Lies That Bind: Emma's Story

by K. Leigh Michaels

Ever since that day in grade school, Emma Parker and Kendall Preston have been best friends, with a mutual need to protect each other from harm. But when a secret from their past becomes a secret in their present, a devastating tragedy threatens to tear apart a relationship that they’ve both always believed was bulletproof. Left to pick up the broken pieces by herself, Emma learns that to survive the aftermath, all she has to do is drown the resulting anguish. The only problem is that her coping mechanism might cost her everything. But even if it does, all she wants back is her best friend.

Lies That Bind: Emma’s Story helps shed light on the all-too-common occurrence of abuse by someone familiar, and the PTSD that follows trauma.

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2014

About the author

K. Leigh Michaels has had a passion for children and teens since she was a young girl, and has been writing stories since she was six years old. Combining these two loves came naturally as a teen when she began writing short stories and poetry for teens. Leigh has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin, and has had several poems published in anthologies. Leigh lives in Wisconsin with her husband and five adopted children

Reviews

[Megan Coppadge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Lies that Bind: Emma's Story from a Goodreads giveaway.

I'm going to say this first in the hopes that someone may go on to read my review. This book is an eye opener and slightly life changing.

Torn between 3 and 4 stars so 3.5. Wish we could give halfs.

First I'm going to start with the cover because it's you first impression. I greatly dislike it. I almost did enter for the giveaway and was a bit wary when I first received the book because of the cover. However, I liked this book soo much it went on my don't judge a book by it's cover shelf. But the cover bothers me so much because I know some people won't read it because of it.

Lies that Bind is a terrific story. It's very straight to the point and not complicated to read. In fact I was so drawn into the story that I read it in a day it was such an easy read. But then again it was a hard read because of the subject matter. I'm aways afraid of giving away spoilers but the description of the book helps me here. Emma and Kendall are best friends. Have been since elementary school and have been through absolutely everything together. But then "something" happens to tear their friendship apart. Now most people would look at this situation and be like why did this ruin their friendship? But I understand completely. When you're told something so shocking and devastating that you can't believe it, you automatically deny it completely. No matter how far fetched it may seem. It's a coping mechanism, as Leigh Michaels says in the book. That leads to other coping mechanisms that can be totally destructive to the other persons life. And this is what made this book so compelling and if I'm honest a bit eye opening and life changing. You get an in depth look at a situation you have never been through or may have gone through and it shows you that keeping terrible things that happen inside because you're scared of not being believed is not good and that there is always, ALWAYS, someone out there to help you.

I really enjoyed this book and I really hope more people will read and like this book as much as I did!

[Heather Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on behalf of Readers' Favorite

Lies That Bind: Emma’s Story by Leigh Michaels surrounds the friendship between Emma and Kendall, and a tragic event that threatens to rip the pair apart. Emma and Kendall are inseparable, ever since they met in the third grade. Kendall appoints herself a sort of protector to Emma and makes sure she is safe. Emma is a very smart, abet a bit, introverted person. Together, they have faced many challenges, but Emma still keeps some secrets from Kendall, especially ones involving her new fiancé, Aaron. When the unthinkable happens at Kendall’s Christmas party, Emma turns to alcohol to cope with her trauma. Will Kendall be able to help Emma, while at the same time, coming to terms with this horrible event?

Miss Michaels tells the story of Emma and Kendall by using alternating chapters in the first person perspective. I typically enjoy this sort of dynamic, but I struggled at certain points when the same events were repeated. I liked the premise of the novel though, and found it to be a good read. I believe there should probably be a warning to anyone who may have experienced a traumatic event at the beginning of the novel as certain parts might be a trigger. I wanted to know more about Emma and Kendall’s relationship, especially growing up together and how Kendall protected Emma from bullying. Overall, Lies That Bind: Emma’s Story is an emotional journey through how people deal with traumatic things, and the impact they have on the friends and family surrounding them.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, I couldn't post a review right away because I felt I needed to let the story sit for a bit. Emma is such a realistic character. Unlike other books I've read with similar story lines, the character Emma reacted to her situation in a way that one wouldn't expect but in a way that is very realistic. Without giving anything away, I have to say that stories of women immediately running to the police or falling into the arms of best friend or boyfriend are unrealistic. The author of "Emma's Story" clearly did her homework and created a true to life character to whom every woman in a similar situation can relate.

[Nicole Johnson grodan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! I didn't want to. From beginning to end, I was drawn in and I constantly wanted, well needed to know what was going to happen next. The courage and the bravery kept me in awe! Another great book for young adult and older readers!