What do you think?
Rate this book
Baylie: A Life Shattered. A Promise Kept. A Secret Revealed.
Bad things happen to good people…but not to us.
College wasn't supposed to be dangerous. Ride-shares were meant to be safe, and trauma centers met standards of excellence, didn’t they?
On a sailboat far from shore, life was perfect. Then suddenly, it wasn’t. This wasn’t just a tragedy; it was the tragedy everyone feared most. For Baylie’s family, the nightmare brought unbearable pain, while igniting an unrelenting search for justice. In their darkest moments, when the world felt silent, Baylie found a way to speak - without words - guiding them toward truths they never expected.
Gripped by terror and overwhelmed by grief, they faced an impossible journey, intensified by the laws that failed to protect them.Yet, within the chaos, a secret is revealed. It wasn’t what they prayed for, but a promise that would change everything.
Miracles do happen. Just not the way you think they will.
College wasn't supposed to be dangerous. Ride-shares were meant to be safe, and trauma centers met standards of excellence, didn’t they?
On a sailboat far from shore, life was perfect. Then suddenly, it wasn’t. This wasn’t just a tragedy; it was the tragedy everyone feared most. For Baylie’s family, the nightmare brought unbearable pain, while igniting an unrelenting search for justice. In their darkest moments, when the world felt silent, Baylie found a way to speak - without words - guiding them toward truths they never expected.
Gripped by terror and overwhelmed by grief, they faced an impossible journey, intensified by the laws that failed to protect them.Yet, within the chaos, a secret is revealed. It wasn’t what they prayed for, but a promise that would change everything.
Miracles do happen. Just not the way you think they will.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2025
105 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 16, 2025
This book is 100% a must read for everyone. The book is about a young girl named Baylie and is written by her mother Shawnee Baker. This story is so beautiful written and heartbreaking and is a true story of the horrors young people face when going off to college/university. The book covers many important topics and is a story of persistence, relentless determination, and resilience through a life of many storms. I encourage everyone if you get the opportunity please read this book you will not be disappointed ♥️
September 5, 2025
I did not finish this book because I physically could not finish this book.
June 25, 2025
Heartbreaking story. Unfortunately the author wrote too much about her own life and others which got boring. Everyone in her family especially her daughter are portrayed as perfect and it gets tedious. Too much finger pointing and blaming of young people’s mistakes, it was not their fault that this happened to Baylie. Baylie made her own choices unfortunately and it had the worst possible outcome. I’m so sad for her and the family but honestly can’t say I enjoyed this book, sorry.
May 26, 2025
I'm not a mother and I don't believe in the afterlife which is a large part of why I didn't connect to this book. However, it being filled with spelling/grammar errors & contradictions also shaped my low rating. That poor little girl Seraphina will never be able to live up to the memory of Bailey. And if she is "her own person" as well as Bailey's soul reincarnated, how does that work - split personality? That's the biggest contradiction of this story, she's one or the other.
January 2, 2026
This author needs intense therapy. I am so disgusted. 2 stars only because I didn’t DNF.
This was supposed to be a book about her daughter and the creation of a law making choosing a medical advocate a part of college admissions so that other parents don’t end up in the position of not being able to make medical choices for their over 18 children in the event they can’t make choices for themselves due to severe injury/accidents/comas etc. due to HIPAA.
The first part of the book was the author explaining how she chose keeping up with the Joneses and a status lifestyle over spending time with her infant children, instead, leaving them with 2 unstable and abusive men while she worked tons of overtime to afford nice cars, big houses, pools, etc. And how she basically chose having other people raise her kids rather than spending time with them herself. (This is not a diss to working mothers. This author SPECIFICALLY states she chose status over raising her kids.) She then spends an inordinate amount of time talking about her new man, Baylie’s eventual second stepdad, and how loaded he was and how he almost hit billionaire status many times, how he ran in elite circles with the rich and famous in Manhattan’s UES, and how Baylie should not be upset to be uprooted from her home to move in with the new stepdad (her two older teenage sons already flew the coop to get away from her crappy parenting and abusive stepdad,) even though it had been less than a year since her traumatic divorce from the first stepdad when she remarried, and that Baylie should be grateful because he provided a really nice quality of life and status. She kept using words like “mature,” and “resilient” to describe her daughter, when really her daughter was forced to adapt to leaving all of her friends and her grandparents who raised her behind because her mom wanted status again. Her 2 older boys both had psychotic episodes and suicidal ideations and attempts due to the abuse, but she still chose to stay with those men for years. Then she and new ultra rich stepdad do IVF and get pregnant because the author wants a redo of her crappy parenting and can now live a life of luxury because her new husband is super wealthy and she won’t have to work anymore.
Part 2 was all about her daughter being in the ICU after being hit by a car doing 55 after she’d been roofied in an Uber by 2 strange guys she got in with, and basically abandoned by her sorority sisters to walk home in the rain in downtown Miami after escaping the uber by spilling the roofied drink- while still completely out of it. The author forced Baylie to be artificially kept alive for weeks, because Baylie would’ve wanted to live and be a neurosurgeon, despite the most horrific injuries I have ever read about while wailing about how hard it was for her because Baylie was her soulmate, but then several weeks later, after it was too late to pull the plug, legally, decided it was time for Baylie to die because she realized how much pain her body must be in, and how SHE loved her so much that SHE had to let her go, and then she spent chapters talking to Baylie, who suddenly now was talking to her telepathically saying she didn’t want to live like that— and now her mom is telling her to go die because life on earth wasn’t great anyway… but oh wait, let me try to get my doc to harvest HER COMATOSE DAUGHTER’s EGGS SO SHE COULD GET PREGNANT WITH HER DAUGHTER’s BABY BECAUSE HER EGGS WERE YOUNGER AND IN BETTER SHAPE THAN HER OWN IVF EMBRYOS… Mind you, she’s still pregnant with Baylie’s younger sister at this time… and now she is upset that she’s pregnant because she’s too sad because her other daughter is dying and she feels like she traded one daughter for another. So anyway, they threaten to sue the hospital if they don’t let their daughter die and it’s a whole thing. Baylie finally dies after they withdraw nutrition and medical care, and the author goes all depressed because Baylie is gone and she’s convinced the new baby is the reason why… that’s so unfair to this new baby.
Part 3 is after the new baby, Savannah Baylie, is born and the author is now consulting mediums and believes one has contacted Baylie and Baylie wants to reincarnate through an embryo left over from previous IVF cycles- but they lose the baby early in the pregnancy and allegedly Baylie told her that it’s cool, she’ll reincarnate the next time… so they have another cycle and she has Serephina Bailey (noticing a pattern?,) who the author firmly believes is Baylie reincarnated and who allegedly talks to her mom about how she used to be Baylie and used to be a grown up and have brown eyes…
This author is not only incredibly narcissistic, she’s delusional and her poor daughters are going to need intense therapy to recover from being parented by her.
The only positive thing to come from this book is now I realize I need to make sure we speak to our kids about what they’d like in the case they can’t make decisions for themselves, and ask them permission to be granted the ability to make medical decisions for them in that event, until they’re married or create other arrangements.
I am so disgusted right now.
This was supposed to be a book about her daughter and the creation of a law making choosing a medical advocate a part of college admissions so that other parents don’t end up in the position of not being able to make medical choices for their over 18 children in the event they can’t make choices for themselves due to severe injury/accidents/comas etc. due to HIPAA.
The first part of the book was the author explaining how she chose keeping up with the Joneses and a status lifestyle over spending time with her infant children, instead, leaving them with 2 unstable and abusive men while she worked tons of overtime to afford nice cars, big houses, pools, etc. And how she basically chose having other people raise her kids rather than spending time with them herself. (This is not a diss to working mothers. This author SPECIFICALLY states she chose status over raising her kids.) She then spends an inordinate amount of time talking about her new man, Baylie’s eventual second stepdad, and how loaded he was and how he almost hit billionaire status many times, how he ran in elite circles with the rich and famous in Manhattan’s UES, and how Baylie should not be upset to be uprooted from her home to move in with the new stepdad (her two older teenage sons already flew the coop to get away from her crappy parenting and abusive stepdad,) even though it had been less than a year since her traumatic divorce from the first stepdad when she remarried, and that Baylie should be grateful because he provided a really nice quality of life and status. She kept using words like “mature,” and “resilient” to describe her daughter, when really her daughter was forced to adapt to leaving all of her friends and her grandparents who raised her behind because her mom wanted status again. Her 2 older boys both had psychotic episodes and suicidal ideations and attempts due to the abuse, but she still chose to stay with those men for years. Then she and new ultra rich stepdad do IVF and get pregnant because the author wants a redo of her crappy parenting and can now live a life of luxury because her new husband is super wealthy and she won’t have to work anymore.
Part 2 was all about her daughter being in the ICU after being hit by a car doing 55 after she’d been roofied in an Uber by 2 strange guys she got in with, and basically abandoned by her sorority sisters to walk home in the rain in downtown Miami after escaping the uber by spilling the roofied drink- while still completely out of it. The author forced Baylie to be artificially kept alive for weeks, because Baylie would’ve wanted to live and be a neurosurgeon, despite the most horrific injuries I have ever read about while wailing about how hard it was for her because Baylie was her soulmate, but then several weeks later, after it was too late to pull the plug, legally, decided it was time for Baylie to die because she realized how much pain her body must be in, and how SHE loved her so much that SHE had to let her go, and then she spent chapters talking to Baylie, who suddenly now was talking to her telepathically saying she didn’t want to live like that— and now her mom is telling her to go die because life on earth wasn’t great anyway… but oh wait, let me try to get my doc to harvest HER COMATOSE DAUGHTER’s EGGS SO SHE COULD GET PREGNANT WITH HER DAUGHTER’s BABY BECAUSE HER EGGS WERE YOUNGER AND IN BETTER SHAPE THAN HER OWN IVF EMBRYOS… Mind you, she’s still pregnant with Baylie’s younger sister at this time… and now she is upset that she’s pregnant because she’s too sad because her other daughter is dying and she feels like she traded one daughter for another. So anyway, they threaten to sue the hospital if they don’t let their daughter die and it’s a whole thing. Baylie finally dies after they withdraw nutrition and medical care, and the author goes all depressed because Baylie is gone and she’s convinced the new baby is the reason why… that’s so unfair to this new baby.
Part 3 is after the new baby, Savannah Baylie, is born and the author is now consulting mediums and believes one has contacted Baylie and Baylie wants to reincarnate through an embryo left over from previous IVF cycles- but they lose the baby early in the pregnancy and allegedly Baylie told her that it’s cool, she’ll reincarnate the next time… so they have another cycle and she has Serephina Bailey (noticing a pattern?,) who the author firmly believes is Baylie reincarnated and who allegedly talks to her mom about how she used to be Baylie and used to be a grown up and have brown eyes…
This author is not only incredibly narcissistic, she’s delusional and her poor daughters are going to need intense therapy to recover from being parented by her.
The only positive thing to come from this book is now I realize I need to make sure we speak to our kids about what they’d like in the case they can’t make decisions for themselves, and ask them permission to be granted the ability to make medical decisions for them in that event, until they’re married or create other arrangements.
I am so disgusted right now.
May 25, 2025
Shawnee and her three children longed for peace and stability after she had a difficult divorce. When she found that in Scott, Shawnee felt deeply thankful. While her two sons preferred their independence, Shawnee wished they would stay close. Her youngest, Baylie, often spent time with her and Scott, creating cherished memories together.
With Scott in her life, everything seemed to fall into place. Time seemed to vanish whenever Shawnee was with him, and she found herself constantly drawn to his presence. Although she felt content with just Baylie around, Scott brought a new joy and balance to their life. Starting over in her late thirties wasn’t easy, but finding a home in Scott made it all worthwhile.
Then one day, a young woman was rushed to the trauma center, requiring emergency surgery. A University of Miami student ID was discovered near the victim. What lies ahead for Baylie? How will she face the coming days? What's her destiny?
The cover of the book is striking, and the title fits beautifully. The story is filled with touching moments that may bring tears to your eyes. Baylie shared a profound spiritual bond with her horse, Dark Secret—he was always her top priority. This true story is sure to touch the hearts of many readers. It also makes us realize that life is full of ups and downs and it can turn 360° any second.
With Scott in her life, everything seemed to fall into place. Time seemed to vanish whenever Shawnee was with him, and she found herself constantly drawn to his presence. Although she felt content with just Baylie around, Scott brought a new joy and balance to their life. Starting over in her late thirties wasn’t easy, but finding a home in Scott made it all worthwhile.
Then one day, a young woman was rushed to the trauma center, requiring emergency surgery. A University of Miami student ID was discovered near the victim. What lies ahead for Baylie? How will she face the coming days? What's her destiny?
The cover of the book is striking, and the title fits beautifully. The story is filled with touching moments that may bring tears to your eyes. Baylie shared a profound spiritual bond with her horse, Dark Secret—he was always her top priority. This true story is sure to touch the hearts of many readers. It also makes us realize that life is full of ups and downs and it can turn 360° any second.
