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Tressa - The 12-Year-Old Mum: My True Story
Tressa Middleton made UK history when she became Britain’s youngest mom in 2006 aged just 12 years and 8 months. Her case provoked shock and outrage - but the truth behind the headlines was far sadder than anyone could ever have imagined. Born into a life of poverty and neglect, Tressa was forced to grow up fast when she was taken into care at just four years old. She was returned to her mother’s chaotic world but by the age of seven, she was being abused by her own brother and at 11 years old she fell pregnant with his child. For years she kept his dark secret in an attempt to hold her family together until the truth threatened to destroy her completely. In the years since the birth, Tressa has gone through more pain and turmoil than most adults experience in a lifetime—yet today she survives a brave, strong, and compassionate young woman.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
November 29, 2016
I had mixed feelings about this book. I felt sorry for her in what happened, that lead to her terrible situation, but then found it hard to sympathise with some later decisions.
October 21, 2016
A harrowing tale of a difficult life. Beautifully told and a great read!
August 17, 2016
I'm giving this book 5 stars because I couldn't put it down but I can't say 'I love it' simply as it's such a hard subject to read about. Tressa was taken advantage of by many people around her throughout her childhood. The shocking thing is that many of those taken advantage were her family and she ended up having a baby at 12 after being raped by her brother.
Tressa went off the rails considerably which is not hard to understand why given the level of abuse she was subject to. I'm glad she's written this book as it sets the record straight from the nonsense that the tabloid press have written about her in the past. I just hope she is somehow able to put this all behind her and have a happy, fulfilling life with only goodhearted people around her from now on.
How one (and why) rebuilds relationships with those in her family who abused her I can only guess. I hope she has a lot of people helping her.
Tressa went off the rails considerably which is not hard to understand why given the level of abuse she was subject to. I'm glad she's written this book as it sets the record straight from the nonsense that the tabloid press have written about her in the past. I just hope she is somehow able to put this all behind her and have a happy, fulfilling life with only goodhearted people around her from now on.
How one (and why) rebuilds relationships with those in her family who abused her I can only guess. I hope she has a lot of people helping her.
October 27, 2015
Probably one of the most depressing books I've ever read. If Tressa's life was fictionalised and written as a novel I would write it off as being gratuitous poverty porn. Not a particularly well-written book, but still compelling. I hope she makes something out of her life.
May 21, 2015
I remember this as front page news when it was published in the newspapers. I cannot begin to fathom how much of an ordeal this must have been for Tressa, at the age of 12, not only to give birth to a baby, but to conceal the fact that the child was conceived out of being raped by her own brother, who was 16 years old at the time.
The book itself does tell an extremely dark, harrowing story and for myself at times, parts of the book were difficult to read. There were things I previously did not know prior to reading the book such as shoplifting and her struggle with a drug addiction. By the end though, you do feel that Tressa has found a light at the end of the tunnel and is trying the best she can to move forward with her life.
The book itself does tell an extremely dark, harrowing story and for myself at times, parts of the book were difficult to read. There were things I previously did not know prior to reading the book such as shoplifting and her struggle with a drug addiction. By the end though, you do feel that Tressa has found a light at the end of the tunnel and is trying the best she can to move forward with her life.
February 20, 2016
This really is a tragic story of a girl who really struggled to do the right thing but ended up getting herself further into a life of misery. This is not an easy read by any means. My heart went out to Tressa. She made some serious mistakes, but taking into account her age and circumstances that was hardly surprising. Her love for her mother was at the root of so much of her misery. Fortunately there were some people who reached out and tried to help- even when she wasn't willing to accept it. Although there were others I felt could have done a lot more. I hope by now her life is happier and more settled- after all she has gone through she really deserves a break!
September 2, 2016
Page turner
Really easy to get into and jeeps you hooked throughout.
Tragic story but highlights flaws in society.
Brilliant read
Really easy to get into and jeeps you hooked throughout.
Tragic story but highlights flaws in society.
Brilliant read
February 18, 2017
Author: Tressa Middleton.
Title: Tressa: The 12-year-old mum: My True Story.
Genre: health, family and lifestyle, families and parents, motherhood, pregnancy and childcare, women's health and lifestyle, biography, autobiography, memoir, true story, nonfiction.
I bought this book as a treat for myself.
I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio even if you do not read books like this.
I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone. I am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.
I highly recommend this book I would tell people not to judge the book by it cover or title .
Book dedication: this book is dedicated to my little girl Annie, I love you with all my heart and always will, my life will be complete the day I meet my sweet baby once again.
This book has 276 pages and 27 chapters in it.
Quote In This Book:
Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what l have tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire but if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice. - 'fire and ice' by Robert Frost.
Prologue:
Dear Annie,
I am walking along the woodland tracks in polkement country park, ten minutes from my house. It is beautiful here – the sun streams through the trees and dapples the ground with bright beams of light, picking out the stones and rocks by tinkling stream at my feet. Here it is peaceful and quiet. I come here a lot – especially when the noise of the world gets too loud. I walk through the dense woodland, listening to the babbling of the river at my feet and suddenly I feel calm, and I think of you. The fact is, you are never far from my thoughts. Every day, you are the first person I think of when I wake up and the last person in my mind as l drift off every night. You are the beating pulse of life. In my cupboard I keep the clothes you were wearing when you were just a wee baby. The pink and white babygros I dressed you in, the crocheted yellow cardigans that kept you warm. Everyone says I should get rid of them – but I can not. I suppose I never really learnt how to let go of you, and yet, these words are all l have now. According to your adoptive parent's wishes, we are not allowed any physical contact, and though at the time I felt cheated, today I understand, you see, I have grown up abit since we last meet – when you were just 2 years old and I was fourteen. I have come a long way and though I know I have still got a whole mountain to climb, I feel it is time to tell you a little about me, my life and why we are apart. Because, Annie, my beautiful girl, I do not want you to ever think that I did not want you. I did, very, very much. Alot was written about me back in those days a lot of things were said that just were not true, it is funny how people you have never even met can form an instant opinion about you just because they have read something in the paper. Twelve-year-old mum! - it made a good headline. It was not such a good life. But people did not know the truth back then – they said horrible, hurtful things about me. Later, I realized that I had been used, taken like a lamb to the slaughter. But l am not angry anymore and suppose I do not care, about those people. I have learnt to accept what happened to me in the past and moved on with love in my heart. Here is the truth: Annie, I always wanted you, and l loved you with all my heart. No, I did not want to give you up and even though I was very young, I knew l could take care of you if they just gave me the chance so l fought. I fought all the way to court and in the end the judge convinced me that I was not doing the best thing for you. He said I was being selfish and he was right – I could not give you the life you deserved. I wanted you to have a better life than l had – but I could not give you that. So instead, I gave you away to someone who could. Annie, this is my story, and it is yours too. I hope that it helps you to understand what happened to us both and why I hope that you can forgive me and perhaps, one day, we can be apart of each other's lives again. For now, I just want you to know that I love you – I always have and I always will. You are forever in my heart. - mum x.
Synopsis: nobody knew the truth. For all those years while people judged me, I protected those closest to me. Not it is time for the real story to be told. It is time for healing and forgiveness; Tressa Middleton made UK history when she became Britain's youngest mum in 2006 aged just 12 years and 8 months. Her case provoked shock and outrage – but the truth behind the headlines was far sadder than anyone could ever have imagined. Born in to a life of poverty and neglect, Tressa was forced to grow up fast when she was taken in to care at just four years old. She was returned to her mother's chaotic world but by the age of seven, she was being abused by her own brother and at 11 years old she fell pregnant with his child. For years she kept his dark secret in an attempt to hold her family together until the truth threatened to destroy her completely. In the years since the birth, Tressa has gone through more pain and turmoil than most adults experience in a lifetime – yet today she survives a brave, strong and compassionate young woman. Now, for the first time, Tressa Middleton tells her own harrowing yet poignant story – a story of hop, forgiveness and above all, love.
Review: I found this book really easy to get in to and harder to put down once l started reading it. This book was heartbreaking to read. This book made me want to cry. I was hooked on this book after just reading the first few lines of the prologue. It was sad to read that Tressa's father hit her mother and the only way her mother could get away from him was to put her children in to care which was the hardest decision any mother had to do so she could get away from her abusive husband. I was sad to read that Tressa was abused from the age seven. It was sad to read that she was raped at 11 years old by her brother and she got pregnant with his baby. Tressa wanted to keep her baby I was sad to read that Tressa was used by the papers. I think Tressa would have been a great mother if they had given her a chance with Annie. Tressa sounds like she loved working with children. It took me less than two days to read this book I could not put it down I just wanted to read about Tressa and Annie. I was glad Annie survived when she was born because her lungs was underdeveloped. Jason met his daughter in the hospital when she was in NICU. Tressa's family should have believed her when she told them what Jason did to her and when the DNA test come back saying Jason was Annie's father. They should have not turned against her when she needed them most. I was sad to read that Tressa tried to commit suicide I was glad Tressa had told the truth about who Annie's father was. Tressa made the hardest decision to let her beautiful daughter go so Annie could have a better life Tressa knew she could not give her. Tressa was heartbroken knowing her mother lost her sister and two brothers even though Tressa kept the abuse a secret so she did not lose them because Jason told Tressa that if she told their mother and social workers their mother would lose them all. I was sad to read that Tressa's father picked his girlfriend over his daughter and Tressa got on heroin. I was happy to read that Tressa got off drugs too and she met a guy named Darren he was on drugs too but they got off them together. Tressa got pregnant again but she lost the baby and her mother within a week which was upsetting to read. Jason was out of jail for the funeral and he was not aloud near anyone under 18 after what he did to Tress. Tressa sounds like a very brave person after everything she been through. I hope one day Tressa and her daughter, Annie are together again. I hope one day Tressa's brothers Ollie and Kai find her. Tressa has her mother's ashes with her as Jason is back in jail. This is a great book but upsetting and heartbreaking. Tressa is very brave telling her story. I am glad someone who makes her happy and she kept pictures of Annie and the clothes Annie wear when she was a tiny baby. I can not put in to words how great this book is l would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great it really is. I wish l could rate this book more than five stars because it is worth more than the five stars I rated it. I hope Annie has the best life and future that Tressa would have wanted to give her. It was horrible that Tressa was called all sorts of name because of her past.
Acknowledgements: firstly, I would like to thank – Katy Weitz – if it was not for you, I would not have had the opportunity of reading this book for Annie so thank you for everything you have done. I would also like to thank our publishers, Blake, Andrew Lownie my literary agent and everyone who have worked on this book – it means so much to me that you all gave me the chance. I would like to thank Annie's adopted parents for giving her the upbringing that l could not and making her in to the person she is today – a very big and heartfelt thank you. I would also like to thank all my workers for not giving up on me when l needed help the most, you did not have to keep giving me all those chances, but you did and without all your amazing help I do not think I would have been able to get to where l am today – a very different place than before. A very big thanks goes to Margaret Scullion and Laura Mitchell – without you both my life would not have been worth living even the times you were very strict with me – I know I needed it and it probably helped to shape me in to the person I am today. Thanks to everyone else who supported me through the years – it means a lot to know that people do care and want to help, so thank you. Finally, words can not express my gratitude to Darren – the person who has had faith in me, and given me care, love and understanding when I needed them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
About The Author: Tressa Middleton attracted huge press coverage aged 12 when she became Britain's youngest mum – but the real story behind the headlines was far more complicated and heartbreaking. Tressa was the third child of four born to an absent father and an alcoholic mother who were regularly taken in to care. Tressa was more like a mum to her youngest sister and later to her mother's young sons by other men. The abuse by her brother began when she was seven but he used the family's instability against her. He said that if she ever told, all the children would be taken permanently in to care and they would never see their mother again. To protect them she kept his dark secret. By now her mother Tracey was a heroin addict and unreachable to Tressa. Almost inevitably, she followed her mother down the road of addiction. However, by 2011 she was determined to turn her life around and she has been clean for years.
She says ' I was raised in darkness and fear. Motherhood at 12 was hard but far harder was the loneliness of keeping my brother's secrets. Not l want to share my story to help others overcome fear in their lives'.
Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.
Title: Tressa: The 12-year-old mum: My True Story.
Genre: health, family and lifestyle, families and parents, motherhood, pregnancy and childcare, women's health and lifestyle, biography, autobiography, memoir, true story, nonfiction.
I bought this book as a treat for myself.
I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio even if you do not read books like this.
I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone. I am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.
I highly recommend this book I would tell people not to judge the book by it cover or title .
Book dedication: this book is dedicated to my little girl Annie, I love you with all my heart and always will, my life will be complete the day I meet my sweet baby once again.
This book has 276 pages and 27 chapters in it.
Quote In This Book:
Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice. From what l have tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire but if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction ice is also great and would suffice. - 'fire and ice' by Robert Frost.
Prologue:
Dear Annie,
I am walking along the woodland tracks in polkement country park, ten minutes from my house. It is beautiful here – the sun streams through the trees and dapples the ground with bright beams of light, picking out the stones and rocks by tinkling stream at my feet. Here it is peaceful and quiet. I come here a lot – especially when the noise of the world gets too loud. I walk through the dense woodland, listening to the babbling of the river at my feet and suddenly I feel calm, and I think of you. The fact is, you are never far from my thoughts. Every day, you are the first person I think of when I wake up and the last person in my mind as l drift off every night. You are the beating pulse of life. In my cupboard I keep the clothes you were wearing when you were just a wee baby. The pink and white babygros I dressed you in, the crocheted yellow cardigans that kept you warm. Everyone says I should get rid of them – but I can not. I suppose I never really learnt how to let go of you, and yet, these words are all l have now. According to your adoptive parent's wishes, we are not allowed any physical contact, and though at the time I felt cheated, today I understand, you see, I have grown up abit since we last meet – when you were just 2 years old and I was fourteen. I have come a long way and though I know I have still got a whole mountain to climb, I feel it is time to tell you a little about me, my life and why we are apart. Because, Annie, my beautiful girl, I do not want you to ever think that I did not want you. I did, very, very much. Alot was written about me back in those days a lot of things were said that just were not true, it is funny how people you have never even met can form an instant opinion about you just because they have read something in the paper. Twelve-year-old mum! - it made a good headline. It was not such a good life. But people did not know the truth back then – they said horrible, hurtful things about me. Later, I realized that I had been used, taken like a lamb to the slaughter. But l am not angry anymore and suppose I do not care, about those people. I have learnt to accept what happened to me in the past and moved on with love in my heart. Here is the truth: Annie, I always wanted you, and l loved you with all my heart. No, I did not want to give you up and even though I was very young, I knew l could take care of you if they just gave me the chance so l fought. I fought all the way to court and in the end the judge convinced me that I was not doing the best thing for you. He said I was being selfish and he was right – I could not give you the life you deserved. I wanted you to have a better life than l had – but I could not give you that. So instead, I gave you away to someone who could. Annie, this is my story, and it is yours too. I hope that it helps you to understand what happened to us both and why I hope that you can forgive me and perhaps, one day, we can be apart of each other's lives again. For now, I just want you to know that I love you – I always have and I always will. You are forever in my heart. - mum x.
Synopsis: nobody knew the truth. For all those years while people judged me, I protected those closest to me. Not it is time for the real story to be told. It is time for healing and forgiveness; Tressa Middleton made UK history when she became Britain's youngest mum in 2006 aged just 12 years and 8 months. Her case provoked shock and outrage – but the truth behind the headlines was far sadder than anyone could ever have imagined. Born in to a life of poverty and neglect, Tressa was forced to grow up fast when she was taken in to care at just four years old. She was returned to her mother's chaotic world but by the age of seven, she was being abused by her own brother and at 11 years old she fell pregnant with his child. For years she kept his dark secret in an attempt to hold her family together until the truth threatened to destroy her completely. In the years since the birth, Tressa has gone through more pain and turmoil than most adults experience in a lifetime – yet today she survives a brave, strong and compassionate young woman. Now, for the first time, Tressa Middleton tells her own harrowing yet poignant story – a story of hop, forgiveness and above all, love.
Review: I found this book really easy to get in to and harder to put down once l started reading it. This book was heartbreaking to read. This book made me want to cry. I was hooked on this book after just reading the first few lines of the prologue. It was sad to read that Tressa's father hit her mother and the only way her mother could get away from him was to put her children in to care which was the hardest decision any mother had to do so she could get away from her abusive husband. I was sad to read that Tressa was abused from the age seven. It was sad to read that she was raped at 11 years old by her brother and she got pregnant with his baby. Tressa wanted to keep her baby I was sad to read that Tressa was used by the papers. I think Tressa would have been a great mother if they had given her a chance with Annie. Tressa sounds like she loved working with children. It took me less than two days to read this book I could not put it down I just wanted to read about Tressa and Annie. I was glad Annie survived when she was born because her lungs was underdeveloped. Jason met his daughter in the hospital when she was in NICU. Tressa's family should have believed her when she told them what Jason did to her and when the DNA test come back saying Jason was Annie's father. They should have not turned against her when she needed them most. I was sad to read that Tressa tried to commit suicide I was glad Tressa had told the truth about who Annie's father was. Tressa made the hardest decision to let her beautiful daughter go so Annie could have a better life Tressa knew she could not give her. Tressa was heartbroken knowing her mother lost her sister and two brothers even though Tressa kept the abuse a secret so she did not lose them because Jason told Tressa that if she told their mother and social workers their mother would lose them all. I was sad to read that Tressa's father picked his girlfriend over his daughter and Tressa got on heroin. I was happy to read that Tressa got off drugs too and she met a guy named Darren he was on drugs too but they got off them together. Tressa got pregnant again but she lost the baby and her mother within a week which was upsetting to read. Jason was out of jail for the funeral and he was not aloud near anyone under 18 after what he did to Tress. Tressa sounds like a very brave person after everything she been through. I hope one day Tressa and her daughter, Annie are together again. I hope one day Tressa's brothers Ollie and Kai find her. Tressa has her mother's ashes with her as Jason is back in jail. This is a great book but upsetting and heartbreaking. Tressa is very brave telling her story. I am glad someone who makes her happy and she kept pictures of Annie and the clothes Annie wear when she was a tiny baby. I can not put in to words how great this book is l would tell people to read it for themselves to know how great it really is. I wish l could rate this book more than five stars because it is worth more than the five stars I rated it. I hope Annie has the best life and future that Tressa would have wanted to give her. It was horrible that Tressa was called all sorts of name because of her past.
Acknowledgements: firstly, I would like to thank – Katy Weitz – if it was not for you, I would not have had the opportunity of reading this book for Annie so thank you for everything you have done. I would also like to thank our publishers, Blake, Andrew Lownie my literary agent and everyone who have worked on this book – it means so much to me that you all gave me the chance. I would like to thank Annie's adopted parents for giving her the upbringing that l could not and making her in to the person she is today – a very big and heartfelt thank you. I would also like to thank all my workers for not giving up on me when l needed help the most, you did not have to keep giving me all those chances, but you did and without all your amazing help I do not think I would have been able to get to where l am today – a very different place than before. A very big thanks goes to Margaret Scullion and Laura Mitchell – without you both my life would not have been worth living even the times you were very strict with me – I know I needed it and it probably helped to shape me in to the person I am today. Thanks to everyone else who supported me through the years – it means a lot to know that people do care and want to help, so thank you. Finally, words can not express my gratitude to Darren – the person who has had faith in me, and given me care, love and understanding when I needed them. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
About The Author: Tressa Middleton attracted huge press coverage aged 12 when she became Britain's youngest mum – but the real story behind the headlines was far more complicated and heartbreaking. Tressa was the third child of four born to an absent father and an alcoholic mother who were regularly taken in to care. Tressa was more like a mum to her youngest sister and later to her mother's young sons by other men. The abuse by her brother began when she was seven but he used the family's instability against her. He said that if she ever told, all the children would be taken permanently in to care and they would never see their mother again. To protect them she kept his dark secret. By now her mother Tracey was a heroin addict and unreachable to Tressa. Almost inevitably, she followed her mother down the road of addiction. However, by 2011 she was determined to turn her life around and she has been clean for years.
She says ' I was raised in darkness and fear. Motherhood at 12 was hard but far harder was the loneliness of keeping my brother's secrets. Not l want to share my story to help others overcome fear in their lives'.
Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
.....wat een emotioneel verhaal....
Verschrikkelijk wat ze allemaal heeft meegemaakt. Aanrader!
Verschrikkelijk wat ze allemaal heeft meegemaakt. Aanrader!
January 30, 2025
Insanely awful childhood for this poor girl. Mind blown this is a true story. I pray Tressa finds peace and strength in her life now as an adult.
February 20, 2025
This book was incredibly sad but was definitely told honestly and candidly. I hope that today this young woman is living a happy and successful life. Tressa deserves it with all that she has endured in her life.
April 12, 2025
Heartbreaking 😭
September 14, 2025
A harrowing story
November 24, 2025
Gribende og fængslende bog, man kan jo slet ikke forstå at så meget gru kan hænde en enkelt lille pige
February 18, 2025
Heftig maar prachtig boek! Heel aangrijpend…
August 8, 2017
Honest account of a tragic childhood
A brave book for a young girl who was thrust into the spotlight after abuse. No child should have to suffer like this and go through her life but she did and the way she turned out is inspirational. Wish her luck for the future
A brave book for a young girl who was thrust into the spotlight after abuse. No child should have to suffer like this and go through her life but she did and the way she turned out is inspirational. Wish her luck for the future
January 23, 2022
Not an easy story to put to paper, but Tressa and Katy did well to piece this together. I thought it portrayed everything fairly, but skimmed over the protagonists shortcomings later on sometimes. It's a great read though.
November 6, 2018
#35 #2018
3.8/5. This is the first biography and memoir genre book I have read and I think I choose the good one because I want to read more biography and memoirs genre after this.
Tressa life is devastated. Split with her mother and sent to the carer at the age of 5 or 6 if Im not mistaken.. this part I don't recall being mention on the book.. Then Tressa was abused and raped by her own brother Jason at the age 8. She pregnant at the age 11 and being a mum at the age 12. She was involved with smoke, drugs and heroine. Her daughter, Annie being taken away from her and adopted by other. She become better and feel like she become a new person at the age 18.
3.8/5. This is the first biography and memoir genre book I have read and I think I choose the good one because I want to read more biography and memoirs genre after this.
Tressa life is devastated. Split with her mother and sent to the carer at the age of 5 or 6 if Im not mistaken.. this part I don't recall being mention on the book.. Then Tressa was abused and raped by her own brother Jason at the age 8. She pregnant at the age 11 and being a mum at the age 12. She was involved with smoke, drugs and heroine. Her daughter, Annie being taken away from her and adopted by other. She become better and feel like she become a new person at the age 18.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2015
Unbelievable
Reading about this story in the headlines shocked me to the core of course everything was untrue until reading this book I honestly believed what I had read in our local paper
This book has made me see Tressa for the person she truly is a strong young lady with such a hard upbringing
This book isn't an easy read due to the abuse Tressa has suffered but knowing she has came out the other side a strong independent young lady who has turned her life around has made this book have the perfect ending
10 out10 for me purely due to Tressa
Reading about this story in the headlines shocked me to the core of course everything was untrue until reading this book I honestly believed what I had read in our local paper
This book has made me see Tressa for the person she truly is a strong young lady with such a hard upbringing
This book isn't an easy read due to the abuse Tressa has suffered but knowing she has came out the other side a strong independent young lady who has turned her life around has made this book have the perfect ending
10 out10 for me purely due to Tressa
August 10, 2024
the story itself is a sad one.. growing up in an environment that did NOT protect a child's innocence.. Tressa didn't have the love & support as a child.. she hates her mum's addictions & way of life, yet as she grows, she takes on all of her mum's habits & ways.. it's hard to feel sorry for someone who "chooses" this life..
the story telling was a bit immature as well.. but that could've been from listening to it as a audio book.. every child dialog was spoken as such..
i'm glad it was a quick read
the story telling was a bit immature as well.. but that could've been from listening to it as a audio book.. every child dialog was spoken as such..
i'm glad it was a quick read
February 9, 2016
Tear jerker
This is a very heartfelt book about the life of a young persons tragic life... She had problems from day one and it is amazing that it shows that even though the struggles faced she turned her way round... I am sure that her daughter who is adopted when she becomes of age will see the struggles and bravery of this coragious young woman and will deeply understand the reasons behind adoption
This is a very heartfelt book about the life of a young persons tragic life... She had problems from day one and it is amazing that it shows that even though the struggles faced she turned her way round... I am sure that her daughter who is adopted when she becomes of age will see the struggles and bravery of this coragious young woman and will deeply understand the reasons behind adoption
September 21, 2016
How to rate a book full of such much dysfunction and disappointment? I didn't "enjoy" this book - it made me feel helpless and chaotic and sad. Whilst I didn't get enjoyment from the story, it was honest, raw and brave. I do worry this was another money-making attempt for Tressa to fund her drug habit but I'm hoping that is simply my cynical side refusing to see the light here. I truly hope Tressa is now on the path to a healthy and happy life. She more than deserves it.
August 17, 2015
I wanted to read this book as soon as it came out. Having read the news articles over the years I wanted to hear the whole story from her point of view.
It was a heartbreaking read but it shows what a strong girl/woman Tressa really is. I hope she has a happy future and she can move on from her past.
It was a heartbreaking read but it shows what a strong girl/woman Tressa really is. I hope she has a happy future and she can move on from her past.
March 5, 2016
This is a powerful book and given the subject matter it is clearly going to be a difficult read. Some books of this genre are written in a sensationalist style which can feel exploitative however this book avoids that and is written in a mature and balanced way. This book is a reminder not to judge others and is a lesson to anyone who reads it.
July 4, 2016
Well where to start? As you can probably tell the book pretty much explains itself. It has you gripped from the start, wanting to know what happens next. Really had my heart in parts and must say I've even shed a few tears. By the end I was overcome with how brave and triumphant tressa made her life. All I can I say is not everything is as simple as first thoughts.
March 11, 2016
What a sad history for young Tressa. I sincerely hope she is able to move on from all the horrors she has witnessed and make something of her life and be happy. I too recall the horror headlines, but how different to read the truth behind them. I hope young Annie is able to read this at some point and realise how much her birth mother loved her.
May 26, 2015
4.5. Probably the saddest book I've ever read .... The part where she placed a letter apologising for everything she'd put her mum through in the coffin was awful! She was a kid put through so much because of her mum, the apology should have been the other way!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2016
I remember reading part of this in the news
Sad story of how easy it is to be messed up by life. Tressa tried and life let her down many times but now hopefully on the right road of life, good luck Tressa
Sad story of how easy it is to be messed up by life. Tressa tried and life let her down many times but now hopefully on the right road of life, good luck Tressa
February 24, 2016
Shocking and disturbing account at points- my heart goes out to her for all her sufferings. I admired her strength of character and how she admits to her own weaknesses throughout the book but overall it was not an easy nor uplifting read...
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