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The Mistake
All your life you are taught to forgive. It doesn’t matter who or what your beliefs are, even as children we are taught we should forgive.
Is forgiveness ever the wrong thing to do?
What if forgiving someone alters your life in ways you could never imagine?
Is it still the right thing to do?
Surely there must be exceptions to the forgive and forget rule?
One forgiveness.
One mistake.
One life-altering decision.
Which is right? Which is wrong?
Forgiveness or survival?
Is forgiveness ever the wrong thing to do?
What if forgiving someone alters your life in ways you could never imagine?
Is it still the right thing to do?
Surely there must be exceptions to the forgive and forget rule?
One forgiveness.
One mistake.
One life-altering decision.
Which is right? Which is wrong?
Forgiveness or survival?
336 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2020
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Swiftson
7 books2 followersI am a married lady, on the higher side of 45, I have lived in Nottingham England (Robin Hood Land) all my life apart from a few years where I moved to the posh Harrogate, I am not posh and it didn’t work.
I am a bit like Henry V111 but instead of “divorced beheaded died” I have Alcoholic, Psycho and died. So I am a bit of a serial name changer, I am married to hubby number 4 but I know this time I have found my soul mate. He is the fish to my chips, the salt to my vinegar, the yin to my yang. My Dude is my life.
I have an older sister and an older brother plus an array of nieces and nephews, some blood some adopted, but I love them all.
I currently work in a betting shop which whilst I love it can sometimes be stressful.
I am Big, I am Inked, My hair colour changes like the weather (which in England can be four seasons in a day) and I am in your face loud. I don’t do eggshells and I don’t do cotton wool.
I am very much the kind of person who is happy in herself and if someone doesn’t like me they can turn right around and find the door they came through.
I have worked hard and shed many tears to be happy in my own skin.
I am a bit like Henry V111 but instead of “divorced beheaded died” I have Alcoholic, Psycho and died. So I am a bit of a serial name changer, I am married to hubby number 4 but I know this time I have found my soul mate. He is the fish to my chips, the salt to my vinegar, the yin to my yang. My Dude is my life.
I have an older sister and an older brother plus an array of nieces and nephews, some blood some adopted, but I love them all.
I currently work in a betting shop which whilst I love it can sometimes be stressful.
I am Big, I am Inked, My hair colour changes like the weather (which in England can be four seasons in a day) and I am in your face loud. I don’t do eggshells and I don’t do cotton wool.
I am very much the kind of person who is happy in herself and if someone doesn’t like me they can turn right around and find the door they came through.
I have worked hard and shed many tears to be happy in my own skin.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 24, 2020
A must read
A absolutely amazing read. So well written. Be prepared to get you tissues ready and time out aside you won't be able to put this book down. One woman's true story on how she survived domestic abuse and violence. A true warrior
A absolutely amazing read. So well written. Be prepared to get you tissues ready and time out aside you won't be able to put this book down. One woman's true story on how she survived domestic abuse and violence. A true warrior
March 20, 2021
Although this is a review it will also serve as a letter to Mandy and any other person who has been in this or similar position.
Also this is trigger central with physical and emotional abuse, rape, bereavement, suicide attempts and self harm. If ANY of this affects you please seek help.
Let's start at the beginning.....yes maybe it was a mistake BUT remember you were being MANIPULATED. At the point you made that first 'mistake' he had already done the ground work, he'd slowly started controlling you and your environment......you didn't have a real choice.
He was a master of manipulation and deception, he already knew what words and phrases to use to get compliance........he had experience of it, he relished it. The guy had plausibility and knew how to create a good story....a believable one, well, multiple stories. The story to fool authorities, the story to fool family and friends, the story that became the script of your life.....this is NOT your fault! Whether due to generally being a trusting person or (for Mandy) being vulnerable from a previous bad relationship, you were taken advantage of.
Hope is a make or break feeling, meeting number 4 full of hope for things to get better was bittersweet. I don't have children but can only imagine what emotional trauma was caused from the very first moment of fear for the children. I take my hat off to all the survivors who steeled themselves and did what was necessary to protect their babies. Mandy did what was needed, not for her but her babies.....that's selflessness right there.
MB passing, for goodness sake! It's fluffing heartbreaking. Not going to lie I cried, for MB, for someone that deserved happiness but yet again was dealt a crap hand in life.
Totally unimpressed with flakey bake, I won't say anything else as I'll just swear a lot.
I've actually met Mandy a few times. She came across as outspoken, independent and strong in person, as well as fun (She's serious about the changing hair colours).
Having read this I have no doubt of the strength of this amazing woman. Followed for years by many demons yet still able to stand up and carry on, able to put into words, write a book, about things that most people wouldn't be capable of imagining let alone have touch their lives. A true inspiration.
I know how depression can creep up on you, stalk you, cloak itself so self doubt sets in......I also know how hard it is to ask for help but please ask, it's a lifesaver.
A story of freedom, survival, heartbreak, despair, hope and love as well as so much more.
This is a tissues and chocolate read from start to finish.
Also this is trigger central with physical and emotional abuse, rape, bereavement, suicide attempts and self harm. If ANY of this affects you please seek help.
Let's start at the beginning.....yes maybe it was a mistake BUT remember you were being MANIPULATED. At the point you made that first 'mistake' he had already done the ground work, he'd slowly started controlling you and your environment......you didn't have a real choice.
He was a master of manipulation and deception, he already knew what words and phrases to use to get compliance........he had experience of it, he relished it. The guy had plausibility and knew how to create a good story....a believable one, well, multiple stories. The story to fool authorities, the story to fool family and friends, the story that became the script of your life.....this is NOT your fault! Whether due to generally being a trusting person or (for Mandy) being vulnerable from a previous bad relationship, you were taken advantage of.
Hope is a make or break feeling, meeting number 4 full of hope for things to get better was bittersweet. I don't have children but can only imagine what emotional trauma was caused from the very first moment of fear for the children. I take my hat off to all the survivors who steeled themselves and did what was necessary to protect their babies. Mandy did what was needed, not for her but her babies.....that's selflessness right there.
MB passing, for goodness sake! It's fluffing heartbreaking. Not going to lie I cried, for MB, for someone that deserved happiness but yet again was dealt a crap hand in life.
Totally unimpressed with flakey bake, I won't say anything else as I'll just swear a lot.
I've actually met Mandy a few times. She came across as outspoken, independent and strong in person, as well as fun (She's serious about the changing hair colours).
Having read this I have no doubt of the strength of this amazing woman. Followed for years by many demons yet still able to stand up and carry on, able to put into words, write a book, about things that most people wouldn't be capable of imagining let alone have touch their lives. A true inspiration.
I know how depression can creep up on you, stalk you, cloak itself so self doubt sets in......I also know how hard it is to ask for help but please ask, it's a lifesaver.
A story of freedom, survival, heartbreak, despair, hope and love as well as so much more.
This is a tissues and chocolate read from start to finish.
November 14, 2020
This is my sister's book.
This is NOT an easy read, nor is it a romance, but a retelling of living with domestic violence and coming out the other side.
It's heart breaking and emotional. It's harrowing, what this woman deals with, and how she becomes resigned to her fate, as she sees it.
There is hope, and a light at the end of the tunnel, it just takes a long time to get there.
Tissues are required.
5 stars
This is NOT an easy read, nor is it a romance, but a retelling of living with domestic violence and coming out the other side.
It's heart breaking and emotional. It's harrowing, what this woman deals with, and how she becomes resigned to her fate, as she sees it.
There is hope, and a light at the end of the tunnel, it just takes a long time to get there.
Tissues are required.
5 stars
September 5, 2023
A must read. I found this book to be very thought provoking. It certainly takes you through a lot of emotions. It is so open and honest and real, I know it is real and true but the way it is written makes it feel more so.
December 17, 2020
An absolutly fantastic story. Thank you so much mandy for sharing your battles!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews