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Tammy Mellows #1
Reckless Beginnings
A sister that runs away and simply vanishes
A forbidden love affair
Turmoil between a father and daughter
An eviction with nowhere to go
A dark secret
Lies and deceit
Drugs, abuse, and violence
Hope
Tammy Mellows, a fourteen-year-old native of England, was shocked when her father and troubled older sister, Donna, moved to the States
With her family now separated by divorce and divided by an ocean, Tammy felt helpless when she learned Donna had run away and couldn't be found.
Thanks to her father insisting she stay behind in England to finish school, Tammy could do nothing for the next three years but pray that Donna would be found safe.
When Tammy's lifelong dream of moving to the States was finally fulfilled, she had high hopes of looking for Donna. But with no leads and faced with turmoil in her own life, there wasn't much Tammy could do.
After a forbidden secret love affair and a catastrophic dispute with her father, Tammy eventually meets Steven, settles down and has his child, only to discover he is a heroin addict. Thrown into a life of drugs and violence, Tammy lives in fear of what Steven might be capable of and struggles alone to provide for her young son.
What consequences might she face if she leaves Steven? Is she ever going to find her sister alive? Will she have enough courage to conquer the impossible challenges of her twisted world and still come out on top?
Reckless Beginnings is a story of fiction based on true events.
A forbidden love affair
Turmoil between a father and daughter
An eviction with nowhere to go
A dark secret
Lies and deceit
Drugs, abuse, and violence
Hope
Tammy Mellows, a fourteen-year-old native of England, was shocked when her father and troubled older sister, Donna, moved to the States
With her family now separated by divorce and divided by an ocean, Tammy felt helpless when she learned Donna had run away and couldn't be found.
Thanks to her father insisting she stay behind in England to finish school, Tammy could do nothing for the next three years but pray that Donna would be found safe.
When Tammy's lifelong dream of moving to the States was finally fulfilled, she had high hopes of looking for Donna. But with no leads and faced with turmoil in her own life, there wasn't much Tammy could do.
After a forbidden secret love affair and a catastrophic dispute with her father, Tammy eventually meets Steven, settles down and has his child, only to discover he is a heroin addict. Thrown into a life of drugs and violence, Tammy lives in fear of what Steven might be capable of and struggles alone to provide for her young son.
What consequences might she face if she leaves Steven? Is she ever going to find her sister alive? Will she have enough courage to conquer the impossible challenges of her twisted world and still come out on top?
Reckless Beginnings is a story of fiction based on true events.
- GenresFiction
274 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2018
455 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
May 18, 2019
Great Book! Really enjoyed it. I love books with strong female characters. 5/5
November 21, 2018
📙📘📚 MY REVIEW 📚📙📘
I'm not going to give anything away in terms of the story. But i will say this : I loved this story, it was amazing!! It totally captured me from page 1 .After reading the first few chapters I was addicted and couldn’t put the book down. I did nothing for the rest of the day but read even though i had a long list of stuff to get done. Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant is a well-written story based on the authors life .This is such a touching story about surviving . I personally find her work amazing in every way. Her writing is so good. The book is exceptionally well written and beautiful . The characters are all well developed and relatable . you can feel all their emotions and they grow beautifully as the story progresses . I was really sucked into this story. It was emotional and just full of so many different feelings that I wasn’t able to put it down. My mind was going crazy trying to figure out how it was going to okay for Tammy. I loved being in Tammys head. She was such a strong character and I loved seeing her overcome all of her battles. The book pulled at my heart throughout and was an emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend this book.
I Was sad when it ended. Still days later this book and these characters are on my mind. All of the characters were just so great. I'll actually miss them. This was her first novel but A sequel is in the making, Better Endings. So be on the look out for it. I will be reading all her books from here on and i hope she writes many more.
I'm not going to give anything away in terms of the story. But i will say this : I loved this story, it was amazing!! It totally captured me from page 1 .After reading the first few chapters I was addicted and couldn’t put the book down. I did nothing for the rest of the day but read even though i had a long list of stuff to get done. Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant is a well-written story based on the authors life .This is such a touching story about surviving . I personally find her work amazing in every way. Her writing is so good. The book is exceptionally well written and beautiful . The characters are all well developed and relatable . you can feel all their emotions and they grow beautifully as the story progresses . I was really sucked into this story. It was emotional and just full of so many different feelings that I wasn’t able to put it down. My mind was going crazy trying to figure out how it was going to okay for Tammy. I loved being in Tammys head. She was such a strong character and I loved seeing her overcome all of her battles. The book pulled at my heart throughout and was an emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend this book.
I Was sad when it ended. Still days later this book and these characters are on my mind. All of the characters were just so great. I'll actually miss them. This was her first novel but A sequel is in the making, Better Endings. So be on the look out for it. I will be reading all her books from here on and i hope she writes many more.
June 12, 2020
A powerful story about a young girl whose parents get divorced and the father moves to the United States from England. After one daughter moves there to live with him and disappears, 14 year old Tammy wants to now move to the United States to help look for her. Fast forward, Tammy is now 17 and leaving behind the only world she has ever known to move to the US to live with her dad and look for her sister. Moving to the US proved to cause a lot of heartache for Tammy. She made poor choices and decisions that had repercussions and consequences. The author conveyed a lot of raw emotions as she told her story about love and survival. I am sure many of us can relate to what she went through in one way or another. The protagonist, Tammy, has a strong character and strong will. After a relationship with a much older man and a miscarriage, she finds herself in love again. She becomes pregnant and is determined to give her baby a wonderful life. I can’t believe she was so naive about her boyfriend being a heroin addict. Once she did find out, she truly believed he would quit for her and the baby. She uproots herself, quits many jobs to follow him from place to place, with the hope that he will quit the heroin. Tammy is willing to do or go to almost any extreme to give her baby a home with both parents living under the same roof. This is very typical of someone who loves a heroin addict. Thank goodness she finally realizes that he is not going to change until he is ready. This is a powerful story about the author’s life and a series of bad choices she made. The ending was a little abrupt but it makes me want to read the sequel, Better Endings, even more.
Patricia Fayo Reviews
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley girls
Patricia Fayo Reviews
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley girls
April 7, 2019
I'm not good with reviews! I tremendously enjoyed this book. Anyone who's been affected by any form of substance, verbal or physical abuse will be able to relate. How things are not always as they seem, how far addicts will sink or go to for that fix. The fear of living with a now stranger. The thrill of finding a loved one who almost died to be saved. Looking forward to Better Endings!
December 17, 2019
This is one of those books that really tears your heart apart. It's a novel based on the true life events of the author and as I was reading, it broke my heart to pieces as she unfolds the details. She took me into the depths of her life in ways that were personal and excruciating.
Tammy is a young teen who just wants to go to America and live the "American Dream". Her parents are divorced and her father goes to America but she has to remain in England where her parents believe she will be better with her mom. Tammy's father eventually offers for her to go to America and she's thrilled to accept. Her coworkers in England give her a special send off with some advice, "Tammy, may all your dreams come true in America. It's not going to be the same here without you. Be good to America and it will be good to you." Tammy is so excited to be in the United States and truly believes she will find true happiness. This is where the story becomes reality and the challenges and struggles begin for Tammy.
The "American Dream" became a nightmare for Tammy. This book took me into the deep, dark places she ended up in because of naïve and reckless choices. Choices made from trusting and believing the wrong people. Believing the best in the worst kinds of people who took advantage of her. Her relationships with her family suffered. Especially with her father. This broke my heart. All she ever wanted to do was please her dad and have him be proud of her.
The character of Tammy is so special and one I cared about from the beginning. She is someone I wanted nothing but great things for because she was such a compassionate and loving girl. Going through this novel and "living" the horrendous situations was devastating. I just wanted to jump in there and pull her to safety and hold her close. There are wonderful people who cross her path and make a difference. Then there are the users and losers you will really detest. This story ripped at my emotions and all I wanted was for Tammy to find her "American Dream" and her happy.
This book leaves me wanting to know "the rest of the story". It's one I'm very honored to have read. I couldn't put it down and turned the pages with all the hopes I know that Tammy hoped. I am looking forward to reading the sequel "Better Endings". I want to thank Tina Hogan Grant for the privilege of reading such an emotionally charged story and for the courage she had in putting it into a book like she has.
This is my heartfelt and honest review of an unbelievable story.
Tammy is a young teen who just wants to go to America and live the "American Dream". Her parents are divorced and her father goes to America but she has to remain in England where her parents believe she will be better with her mom. Tammy's father eventually offers for her to go to America and she's thrilled to accept. Her coworkers in England give her a special send off with some advice, "Tammy, may all your dreams come true in America. It's not going to be the same here without you. Be good to America and it will be good to you." Tammy is so excited to be in the United States and truly believes she will find true happiness. This is where the story becomes reality and the challenges and struggles begin for Tammy.
The "American Dream" became a nightmare for Tammy. This book took me into the deep, dark places she ended up in because of naïve and reckless choices. Choices made from trusting and believing the wrong people. Believing the best in the worst kinds of people who took advantage of her. Her relationships with her family suffered. Especially with her father. This broke my heart. All she ever wanted to do was please her dad and have him be proud of her.
The character of Tammy is so special and one I cared about from the beginning. She is someone I wanted nothing but great things for because she was such a compassionate and loving girl. Going through this novel and "living" the horrendous situations was devastating. I just wanted to jump in there and pull her to safety and hold her close. There are wonderful people who cross her path and make a difference. Then there are the users and losers you will really detest. This story ripped at my emotions and all I wanted was for Tammy to find her "American Dream" and her happy.
This book leaves me wanting to know "the rest of the story". It's one I'm very honored to have read. I couldn't put it down and turned the pages with all the hopes I know that Tammy hoped. I am looking forward to reading the sequel "Better Endings". I want to thank Tina Hogan Grant for the privilege of reading such an emotionally charged story and for the courage she had in putting it into a book like she has.
This is my heartfelt and honest review of an unbelievable story.
March 3, 2021
Reckless Beginnings is my first book from the author Tina Hogan Grant. This amazing story caught me on page one and did let go until the very end! I had a hard time putting it down! This is an astonishingly compelling story based on the author’s true life occurrences! It is an exceptionally written story about survival, tragedy, loss and redemption! It has a strong female character lead whose feelings just bleed through the pages! This story grabs at all your emotions and just pulls at them throughout the whole book! I am looking forward to reading the next one......Better Endings.
Thank you Tina and Elaine Sapp for recommending I read this gripping novel! I highly recommend anyone to to read this.
Thank you Tina and Elaine Sapp for recommending I read this gripping novel! I highly recommend anyone to to read this.
July 6, 2020
Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant
This is a compelling story of a teenager from England who moves to america to live with her father and step mom, she also moved in search of her missing sister. It is a story of her grown up, mistakes made along the way domestic violence and a very strong willed young lady striving to change for a better life. I loved this story in which I found myself wanting to stop her from making the wrong decision and also cheering her on when she made he right decisions. This is a moving story that touches one's heart. I highly recommend this book.
This is a compelling story of a teenager from England who moves to america to live with her father and step mom, she also moved in search of her missing sister. It is a story of her grown up, mistakes made along the way domestic violence and a very strong willed young lady striving to change for a better life. I loved this story in which I found myself wanting to stop her from making the wrong decision and also cheering her on when she made he right decisions. This is a moving story that touches one's heart. I highly recommend this book.
January 24, 2020
What an awesome story of tragedy, despair, loss and redemption. Written as though the author personally lived it. There are details that will open the reader's eyes to drug and domestic abuse, single parenting, complicated family relationships but most of all TRIUMPH. Readers will enjoy rooting for Tammy, Donna. and the family through the good and bad times. But from my life experiences, I also wanted to warn her about Raymond and Steven. I can't wait to read the sequel.
February 1, 2020
Very good story with a strong female lead and as the story progresses, I came across several other strong women. Tammy made some poor decisions in her young life, but she overcame those obstacles with support from family (eventually) and friends. She is in her way now to better endings which is book 2 in this series.
May 6, 2021
This book of three daughters Tammy being the main character living in England to reunite with two other sisters in America. It catches you right from the start and hard to put down. I loved it from beginning to end .
January 12, 2021
This is another book that I could not put down! I liked that it was based on a true story. I immediately went and bought the second in the series and preordered the third book. I highly recommend this book!
August 2, 2023
this book can stand alone even though there is follow up books after this one. i am choosing not to wast y time reading any of them mostly because of the main character that so worked on my nerves
February 21, 2021
So this was my First Book to read by this Author.
Totally amazing Story.
Tammy is the youngest of her Siblings. Older Siblings Being Twins. This is Tammy's Story.
Sister Donna has gone missing in the US. After moving with Dad.
Moving to the US is the one thing Tammy wants most. Finally getting the Break. Dads taking her to his home.. although needing a Green Card before being able to start her search for Donna, get a job drive a car... so much to do.
Finally getting the Green Card a wonderful job .. and well that guy you think is special.. But He's definitely not what he seems.
love isn't always what it appears to be.
Tammy Goes through so much but she's such a strong woman.
So Reckless Beginnings is book 1 in this series. Better Endings Book 2. And Finally Book 3.
The Reunion.
I Truly have Enjoyed this wonderful Story. Happy to have the next Books sitting here.
Definitely check these out.
Tina Hogan Grant 🧡
Does some wonderful books that hold you till the End....
So I'm Ready for Better Endings.
Totally amazing Story.
Tammy is the youngest of her Siblings. Older Siblings Being Twins. This is Tammy's Story.
Sister Donna has gone missing in the US. After moving with Dad.
Moving to the US is the one thing Tammy wants most. Finally getting the Break. Dads taking her to his home.. although needing a Green Card before being able to start her search for Donna, get a job drive a car... so much to do.
Finally getting the Green Card a wonderful job .. and well that guy you think is special.. But He's definitely not what he seems.
love isn't always what it appears to be.
Tammy Goes through so much but she's such a strong woman.
So Reckless Beginnings is book 1 in this series. Better Endings Book 2. And Finally Book 3.
The Reunion.
I Truly have Enjoyed this wonderful Story. Happy to have the next Books sitting here.
Definitely check these out.
Tina Hogan Grant 🧡
Does some wonderful books that hold you till the End....
So I'm Ready for Better Endings.
October 18, 2021
Tammy lived in England, but her parents were divorced and her dad lived in United States. So finally Tammy was able to move there, but she first became close to her dads friend, but then she met Matt. And the trouble began. What a great book about drug addiction.
November 21, 2019
How is it that I just read this book!
Reckless Beginnings is a book based off true event's in Tina Hogan Grant's life.
It was so raw and the writing style was so beautifully written! Reading about her struggles made me feel her pain and heartbreak. It also made her human.
It is a inspirational story and she is a survivor!
I loved it and would highly recommend it to everyone to read!!
Reckless Beginnings is a book based off true event's in Tina Hogan Grant's life.
It was so raw and the writing style was so beautifully written! Reading about her struggles made me feel her pain and heartbreak. It also made her human.
It is a inspirational story and she is a survivor!
I loved it and would highly recommend it to everyone to read!!
May 23, 2023
Tammy Mellows comes from a fractured family. Her parents are divorced. She lives with her mother in England but longs to go live in the US with her father and to look for her sister who was living with him but ran away. When the opportunity arises she goes to the US but becomes entangled in a forbidden romance. I could say more but that would spoil the story in my opinion. One sees Tammy go from this situation, quite naively to another that involves a partner’s addiction and eventual abuse. Will she begin to make better decisions and extricate herself from her problems? Will she find her sister? Will she save herself? It’s a cautionary New Adult saga well worth the read, but is for mature readers as there are a sensitive scenes.
October 18, 2018
Did you ever have one of those friends that just could not make good decisions about men? The kind that sees only good looks no matter the line she’s getting; no matter how ridiculous the story? I have, and it wasn’t your typical story either…bad parents, in need of attention, misunderstood. In this story, Tammy, the youngest child just seems clueless about men. Maybe she’s naïve. She lives in England and wants so badly to move to the U.S. where her father lives. She is just sure she can find her older sister who has been missing for quite some time. It seems Donna was just lost in the night; no clues, no calls, just a heartbroken family. It takes Tammy a long time to prove her maturity to her dad for him to pay for her to come to the states. However, he might have been overestimating her maturity. Don’t get me wrong, Tammy is a nice young girl, willing to work hard and earn a living, a young woman that would never let anyone harm her child, but as I said, she seems to be a contest winner at picking losers.
This story was easy to read and involved enough to keep my interest. It didn’t take me long to read and I had a hard time putting it down. It’s not deep but it sure isn’t a cozy. It’s a somewhat different storyline with both good and bad characters. Each character has his or her own personalities and even though there are several, I never had one problem keeping them separate. This is a very important aspect to me. Having to turn back to figure out “who is who” is a great irritation to me. I found none of that here.
So, in conclusion…a good storyline, interesting characters and a very interesting read. Not much more you can ask than that is there?
***This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
This story was easy to read and involved enough to keep my interest. It didn’t take me long to read and I had a hard time putting it down. It’s not deep but it sure isn’t a cozy. It’s a somewhat different storyline with both good and bad characters. Each character has his or her own personalities and even though there are several, I never had one problem keeping them separate. This is a very important aspect to me. Having to turn back to figure out “who is who” is a great irritation to me. I found none of that here.
So, in conclusion…a good storyline, interesting characters and a very interesting read. Not much more you can ask than that is there?
***This book was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2019
Finished this book in 3 days; would have been sooner but life got in the way. Love, love this author and am looking forward to her next book.
The story was amazing...I felt a bit sorry for Tammy and what she went through but in the end I realized how strong she had become. The story starts off with the three sisters living in England and when her father moved to the US, Donna wants to live there. But being a bit of a wild child, she soon goes missing. Tammy then decides when she is old enough she will go to American to find her sister.
But here the story turns. We finally find Tammy in the US and learn all about her life, her trials and tribulations and I totally forgot about Donna. But dont worry we learn more about her toward the end of the book.
My only regret is that I finished the book and feel like I need to know more about this family.....but then the book ends with these words..... END OF BOOK ONE.
The story was amazing...I felt a bit sorry for Tammy and what she went through but in the end I realized how strong she had become. The story starts off with the three sisters living in England and when her father moved to the US, Donna wants to live there. But being a bit of a wild child, she soon goes missing. Tammy then decides when she is old enough she will go to American to find her sister.
But here the story turns. We finally find Tammy in the US and learn all about her life, her trials and tribulations and I totally forgot about Donna. But dont worry we learn more about her toward the end of the book.
My only regret is that I finished the book and feel like I need to know more about this family.....but then the book ends with these words..... END OF BOOK ONE.
September 30, 2018
I received an ARC copy, and let me tell you I loved this story. Author Tina Hogan Grant did a wonderful job crafting this story and a lot of thought went into each of her characters. You may ask, which one was your favorite? Well, my answer would be I love them all and couldn't pick just one. From Chapter One, you instantly form a friendship with each one and it's a sad time leaving them at the end. I like this author's style and the way she weaves little details into parts that you're not expecting. I look forward to reading more from this author and may go read this story again because it was so good. If you're looking for a good story to start reading, pick up a copy of Reckless Beginnings. You won't regret it and it'll make a good book to add to your reading list!
October 4, 2022
I was given the opportunity to read Reckless Beginnings by Tina Hogan Grant as part of a traveling book event, and I loved it! Tammy is a young girl who wants to find her missing sister, so she moves to the US to be with her dad. What happens from there is often heartbreaking, frustrating, and yet, in a way, hopeful. You hope that Tammy is learning from all of the things she's going through, but she doesn't have the greatest judgment in the beginning. Eventually, she does find her way and her sister, but not without plenty of hardships and lessons to be learned. If you love a good 'based on a true story' book that delves into topics such as drug addiction, family dysfunction, and single motherhood, then you'll love this strong women's fiction novel by Tina Hogan Grant.
November 1, 2020
Good Storyline
I read this in one setting, once you get started you are compelled to finish, Tammy is a strong character who is starting life out in the states at a young age ,she has some harsh realities to deal with but it will only make her stronger, looking forward to book 2.
I read this in one setting, once you get started you are compelled to finish, Tammy is a strong character who is starting life out in the states at a young age ,she has some harsh realities to deal with but it will only make her stronger, looking forward to book 2.
March 14, 2019
The book was very well written. The story paints a true to life story of the struggles that women endure when they are young and naïve - trying to have a good life; but choosing the wrong paths. I highly recommend.
February 17, 2020
Highly relatable coming of age story of taking control of ones life and how there are good people in our lives if we only open up and let them in. It’s about the love of family (through both blood and choice) and how family gives us strength. Very enjoyable story.
October 9, 2018
Excellent character development, and Tina Hogan Grant does a fabulous job of describing life with a heroin addict. I found her story compelling, and I didn't want to stop reading. Fascinating novel.
February 25, 2019
This is the first book I've read by this author and I have to say it was pretty good. It starts with a regular family living in England whose mother and father split apart. The father proceeds to move to the United States leaving his children behind with their mother. Donna, the oldest of the three girls, is sent to live with her father in the United States. However, her attitude and behavior prove to be too much for the father and he decides to put his daughter into a foster care like program until she turns 18. To the dismay of their mother, who had no choice in the decision making process, Donna runs away from the program and is further listed as a missing person when no one can find her. Police and family search for her but the search recovers nothing and Donna is presumed dead.
Into the picture comes Tammy, who after begging her father for years to reside with him in the United States and being told no, is finally asked to reside by her father in the United States. Once there she begins to go through the process of becoming a citizen and during this process Tammy begins to "experience" life. She develops a relationship with her father's friend at the young age of eighteen. After telling her step-mother about the relationship, minus the fact that she was pregnant, she decides to move in with her lover.
During this time that Tammy is living with him her life begins to spiral into a mess that she cannot clean up. She is unhappy living with him, not being a citizen, and finding herself bored and unfulfilled. Shortly after moving in with her boyfriend she experiences a miscarriage at the apartment while her boyfriend is at work. After her miscarriage Tammy breaks off the relationship and moves back in with her father and step-mother.
Fast forward to Tammy meeting her new boyfriend, Steven. The relationship begins and to Tammy everything is great; they find a new place to rent, they are both working, Tammy soon devotes her life to him. While cleaning their apartment she finds a bag underneath the bathroom counter filled with needles and what Tammy assumes to be medication for diabetes. She confronts him, unaware what she has found was drugs, and explains he doesn't have to hide the fact he has diabetes.
The two become pregnant with a little boy and soon move to Seattle after Steven loses his job and realizes that he owes money to multiple drug users/dealers. He explains to Tammy that he has a job opportunity in "sales" keeping her in the dark that those sales are him selling dope for his childhood friend. However, along with selling Steven is also still using. It comes to a breaking point when Tammy is cleaning their travel trailer in which they live and mistakenly finds a bag of what she assumes is trash, but is really $5,000 worth of dope, and throws it away.
This leads to a major downfall in their relationship of mental, emotional, and physical abuse. They soon leave to California where Steven becomes an even harder drug user while Tammy supports them and their new baby, Matt. Multiple instances occur of Steven stealing any and all money that Tammy brings in with her job leaving them homeless until Tammy decides to make a life for just her and Matt by working and renting a hotel room.
As Tammy and Matt begin a life for themselves Tammy receives a call she has been hoping for informing her that Donna, her sister, has been found. Donna goes on to explain her life of being introduced to the world of prostitution, drugs, and physical harm. As she recuperates she moves to California to live with Tammy and Matt and begin a new life. Donna begins to see the relationship between Tammy and Steven is splintered by his drug use.
In the urgent moment to leave Steven, Tammy ensues the help of her work family. They allow her to hide from Steven for a few months to make it look like she disappeared. However, in the end Steven still finds her, wrecks their motel room, and steals the money Donna has made. Tammy and her work friend decide to live together, both having relationships dealing with users and abusers. Steven finds the home they rent, attempts to break in, only to be apprehended coldly by Tammy's friend.
In the final ending Tammy is informed by the police that Steven will be going to jail for years due to all of his felony charges. With that information Tammy feels as if the weight of the world has been lifted off her shoulders and she can once again enjoy her life with her son, her friends, and family.
It was a wonderful book and also a great ethical thriller especially for this being the author's first book. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. I would also definitely recommend this book to other members of my book group and my literary friends.
Into the picture comes Tammy, who after begging her father for years to reside with him in the United States and being told no, is finally asked to reside by her father in the United States. Once there she begins to go through the process of becoming a citizen and during this process Tammy begins to "experience" life. She develops a relationship with her father's friend at the young age of eighteen. After telling her step-mother about the relationship, minus the fact that she was pregnant, she decides to move in with her lover.
During this time that Tammy is living with him her life begins to spiral into a mess that she cannot clean up. She is unhappy living with him, not being a citizen, and finding herself bored and unfulfilled. Shortly after moving in with her boyfriend she experiences a miscarriage at the apartment while her boyfriend is at work. After her miscarriage Tammy breaks off the relationship and moves back in with her father and step-mother.
Fast forward to Tammy meeting her new boyfriend, Steven. The relationship begins and to Tammy everything is great; they find a new place to rent, they are both working, Tammy soon devotes her life to him. While cleaning their apartment she finds a bag underneath the bathroom counter filled with needles and what Tammy assumes to be medication for diabetes. She confronts him, unaware what she has found was drugs, and explains he doesn't have to hide the fact he has diabetes.
The two become pregnant with a little boy and soon move to Seattle after Steven loses his job and realizes that he owes money to multiple drug users/dealers. He explains to Tammy that he has a job opportunity in "sales" keeping her in the dark that those sales are him selling dope for his childhood friend. However, along with selling Steven is also still using. It comes to a breaking point when Tammy is cleaning their travel trailer in which they live and mistakenly finds a bag of what she assumes is trash, but is really $5,000 worth of dope, and throws it away.
This leads to a major downfall in their relationship of mental, emotional, and physical abuse. They soon leave to California where Steven becomes an even harder drug user while Tammy supports them and their new baby, Matt. Multiple instances occur of Steven stealing any and all money that Tammy brings in with her job leaving them homeless until Tammy decides to make a life for just her and Matt by working and renting a hotel room.
As Tammy and Matt begin a life for themselves Tammy receives a call she has been hoping for informing her that Donna, her sister, has been found. Donna goes on to explain her life of being introduced to the world of prostitution, drugs, and physical harm. As she recuperates she moves to California to live with Tammy and Matt and begin a new life. Donna begins to see the relationship between Tammy and Steven is splintered by his drug use.
In the urgent moment to leave Steven, Tammy ensues the help of her work family. They allow her to hide from Steven for a few months to make it look like she disappeared. However, in the end Steven still finds her, wrecks their motel room, and steals the money Donna has made. Tammy and her work friend decide to live together, both having relationships dealing with users and abusers. Steven finds the home they rent, attempts to break in, only to be apprehended coldly by Tammy's friend.
In the final ending Tammy is informed by the police that Steven will be going to jail for years due to all of his felony charges. With that information Tammy feels as if the weight of the world has been lifted off her shoulders and she can once again enjoy her life with her son, her friends, and family.
It was a wonderful book and also a great ethical thriller especially for this being the author's first book. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. I would also definitely recommend this book to other members of my book group and my literary friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2019
Good Evening Fellow Book Dragons. It is Tuesday and therefore, Tea Time. I hope your day has gone well and you are settling in for a cuppa in front of your hearth. I have a wonderful Gem that will be a fine read for just such an evening. Today’s Gem is red in color with fine streaks of gold and blue. Beautiful and yet harsh to look at too long, as though something is slightly off, but One cannot put One’s finger on it. Our Gem Maker is Tina Hogan Grant.
We start off in England with Tammy and her family. Her mother, Rose, a faithful stay at home mum. Her father, John, an AI Engineer in the days when few knew what that meant, a would be writer and a philanderer. Her older twin sisters, Joanne and Donna. This is not a happily ever after family story where everyone gets along and they all live in a rose and ivy covered cottage by the sea. Although those stories are nice, they are not this story.
John leaves Rose and the girls shortly after Tammy turns 11. He moves to America to lecture on AI and begins his writing career in earnest. Rose does all she can to keep the girls on the right track, but it is hard being a single parent. Donna becomes a handful. She constantly breaks curfew, runs with the wrong crowd and does everything she can to drive her mother crazy and set a poor example for her sisters. Her parents agree she might be better off with her father. A new country, a new start. And so she goes. But she isn’t there very long, when through a series of circumstances, mainly stemming from her father’s lack of supervision, she disappears. Fast forward three years. Tammy is now a young woman.
Her father is in town for her older sister, Joanne’s, wedding. While there, he asks Tammy to move to America with him. Her mother is understandably apprehensive, but in the end agrees. Tammy goes. And suddenly Tammy meets a man named Raymond, her father’s best friend. This is where I am going to stop and tell you why I liked this book.
I actually loved this book. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a page turner. I love the fact you get to know most of the main characters intimately. Tina tap- ped out messages as she mined this Gem that do not hit one in the face like a moral, but are rather subtle and quiet, more like the hiss of a snake before one inadvertently sets One’s naked ankle in front of it’s fangs. I love the fact her female character learns (eventually) from her mistakes. She is determined to take care of innocent lives and not to spend too much time mourning things that will not change. She loves the right people and doesn’t sit and moon over those who do not deserve the purity or sanctity of her love. This is an excellent story. It is on Amazon and other places where fine books are sold. Get your fingers in gear and get a copy today.
Join me tomorrow for Whimsical Wednesday. Until then I remain, Drakon T. Longwitten, your humble Book Dragon.
I received a copy of Reckless Beginnings from Tina Hogan Grant in exchange for an honest review.
We start off in England with Tammy and her family. Her mother, Rose, a faithful stay at home mum. Her father, John, an AI Engineer in the days when few knew what that meant, a would be writer and a philanderer. Her older twin sisters, Joanne and Donna. This is not a happily ever after family story where everyone gets along and they all live in a rose and ivy covered cottage by the sea. Although those stories are nice, they are not this story.
John leaves Rose and the girls shortly after Tammy turns 11. He moves to America to lecture on AI and begins his writing career in earnest. Rose does all she can to keep the girls on the right track, but it is hard being a single parent. Donna becomes a handful. She constantly breaks curfew, runs with the wrong crowd and does everything she can to drive her mother crazy and set a poor example for her sisters. Her parents agree she might be better off with her father. A new country, a new start. And so she goes. But she isn’t there very long, when through a series of circumstances, mainly stemming from her father’s lack of supervision, she disappears. Fast forward three years. Tammy is now a young woman.
Her father is in town for her older sister, Joanne’s, wedding. While there, he asks Tammy to move to America with him. Her mother is understandably apprehensive, but in the end agrees. Tammy goes. And suddenly Tammy meets a man named Raymond, her father’s best friend. This is where I am going to stop and tell you why I liked this book.
I actually loved this book. I read it in one sitting. It is definitely a page turner. I love the fact you get to know most of the main characters intimately. Tina tap- ped out messages as she mined this Gem that do not hit one in the face like a moral, but are rather subtle and quiet, more like the hiss of a snake before one inadvertently sets One’s naked ankle in front of it’s fangs. I love the fact her female character learns (eventually) from her mistakes. She is determined to take care of innocent lives and not to spend too much time mourning things that will not change. She loves the right people and doesn’t sit and moon over those who do not deserve the purity or sanctity of her love. This is an excellent story. It is on Amazon and other places where fine books are sold. Get your fingers in gear and get a copy today.
Join me tomorrow for Whimsical Wednesday. Until then I remain, Drakon T. Longwitten, your humble Book Dragon.
I received a copy of Reckless Beginnings from Tina Hogan Grant in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2024
This story is about Tammy Mellows, a young teenager living in England. Her parents have divorced, and her father has remarried and has a young son. He visits Tammy and her twin sisters Donna and Jenny and takes Donna back to America with him. Donna runs away and is missing. When Tammy is old enough to leave England, she goes to America in hopes of finding her sister who has not been found. She lives with her father and his family; she gets into a relationship with Raymond an older man who is a friend of her father's. She keeps it a secret, she knows her father would never approve and when her father finds out about it, he is furious with them both and doesn't want to have anything to do with either one of them again. The relationship ends after a devastating event. Tammy regains her relationship with her father and moves back in with him and his family. Tammy gets into a relationship with Steven, a cook in the restaurant where she works. They move in together and Tammy becomes pregnant, unaware that Steven is a drug addict. The book is based on the author's real life and is honest and raw. It is heartbreaking and shocking for Tammy living in an abusive relationship and trying to believe Steven will change and they will have a good life together. Tammy gives birth to her son Matt and continues to live in abuse, deceit, lies, moving from place to place and losing her personal belongings over and over. Steven starts stealing and his life has spiraled out of control. Tammy is determined to make a life for her and her son. She eventually finds out what happened to her sister, Donna who went missing. Having been in an abusive relationship myself, this story is heart wrenching, straightforward and tells the story of how a woman perseveres in spite of facing one obstacle after another while trying to escape from a drug addict. Highly recommend.
January 22, 2019
True story brought to life through fiction
Tammy's sister, Donna, has left the UK to live with her father in the US. When Donna disappears without trace, Tammy is too young to do anything about it, but determined to find her sister when she is older. Will she be able to find her - and to what lengths must she go?
This is a fictional tale, based on true events. Tammy grows up, missing her sister Donna and her father, and feeling that life would be so much better if she left England and lived in the US. As soon as she is legally able Tammy becomes independent, earning a wage and saving everything she can to get to the US. She is overjoyed when her father suddenly announces he will take her to the US, where she can live with him. Life in the US does not turn out as easy as Tammy had expected. She makes a number of poor/ill-informed decisions, one outcome of which is that she has a child with a heroin addict and Tammy finds herself mixing with some scary people. She also meets wonderful people willing to give her friendship, safety and hope.
This is a story of Tammy's strength in overcoming adversity, and how, even when her problems seem insurmountable, there are ways out and people there to help. From the actions of those who help her, Tammy appears to be a good person, who has made some poor, and rather naive, decisions.
This is a stand-alone book, and everything is rounded up well. The author is currently working on a sequel, and there may even be a third book :) .
3*s from me for this interesting, and eye-opening, novel. The writing style knocked my rating down from a 4, as I felt there were too many details included about incidental matters. Others may enjoy this attention to detail.
Tammy's sister, Donna, has left the UK to live with her father in the US. When Donna disappears without trace, Tammy is too young to do anything about it, but determined to find her sister when she is older. Will she be able to find her - and to what lengths must she go?
This is a fictional tale, based on true events. Tammy grows up, missing her sister Donna and her father, and feeling that life would be so much better if she left England and lived in the US. As soon as she is legally able Tammy becomes independent, earning a wage and saving everything she can to get to the US. She is overjoyed when her father suddenly announces he will take her to the US, where she can live with him. Life in the US does not turn out as easy as Tammy had expected. She makes a number of poor/ill-informed decisions, one outcome of which is that she has a child with a heroin addict and Tammy finds herself mixing with some scary people. She also meets wonderful people willing to give her friendship, safety and hope.
This is a story of Tammy's strength in overcoming adversity, and how, even when her problems seem insurmountable, there are ways out and people there to help. From the actions of those who help her, Tammy appears to be a good person, who has made some poor, and rather naive, decisions.
This is a stand-alone book, and everything is rounded up well. The author is currently working on a sequel, and there may even be a third book :) .
3*s from me for this interesting, and eye-opening, novel. The writing style knocked my rating down from a 4, as I felt there were too many details included about incidental matters. Others may enjoy this attention to detail.
August 21, 2020
BOOK REVIEW: Reckless Beginnings~ Tammy Mellows Book #1 by author, Tina Hogan Grant
Ms. Grant has spun the threads of experience by creating a story of the emotionally gripping, and the raw and honest truth that the world can be just as harsh as it is beautiful.
Reckless Beginnings is an intimate, sensitive, yet striking storyline that deals with delicate subject matter from a different perspective and delivered to the reader as an immersing, captivating page-turner, that does not disappoint.
Like giving the first domino a little push as all the others behind it fall, Tammy Mellows' hopes and dreams for a new and exciting life in the U.S. becomes a journey of circumstance teetering on shaky ground. With good intentions and a heart full of hope, the devastating effects of Tammys' decision-making go from bad... to worse.
Reckless Beginnings is an intense, heartbreaking, yet inspiring story that impresses. It caught my attention from the very beginning by showing that although life can push us down and lead us into the darkest of alleys, it can also lift us up by giving us opportunity to gain courage and strength by surrounding us with the people and experiences we need~ ones that truly enrich our lives, not diminish it. I
thank the author for my copy of Reckless Beginnings, a story I recommend and enjoyed.
4 Stars
#RecklessBeginnings
#TinaHoganGrant
Wild Sage Book Blog
Ms. Grant has spun the threads of experience by creating a story of the emotionally gripping, and the raw and honest truth that the world can be just as harsh as it is beautiful.
Reckless Beginnings is an intimate, sensitive, yet striking storyline that deals with delicate subject matter from a different perspective and delivered to the reader as an immersing, captivating page-turner, that does not disappoint.
Like giving the first domino a little push as all the others behind it fall, Tammy Mellows' hopes and dreams for a new and exciting life in the U.S. becomes a journey of circumstance teetering on shaky ground. With good intentions and a heart full of hope, the devastating effects of Tammys' decision-making go from bad... to worse.
Reckless Beginnings is an intense, heartbreaking, yet inspiring story that impresses. It caught my attention from the very beginning by showing that although life can push us down and lead us into the darkest of alleys, it can also lift us up by giving us opportunity to gain courage and strength by surrounding us with the people and experiences we need~ ones that truly enrich our lives, not diminish it. I
thank the author for my copy of Reckless Beginnings, a story I recommend and enjoyed.
4 Stars
#RecklessBeginnings
#TinaHoganGrant
Wild Sage Book Blog
August 24, 2019
Tammy is a 17 year old teenager living with her mom in England when she convinces her dad to let her move to America to live with him instead. Previously, her older sister had done the same thing, and then disappeared, which made it very difficult for Tammy to convince her mom to allow her to go. But mom eventually relented, and Tammy makes the move where she finds things aren't as easy and rosy as she would like them to be. There were many hardships, and she finds out that adulthood can be very difficult and eye-opening. Sometimes you just can't trust what is on the surface. I appreciated her story and found myself flinching from time-to-time at some of the things she went through. I did feel that many parts of the story were rushed, and that it seemed to jump from one event to the other very quickly without the details necessary to make the story "sing." But this is a cautionary tale, and she has given us the benefit of her experience to teach us that we need to be better at keeping our eyes open even as we open our hearts. Because sometimes, our hearts are not very good at choosing what is best for us. I should also say that the book ends somewhat abruptly, but a second book, Better Endings, picks up where this story left off. (I was given a copy of this book with the promise that I would give an honest review which I have tried to do here. Thank you, Tina!)
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