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Stop
You have to come to terms with abuse in order to be able to let go. You have to make peace with your past to have a successful future. Colleen Williams yearned for that... A successful future. By writing letters to her abusers Colleen did just that. She made peace with her past. By penning those letters she was able to find the courage to face her ex-husband; the man who was supposed to love her, cherish and protect her. The man, who turned into the complete opposite and instead he hurt and beat her... the one who left Colleen for dead. There are hundreds of thousands of survivors of verbal, emotional, sexual and physical abuse, Colleen is one of them. It took her years to get out of bad situation after bad situation. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to survive and get to where you want to be life. It's Colleen's time to STOP and share her story with you.
188 pages, Paperback
Published April 5, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2021
Stop tells the raw truth of Colleen William’s life story. She has endured sexual abuse and domestic violence by the people she once loved and trusted. After years of being knocked down, she finally made a decision to stop and do something. She put pen to paper, using her power and perseverance to pour it out. Stop will take you on an emotional rollercoaster where you can feel her pain, and some may even be able to put themselves in her place. Come take a ride with her and see how this young woman turned her pain into power. You have to make peace with your past to have a successful future. We all have stories to tell and this is mines.
This is a touching, emotional, and in every sense very raw memoir. It is a detailed account of the author’s experience and survival of abuse from a number of abusers, from pre-teen to adulthood. While this may seem like hard reading, I personally found it very insightful, and took away valuable lessons about self-worth and ‘red flags’, when it comes to relationships that could potentially become abusive. Even as a reader that has never walked in the same shoes the author has, I saw the message, understood it, and then quickly started to admire the author’s bravery. Firstly, for turning her life around, secondly, for being brave enough to write the memoir. There are some very shocking events the author shares surrounding past relationships, which highlighted the length abusers will go to when it comes to control. It pulled on my heart strings yes, but I was turning the pages very quickly!
The writing style was easy to follow, personal and natural. I really felt as though the author was conversing directly with me, I liked this. Within the personal accounts and story-telling of the author’s personal journey, are a number of beautiful and frank poems. I loved them and found them touching.
Overall, enjoyed the emotional journey as a reader, I recommend this book to every woman who has or is currently in an abusive relationship to help with healing and moving forward. I also recommend it for anyone who has not experienced this, but has an interest in subject matter. Five stars from me, a touching memoir that is well worth a read.
(Reviewed by Kim)
This is a touching, emotional, and in every sense very raw memoir. It is a detailed account of the author’s experience and survival of abuse from a number of abusers, from pre-teen to adulthood. While this may seem like hard reading, I personally found it very insightful, and took away valuable lessons about self-worth and ‘red flags’, when it comes to relationships that could potentially become abusive. Even as a reader that has never walked in the same shoes the author has, I saw the message, understood it, and then quickly started to admire the author’s bravery. Firstly, for turning her life around, secondly, for being brave enough to write the memoir. There are some very shocking events the author shares surrounding past relationships, which highlighted the length abusers will go to when it comes to control. It pulled on my heart strings yes, but I was turning the pages very quickly!
The writing style was easy to follow, personal and natural. I really felt as though the author was conversing directly with me, I liked this. Within the personal accounts and story-telling of the author’s personal journey, are a number of beautiful and frank poems. I loved them and found them touching.
Overall, enjoyed the emotional journey as a reader, I recommend this book to every woman who has or is currently in an abusive relationship to help with healing and moving forward. I also recommend it for anyone who has not experienced this, but has an interest in subject matter. Five stars from me, a touching memoir that is well worth a read.
(Reviewed by Kim)
October 11, 2020
Stop by the author Colleen Williams is the first book that I have read by her. This book contains stories and poems about the domestic violence and sexual abuse that author has gone through. I really loved below lines from the poem:
Why are you putting your hands on me?
This is not how I imagined my life to be.
How did I end up with you?
I’m tired of my skin turning black and blue.
I walked away because I know I deserve
better; in a perfect world
I will get love and happiness.
If I stay with you
it will only be sadness and bitterness.
I’m tired of fighting for my life. I never
planned to be an abused wife.
I started to make excuses for you. I started to cover the scars and the bruises, started to blame myself for your sickness.
Then I stopped.
In the letter to her exes, instead of being mad at those guys, Colleen is thankful to them as she is happy and strong today because of whatever happened to her. The world has become so harsh that even neighbor's can't be trusted with a girl child security.
Title of the book is short, sweet and really apt. Cover page is nice. This book motivates the one who is suffering due to domestic violence to come out of such a relationship. I really appreciate Colleen for sharing her life experiences with us in the form of a book. Looking forward to read more books by the author Colleen Williams.
It's a promising read that I strongly recommend to my fellow readers.
Why are you putting your hands on me?
This is not how I imagined my life to be.
How did I end up with you?
I’m tired of my skin turning black and blue.
I walked away because I know I deserve
better; in a perfect world
I will get love and happiness.
If I stay with you
it will only be sadness and bitterness.
I’m tired of fighting for my life. I never
planned to be an abused wife.
I started to make excuses for you. I started to cover the scars and the bruises, started to blame myself for your sickness.
Then I stopped.
In the letter to her exes, instead of being mad at those guys, Colleen is thankful to them as she is happy and strong today because of whatever happened to her. The world has become so harsh that even neighbor's can't be trusted with a girl child security.
Title of the book is short, sweet and really apt. Cover page is nice. This book motivates the one who is suffering due to domestic violence to come out of such a relationship. I really appreciate Colleen for sharing her life experiences with us in the form of a book. Looking forward to read more books by the author Colleen Williams.
It's a promising read that I strongly recommend to my fellow readers.
June 15, 2020
When I sat down to read this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I finished the book in one sitting all I could do was sit in the quiet of my den marveling over the sheer bravery to pen such a riveting masterpiece. The way Williams wrote her book reminded me of a young Maya Angelou or a Toni Morrison pouring her soul unflinchingly upon the page. Yes, there was heartache and pain, but the resilience I found in the book, Colleen's perseverance resonates with me still. If you or someone you love is ever in an abusive relationship, Colleen William's Stop is an excellent place to start the conversation, end the abuse, and ultimately begin the process of healing.
February 3, 2026
From Pain to Power A Truly Transformative Read
Stop! is a deeply moving and empowering memoir that pulls you into Colleen Williams’ world and refuses to let go. Her story is painful, honest, and incredibly real. You don’t just read her experiences you feel them.
What stood out most to me was her resilience. Despite everything she endured, Colleen chose growth over bitterness and strength over silence. This book gave me hope and reminded me that making peace with the past is essential for creating a future you deserve. If you’ve ever felt broken, unheard, or lost, this book will speak directly to your heart.
Stop! is a deeply moving and empowering memoir that pulls you into Colleen Williams’ world and refuses to let go. Her story is painful, honest, and incredibly real. You don’t just read her experiences you feel them.
What stood out most to me was her resilience. Despite everything she endured, Colleen chose growth over bitterness and strength over silence. This book gave me hope and reminded me that making peace with the past is essential for creating a future you deserve. If you’ve ever felt broken, unheard, or lost, this book will speak directly to your heart.
February 3, 2026
A Story That Speaks for So Many Silent Voices
Reading Stop felt like listening to a close friend finally tell the truth she’s been carrying for years. Colleen Williams doesn’t sugarcoat her experiences with abuse and betrayal, and that’s exactly why this book matters. Her vulnerability is brave, and her words are filled with emotion that stays with you long after you close the book.
This book hurt to read at times, but in the best way. It made me reflect, cry, and ultimately feel empowered. Colleen turns her pain into purpose, showing readers that choosing yourself is the most powerful decision you can ever make. Stop! is a reminder that survival is strength, and healing is possible.
Reading Stop felt like listening to a close friend finally tell the truth she’s been carrying for years. Colleen Williams doesn’t sugarcoat her experiences with abuse and betrayal, and that’s exactly why this book matters. Her vulnerability is brave, and her words are filled with emotion that stays with you long after you close the book.
This book hurt to read at times, but in the best way. It made me reflect, cry, and ultimately feel empowered. Colleen turns her pain into purpose, showing readers that choosing yourself is the most powerful decision you can ever make. Stop! is a reminder that survival is strength, and healing is possible.
February 3, 2026
Raw, Brave, and Impossible to Forget
Stop is not just a book it’s a cry, a confession, and a victory all in one. Colleen Williams writes with a courage that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Every page made me feel the weight of her pain, but also the strength she discovered within herself. This story is raw and unfiltered, and that honesty is what makes it so powerful.
As someone who has faced emotional wounds of my own, this book felt personal. It reminded me that healing starts the moment we decide to stop accepting pain as our destiny. Colleen’s journey proves that your past does not define you it can fuel you. This is a must-read for anyone searching for hope after trauma.
Stop is not just a book it’s a cry, a confession, and a victory all in one. Colleen Williams writes with a courage that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Every page made me feel the weight of her pain, but also the strength she discovered within herself. This story is raw and unfiltered, and that honesty is what makes it so powerful.
As someone who has faced emotional wounds of my own, this book felt personal. It reminded me that healing starts the moment we decide to stop accepting pain as our destiny. Colleen’s journey proves that your past does not define you it can fuel you. This is a must-read for anyone searching for hope after trauma.
March 6, 2017
Excellent reading
It was hard to read at first because it opened old wounds. I started reliving experiences I'd buried. But she also documents how to go beyond burying the pain, to living through it and overcoming. I recommend this book.
It was hard to read at first because it opened old wounds. I started reliving experiences I'd buried. But she also documents how to go beyond burying the pain, to living through it and overcoming. I recommend this book.
December 2, 2016
A great story.
This was a great story. I admire the writers courage to make her story known. This is a great testament that lets you know that there is hope and that you can get out of an abusive situation, whether it is mentally, verbally, or physical. As a survivor myself, I highly recommend this to anyone currently going through any type of abuse or anyone who knows someone. You never know, it might save someone's life.
This was a great story. I admire the writers courage to make her story known. This is a great testament that lets you know that there is hope and that you can get out of an abusive situation, whether it is mentally, verbally, or physical. As a survivor myself, I highly recommend this to anyone currently going through any type of abuse or anyone who knows someone. You never know, it might save someone's life.
November 1, 2016
Collection of poems.
This was a book about Domestic violence. It consisted of poems surrounding the hurt and deaths. I could only imagine.
This was a book about Domestic violence. It consisted of poems surrounding the hurt and deaths. I could only imagine.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews