Kimberly is just three years old and living peacefully with her grandmother in Connecticut when her mother unexpectedly appears and turns her world upside down. Kimberly quickly realizes that life with her mother is going to be very different than anything she'd ever known. Ridiculed, beaten, locked up, and neglected daily, Kimberly is denied food, bathroom privileges, and other basic necessities. She's often left alone to look after her infant brother and faces regular beatings for nonexistent infractions. She grows up hearing and believing her mother's lies and that she should have been aborted. Throughout her life, she faces not just abuse, but also loss, rejection, exclusion, and failure. But just when things finally seem to settle down, she uncovers a truth she had never counted on, and it changes her life forever.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I applaud the author for writing her story. I can't imagine how hard it would be to relive the trauma. This is a well written, heartbreaking story. She had so few positive people in her life. It is appalling what was said and done to her, not just by her mother but her brother and other family members. I don't want to give any spoilers but the ending was a surprise.
An Inspirational Role Model To All Victims Before you start this book get a box of tissues close to you and you need, time and quiet to read this book as you will find you want to keep reading it once you start. It is the story of a little girl called who is living peacefully with her grandmother in Connecticut when her mother unexpectedly appears and turns her world upside down. Kimberly is just three years old when she is removed from the only person she has known and who has cared for her. Kimberly’s life is turned upside down as She is often left alone to look after her infant brother when he is born, and she is only a small child herself. Kim is denied food, and bathroom privileges, and other basic necessities. She is ridiculed by her mum, locked up, burn with cigarettes, neglected and beaten daily. Without giving anymore away Kimberlys life is told with such courage and strength as Kimberly relives and tells her story of a childhood which is spent in fear and pain. Every time I thought it cannot get any worse her mothers abuse knows no bounds and this little girl struggles for independence and acceptance as she tries to survive and wonder what she is doing so wrong that her mum hates her and shows no love in this heart-breaking story. Kimberly, you tore my heart out reading your story and I was happy to read how your life eventually has had such a positive and happy outcome. You are an inspiration for all abused victims that life can change and that we can all learn from your story. Thank you for sharing. Kimberly you are not only an exceptional amazing writer but an inspirational role model to all victims that despite all you have gone through you have survived, thrived, become Worthy in your own eyes, and in ours. I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Wow, this book was so enthralling. Worthy is a memoir by Kimberly Plante, describing her traumatic childhood and the ramifications that trauma had on her young adult and later life. To say she came from a dysfunctional family is an understatement. Kimberly's mother was abusive and neglectful, bordering on sadistic at times. Most of her childhood involved attempts to hide or get away from her mother, and some of her happiest memories are from times when she was with other family members, especially her grandma. Understandably, Kimberly left home on her 18th birthday and quickly fell into a young romance which brought financial challenges, young motherhood, and more isolation and loneliness. Over time Kimberly fought the demons of her childhood, gained confidence and self esteem and began to see herself as worthy, but it was a long and bumpy road to get there.
Kimberly's descriptions of her painful childhood are detailed and easy to follow, despite the many awful experiences she must have relived as she wrote them down. It is obvious that she put a tremendous amount of work into dealing with her past, because even her descriptions of the events show both a childlike perspective, yet use language that demonstrates thoughtful analysis of the situation. Overall, this book is extremely well written.
Worthy is not an easy book to read, but it is easy to be drawn in to the story. People who have experienced significant childhood trauma rarely see themselves as worthy of the good things in life. I think that while there may be some triggers in this book, it is one that could be an opening for reflection for survivors of childhood trauma. The author did a truly remarkable job describing her experiences and connecting the dots between the cause and effects throughout her life. I would highly recommend this book and am so appreciative of the opportunity to read and review it with the help of Booksirens. Please note that I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First of all, I commend Ms. Plantes’ courage to share her story. This is an important book for all ie., abused, abuser and those unaware. It’s crucial for those who grew up with an abusive, evil mother to know that they really are not alone and it isn’t their fault. Ms. Plante, you are worthy as well as your story.
A sad, emotional and powerful tale with many twists and turns. A great read.
The author said she was 3 in 1969. Oh my, she's the same age as me. It really makes you think; how different life could have turned out. How it seems that everyone has a loving mum and dad and grandparents when you're at infants’ school. I knew nothing any different about dysfunctional families until many years later; through books, and things in the news.
There are so many sad stories of others' upbringings. Such hard times. I’ve read many memoirs of neglect and ill-treatment like this. You see the same sort of things cropping up. But this book had many other unpredictable happenings, and I didn't see them coming. Very well-written and engaging.
She was swapped around. Sometimes she'd live with her grandmother, then her mother would put in an appearance. Then she'd be out of the picture again. They were happier and easier times when she was staying with her gran.
This was an absorbing memoir. I just couldn't stop reading; wondering which way things would go, and hoping for a good outcome. This has many facets, and I was kept me glued to it; rooting for the author's life to turn around, and change for the better. So many issues, and such a good book, I just didn't know what was going to happen next. How far this lady has come to be able to tell her story.
It was a fascinating and mind-blowing memoir. When you think she's had more than a lifetime of things happen to her……there's more. When you think the book concludes nicely…..there are still more shock finds. It really is a fabulous read.
A terrible, tragic story-but ultimately beautiful and uplifting.
Abuse comes in many form. Abuse that stems from childhood will forever have a long lasting impression on the brain which make’s you question everything in life. Some people never get through the trauma and mask the pain with drugs and alcohol. Kim turned her life around once she noticed that she was found herself in the vicious circle of abuse. She overcame her obstacles and made the life for herself as she had always dreamt of. I know it’s wrong, but I enjoyed this book, I felt as a reader, I grew with Kim as she shared her story. It terrible how everyone had failed her. I’m glad she had a happy ending. I received a copy of this book in regards to an honest review. There were multiple errors throughout the book where the words needed spacing, and paragraphs needed to be joined. I recommend this book to anyone, especially those who have surpassed their own trauma and want to know that they’re not the only ones like them.
Heartbreaking memoir of surviving and ultimately overcoming childhood abuse and neglect. Ms. Plante's testimony is an inspiration for other survivors of childhood trauma. You are not destined to become your parents and it is never too late to make a beautiful life for yourself. I enjoyed this read and admire Ms. Plante's courage to share her story with the world.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book had a lot of triggers in it for me but I knew it probably would when I chose it. Very well written and realistic. I was pleased to see that it didn't just skim over issues but let them play out.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Such a great story of strength and perseverance! I wanted to hug that little girl so much and I was nearly in tears for her. The end when she got to meet her loving family did have me crying happy tears. Great read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
No child should ever have to endure the pain and suffering that Kim did during her childhood and beyond. Kudos to her for growing past it all. The first half of the book is disturbing, however the second half can be totally unwritten. I’ll explain. I’m her father's ex wife, best friend, and care giver for many years. We all welcomed Kim and her family with open arms. After her father passed away, Kim and her sister decided their father didn’t leave them enough. He was very generous to all. He changed his will almost a year before passing, being of sound mind he just saw the writing on the wall. They are contesting the will to get more money and creating much stress and havoc between us all. So the family that accepted her with no questions has just been tossed out. I would have been so happy just to have found my father and felt lucky to know him considering his age. Kim craved people to love her and be proud of her. Contesting the will, do you think your dads proud of you now? He’d be so angry and heartbroken sadly. So much more to say, but you get the point. Not the person we got to know in this book. Let him Rest in Peace.