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VERY FAR FROM NORMAL: the real journals of a wife betrayed
Josie and Sam were living a Norman Rockwell life...or so it seemed. But Sam had a secret, and it was about to destroy everything they had. Very Far From Normal, by Josie Allen, is the compelling account of sexual addiction, betrayal, devastation, loyalty, hope, and ultimately, love. It is the true story of one woman's struggle to keep her family together through a tidal wave of pain. Written in real time, it is a peek in the window, a brutally honest, sometimes disconcerting, roadmap to healing for anyone who needs to know that they are not alone.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2021
107 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 24, 2022
Wow! My heart goes out to these poor children. Their parents, who were supposed to love and protect them, epically failed. Josie, the author, just kept going on and on trying to make it work when she should have had the kids seeing a therapist and getting away from her pervert of a husband. How much effort do you put into a toxic relationship that wears you down, affects your children, and the outcome is still the same. The minute Sam started treating Caleb like crap should have been the time to separate, seek counseling, and consider splitting up. Caleb eventually tried committing suicide for shits sake! Did this woman really want to show her kids that it was ok to be treated with disrespect, to be belittled. From what I gathered, her childhood wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows but for the love of god put your children first!!
I skimmed a lot when she was whining again and again about the same thing. She constantly complains about lack of money, yet they take trips, buy gifts, rent an extra apartment, care for his mother (why is this left up to her?), and on and on.
I could go on forever about how dysfunctional this family was, but I can’t waste anymore time on this book. I won’t be reading this author again even if she writes fiction.
I skimmed a lot when she was whining again and again about the same thing. She constantly complains about lack of money, yet they take trips, buy gifts, rent an extra apartment, care for his mother (why is this left up to her?), and on and on.
I could go on forever about how dysfunctional this family was, but I can’t waste anymore time on this book. I won’t be reading this author again even if she writes fiction.
January 4, 2022
Very Far from Normal is a memoir written by Josie Allen, pouring her heart out and sharing her story in an honest and healing way. Josie and Sam were living a normal married life, but when Sam’s secrets began to surface, things changed for the both of them.
The special thing about this book is that Josie does not entirely write this memoir for the purpose of telling it. She wrote it, making sure that even if that one person, going through the same thing, happened to come across this memoir, they too would not feel alone.
The story is about survival and focuses on a woman’s strength and how much she can rely on herself to live through problems. It is most enjoyable to read but even more to inspire from.
I recommend this book to memoir readers and those who like to read a story about betrayal, love and family.
The special thing about this book is that Josie does not entirely write this memoir for the purpose of telling it. She wrote it, making sure that even if that one person, going through the same thing, happened to come across this memoir, they too would not feel alone.
The story is about survival and focuses on a woman’s strength and how much she can rely on herself to live through problems. It is most enjoyable to read but even more to inspire from.
I recommend this book to memoir readers and those who like to read a story about betrayal, love and family.
September 5, 2021
A horror story and the woman who survived it.
This is the heart wrenching story of this dissolution of a marriage written in a no holds barred style by the amazing woman who had the misfortune to fall in love with a seriously flawed man. I wanted to hate Sam at times for what he did to Josie and their children. Then as I read on I began to understand what Josie knew and had learned. He was damaged by things that had happened years before she met him. I still could not forgive what he did, the lies, the manipulation and denials but at least I knew where it came from. Josie, some might say, was blind to the obvious. I would not agree. She moved heaven and earth trying to make her marriage work and keep her family together. Finally she realized the truth and with incredible strength and resolve made her choice. I said this was a horror story. Towards the middle of the book I found myself in that situation you get in while watching a movie and telling a character on the screen "Don't open that door!" or "Don't go down that street!" because of the choice it seemed Josie was about to make. She didn't need to be told. She made the right choice.
Some other reviewers have said this is a book for women. That it might help a woman in a similar situation and I would certainly agree with that. I will add to that that this is also a book for men. As a man, I would say that this should be required reading for every man who is contemplating marriage. Men, learn from this book. Understand that any secrets you may choose to keep, any lies you tell, any habits you can't break and any relationships you're not ready to give up can destroy a marriage. Worse than that, they may destroy the woman you are keeping them from.
Josie survived. She is an amazing woman and should be an inspiration to women everywhere. I know she is well and happy in her new life and that her children are flourishing in theirs. About Sam, I do not know and I'm sad to say that I don't care. I am sorry for him, but what he did to this remarkable woman is,despite the circumstances, unforgivable.
Read this book. It is a lesson in survival.
This is the heart wrenching story of this dissolution of a marriage written in a no holds barred style by the amazing woman who had the misfortune to fall in love with a seriously flawed man. I wanted to hate Sam at times for what he did to Josie and their children. Then as I read on I began to understand what Josie knew and had learned. He was damaged by things that had happened years before she met him. I still could not forgive what he did, the lies, the manipulation and denials but at least I knew where it came from. Josie, some might say, was blind to the obvious. I would not agree. She moved heaven and earth trying to make her marriage work and keep her family together. Finally she realized the truth and with incredible strength and resolve made her choice. I said this was a horror story. Towards the middle of the book I found myself in that situation you get in while watching a movie and telling a character on the screen "Don't open that door!" or "Don't go down that street!" because of the choice it seemed Josie was about to make. She didn't need to be told. She made the right choice.
Some other reviewers have said this is a book for women. That it might help a woman in a similar situation and I would certainly agree with that. I will add to that that this is also a book for men. As a man, I would say that this should be required reading for every man who is contemplating marriage. Men, learn from this book. Understand that any secrets you may choose to keep, any lies you tell, any habits you can't break and any relationships you're not ready to give up can destroy a marriage. Worse than that, they may destroy the woman you are keeping them from.
Josie survived. She is an amazing woman and should be an inspiration to women everywhere. I know she is well and happy in her new life and that her children are flourishing in theirs. About Sam, I do not know and I'm sad to say that I don't care. I am sorry for him, but what he did to this remarkable woman is,despite the circumstances, unforgivable.
Read this book. It is a lesson in survival.
July 24, 2021
This was a raw, sometimes difficult read. I found it to be compelling and full of joy and heartbreak at the same time. I highly recommend!
March 9, 2022
I'm a firm believer that there are no bad books. Every book was made for a person and when that person finds it they love it. This book, however, is not the book for me. I hated the way it was written, and I understand it's supposed to be like a journal, however the author left major parts out which made it harder to understand what she was referring to. Also, I didn't like the way the author came across. I feel for her and her situation, but I hated the way she always found ways to make him feel better and be okay with his crap. I could never. Anyway, I hope someone enjoys this book way more than I did.
November 4, 2021
Raw truth about raw pain.
Beautiful in it's raw honesty. Josie did everything she could do to save her family, including the husband who had betrayed them all. She wanted her family to be together and healthy. When it became clear that her husband would not ever do his work to help achieve this goal, she bravely set out to heal herself and her children. Her love an commitment shines throughout this book.
Beautiful in it's raw honesty. Josie did everything she could do to save her family, including the husband who had betrayed them all. She wanted her family to be together and healthy. When it became clear that her husband would not ever do his work to help achieve this goal, she bravely set out to heal herself and her children. Her love an commitment shines throughout this book.
August 4, 2021
Brave and honest
Very honest account of heartache, pain and betrayal . She showed determination and inner strength to hold herself and her children together through it all . Brava!!!!
Very honest account of heartache, pain and betrayal . She showed determination and inner strength to hold herself and her children together through it all . Brava!!!!
March 7, 2022
Not what I expected
This was better left in the journal than shared with strangers. No real ending, just thoughts on the author's life and how she dealt. I wasn't impressed and found myself reading just to get it finished.
This was better left in the journal than shared with strangers. No real ending, just thoughts on the author's life and how she dealt. I wasn't impressed and found myself reading just to get it finished.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews