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Burning The Bridge I was Born On: When home is your first heartbreak: a coming-of-age in survival mode.
Some bridges are built for crossing. Others are built for burning.
She grew up in a house where love was a transaction, silence was a weapon, and survival meant learning how to disappear. Every smile had conditions. Every hug had an expiration date. And every mistake was proof she’d never be enough.
But even in the quietest corners, a spark survived.
Burning the Bridge I Was Born On is the unflinching story of a daughter who refused to inherit the wounds that raised her. Told with the pace of a novel and the punch of truth, it takes you from the sharp edges of a childhood spent under scrutiny to the hard-won freedom of a life reclaimed.
This isn’t a tale of perfect healing. It’s a testament to grit, defiance, and the choice to light the match when the bridge behind you only ever led to pain.
She grew up in a house where love was a transaction, silence was a weapon, and survival meant learning how to disappear. Every smile had conditions. Every hug had an expiration date. And every mistake was proof she’d never be enough.
But even in the quietest corners, a spark survived.
Burning the Bridge I Was Born On is the unflinching story of a daughter who refused to inherit the wounds that raised her. Told with the pace of a novel and the punch of truth, it takes you from the sharp edges of a childhood spent under scrutiny to the hard-won freedom of a life reclaimed.
This isn’t a tale of perfect healing. It’s a testament to grit, defiance, and the choice to light the match when the bridge behind you only ever led to pain.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
58 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 6, 2025
This book is…how to put into words. This book made me not feel so alone with my own experience. It came at a time I needed it most. This book is raw truth and hope for someone who experienced trauma and abuse by the person that is supposed to love and protect them. Thank you to the author, for telling your truth. For speaking about the mother wound. You absolutely made the right choices.
January 15, 2026
première lecture de 2026, et j'en avais besoin. Ce mémoire est très beau et à la fois très douloureux à lire, surtout quand il résonne beaucoup trop avec ses propres expériences.
J'avais besoin de le lire suite à une situation familiale difficile, et même si c'était quelquefois compliqué à lire, principalement à cause de l'émotion, ça m'a fait beaucoup de bien. J'en parlerais à ma future psy lol
Côté littéraire : c'est très facile à lire, même si c'est en anglais. l'écriture est fluide, simple mais crue, c'est poignant sans être extravagant. On ressent le besoin de l'auteur.e d'écrire ce mémoire, et ça me motive moi aussi à continuer d'écrire (journal ou shadow work for the witches iykyk)
J'avais besoin de le lire suite à une situation familiale difficile, et même si c'était quelquefois compliqué à lire, principalement à cause de l'émotion, ça m'a fait beaucoup de bien. J'en parlerais à ma future psy lol
Côté littéraire : c'est très facile à lire, même si c'est en anglais. l'écriture est fluide, simple mais crue, c'est poignant sans être extravagant. On ressent le besoin de l'auteur.e d'écrire ce mémoire, et ça me motive moi aussi à continuer d'écrire (journal ou shadow work for the witches iykyk)
December 14, 2025
A Story That Refuses to Let You Look Away
Burning the Bridge I Was Born On is one of those rare books you don’t just read— you experience every word. I finished it in under three hours, not because it’s short, but because it’s impossible to put down.
The author’s storytelling is gripping in the truest sense. What stands out most is the author’s courage. There is no hiding here. The vulnerability is profound, but it’s balanced beautifully with sharp wit and moments of unexpected humor that make the story feel alive rather than heavy. You can feel the emotional risk taken in every chapter, and that bravery creates a powerful connection between the writer and the reader.
The prose is fluid and intentional, pulling you forward with emotional momentum. You’re not just observing a life-you’re inside it, feeling the ache, the growth, the reckoning, and ultimately, the courage to break free. It’s storytelling that trusts the reader, doesn’t over-explain, and lets truth speak for itself. Every page carries weight, pain, vulnerability, and resilience woven together in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally human.
Burning the Bridge I Was Born On is bold, unforgettable, and deeply moving. It’s a testament to the power of telling your story exactly as it is—no softening, no apology—and a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is burn what no longer serves us and walk forward anyway. the bravest thing we can do is burn what has been burning us all along.
Burning the Bridge I Was Born On is one of those rare books you don’t just read— you experience every word. I finished it in under three hours, not because it’s short, but because it’s impossible to put down.
The author’s storytelling is gripping in the truest sense. What stands out most is the author’s courage. There is no hiding here. The vulnerability is profound, but it’s balanced beautifully with sharp wit and moments of unexpected humor that make the story feel alive rather than heavy. You can feel the emotional risk taken in every chapter, and that bravery creates a powerful connection between the writer and the reader.
The prose is fluid and intentional, pulling you forward with emotional momentum. You’re not just observing a life-you’re inside it, feeling the ache, the growth, the reckoning, and ultimately, the courage to break free. It’s storytelling that trusts the reader, doesn’t over-explain, and lets truth speak for itself. Every page carries weight, pain, vulnerability, and resilience woven together in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally human.
Burning the Bridge I Was Born On is bold, unforgettable, and deeply moving. It’s a testament to the power of telling your story exactly as it is—no softening, no apology—and a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is burn what no longer serves us and walk forward anyway. the bravest thing we can do is burn what has been burning us all along.
December 13, 2025
The closure I searched for but never thought I needed. I don’t believe in searching for closure. I don’t believe I need to hear “I’m sorry” from a person that’s never going to truly mean it. Why rehash it, why play it all out again, every hurtful feeling and word, and yet that is what I did every day trying to figure out why she did it. This book actually gave me the closure I didn’t think I needed. I can let go without guilt now, even if it took 61 years to do it. The one good thing is I also know l. I broke the cycle, it ended with me. I did not pass that on the abuse to my children-so right there was my win. I guess I needed this book to point that out to me.
January 2, 2026
Unapologetic and Validating
This book was so raw and so real and so very relatable. It doesn’t have answers. It doesn’t have research or theories. It has one person‘s story as she experienced her life, and it’s unapologetic. I had to put it down every few chapters just to let it sink in that I was not the only one with a mother who rewrote “a reality just to protect the version of herself she can tolerate.” Well this book may not be any sort of literary masterpiece, it is most definitely a source of validation.
This book was so raw and so real and so very relatable. It doesn’t have answers. It doesn’t have research or theories. It has one person‘s story as she experienced her life, and it’s unapologetic. I had to put it down every few chapters just to let it sink in that I was not the only one with a mother who rewrote “a reality just to protect the version of herself she can tolerate.” Well this book may not be any sort of literary masterpiece, it is most definitely a source of validation.
December 29, 2025
a read from curiosity
I started this read more from curiosity and wanting something a little differently. I was hooked from the begging. This was not my usual read but it was a read I needed a read I could relate to in so many ways. This book is genuine, it’s the raw and messy of growing up in survival mode. It’s how the things that we had no control over shape us and how it can consistent conscious effort to break away from it. Highly recommended read.
I started this read more from curiosity and wanting something a little differently. I was hooked from the begging. This was not my usual read but it was a read I needed a read I could relate to in so many ways. This book is genuine, it’s the raw and messy of growing up in survival mode. It’s how the things that we had no control over shape us and how it can consistent conscious effort to break away from it. Highly recommended read.
January 10, 2026
A soft, meaningful read that stays with you.
The book gently gives voice to feelings that are often overlooked and reminds us that behavior is often shaped by unmet needs and confusion. Dylan’s mom stood out as a powerful example of what it means to truly show up—to listen, stay close, and build someone up when they feel unseen.
The book gently gives voice to feelings that are often overlooked and reminds us that behavior is often shaped by unmet needs and confusion. Dylan’s mom stood out as a powerful example of what it means to truly show up—to listen, stay close, and build someone up when they feel unseen.
December 16, 2025
This is a story that gives a voice to all the people who have been through similar situations. It was all too relatable and well written. As others have said it made me feel not so alone when most of us who went through this kind of trauma are left feeling so alone.
January 6, 2026
very relatable in many ways. the book itself was poorly written (repeating the same sentences a few times in different areas of the book) that made you say " wait...have I read this page already?" only to realize it was just repeated a few pages ago. it was an interesting read nonetheless.
February 15, 2026
I felt I could relate to most of the things she talked about, which is sad but it was beautifully written! 5 stars, and I’ll recommend this book to anyone I know who’s struggling with their past! ❤️ it’s a gentle reminder that I’m enough, and I always have been
February 24, 2026
I needed this!!
I don’t even have words to describe this book except, READ IT! This author speaks to every mother out there that was raised by a narcissist mother. I personally just recently set boundaries, so this was a little emotional. A must read!!
I don’t even have words to describe this book except, READ IT! This author speaks to every mother out there that was raised by a narcissist mother. I personally just recently set boundaries, so this was a little emotional. A must read!!
January 3, 2026
This book hit so close to my life. It’s a great read and all my emotions came out in this and suddenly I feel understood in my own mind. Don’t pass this one up. Read it! I couldn’t put it down.
December 31, 2025
The Most soul crushing and amazing read
I found myself inside this book relating to every situation! To know that others suffered as I did is unbearable! This was an amazing experience and eye opening! Thank you for this experience!!
I found myself inside this book relating to every situation! To know that others suffered as I did is unbearable! This was an amazing experience and eye opening! Thank you for this experience!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews