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Misunderstood: Through the Storm into the Rainbow
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read an ARC of this memoir, and this was a very heavy, deeply personal read.
The vulnerability in these pages is undeniable. The author shares painful experiences involving family dysfunction, abusive relationships, mental health struggles, and the effort to break generational cycles for her children. You can feel how much this story matters to her.
For me, it read more like a collection of journal entries than a fully shaped memoir. Major life events unfold quickly and often at the same emotional intensity, which made it harder to feel the shifts and growth as clearly as I wanted to. The healing in the final chapters is meaningful, but I found myself wishing for a little more reflection to deepen that transformation on the page.
That said, I respect the courage it takes to share something this personal and applaud Tamara for sharing her story!
The vulnerability in these pages is undeniable. The author shares painful experiences involving family dysfunction, abusive relationships, mental health struggles, and the effort to break generational cycles for her children. You can feel how much this story matters to her.
For me, it read more like a collection of journal entries than a fully shaped memoir. Major life events unfold quickly and often at the same emotional intensity, which made it harder to feel the shifts and growth as clearly as I wanted to. The healing in the final chapters is meaningful, but I found myself wishing for a little more reflection to deepen that transformation on the page.
That said, I respect the courage it takes to share something this personal and applaud Tamara for sharing her story!
February 25, 2026
I had the pleasure to ARC read this memoir.
First off I have to say that it takes a lot to open up about all the traumas that one has been through growing up. I can’t even begin to imagine going through some of the things that Tamara has been through.
It’s very cut throat and raw. Straight and to the point of what she had to endure. The memoir definitely felt like I was reading a very personal journal. 📓
I applaud someone going through what they have been through in life and putting it out there for the whole world to read, because you are allowing anyone and everyone to hear your story. That’s what is so special about it, is that it’s your story to tell and no one can take it from you because you had to live through some really sad, and traumatizing situations. I believe that there are a lot of people out there who could read this and feel like they found someone who understands what they have gone through as well. Thank you Tamara for sharing your story with us.
First off I have to say that it takes a lot to open up about all the traumas that one has been through growing up. I can’t even begin to imagine going through some of the things that Tamara has been through.
It’s very cut throat and raw. Straight and to the point of what she had to endure. The memoir definitely felt like I was reading a very personal journal. 📓
I applaud someone going through what they have been through in life and putting it out there for the whole world to read, because you are allowing anyone and everyone to hear your story. That’s what is so special about it, is that it’s your story to tell and no one can take it from you because you had to live through some really sad, and traumatizing situations. I believe that there are a lot of people out there who could read this and feel like they found someone who understands what they have gone through as well. Thank you Tamara for sharing your story with us.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story was raw, powerful, and deeply emotional. I could feel every emotion woven into the pages, and I found myself connecting so strongly to Tamara as we walked through her journey. It truly felt as though she was sitting right beside me, bravely telling her story in her own voice.
Tamara is incredibly strong and courageous for surviving everything she has endured—and even more so for choosing to share it. Writing a book about such trauma takes an immense amount of bravery.
There were several moments that completely shocked me, leaving me stunned at what was unfolding and at the depth of what she experienced.
More than anything, I hope Tamara finds lasting healing after all she has been through. She deserves peace, growth, and the chance to truly break the cycle.
Tamara is incredibly strong and courageous for surviving everything she has endured—and even more so for choosing to share it. Writing a book about such trauma takes an immense amount of bravery.
There were several moments that completely shocked me, leaving me stunned at what was unfolding and at the depth of what she experienced.
More than anything, I hope Tamara finds lasting healing after all she has been through. She deserves peace, growth, and the chance to truly break the cycle.
February 28, 2026
Oh wow, my goodness, this memoir got to me like an arrow through the heart, bringing tears to my eyes. It's bold, raw, emotional, and direct. Misunderstood: Through the Storm into the Rainbow by Tamara Hiltz is her story of survival, betrayal, and hope. Despite the hardships and emotional abuse/trauma she endured from people who came and went in her life, she still gave unconditional, pure love through her faith in God.
The first part of the book hooked me: there was no fluff; the author writes like she's talking with you face-to-face. Her childhood was heartbreaking. Tragedy struck her family, relating to her father, making her childhood years difficult.
She thought she found love, became a mother, and tried to make things work with her partner at the time. She tried, she really tried to make it work - but in the end, she did the right thing by moving on.
I find her kindness so amazing because she knows how to forgive and move on. Despite being dealt an unfair hand in several events in her life, she still had a heart for her family, friends, and community, and she gave love to each person unconditionally.
Yes, there are emotional moments in the book. Note that this book touches on subjects like childhood trauma, domestic abuse, self-harm, bullying, COVID, and jail. These experiences saw her dealing with the shock of being betrayed, bullied, and people behaving in a pernicious, harmful manner toward her. Her story is relatable: we've all had our fair share of meanness in the world, and reading Tamara's story reassures us that we are not alone and that we can choose to move on.
Not all of us are brave enough to tell our stories, so I admire and applaud Tamara for sharing her story with the world. Why? It is relatable and encouraging. It motivates us to carry on, no matter how bad things get, no matter how low life feels. Because there's always a rainbow after the storm.
Her faith in God is inspiring. It really is. Thank you to the author for sharing your life story and reminding me that God is here. Always.
The first part of the book hooked me: there was no fluff; the author writes like she's talking with you face-to-face. Her childhood was heartbreaking. Tragedy struck her family, relating to her father, making her childhood years difficult.
She thought she found love, became a mother, and tried to make things work with her partner at the time. She tried, she really tried to make it work - but in the end, she did the right thing by moving on.
I find her kindness so amazing because she knows how to forgive and move on. Despite being dealt an unfair hand in several events in her life, she still had a heart for her family, friends, and community, and she gave love to each person unconditionally.
Yes, there are emotional moments in the book. Note that this book touches on subjects like childhood trauma, domestic abuse, self-harm, bullying, COVID, and jail. These experiences saw her dealing with the shock of being betrayed, bullied, and people behaving in a pernicious, harmful manner toward her. Her story is relatable: we've all had our fair share of meanness in the world, and reading Tamara's story reassures us that we are not alone and that we can choose to move on.
Not all of us are brave enough to tell our stories, so I admire and applaud Tamara for sharing her story with the world. Why? It is relatable and encouraging. It motivates us to carry on, no matter how bad things get, no matter how low life feels. Because there's always a rainbow after the storm.
Her faith in God is inspiring. It really is. Thank you to the author for sharing your life story and reminding me that God is here. Always.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The book carries the reader rapid fire through the abuses she suffered and a rollercoaster of emotions praying things are better this time. I hurt along side her as she begged the people around her to understand and felt voiceless and hopeless.
Her narrative is casual, like she's recounting over a cup of coffee, bringing you into the story with her. Tamara ends the book on a positive note with things finally on an up side.
There are many trigger warnings in this narrative including: child abuse, partner abuse, addiction, family alienation, abortion, mental health, unaliving threats, and self-unaliving attempts
Her narrative is casual, like she's recounting over a cup of coffee, bringing you into the story with her. Tamara ends the book on a positive note with things finally on an up side.
There are many trigger warnings in this narrative including: child abuse, partner abuse, addiction, family alienation, abortion, mental health, unaliving threats, and self-unaliving attempts
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews