Spilled Milk

by Veronica Christopher

Things aren’t always what they seem… In the idyllic mountain town of Little Bethlehem, the hills and valleys hold many secrets. 20-year old Amber St. Germaine knows all about secrets… With a sister locked up for murdering their father, and a selfish, abusive mother, Amber has no choice but to step up and care for younger sister, Rorie. On the brink of insanity, her only solace is her twisted obsession with big brother, Bret, and visits with Rose in prison. Spilled Milk is the story of a girl trying to break free from a crippling family legacy tainted with forbidden love, incest, abuse, and a trail of mysterious deaths. When pieces of the forgotten past resurface, can Amber keep it together for the sake of her little sister- or will she finally succumb to the darkness?

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2018

About the author

Veronica Christopher is a proud New Hampshire native who enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, especially fishing and exploring the mountains.

She began writing seriously as a preteen and continues to polish her craft. Although she writes different genres- from historical fiction to fantasy- she focuses on delving deep into human nature and life lessons.

Keep an eye out for this new author! Her stories will hit home....and possibly a nerve.

Reviews

[Sarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is so heavy after reading this book. In “Spilled Milk” Author Veronica Christopher wove together a poignant tale about an American family haunted by the burden of their past and the brutality of their present.

Told from first person perspective by twenty-year-old Amber, the story began with her suicide attempt and walks the readers through the events that led her there. As I read it, I felt as if I was drowning. With each of the little heartbreaks Amber felt, I understood a bit better why she ended up on that ledge. I wanted to reach in an save her and her sister, Rorie. But could they have been saved? I don’t know. Nobody in “Spilled Milk” is easy to categorize. They’re complex, flawed, and don’t even understand why they do what they do. But that’s what makes this book so enthralling from the first to the last page.

Reading is a way to build empathy. With each story you learn how to inhabit another person’s skin, to feel their pains, to see the fragility of the human psyche, and perhaps hopefully learn through their mistakes. After I finished the book, I’m left with a sense of loss. This book captures an American tragedy in the best sense of the word.

[Kelly Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Spilled Milk” by Veronica Christopher left me depressed, hopeful, just completely torn! This book is pretty deep and hits the places that hurt. Amber is both easy to dislike and inevitably relatable. I feel like part of the reason I didn’t like her at first was that she was real- she is the girl inside of us all who is tarnished, sinister at times, and who tells little white lies for no reason. As I read more, I understood her more, I understood why she does the things she does. I felt her pain and rooted for her to just hold on a bit longer. Little Rorie (Sephora) needed her.

I loved the character of little sister, Rorie. Cute, playful, scarred Rorie. I felt Amber’s affections for her and forgot a lot of the time that they aren’t real...they’re just characters in a book. I know how much I love my little sister so I enjoyed reading of this sibling connection. All the characters are relatable- some you hate (like the mother Nicole and bestie Carmen), some you adore (like Amber’s coworker at the movie theater, Frank), some you think of long after you’ve closed the cover.

As a first book, this is really good and was worth my time! I’m from Maine so it was cool reading about places I knew. The author wasn’t specific on the particulars of the towns but I felt as if I’d been to a lot of the places she wrote of. It also mentions the beloved New England scenic highway, the Kancamagus, lots of times. Who doesn’t love the Kanc!?

Grab this book, people. Keep going until the Epilogue. And, right before you get to the ending, prepare yourself....

[Audrina Presley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spilled Milk by Veronica Christopher is a special read. Society needs to see and hear more of what this novels true message is which is to keep going even if it feels as if you can’t breathe. Spilled Milk is Indeed a ‘sexy’ read but it is also noteworthy, mature, reflective, and definitely moved me.

I was intrigued from the start, engrossed in the middle, left floored by the end! This novel follows a young woman who’s seen many tragedies fall deeper into depression as the reality of her life sinks in. It starts with a Suicide and allows you to feel your heart cracking as you become a part of Amber, main character, as you read along. You will see why she ends her life and you won’t expect her last moments! Read this book!

[Ana Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spilled Milk took me on a ride! A rollercoaster of human sadness, despair, pure tragedy, yet an inner bravery that’s hard not to notice in Amber, the main character. It made my heart heavy for the abuse and neglect the St.Germaine children suffered, but it made me hopeful a lot of times to feel the love Amber has for her sister Rorie. The real tragedy is Rorie but I won’t give it away! I greatly enjoyed this psychological fiction novel! Spilled Milk is sexy, dark, deep! This new author is someone to watch for! Veronica Christopher is spicy!!!

[Becky Havrilka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just messed up from start to finish!!
I’m not sure why I kept listening because it was just so disturbing.

[Naomi Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novel. I felt things I haven’t felt in a while. This book took me to a place of family friction, narcissistic mothers tormented children, deep sibling loyalty, personal battles.

I knew Amber was going to die. I just didn’t know how. The ending hit home for me. By the time she changed her mind, it was too late. I so did not expect her to die how she did. Without giving too much away, my heart just broke into a million pieces for Rorie having witnessed it. I know Rorie is a fiction character but I still think of her and her future & if Ambers soul is finally at peace.

Gripping, raw. This book is totally about human strength and life’s obstacles. Highly recommend this book sits in every mental health clinic and free copies given to those living in the darkness. It will make a difference!

[Kelly Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Emotional read. I recommend it.

P.S.- The mother Nicole is a bitch! Rorie is awesome!

[Jade Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spilled Milk by Veronica Christopher- where to begin? While reading this novel I never knew where it was going to take me. Just as I thought I guessed i was wrong. This author is good at plot twists and character formation. I didn’t know i was even reading a debut novel until a lady in my book club told me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it. Its well developed and It’s message is clear- when you feel like quitting, think twice. All in all it’s a story of family dynamics and life getting the best of us at times.

[Kellee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had this book recommended to me and couldn’t figure out why—in coming to write this review I found there is another book with the same title! And it looks like a few others had the same thing happen. I wish I’d gotten the correct book. This one was depressing and vulgar. The voice of audio sounded like she was smiling and about to laugh while reading the most depressing story. I also hated all the added audio like a car honking to match it in the story. I honestly don’t have anything good to say about this book. What terrible parents, family, and a terrible way to grow up.

The story follows Amber who takes care of her 4th grade sister. Her older sister in jail for killing her dad, older brother living out in the woods, 2 little brothers died while little, and her “mom” a dead beat. Throughout the book Amber begins to uncover past memories that she had repressed.

Do not read this book. I kept having to fast forward and cringe through language. I should never have finished it bc it was not worth it.

[Melanie Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was hard to get through as an audio book. I think reading it would’ve done more for me, personally. I couldn’t stand the voice actress and how seductive her voice was through the whole thing. She’s describing horrific scenes with what sounds like a smirk on her face, like there’s some pleasure from it. I think this is the main reason I was considering moving this one over to the dnf shelf around the 30% mark. I’m glad I stuck it out to finish. This story developed further and it all made sense in the end.

The psychology of burying trauma resonated with me. The extreme trauma, physical, and sexual abuse was so profound in this story it could be believable in a town like Lil Beth. It’s a shame what their parents did to these kids. How bright these characters were despite their upbringing. At the end, the author says that there is a bit of Amber in every one of us, and I believe that. Our struggles that stem from our childhood can be hard to grow through. Some of us can’t escape their grasp and we end up where Amber did — on the bridge.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I was reading (listening) this book on a friend's recommendation - only to find out this is the wrong Spilled Milk book. This character, Amber, was someone totally unrelatable to me which is what kept me reading (listening). I know it's fiction, but I could never fathom knowing someone like this. I did skip ahead a little but had to find out the ending. Every character is a sad person.

[Veronica Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Note: due to the heavy topics discussed in Spilled Milk, I encourage you to reach out if you ever feel you can’t trek on. Your life is worth it. If you know of someone suffering, please encourage them. Sometimes, all we need is a little extra love to convince us we’re worth it. Peace.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 800.273.TALK

[Heather(Gibby) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is heavy stuff! it is a story of severe familial abuse, with no silver linings or happy endings.

I might have given it 4 stars, but the audio version I listened to, narrated by Sadie Alexa Knight was just not a good fit. Her chirpy voice to scenes of violence and horrendous flashback scenes just threw the story off.

[Sadie Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling!

[SheReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Towards the end it felt rushed and left me a little confused for Amber's sudden decisions. Like I understand BUT I don't really understand lol. I really Hope there's a part 2!!

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the wrong book that has the same title. This was rough. I didn't enjoy the characters. The story line was hard to read. The ending was satisfactory for as crazy as this story was.

[Lisa Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sad story of child abuse. May trigger some people. But good read.

[Tracy D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of tough topics addressed in this book. I intended to read a different book with the same title.