A Girl Raised By Wolves: An inspiring memoir of one woman's journey through sex trafficking, cancer, murder, and more.

by Lockey Maisonneuve

In the late 1970’s, in a gritty N.J. town, an adolescent girl is unwittingly handed a one-way ticket by her mother to allegedly “visit” her estranged father in Florida. Young and vulnerable, Lockey Maisonnueve has no idea she is being abandoned and sent to live with a vile and dangerous pedophile who would spend the next several years violently raping, abusing and mercilessly selling his daughter’s body into childhood prostitution to other adult men. After being rescued by her naive, but well-intentioned, grandparents, her troubled life is further devastated by cancer and ravaged by the subsequent brutal murder of her mother, in which Lockey is briefly considered a suspect. “A Girl Raised by Wolves’ is the inspirational memoir of a survivor of the darkest circumstances one can endure in a single lifetime and still emerge with a sense of humor and to defiantly proclaim “they didn’t break me!”

Genres: Memoir

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Lisa Kohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard about A Girl Raised by Wolves, I had to read it, because "my brother says we were raised by wolves" is how my (soon-to-be-published) memoir starts. And my brother does say that, and in some ways, we were.

But Lockey Maisonneuve really was, and I think her ability to see herself as separate from the family of "wolves" she was in, perhaps saved her.

A Girl Raised by Wolves is a powerful read of horrific trauma, incredible resilience, and a beautiful path to healing and hope. I was amazed at Lockey's ability to not only survive her childhood, but to rise above it to thrive...and help others thrive as well.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read about a terrible childhood filled with abusive adults. The author writes with an honest and raw voice. Kudos to her for working through her pain and rising above her demons.

[Kathleen Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Could not put this book down. Truly an inspiration. Although the adversity I've had to overcome or continue to struggle with is no where near what this author endured, I walked away with such life lessons and a much more positive outlook on the one life we get on this earth. A must read!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book of empowerment and an absolute must read! Written with Lockey’s New Jersey sarcasm and authentic humor, she shares her story—the good, the bad, the ugly, the worst you can imagine. It is not the adversity (seems far too light of a word) she’s overcome that draws you in, but her healing journey that is most captivating and inspiring. Reading “A Girl Raised By Wolves” you go on this healing path with her—in which you have to go through the hard stuff in order to end up on the other end. And the other side is worth it. She speaks about inner peace, true compassion and empathy, and most of all—strength, the strength to overcome and the even greater strength to be vulnerable and to heal from it all. This is a book for every reader—whether you’ve experienced trauma or not, we all have something we need to heal from and Lockey shows us in a completely open, funny, and graceful way how to heal. She takes intimidating words from a healing journey and makes them approachable—like shaping “forgiveness” into “release” or changing “surrender” to a surrender to oneself and to surrender all the shame, guilt, and victimhood. She makes “vulnerability” the most powerful of all, describing the strength that comes with sharing your story. She even explains gratitude within a prism of horrible experiences—that you can be grateful for the lessons and not the experiences themselves. She also describes the incredible power of yoga as a vehicle for healing and finding your inner strength. Everyone should read her book and experience the healing journey from themselves!

[Kathleen M]

It is difficult to imagine how anyone could survive such a childhood and emerge with such wisdom and perspective. Add breast cancer as an adult and you have found a woman who has prevailed over whatever has been thrown at her. She is a warrior and her book offers much food for thought on how to live your best life. Lockey has certainly achieved victory over what could easily have led to her total destruction. That Jean came into her life is simply a blessing for both of them. Read this book...you will be happy you did!

[Strawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! Lockey is a brave, noble and resilient soul. Reading her story was so beautiful and she is so strong to share her hardships with us. I can relate so much and it was like I was reading my own thoughts. I recommend 100%!

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story told with brutal honesty. And I was lucky to get to meet her at our book group!

[Erica Lutes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in one sitting ! Painful to witness her account of her stories in her life but a beautiful journey through yoga

[Alex Hume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read - Very thoughtful and emotional

You are an amazing person and a true survivor!!!!! Thank you for sharing your story with all those who need To hear your words!!!!

[Shaneka Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good work guys keep on doing IT
will be just as good as reading

[AnnaLee Stanislawczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a compelling Story

I read this book in two days! The story reminds us that there are Wolves that prey on children to this day. It takes a village to raise children including parents. But her parents decided their daughters weren’t good enough. Her father sold his child to predators and watched. Thank god she survived the Wolves!

[Alex Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This breathtaking first book by up-and-coming author, Lockey Maisonneuve, is a harrowing journey of abuse and victimization by the worst parents imaginable (makes "Angela's Ashes" seem like a day at the beach) offset by an incredibly optimistic journey of self-discovery. That the author suffered through this much pain (including an intensive bout with cancer) and went on to craft such a positive, humorous memoir is thrilling. Highly recommended.

[Kathleen Petronella · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a book!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing subject matter but worth the effort to read. I am shocked and saddened at how so many people failed her when she was a child.

[Michelle Swisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

There are not enough words to describe the emotions one feels while reading this book. Amazed, inspired, fear, anger, understanding, and enlightenment. Along with your "they did not break me" I would like to add my own mantra "because I'm worth it" because I never thought I was. You are, I am, we are..... the strength and courage you showed and continue to show and grow is an inspiration to so many.

[Kelly Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this book from the author herself. I knew from the title that I was getting into something that might break my heart. I was right. But I didn't feel sorry for the young girl she wrote about, instead I felt envious of the woman she became. Although I did not experience nowhere near the trauma she grew up with, I have always had a certain resentment towards my own parents who should have been better. I really enjoyed the story.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is not a writer by trade so this isn’t the most well written memoir. If you can get past some of the typos and poor editing, the story of her growth and healing is admirable. I commend her perseverance and strength. And I agree that she absolutely does not need to forgive her parents. I really liked how she learned to release what happened without ever forgiving her family.

[Jennifer W. Pinho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

A truly moving story. My heart hurt and I was angry. I wanted to save her every time she was hurt. Thank God she found peace and love

[Craig Rife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed the author's journey from victim to triumph! The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the story was not what I expected.

[Patricia Brangs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly honest

I found the author’s honesty with herself empowering. The book demonstrated that it is possible to make oneself feel what is really going on inside ourselves.

[lorie blackwelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Showed me the way

I too am a survivor of childhood rape and cruelty. This story helped me to start my healing process. Read this book and learn how to begin your journey.