Blurred Fates

by Anastasia Zadeik

Winner of the 2023 Sarton Award for Contemporary Fiction
Winner of the 2023 National Indie Excellence Award in Contemporary Fiction

Kate Whittier has it all: a loving, even-keeled husband, two great kids, and a beautiful home in Southern California. But Kate is living a lie. In a desperate attempt to create the safe, happy family she never had, she has been hiding secrets for decades—things she’s convinced make her unworthy of her wellborn husband, Jacob, and the privileged life he has provided.


Then, one ordinary evening, Jacob confesses to a drunken sexual indiscretion he doesn’t quite remember, and Kate cracks open. Molten memories rise to the surface. Volatile emotions swirl. Triggered in ways she didn't see coming, Kate is overwhelmed by rage she cannot explain and fear of who she might become.


Her marriage unraveling, Kate returns to her childhood home, hoping to find closure. Instead, as the past invades the present and relationships collide, Kate discovers she's not the only one lying—and the truth may not set anyone free.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Womens Fiction, Thriller Suspense, Psychological Thriller

312 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2022

About the author

Anastasia Zadeik is a writer, narrative nonfiction storyteller, and the author of two novels. Her debut, Blurred Fates, won the 2023 Sarton Award and the 2023 National Indie Excellence Award for Contemporary Fiction. Her second novel, The Other Side of Nothing, was selected as a Zibby Summer Read and was awarded the 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for Popular Fiction.

Anastasia serves as Director of Communications for the San Diego Writers Festival, on the board of the International Memoir Association, and as a mentor and performer for the literary nonprofit So Say We All. When she isn’t reading or writing, you’ll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or hanging out with her husband, Tom, and their empty-nest rescue dog, Charlie.

To learn more (and see videos of her live storytelling), please visit anastasiazadeik.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads, @anastasiazadeik.

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: BLURRED FATES
AUTHOR: Anastasia Zadeik
PUB DATE: 08.02.2022

Blurred Fates is an amazing psychological thriller and page-turner of a read. Zadeik’s debut is a compelling read about Kate Whittier, who is floating through her current perfect life with her husband and children. However, after knowing of her husband’s affair, the unresolved trauma from her past resurfaces and her present and past collides.

I love the way this perfectly paced novel reads, that had me rooting for Kate, and feeling all of the emotions. I thought that this was a well written story that explores very important themes of adultery, sexual assault, unresolved trauma, mental health, and about the strength and resilience to get up and survive whatever is thrown your way.

Fantastic!

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @anastasiazadeik for having me on this tour of Blurred Fates!

Blurred Fates is a single POV story told by Kathryn Whittier. Kathryn, or Katie as she is affectionately known to some, is hiding a dark and secret past. Married to her husband Jacob for nearly 2 decades, he is the epitome of money, privilege, and more. Born into a broken home, Kate doesn’t feel that she measures up.

But when Jacob reveals an indiscretion that occurred during one of his work trips, Kate can’t decide if this is something they can work through. His family will blame her (they never truly welcomed her) and he will be seen as the hero, even though he’s the villain in this story. As Kate faces her broken marriage, she’ll also have to face her past; her narcissistic brother won’t leave her alone and is threatening to expose her for who she really is. Will Kate choose flight or fight this time around?

I really loved this debut novel! It had everything one might want; secrets, broken trust, relatable characters, estranged family, and a happy ending! While it definitely gets dark in places (TW: rape, abuse, infidelity, childhood trauma), the author does an amazing job of being genuine and kind in her descriptions of Kate’s past. I also enjoyed the therapist’s dialogue. It came off as real and true to what one might hear from an actual therapist. Also, that twist! So unexpected and completely perfect! I can’t wait to see what Anastasia writes next!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific novel this is. Not only is the story twisting and turning your emotional guts inside out, the pacing is such that you cannot pause to sort it out. You race toward the ending and trust me, if you think you know where it lands, you are wrong. If that isn't enough to make you want to read this, you are treated to some glorious writing, every word carefully chosen to describe the scene and to be spoken by these complex and surprising characters. Kate, Jacob and Ryan and their friends who are foils to reveal the main characters' attributes and even the kids feel so believable to me, it was a delight to read. Highly recommend.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A knockout of a domestic drama, in which Kate Whittier's "perfect life" is overturned by her husband's betrayal, stirring up trauma from Kate's past. The author's debut is so assured and gripping that I couldn't put it down while I raced through to the last page. And what a twist at the end. Wow! Highly recommended for lovers of beautifully written stories that grab you and won't let you go. Winner of the 2022 Sarton Award for Contemporary Fiction.

Thanks to author Anastasia Zadeik and She Writes Press for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#blurredfates #anastasiazadeik #shewritespress #domesticdramafiction #betrayalinfiction
#traumafiction #psychologicalthriller #womensfiction #debutnovel #bookstagramcommunity

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has the perfect upscale life. A loving husband and two kids. The problem is Kate is living a lie. When her husband admits to a drunken indiscretion it sets Kate into a whirlwind with flashbacks of her past that she has never told her husband. Her mother's mental illness, her brother and the secrets she keeps buried inside. This was a fast paced twisted story that takes a good many turns. It beats like a pulse racing faster and faster. Outstanding debut.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

[Molly Nickelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back to school season is here, so my sleep schedule is off and I’m wide awake at midnight finishing the book. Kept my interest the entire time. Author made me love Ryan and then back to loving Jacob. I liked the twist at the end with Ryan, as I was imagining the more “classic” storyline for the two of them.

[Nettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I love about my book club is that I end up reading books I never would have chosen on my own. This local author has written a book full of twists and turns I really didn’t see coming. The characters are well flushed out and the writing is crisp. It’s not quite a thriller, but it is a page turner. I look forward to hearing the author speak to hear about her process.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interning storyline and potentially a trigger for some, but a good thriller. Kate has it all. Two kids, husband with a good job and plenty of money, a house and her past left behind her. That is, until her brother tracks her down to deliver the news that their father is dying and her husband admits to a discretion that happened, but he does not remember. Everything comes hurling at her at once, and Kate has to sort out her life, what this means for her marriage and how she is going to deal with the past she wanted to never find her. Having been raised in an abusive house hold, she did all she could to become who she is, but she has never come to terms really with what happened to her. Her mother left her essentially, her father kept himself at the bottom of a bottle and her brother committed unthinkable things that left Kate vulnerable and carrying a baggage that no one knows about. With her husbands indiscretion out in the open, it brings back memories she never wanted to think about again and with it a friend that she trusts as well as her husband trusts. Keep your friends closer, and your enemies closer is the saying. Who can Kate really trust, how will she deal with her past and her future? A good thriller that is a slow burn as the author alternates between what happened to Kate growing up and dealing with the current situation. Thank you to Suzy Approved Tours for the invite and to the author for the free book.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurred Fates is a fantastic well written debut novel by Anastasia Zadeik,

Kate Whittier has the perfect life, married with two wonderful children, until it all comes crashing down. Kate's husband Jacob has is not faithful to Kate and the two quickly separate.

This situation triggers events in Kate's past that come to the forefront in a very surprising way.
I very much could relate to Kate and her past and the things that were done to her. Sometimes we truly put them to the back of our mind until something is triggering.

The author has written complex, flawed, well developed characters that really make this novel come to life. There are some twists and turns which I really enjoyed also.

Kate goes on a journey to see if she can learn to trust again.

An outstanding debut novel that I highly recommend!

[Tania Pryputniewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the tightly controlled psychological life of Kate Whittier (who believes she can marry out of her past), comes graphic news of an infidelity that agitates deeply buried memories of past abuse to rise to the surface. Anastasia Zadeik keeps us in lock-step with Kate’s lens and choices—which we know are both destabilized by this intrusion of past overlaying present. Blurred Fates gives us a powerful look at the ways unresolved trauma affects one’s perceptions of the actions of our closest loved ones and inhibits trust. Kate’s strength is inspiring, for even as she loses time, she maintains connection with her children. We root for Kate to overcome the fear of admitting what happened to her. Witholding truth inevitably means withholding some part of the self, a type of hiding that blocks intimacy as Kate learns; she must ultimately re-examine and decide if she can accept herself and her own perception-based mistakes in the present, confront the past, and rebuild her marriage. Zadeik’s seamless prose satisfies from page one to the last; she is a master of pacing and I can’t wait to read her next book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, She Writes Press and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I liked but didn’t love this one. I felt it could’ve had a more satisfying conclusion. Kate’s origin story is definitely intriguing.

[Kori Potenzone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Gosh the competition is getting wild.

Anastasia Zadeik completely crushed her debut novel, Blurred Fates.

I always find myself in awe when a debut novel makes me feel all the feels while reading. Blurred Fates, completely took me by storm and I am left in astonishment over the writing skills that shined within the pages.

Zadeik, has a natural talent to pull the reader right in and thrust them into a fast paced thriller. I was left with so many questions that I could not flip the pages fast enough to discover the answers.

What would you do if your perfect world (or so you thought) began to crumble?

Kate, had it all, two beautiful children, an adoring husband and a home that belonged in a magazine. Then, the unimaginable happens, her husband comes to her with a big secret, he has stepped outside their marriage and cheated on her. Kate's world begins to plunge into a downward spiral.

Kate isnt completely innocent, she has her own secrets and they are about to come crashing down on her....

Blurred fates narrates a story between past and present and we have a front row seat for all of the twists and turns. This book packs such a punch, there is no way you will be able to see this twist coming...

Now, before I get ahead of myself and spoil anything, I am going to advise you to pick up this book and watch the story unfold for yourself. You do not want to miss this one.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was initially drawn thinking it an infidelity tale.If I had thought it was another psychological thriller, I would have moved along recently finding them a dime a dozen.But this debut? This is something special. So unique, I am not sure how to label it.Perhaps it is so gloriously crafted that it elevates beyond any mundane concept of genre,but my attempt would place as a dark twisted,psychological drama with romantic elements. The writing,the characters, the plot all unique, surprising ,and unexpectedly thought provoking .The superbly crafted psychological framework of the tale make for a stellar experience,especially for those who prefer a deeper dive.
Abrupt events near the finale swiftly broke trough my walls,reached into the heart of me to my vulnerable spaces resulting in a flash flood of emotion ,tears drawn forth so expertly un-bidden, here then gone ..that l barely realized how effected I was .A magic whisper,like this author's talent.
What began as a supremely self serving act entirely contorted itself somehow...and I am left to consider ,what would someone be willing to do,to risk out of desperation for that fleeting yet perfect moment of love?

[Sara Merth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best domestic thriller I’ve read in years. Anastasia Zadeik is a stellar author that rivals Liane Moriarty, Gillian Flynn, Lisa Jewell and Paula Hawkins.

Kate Whittier has it all. A picture perfect marriage. Two beautiful children. An immaculate home. But Kate also a past full of secrets that collides with her present at the worst possible time.
Zadeik creates a beautifully strong protagonist marred with a dark past. I love Zadeik’s writing style because she doesn’t let Kate fall into the over used trope of the troubled, unstable, unreliable female protagonist. (I.e. books like The Girl on the Train, The Woman in the Window, Sharp Objects) Kate Whittier maintains her self awareness, ability to be a great mother while also dealing with a realistic portrayal of PTSD. Cannot recommend this book enough.

[Janilyn Kocher]

I couldn’t pick up the rhythm Of this book. I tried to remain open and u defats do the appeal, but I failed.
This book wasn’t for me.
Thanks to She Writes Press and NetGalley for the early read.

[Laurie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut novel with atmospheric grit and emotional depth, BLURRED FATES delivers a layered and compelling look at the darkest consequences of hidden truths, denials, betrayal, and the inevitable repercussions. I ab-so-flippin-lutely loved this book!

[Susan Krutzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2. Another surprising shelf pull. Starting a little slow but, wow did it go heat up quickly and then I couldn’t put it down. Some of the characters abs the writing could have been stronger and solid but the Intense story line and twists more than made up for it. Kate Whittier and husband Jake work through a marriage transgression which takes on a spin of its own and involves a whole lot of other characters and many surprises. Quite a ride. Couldn’t put it down at the end.

[Marjie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the psychological twists in this story of betrayal and possible forgiveness tangled in a relationship triangle. Who should you believe? Who should you trust? I usually read historical fiction, so current day domestic drama is not a likely choice for me, but this was an enjoyable, engaging read.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some Parts are Good . . .

This book received a lot of good reviews. I guess I am the odd one out. It was so so for me. After awhile, Kate was getting boring. I felt bad for her horrific childhood, but not telling your therapist your whole story is a waste of time. Why bother going? If you don't tell a therapist your story/issues, they can't truly help you. Also, why did we have to read about her kids soccer games? Boring.

The parts with Ryan read like a silly lifetime movie. Plus, what husband lets his best friend take over caring for his wife. No way, unrealistic.

The story had such potential but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. This is no thriller.

[Lindsey Salatka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurred Fates draws you in from page 1. I loved it! The characters are both realistic and compelling; I found myself rooting for all of them at different points throughout the book. The story is great and the writing is exceptional. I'm looking forward to more from this author.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one, but didn’t love it. More of a family drama to me than a thriller. Writing was very good and I do like Kate’s back story. The theme of mental illness was educational and important, especially in today’s society.

[Catbytheseareads ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I just couldn't put it down. I want it to be a movie asap. The characters are amazing, twists and emotions run high. Very well written a must read.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Whittier has a life she could only dream about as a child. She has a loving husband, two healthy and happy kids and a gorgeous home in Southern California. Money isn't an issue as her husband, Jacob, not only comes from money but is incredibly successful in his career. Growing up, Kate's mother died as she was entering her teenage years. Her father promptly disappeared into a bottle and she was sexually abused by her brother and his friends for years, a fact she has never told anyone.

Then Kate's life encounters issues that change it in a second. Jacob confesses to a drunken encounter with a woman. Trust is the biggest requirement in Kate's life so she is immediately sickened and sure that the marriage is over. Soon Kate and Jacob are separated and the children are moving back and forth between houses. Kate's father is about to die and her brother has found her again and is making threatening phone calls. Luckily, Kate still has Ryan, who is the couple's best friend. Ryan was Jacob's best friend growing up and when he met Kate, he included her in their circle of friends. He spoils their kids between assignments as a photographer all over the world. Ryan is the only person Kate can talk to outside of her therapist. He is willing to listen to both of the estranged couple and act as a go between. But is life through throwing obstacles and challenges at Kate?

Blurred Fates is a debut novel and the author, Anastasia Zadeik, is off to a fantastic start. Her ability to create characters the reader can instantly relate to propels the action in the novel. Kate is so damaged by her childhood that she will never be fully whole until she comes to terms with her abuse. She has been betrayed by everyone in her life and she must find ways to rebuild trust and learn to forgive small wrongs without cutting individuals from her life. Jacob is a fundamentally good man, incredulous how quickly he lost everything he cared about. Ryan is an intriguing character, a world traveler who still finds time to support the friendships he has built over the years. The author explores the issues of the longevity of the aftermath of sexual abuse, how important trust is to build and how quickly it can be destroyed and how we all need someone to support us in life. I look forward to seeing Zadeik's next novel. This book is recommended to readers of women's fiction.

[Paul Wagenbreth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew.
Not me, certainly, before learning the other day in the Times that you can indeed get an STD from oral sex. Not possible, I’d have thought, without some kind of penetration, and even now for my having been told otherwise by so authoritative a source (the Times!) I’d still think highly unlikely. But such a scenario is the driver for Anastasia Zadeik’s psychological thriller, “Blurred Fates," in which its main character, Kate Whittier, comes to believe that that's how she came to be infected herself – from her husband having been fellated by a stripper.
Quite the shock to her hitherto comfortable existence, understandably, causing her to evict her husband and resurrecting for her traumas from a troubled past including a mentally disturbed mother who killed herself, a father who turned to drink and a brother who's easily one of the most despicable villains I've ever encountered in fiction.
So despicable, indeed, is the brother, so without any redeeming features whatsoever, that a reader can't turn the pages fast enough whenever he puts in an appearance. Regrettably, though, he's not on stage nearly enough (there's a reason actors favor playing villains), and there is never the final climactic scene between him and Kate that I kept anticipating. Instead, there's a final revelation about the stripper encounter -- an unfortunate twist, to my mind, for its Perry Mason-like quality -- that turns the novel on its head and makes it less a probing psychological treatment in the manner of, say, Christine Mangan or Lawrence Osborne, than your standard woman-in-trouble story in which the woman emerges on the other side with her world set to rights.
Not that Zadeik hasn't fashioned a novel estimable enough on its own more commercial terms – the writing is top drawer and Kate is a particularly well-drawn sympathetic heroine – but I just couldn't help thinking that without that somewhat strained last-minute disclosure and with more allowance for susceptibility to moments of the flesh from all her characters (Kate is, after all, not free of transgression herself), the novel could have legitimately taken its place among the best of literary psychological fiction.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book won the prestigious 2023 SARTON AWARD FOR CONTEMPORARY FICTION! And now I know why. I had a hard time putting it down at night in order to get some sleep.

Right from the get-go we meet Kate: wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, trauma survivor. When Kate's idyllic life with her well-to-do husband gets upended, we immediately feel for her. What would we do given a similar situation? What will Kate do given her courageous work to recover from a childhood rife with abuse, neglect, and loss? And secrets. So many secrets, and the assumptions we make about what those secrets mean. Will she/can we ever truly heal? And what about Kate's kids? Where does the ever-present best friend, Ryan, fit into all of this? Is he as good a guy as he seems? Will Kate's husband ever drop his curated facade?

It is 100% clear the author has done her homework relative to the ongoing physical and emotional scars created from childhood trauma. The characters are real, as are the therapeutic sessions, which in less skilled hands could have been dull and benign. Rather, in Blurred Fates, we see clearly the necessity for and importance of skilled treatment. And what can happen with less skilled treatment. But all in the service of the story and never to its detriment. Plus, there's a plot twist that made my jaw drop.

TW: Abuse. Suicide. Rape.

What I think I loved the absolute most about this book was the very accurate portrayal of the bravery and hard word it takes for trauma survivors and those with mental illness to recover and live their best lives. There are FAR too many misconceptions IRL about what mental illness looks like, how people who live with mental illness act. These characters may be fictional, but they're as real as it comes. Blurred Fates, at its heart, is filled with resilience and hope.

If you're a lover of all things psychological, you'll love this book. Kirkus was right. . .it is "a hypnotic page-turner."

[Amy Shook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic debut from Zaseik. It’s a light domestic thriller that is a page turner

.About The Book:
Kate Whittier seems to have the perfect domestic life with a calm loving, husband, two wonderful children, and a beautiful home in Southern California. Kate is finding it difficult to hold everything together. After her husbands admits to a drunken indiscretion it brings back memories of her past. Things she has never divulged to her husband.
Along with the memories volatile emotions swirl and Kate is worried she will suffer from the mental illness that took her mother from her.

Stepping in to support Kate and Jacob as their lives unravel is the guy who introduced them: Ryan McCann, a peripatetic journalist who has recently settled nearby to write his first novel. Ryan was with Jacob on the night of the indiscretion. Ryan is with Kate when Jacob leaves. And when Kate’s malevolent older brother calls with news of her father’s imminent death, it is Ryan who accompanies her as she journeys back to her childhood home looking for closure. Instead, as the past invades the present and relationships collide, Kate discovers complicated truths that could mean redemption—or destroy her entire world.

My thoughts:
This is a heart wrenching read learning of the abuse Kate suffered at the hands of her own brother while her father stood by and did nothing. All she wanted was a normal life but without confronting her past she won’t be able to have a healthy future. There are some trigger warnings that I can let you know if you message me.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia Zadeik, the author of “Blurred Fates” has written a captivating, intense, and suspenseful novel. The genres are Psychological Thriller and Domestic Thriller. The timeline for this story is set in the author’s present and goes to the past regarding the characters or events. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex and complicated. Betrayals, threats, suspense, dark secrets, untruths, gaslighting, infidelity, and danger are part of this novel.

The protagonist, Kate Whittier has a wealthy husband, two lovable children, and what looks like a perfect life. Unfortunately, it is all a facade for Kate, hidden by dark secrets, omissions, and lies. Kate realizes that the life she has can be over if the past surfaces. Kate comes from an extremely dysfunctional family, and her husband comes from a wealthy and distinguished family.

A mutual friend, Ryan McCann, a journalist, introduced both Kate and Jacob. He is very involved in their lives and the children’s. Ryan confirms the night that Jacob was so drunk that he had a sexual indiscretion. This sexual indiscretion makes Kate question everything about her marriage and her life.

I appreciate that the author discusses important issues such as mental health, rape, sexual and emotional harassment, and stress. I like that the author mentions the importance of honesty, trust, second chances, family, love, and hope. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 is a fantastic debut! A domestic drama with elements of a thriller - you may be unable to set this one down.

Kate Whittier has a loving marriage, two great kids, and a nice life in California. To keep this life she created perfect, she must work hard to keep the past memories at bay. Memories of the trauma and abuse she suffered in her childhood home.

But when her husband, Jacob, confesses to her that he had a drunken night out with the guys and may have received more than a lap dance from a stripper - the horrible memories claw their way to the surface.

Kate finds support from their mutual friend Ryan. He is here to support the couple in any way, including taking Kate back to her childhood home when the news comes that her father is dying. Too many horrible memories, and Daniel, her brother, is still out there.

This is such an intricate story about an abuse survivor. It’s heartbreaking at times to watch Kate try to stabilize herself, to not lose herself to the debilitating effects of trauma on her life. Her brother still threatens her, she worries she may be mentally ill like her mother, and she can’t open herself up completely. We understand why she struggles to cope; we feel her fear, yet we see her strength.

This one comes with many trigger warnings, so be aware! But the writing is so perceptive yet sensitive to very tough topics.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @anastasiazadeik for a tour spot and a gifted copy.

[Erika Bucci | erikalaceyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to say thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours @shewritespress and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book for the tour!

“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙞𝙙𝙤𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡. 𝙏𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙨, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙨𝙮𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙢𝙥 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.”

This book is told in 1st person from the POV of Kathryn AKA Kate. 👉🏻 Swipe for book description. First let me say I was thoroughly shocked to find out this was the author’s debut novel because whewww was that writing good!! This book hooked me from page one. I am a sucker for stories that involve traumatic upbringings and messed up families (probably the social worker/therapist in me 🥴) and this book had all of it! The author did an amazing job with her descriptive writing that pulled me right in. Also coming from a therapist, I absolutely loved the dialogue between Kate and her therapist because it was authentic and seemed real. It wasn’t cheesy like most books portray therapy sessions. I also loved all of the resources the author included at the end of the book. If you can get past the trigger warnings, I highly recommend this book! I can’t wait to see what else the author comes up with.

⚠️TW: rape, sexual assault, abuse, childhood trauma, STDs, mental illness

[Anne Moose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve spent the last two days (and last night until two in the morning) glued to this book. To put it mildly, it blew me away. It’s un-put-downable and excellent on so many levels. The writing is phenomenal, and the story that steadily unfolds, layer by layer, is really compelling, with mysteries and twists that keep you hooked until the end. But the thing that makes it extra special for me is it has a point....it’s about something important, which is something I look for in a book. What this gripping story is about is the damage that is sometimes done to people who grow up in seriously dysfunctional families, and who suffer abuse when they’re young. The story is told in first person by a character who, on the surface, appears to have it all. She’s beautiful, wealthy, and has a devoted husband and two healthy children. But something happens to shake things up. As her world starts to unravel, so does she, revealing a hidden ocean of undeserved shame that is the result of having suffered from a childhood of abuse. Everything in this story rings true, and there is a lot of wisdom here. I simply can’t recommend this book more highly. Bravo, Anastasia Zadeik. Your book is drop-dead brilliant.