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I Did Tell, I Did: The True Story of a Little Girl Betrayed by Those Who Should Have Loved Her
Cassie was just a little girl who wanted to be loved. Betrayed by her mother in the most horrific manner, and abused by her 'uncle', she had to fight to survive the demons of her past. Cassie couldn't remember when the abuse began, but from an early age she knew that her life was different from other children. Her mother made it clear that she wasn't wanted, she wasn't loved and He said that he was her friend, that this was his way of showing her that she was special. With no one else to turn to, finally she found the courage to speak out, to tell her mother what he did to her. But her mother wouldn't listen, and with horror, Cassie was to discover exactly who her abuser was, and why she would never be heard. I Did Tell, I Did is the incredible story of a girl who was betrayed by everyone who should have loved her, and how she overcame the pain to find happiness and love, and to learn how to live with her past.
292 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 7, 2021
I didn't like this book, for some reason I believed the writer was looking for fame and acceptance, that why i couldn't relate to her pain. For every awful action she encountered, she had to justify it to her own favour. In this book she described herself as the victimised Mother who sacrificed her life for her kids. I didn't see any sacrifice toward her son who she abandoned. And after reuniting with him, she lost him again because of her cold and pathetic promise to the adopted father. This whole thing was just absurd. And the fact that her kids haven't suffered from her on and off addiction is truly far fetched. Yet she still described herself as the perfect mother.
July 27, 2010
Cassie Harte was born to a mother who never wanted her, and a father who could never stand up to that mother for the cruel way she treated their little daughter. There were no hugs, no birthday parties, no christmas worth remembering for little Cassie. That in itself was bad enough, but for Cassie there was a whole lot more heartache in store.
I have to say that I'm amazed by this womans strength, the things she has accomplished, and her sheer will to live. So many people in her situtation would have chose suicide or really completely lost it, but somehow she came through it all. She might have emotional scars, but what great soldier comes out of battle without such scars? Yes I compared her to a soldier. She might not have been fighting a physical war, but her battle is definantly one that deserves recognition.
May God continue to answer your prayers Cassie, I don't know anyone who deserves it more.
I have to say that I'm amazed by this womans strength, the things she has accomplished, and her sheer will to live. So many people in her situtation would have chose suicide or really completely lost it, but somehow she came through it all. She might have emotional scars, but what great soldier comes out of battle without such scars? Yes I compared her to a soldier. She might not have been fighting a physical war, but her battle is definantly one that deserves recognition.
May God continue to answer your prayers Cassie, I don't know anyone who deserves it more.
February 24, 2013
Very sad book, i would have loved to have given her the biggest hug whilst reading this and tell her it would be ok. Such a sad story of a lonely child whos siblings were treated like gold and she was like a piece of dirt that came off a shoe. Her mother hated her with a passion for no good reason even turning a blind eye while her daughter was abused for years and calling her a liar when Cassie dared to speak out. It will bring a tear to anyones eye, it certainly did to mine.
February 4, 2010
This is a truly awful thing that happened to her, but as far as the writing goes it's really badly written and very repetitive, at one point I thought my bookmark had been messed with and that I was reading the same chapter again, but it turned out that it was just repeating the same stuff from a previous chapter almost word for word.
September 14, 2012
This is a deeply emotional story of extreme sexual abuse, and terrible child abuse. It was very well written (I don't know what the other reviewer was talking about when she said the book was repetitive - the author's life was repetitive, these aweful things repetatively happened to her). If you can stomach the subject matter, it's definitely worth a read.
August 29, 2010
A girl who got abused by her father since she was young. She have no one to turn to and a mother who doesn't believe her. It's a heart breaking true story that's gonna make you realise how lucky you are.
November 8, 2011
This was a dreadful life and one that no one should have to go through. It made me cry and yet amazed at how she turned her life around. She should have been a credit to her Mother not a trial. She makes me feel humble.
May 17, 2012
I don't know if I just have a heart for these books, but this was one I really enjoyed. I particularly liked reading about her childhood, about her memories, about her troubling problems.
I felt bad for her, particularly in regards to her "uncle".
I felt bad for her, particularly in regards to her "uncle".
August 30, 2012
Once again I am rating a book with 5 stars, but the thing is - I am not a great reader and only go past page 30 if I love it. I read this book in one day and cried like a baby. Worth reading if you don't mind getting a little upset.
May 14, 2014
What an amazing true story and how brave of the author to share it with the world. To grow up in a house where you are not loved is hard to imagine (having come from a very loving household) but the horrors Cassie faced were unthinkable! What a poignant story!
January 1, 2010
This Book Was soo sad, Cassie Harte Is Such an Insperation To us, what she went through was real emotional Disturbing Abuse, I hope she goes far, she deserves to be happy.
January 16, 2010
so sad i read it all in 1 day and was cryin all the way through the book
April 24, 2010
Sad story and it brought me to tears towards the end of the book .
August 28, 2010
I found it extremely sad, and was very upset that she could not see her son anymore.. not much I can say really, you have to read it to get the full emotions.
August 29, 2013
This book made me absolutely cry and infuriated with some of today's parents. There are some people who should just not be allowed to have children!
November 25, 2013
this story is amazing and its like a life lesson that we can use it .
February 8, 2014
awsome story and exactly as my own life story too... love it
April 11, 2016
My Review
I chose this rating because I thought that it was good. Upsetting but yet healing in its own way. Some may disagree but they should read it before passing bad judgement.
I chose this rating because I thought that it was good. Upsetting but yet healing in its own way. Some may disagree but they should read it before passing bad judgement.
September 11, 2020
I loved this book!
Really heart wrenching and raw - so interesting throughout and really tugs on the heart strings
Really heart wrenching and raw - so interesting throughout and really tugs on the heart strings
April 23, 2019
Cassie’s story is one of terrible and heartbreaking abuse from the people who are supposed to love her the most. This book was hard to stomach, nobody enjoys reading about a child enduring some of the worst pain imaginable but I felt I owed it to Cassie to read on. The writing flow is easy to get into and I finished this book within a day. I did find parts repetitive, I understand that some of this was for emphasis on her mother’s cruelty, such as when she would stop her from visiting friends. But the word choice was exactly the same on multiple occasions which meant I kept thinking I had reread the same sentence. That being said, I disagree with other comments about over-description, I actually found the descriptive writing style useful for understanding Cassie’s mentality.
Perhaps the biggest issue I have with the book is the last 1/3rd of the story. Up until this point I had complete and utter sympathy for Cassie, but the situation with her son made me start to dislike her. Whilst everything that happened to her in her childhood was completely and utterly unfair, I found the latter part of her story sad but I felt it was mean to blame everything on the social workers involved in her case. I also found it inappropriate to suggest having a child adopted is worse than having a child die, I think this is a statement many many people would disagree with. Again, I also found it inappropriate to continuously berate the social workers for doing their job - putting children in where they feel is the best place possible. Some of the descriptions could have been handled with more sensitivity to readers, in my opinion. But I commend Cassie’s strength in publishing this novel.
I cannot imagine what it is like to endure such pain throughout childhood and to lose custody of a child in later life. Cassie’s story is heartbreaking and this book is a worthy read, if you can stomach the topic.
Perhaps the biggest issue I have with the book is the last 1/3rd of the story. Up until this point I had complete and utter sympathy for Cassie, but the situation with her son made me start to dislike her. Whilst everything that happened to her in her childhood was completely and utterly unfair, I found the latter part of her story sad but I felt it was mean to blame everything on the social workers involved in her case. I also found it inappropriate to suggest having a child adopted is worse than having a child die, I think this is a statement many many people would disagree with. Again, I also found it inappropriate to continuously berate the social workers for doing their job - putting children in where they feel is the best place possible. Some of the descriptions could have been handled with more sensitivity to readers, in my opinion. But I commend Cassie’s strength in publishing this novel.
I cannot imagine what it is like to endure such pain throughout childhood and to lose custody of a child in later life. Cassie’s story is heartbreaking and this book is a worthy read, if you can stomach the topic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2012
This was a sad horrific tell of one little girl trying to find love from someone who wouldn't hurt her, her mom. Cassie held on to the hope that someday she would be good enough for this person to love her just a little. She sought out protection from the one person who was suppose to pretect her no matter what, but just kept throwing her into the fire. If it hadn't been for Cassies's best friend Claire and her family Cassie may not have made it.
It is a terrible thing when A child tries to hold on to the hope that if she or he is good enough that thier parent will love them. That they keep trying to please the parent. I think it is even more terrible when the child realizes that it was the parent's problem and not the child. The child was and is loveble, was and is a good person, and what was and is being said about the child it the parent's problem. It doesn't make it easier to know that but one does come to except it a little easier.
And for Uncle Bill, he should have been shot on the spot and Cassie's mom should have been shot for not helping her and believing in her. Why in the world wouldn't a mother question a 7 year old when she told her what was Uncle Bill was doing to her, how would a 7 year old know about sex at that age.
Cassie was and is a very lucky lady that she has come through to the other side and is able to live a very happy life now. Kudo's to Cassie. Thanks for your story.
It is a terrible thing when A child tries to hold on to the hope that if she or he is good enough that thier parent will love them. That they keep trying to please the parent. I think it is even more terrible when the child realizes that it was the parent's problem and not the child. The child was and is loveble, was and is a good person, and what was and is being said about the child it the parent's problem. It doesn't make it easier to know that but one does come to except it a little easier.
And for Uncle Bill, he should have been shot on the spot and Cassie's mom should have been shot for not helping her and believing in her. Why in the world wouldn't a mother question a 7 year old when she told her what was Uncle Bill was doing to her, how would a 7 year old know about sex at that age.
Cassie was and is a very lucky lady that she has come through to the other side and is able to live a very happy life now. Kudo's to Cassie. Thanks for your story.
April 27, 2015
Hope for Cassie
Kept me interested. Kept waiting and hoping Cassie would get the answers she so desperately wanted. To make a life from such brutal abuse was commendable. Couldn't put book down.
Kept me interested. Kept waiting and hoping Cassie would get the answers she so desperately wanted. To make a life from such brutal abuse was commendable. Couldn't put book down.
January 7, 2016
A brilliant, life-changing book
Cassie tells her story so clearly and truthfully. How she managed to get through her horrific childhood and young adult life so bravely and turn her life around afterwards really made me cry. She is a wonderful person and I wish her all the best.
Cassie tells her story so clearly and truthfully. How she managed to get through her horrific childhood and young adult life so bravely and turn her life around afterwards really made me cry. She is a wonderful person and I wish her all the best.
August 11, 2017
It was one of the first books I read, and I was probably only in the 5th or 6th grade - just goes to show that age doesn't matter when it comes to another girl's relatable experiences... Cassie Harte's writing is just touching and makes you all emotional.
December 1, 2017
This is a very difficult book to read.. Several times I had to set it aside for a moment.. How any one could treat a child like that is beyond me.. I'm sad the mother and the creepy pervert didn't die in prison.
January 12, 2019
A truly heartbreaking tale of a girl who had was betrayed and abused by the woman who brought her into this world, with some very sinister twists, Inspiration woman who overcame such horrendous things
April 9, 2012
the story was very hard to read in parts... but compelling to some extent. She isn't a great writer though, it wasn't written very well, but a quick read for the most part.
October 22, 2017
Very touching story. It was based on a love hate relationship. She never stopped trying. Heart wrenching. This story will touch you deeply.
February 11, 2019
Because of a little girl and her family got devices
February 9, 2021
So Many Betrayals, Yet She Triumphs
Cassie experienced a lonely, tormented and sometimes brutal childhood that no child should have to experience. How unnatural to have a mother who not only doesn't treat you with kindness but will not protect you and makes no secret that she doesn't care much less love you. You see your siblings taken care of and loved but at a very young age are pushed into the hands of a predator you are made to call "Uncle," your godfather who is as far from Godly guidance as he could possibly be. You tell your mother and are not believed and punished. Later you find that this pervert is actually your biological father and your mother permitted his abuse. Here I would say to Ms. Harte that YOU are not at fault! It is not YOU who was EVER unlovable or bad but your "mum" and the perpetrator.
You were betrayed so many times by those who should have done something to protect you. I'm sorry no one dared act on their concerns or suspicions and by not acting, you endured more suffering. I have been there and am a fellow survivor but at least I had A FEW supportive people that tried to help. I am also sorry your eldest turned her back on you for not agreeing to lie for her. I pray that one day she will understand the error of her ways and realize that once you give up your integrity and choose lies over truth, you have sold YOURSELF out! Perhaps one day she will understand...
As for my actual review, I gave this book 5 stars because of the meticulous attention to detail and the fact that it was easy to follow despite what could have been a complicated storyline. It is also a hard to put down read! You won't find epic adventures and colorful characters in these pages but that isn't uncommon for the subject matter and genre. What you WILL find is a family with very real problems and a little girl who despite all odds, not only survives but despite having no "good mother" in her own life, manages to be a great mother AND a triumphant human being!
Cassie experienced a lonely, tormented and sometimes brutal childhood that no child should have to experience. How unnatural to have a mother who not only doesn't treat you with kindness but will not protect you and makes no secret that she doesn't care much less love you. You see your siblings taken care of and loved but at a very young age are pushed into the hands of a predator you are made to call "Uncle," your godfather who is as far from Godly guidance as he could possibly be. You tell your mother and are not believed and punished. Later you find that this pervert is actually your biological father and your mother permitted his abuse. Here I would say to Ms. Harte that YOU are not at fault! It is not YOU who was EVER unlovable or bad but your "mum" and the perpetrator.
You were betrayed so many times by those who should have done something to protect you. I'm sorry no one dared act on their concerns or suspicions and by not acting, you endured more suffering. I have been there and am a fellow survivor but at least I had A FEW supportive people that tried to help. I am also sorry your eldest turned her back on you for not agreeing to lie for her. I pray that one day she will understand the error of her ways and realize that once you give up your integrity and choose lies over truth, you have sold YOURSELF out! Perhaps one day she will understand...
As for my actual review, I gave this book 5 stars because of the meticulous attention to detail and the fact that it was easy to follow despite what could have been a complicated storyline. It is also a hard to put down read! You won't find epic adventures and colorful characters in these pages but that isn't uncommon for the subject matter and genre. What you WILL find is a family with very real problems and a little girl who despite all odds, not only survives but despite having no "good mother" in her own life, manages to be a great mother AND a triumphant human being!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews