SURVIVAL HAS CONSEQUENCES: Shot and Left to Die: A Survivor's Story

by Ms. Victoria Lyn Gardner

256 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2025

Reviews

[Erin Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the paper copy of this book in one sitting, which was easy to do since I grew up with Vicki as a second mom to me. I’ll never forget where I was when I learned about the shooting and the agonizing time between then and finding out she was the lone survivor. She’s always been such a strong, driven, positive light so it’s no surprise to anyone who loves her that she would come through this like a warrior. I think about how many other people have stories like this, now that mass shootings have become entirely too common. Hopefully this can inspire and demonstrate that there is life to be enjoyed beyond the pain.

[Dustin Putman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An often powerful memoir from the heart. A few issues brought it down a bit for me, including a slower, more meandering second half and a fairly major factual discrepancy (it is mentioned Vicki received the COVID-19 vaccine in Feb 2020, when the first such vaccine wasn’t released until Dec 2020). Still, I very much enjoyed reading her inspiring story of overcoming tragedy and seeing the beauty in the world despite hardships.

[Shannon Jurkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so interesting to me, as someone who lives 20 minutes from where the shooting happened. I will always remember that day and how scary it was for our area. I loved how the book helped you understand who she was as a whole, including so much background. I kept up some with her recovery but had no idea how much was involved with it. This is a great book for anyone going through a tough time medically. There are many lessons to be learned in the book.

[Sheridan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG-a life changing situation did not keep the author from exposing her pain and recovery all over again in her account of a terrible and senseless shooting in 2015. If we could all have an ounce of Vicki's strength and resilience, the world would be a much kinder place. Way to go walking us through it all!!!