fittingly, I read this book on World Mental Health Day. Someone very close to me in my life has similar mental health issues and it tugged at all my feelings.

Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you and your beautiful children a lifetime of health and happiness.
Profile Image for Jejuan.
5 reviews
October 10, 2020
Not Terrible

The author is NEW and it’s apparent. It’s not a bad book by any means, and it’s super easy to read. I’m not going to give my opinion on the story itself because it was her personal experience. From a readers stand point it was not complex at all to read or understand. It was easy to follow, but the ending left us with a lot of questions. The epilogue answered some of those questions, but I feel as though the ending was rushed and could have been written out better.

Good job, Anna! Keep writing and you’ll grow as an author.
Profile Image for Shayla.
2 reviews
February 12, 2022
I can see why it was self-published.

There is a considerable amount of grammatical and spelling errors. This is supposed to be a true story but it seems like the author is trying to use fictional writing styles and phrasing that just doesn't fit with nonfiction. The structure of the story is poor and seems unbelievable due to weak writing.
Profile Image for Natrina Felan.
220 reviews4 followers
March 23, 2021
Good job

I love that she wrote her story and is actively trying to help others. I wish her the best and pray she goes far.
1 review
August 10, 2020
Must read!!!!

Writing this story took so much courage. Thank you for sharing your story. The writer has an amazing amount of detail and her words make it seem as if you are seeing this. Waiting for the movie.
Profile Image for Shainlock.
831 reviews
August 3, 2023

She didn’t report it or turn him in. She wrote this, and her mouth is covered on the cover. I think she has a ways to go before she forgives herself. I don’t think this was quite the breakthrough it could have been.
I wish her happiness and recovery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
20 reviews
August 6, 2022
Seen the Tik tok... Read the book... very misleading!

I seen the author talk about her story in Tik Tok and immediately read the book. This is very misleading. She was not kidnapped. She went voluntarily. She was raped. She stayed to make money so she can get a place with her dad. When she finally left but didn't call the police until she seen the rapist with someone new.
I'm not saying her feelings about the situation were not valid. However, the Tik Tok story did not match the book.
Profile Image for Leslie Hole.
68 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2023
I follow Anna on Tiktok saw she wrote a book, and just wow. I have never experienced anything close to what she went through with her childhood or her early adulthood but what she told us and what you can learn from her was inspiring. Thank you Anna for putting yourself out there to raise awareness. You are so strong!
166 reviews6 followers
March 23, 2021
Don't want to be mean

Let's just say, I always try to finish a book I start, but this was a struggle. Could be new author, could be trying to put a lifetime of memory in one location, not sure, it just didn't work for me.
Profile Image for Teal Veyre.
179 reviews15 followers
April 11, 2022
This was a heartbreaking and riveting story. I related to this woman's story so much.

Women who are abused as children so often end up in abusive relationships as adults, because they don't have great boundaries or emotional fortitude. I'm sick of watching people applaud "strong women." Some women are weak because the world broke us. You aren't less worthy if you don't overcome rape and beatings and human trafficking.

This woman went through so much and eventually did find her happy ending, but in her years of being lost so many people judged her for not being "strong" or fighting harder.

Her mother used mental health treatment to further abuse her. This is something that needs to be talked about more. I had a very similar experience. Therapists/doctors/police/ER workers, they default to believing the parents. An emotionally unstable kid trying to survive an abusive home situation is no match for an entire system of credible adults coming down on them. Abused children are often labeled mentally ill and the mental health professionals become active participants in their abuse by emboldening the abuse to continue. "She's lying because she's bipolar" and other horrible gaslighting tactics.

When Anna discusses her pregnancy by her rapist, I really thought she was going to have an abortion. I'm pro-life, but for rape and other serious trauma, that's a clear exception. I view abortion the same way as I view animals being put down: It's necessary at times to ease suffering, but it is always something to be a little sad about. Anna's story is one where I think it could be viewed as necessary. Yet she decides to keep her baby and he gave her a reason to live. This is so absolutely beautiful.

Thank you to the author for writing her story of severe trauma. She should never have been abused by her mother and sister and she should never have been kidnapped and raped by Rob.

A lot of women throw around the term "pick me" at women who accept poor treatment from men. This is a really vile term to toss at people who are suffering from trauma and abuse. Any woman who accepts poor treatment from a man is dealing with incredible trauma and self-loathing; to look down on her further and mock her as pathetic is really horrible behavior.

I related to so much of what Anna experienced in this book. I went through so many of the same patterns with men, although what she lived through was so much more severe and horrifying than anything I experienced.

I wish all the best for this author. She writes at the back of the book that she is currently in school for Forensics and wants to one day help clear the backlog of rape kits sitting in storage. I really hope this happens for her <3
Profile Image for Joseph Barber.
262 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2024
Great Read

This was a sad read, unfortunately no woman should have to go through this. I’m sorry this happened to Anna and I wish her the best and I hope she heals from this traumatic experience.

I want to say, at the beginning Anna went to her boss on what was happening when it was sexual harassment and not yet kidnapping or rape and she was turned away. I want to say if anyone goes to their employer for any type of harassment and the employer does nothing. Please, file charges with the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) this is not right and all employers should take harassment seriously.

This was a great read I’m just sorry it had to happen in order to read it. Nobody deserves this.
Profile Image for Eady Jay.
Author 2 books13 followers
January 27, 2025
Shocking story! Read the majority of the book in one sitting because I had to know what happened. So glad this woman found such purpose and the desire to live, and escape, and hopefully thrive because of her baby.
Profile Image for Ericajean Miller.
4 reviews1 follower
June 16, 2021
Uhhh I read this book in less then 12 hours lol guess it was really good!
7 reviews
January 11, 2024
Wow

This story is painful but shows the things that women go through when programmed into fear. Well done for getting free and taking back your life. I am so proud that your story is a model for victims everywhere to realize that there is hope!
Profile Image for Sharon Owens.
40 reviews5 followers
April 3, 2024
I follow Anna on TikTok. I applaud her for having the strength and courage to tell her story!
Profile Image for Summer.
3 reviews
August 6, 2021
The book was a quick read so I did finish it. However, the writing is very amateur and I don’t think I would have finished it if it was much longer. Happy that the author is able to get her story out.
1 review
October 18, 2020
People Need to Read This

This book contains graphic content. However, I believe it's something so many people need to read, especially those in law enforcement and the justice system. We need to do better as a species to stop victim blaming, stop with the "guilty until proven innocent", stop with the "well you didn't say no, so obviously you wanted it" mentality. This is one of probably MILLIONS of stories around the world. But it is poignant and emotional and striking. It is a necessary read so people can understand the mentiality of a victim in a situation like this. If it's not a sober willing Yes (no coercion involved), it's a No. And anything short of a sober, willing Yes, is rape. End of story. Learn it. I'm glad I stumbled on this book on Tiktok. I will recommend it to everyone.
Profile Image for Secerecy Logan.
32 reviews8 followers
March 2, 2021
TRIGGER WARNING

I read this book on a 2 hour road trip there and back during the whole book I was experiencing such emotion. I sometimes had to put the book down for a couple of seconds to catch my breath and reflect on the actions in the book. Rob was the worst person I could have ever experienced and the fact that he is a real person and Anna really had to deal with this breaks my heart. The victim blaming from the police officers had me absolutely upset. I don’t use cuss words in my reviews very often but I was fucking pissed with the way Anna was brushed off by so many people. The hurt Anna must have endured hurts me for her. I am glad that she found a light at the end of the tunnel and is living a happy and healthy light now. Please remember rape is never your fault and you should always reach out when you can.
4 reviews
Read
January 5, 2023
Just okay.

I feel like a lot of details were one sided. Too much of this story doesn't make sense. Also, why include intimate details of other people the way you did? That makes me feel like you are bitter about situations and people who chose not to side with your way of thinking. This is just my take and opinion on this book.
5 reviews
January 11, 2022
This was a very deep and touching read. Parts of this story were a little difficult as a survivor of SA, however it was very healthy for me personally to read the account of someone else, and know that the feelings I had been struggling with, were not unique in such situations.
2 reviews
February 16, 2022
sorry but, this is an example of why victims are blamed.

example of why you should always follow your gut and never stay quiet. Also, wise up! It’s honestly difficult for me to believe this story.
16 reviews
December 31, 2023
heartfelt and painful

I too went thru a rape at the hands of someone I never wanted to be with. My situation was due to moving and switching high schools. I had no friends and met this girl who was in a band. Being friends with her brought more friends. But we never really hung out until she asked me to date her drummer. I agreed as I wanted friends so bad. Then he would pressure me into sex despite me not being ready as a virgin. Then eventually I got tired of hearing it constantly and him bitching as a result of no. It began consensual enough but it hurt so bad and he made no attempt to be easy for me. I told him it hurt and asked him to stop. He didn’t. I asked again. He said just a lil longer and I’ll be done. The pain reached a high point and I felt sick. I begged him to stop and said no I don’t want this please stop. He didn’t and got rougher until he finished while holding my arms above my head. When over I grabbed my clothes and left never to return. But all this was 8 yrs after I had been molested regularly by my moms bf’s son. Who was 6 yrs older than me. I was 9. I didn’t understand at first what was happening but once I did I tried to get him to stop. When he wouldn’t I pretended to want it and in the middle reached down and squeezed his “boys” as hard as I could willing them to pop. They didn’t but he backed away and left me alone after that. Now I have a wonderful man in my life. We’ve been together 11 yrs and have 2 gorgeous and sweet children together. Not yet married but working toward it. This book brought back so much of what happened but I also feel like maybe with the help of my therapist it will help bring me closure. I never got a rape kit as I was afraid my mom wouldn’t take it well. After being with my now man for about 5 yrs I finally told my mom what happened and she cried and was sorry for making me feel like she would be mad if I had told her. But he got away with it. They both did. But my rapist also tried to get me pregnant. He actually said once he was done and I was covered from top of my stomach to my knees with blood, “ now we will be together forever” all I could think was he poked holes in the condom and scraped together money for the plan b. I missed my senior trip because I could no longer afford the additional 60 I needed to go. Not without asking my mom and telling her why I spent what she gave me. So I hid the entire day of our trip pretending to go. And returned home late telling mom how much fun I’d had and I had forgotten to buy a souvenir because I was having so much fun and we left before I hd time. She believed it until 5 yrs later. But I only tell this because the book gave me the courage to tell the world. However the friend who wanted me to date her drummer said she never knew he was like that and would break ties with him. She did for a few yrs but now she brought back the old band including all but 1 original member. The exclusion was not my rapist. So I feel like I must now break off our friendship of over 10 yrs because I can’t face him. I can’t see him in photos without getting shaken and it upsets my fiancé. He gets upset because he hates seeing me in pain in any way and he wants to confront him but I won’t let him. He’s agreed to leave it be. But he wants to protect me from any harm at all. And that’s partially why I fell so madly in love with him.
Profile Image for Megan Mueller.
46 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2021
Quick read, but a great one. I read this book in one sitting because it was short, but not so short that you were left unfulfilled. And she's right. In the beginning of the book she says you will probably get mad at me for my decisions that landed me where I was. I was so mad! Lol! But I had to remind myself that sometimes it's hard (especially for women) to stand up for themselves around toxic people and so one thing leads to another and then you're just in a terrible situation altogether. I do feel badly for what she went through. She was kidnapped without even realizing she was kidnapped. I'm glad she got away from him however I do wish she had the strength to have done so earlier than she did. But again, I realize she wasn't ready at the time. And the way that she did escape was great.

What I liked about this book : she told her story without going on and on with unnecessary details. I couldn't tell you how many memoirs I've read that were 400 or more pages because the author droned on.

What I didnt like : she will randomly mention that she goes to college, then nothing is said again about it, but then at the very end she still said she was in college. But it just doesn't add up because she also stated she worked 10 or 12 hour days, every single day. I guess it was a little confusing.

Plot hole I found : she explained that she wanted to move in with her dad within 6 months, so she got the salesperson job to save and to prove to her dad she can help with rent and bills. And the end of the story, her dad is moving into the apartment and asks her if she is still capable of paying the bills, as if implying she's still moving in with him. But, at that point in the story we know she's kidnapped by Rob and living with him. So how was she planning on handling this...? It never explained it because that's also the time she managed to escape.
Profile Image for Eris Varga.
148 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2021
I feel weird rating somebody's true story, so don't take what I've given it to mean anything. It is what it is: a true account of an ordeal. You know what you're getting going into this book, so take care when reading.

I saw Anna on TikTok and decided to spare a few pounds to support her book. I read it in a couple of hours; the writing is accessible and the language is straightforward. The author isn't selling a novel, so I'm not critiquing it as such - she's just putting her truth out there to help survivors feel less alone.

Anna's story is an extremely good example of how an abuser can trap a victim without the threat of violence: he used his age and power to intimidate her, he bluffed that he could get her fired, he kept hold of her phone and controlled where she went and who she was alone with, he worked her hard so she was constantly exhausted, and he plied her with alcohol between the instances of abuse to keep her dehydrated and disorientated. She grew up with her boundaries being disrespected, and she desperately needed to keep her job to be able to move in with her dad and be safe. Even without this cocktail of contributing factors, Anna's story demonstrates how easily this can happen to anyone, and how complicated abuse can be.

I think anyone who 'can't understand' why someone would stay in or return to an abusive relationship should read accounts like this. When you're forced into that head space, it's easy to think in absolutes and not see a way out. I wish Anna all the love and healing in the world and I hope she and her family see some justice soon.
Profile Image for Megan Frank.
2 reviews
November 2, 2023
This book sat in my Amazon cart for almost a year while I debated if I really wanted to read it or not. Only recently did I learn that one of my favorite tiktokers wrote this book and I immediately bought it and read it. Knocked it out in about two hours.
I cannot even begin to comprehend how anyone can be so calloused and unfeeling and treat anyone the way he treated Anna. It hurts my heart to know that this bright, fun woman I follow on Tiktok lived through this trauma. Some reviews say it's not too well written, however I think it was wonderfully composed. I felt like I was watching her live through this, it is definitely written in her voice.
What makes a good book, I think, is that is is written so well that it is hard to put the book down. I had to stop myself midway through, (which was extremely difficult as I did not want to put the book down, I was glued to it) and take a break to compose myself while reading this, because her story is so brutal, so unfair. Nobody should have to live through this, but she did.
I am so relieved to see that she has gone on with her life, instead of ending it like she wanted to after escaping. She is such a strong woman, and I am so proud of her, seeing what she has accomplished with her life. I am also deeply saddened by the fact that she had to go through all of this, yet so relieved she came through and was able to carry on living.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rasma.
74 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2021
You didn't make bad decisions

The author starts off this book saying she made the wrong decisions and even though the rape isn't her fault if she had made better decisions she wouldn't have ended up where she was. I made bad decisions too Anna a lot of them it doesn't make this a I would have been in better places if I wasn't so young please tell that to the children who choose one parent over another and end up in worse situations if you cannot blame them for being naive please don't blame yourself. This book is well written it reminds us that boys will be boys is never a valid excuse, why didn't you fight harder is never a valid excuse and is just victim shaming and most of all it reminds us that being raped doesn't ruin you it just impacts your view of the world. As I continue to read books like Anna's I am reminded of the strength it takes to have a child of rape (yes I did that) and how much stronger you become because of it. And I'm also reminded that sometimes you might not see the toxic people in your life and eventually we all get there. I just want to tell you it's okay and I want to hug you and tell you your an amazing mom.
Profile Image for Abby.
136 reviews9 followers
August 4, 2021
TW: Rape, miscarriage, sexual abuse, physical/verbal abuse, alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts/ideation, pregnancy after rape

I felt weird eating this book but felt that the author deserved the 5 stars for not only having the courage to put her story out there but also for managing to do it well written. Her story makes me sick at the state of the justice system when it comes to sexual assault/rape cases and I would’ve given anything for her to have had some justice.

She made such a courageous decision to keep her baby and love him despite how he came about into this world and I think it’s worth honoring her for that, even though I frankly would’ve honored any decision she would’ve made in her situation. I just hope this story reaches the people it needs to reach to help people who have gone through this/are going through it realize they aren’t alone, but I also hope that those this story would be too triggering for know their limits.

Overall I’m glad I read this story to just hear what the author had to say if nothing else. She told a story she didn’t have to tell but was brave enough to tell anyways and she deserves to have been heard. I’m glad to have been listening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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