June 27, 2025
A story of love and courage. Both heart-breaking and inspiring.
May 14, 2025
"Baylie: A Life Shattered. A Promise Kept. A Secret Revealed" by Shawnee Baker is a powerful and emotionally charged read. In this heartfelt memoir, Shawnee shares her real-life journey. A mother to three children—Mickenzie, Tristan, and Baylie—she found herself spiraling into negativity after a painful divorce.
Things began to change when she met Scott, a gentle and steady presence who soon became her safe haven. In her late thirties, Shawnee took a leap of faith, remarried, and began rebuilding her life. With her sons having moved out, Scott often spent time with Baylie while Shawnee worked night shifts. Just as she was starting to envision a new chapter—travel, adventure, and peace—life threw a devastating curveball.
Baylie was in a tragic accident, one so severe that her chances of survival were slim. What unfolded next is a blend of mystery and emotion. Did Baylie share something from beyond? Was there a secret waiting to be uncovered?
This story takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, grief, healing, etc. I was deeply moved by Shawnee’s resilience and the comfort she found in Scott. Baylie’s story is truly heartbreaking. Those who find comfort in reading memoirs should get their hands on this book
Things began to change when she met Scott, a gentle and steady presence who soon became her safe haven. In her late thirties, Shawnee took a leap of faith, remarried, and began rebuilding her life. With her sons having moved out, Scott often spent time with Baylie while Shawnee worked night shifts. Just as she was starting to envision a new chapter—travel, adventure, and peace—life threw a devastating curveball.
Baylie was in a tragic accident, one so severe that her chances of survival were slim. What unfolded next is a blend of mystery and emotion. Did Baylie share something from beyond? Was there a secret waiting to be uncovered?
This story takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, grief, healing, etc. I was deeply moved by Shawnee’s resilience and the comfort she found in Scott. Baylie’s story is truly heartbreaking. Those who find comfort in reading memoirs should get their hands on this book
May 16, 2025
Book Review: Baylie: A Life Shattered. A Promise Kept. A Secret Revealed. by Shawnee Baker
Baylie by Shawnee Baker is a heart-wrenching and powerfully told true story that begins with the unthinkable and ends with a message of enduring love, justice, and unexpected miracles. What starts as a promising, joyful chapter in a young woman's life quickly descends into tragedy, challenging everything her family thought they knew about safety, trust, and the systems designed to protect us.
Told with raw emotion and unwavering honesty, Baker captures the devastation of grief while illuminating the incredible strength of a family fighting for answers. As the mystery unravels, readers are drawn into a deeper narrative—one not only about loss but about a promise fulfilled and a secret that changes everything.
This is not just a story of heartbreak—it's a tribute to a daughter’s lasting voice, a mother’s unyielding devotion, and the quiet ways in which hope finds its way back in. Baylie is a compelling read for anyone who believes in the power of love to transcend even the darkest moments.
Baylie by Shawnee Baker is a heart-wrenching and powerfully told true story that begins with the unthinkable and ends with a message of enduring love, justice, and unexpected miracles. What starts as a promising, joyful chapter in a young woman's life quickly descends into tragedy, challenging everything her family thought they knew about safety, trust, and the systems designed to protect us.
Told with raw emotion and unwavering honesty, Baker captures the devastation of grief while illuminating the incredible strength of a family fighting for answers. As the mystery unravels, readers are drawn into a deeper narrative—one not only about loss but about a promise fulfilled and a secret that changes everything.
This is not just a story of heartbreak—it's a tribute to a daughter’s lasting voice, a mother’s unyielding devotion, and the quiet ways in which hope finds its way back in. Baylie is a compelling read for anyone who believes in the power of love to transcend even the darkest moments.
June 12, 2025
Mother’s heartbreak of loosing her daughter. Very powerful, can happen to anyone, more
Safety and medical
Measures are needed.
Safety and medical
Measures are needed.
September 18, 2025
Very powerful book; I highly recommend everyone should read ; what a strong woman the author is
April 19, 2025
Best book of 2025, heartbreaking…hopeful…inspiring. This is a book everyone should read. It’s a story of strength, resilience, and faith… it’s Bay’s Story. “the universe puts us all in each other’s lives to impact one another in some way “, this book is Baylie’s way.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews