If Only: The Shame of Abuse

by D. Henry

If Only is the true story of how a life of abuse started for a fifteen year old girl, until she finally finds freedom twenty-five years later. Writing her story, she sees how her life was controlled by fear and the desire to make someone else happy. During this realization through a diary style writing, she constantly is saying, "If Only" I had known. Regretting her choices, this book hopefully can show young women the signs of sexual, mental and physical abuse before it is too late.

103 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2015

Reviews

[Lynda Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for her!!!

this is a sad story, but oh so true. How many women experience life such as this everyday in our world? The kiddos suffer so much also. God Bless these abused women & children. Men of this stature should be hung up by their privates and left to die.

[Cyndie Honeyford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiographical novel started slowly for me, but the last 2/3rds zipped by. I personally got a little frustrated with the author's passive acceptance of the abuse in the early stages, escalating as the story progressed. Her rendition of her earlier years paved a better understanding of the "whys" and "hows" someone could tolerate the abuse, and her story was simply, but powerfully told.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, heartbreaking story. I felt like I was reading someone's personal diary.