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I Got It From Here: A Memoir of Awakening to the Power Within
Growing up in an Italian American family in Queens, New York, in the ’70s, Francesca Miracola was trained from an early age to keep up appearances at all costs—but behind closed doors, her parents’ toxic marriage served as a blueprint for dysfunction. So when she met Jason Axcel at a bar as a twentysomething, she ignored all the red flags—and there were plenty of them—and dove right in, normalizing his emotional and physical abuse just like she’d learned to do. She even married and had two children with him. But something in her clicked one night when Jason strolled out the door after a vicious fight that left her degraded on the floor, and she decided she was done.
Except Jason wouldn’t let her go.
Even after they finally divorced and Francesca fell in love with someone else, her ex-husband was keen enough to recognize that she was the same broken girl he’d met a decade earlier, and he exploited that fact at every turn. He called the cops to her home with bogus claims; he bombarded her with provoking emails and texts; he stalked her every move; and, worst of all, he used their little boys as pawns in his campaign. Then he went for the jugular and sued her for custody. But Francesca was stronger than he’d given her credit for.
Raw and illuminating, I Got It from Here is one woman’s story of saving herself and her children from the grips of a sociopath posing as a family man—and from the inherited trauma passed down by her own family of birth—while learning to trust in the inner voice that’s been trying to guide her all along.
Except Jason wouldn’t let her go.
Even after they finally divorced and Francesca fell in love with someone else, her ex-husband was keen enough to recognize that she was the same broken girl he’d met a decade earlier, and he exploited that fact at every turn. He called the cops to her home with bogus claims; he bombarded her with provoking emails and texts; he stalked her every move; and, worst of all, he used their little boys as pawns in his campaign. Then he went for the jugular and sued her for custody. But Francesca was stronger than he’d given her credit for.
Raw and illuminating, I Got It from Here is one woman’s story of saving herself and her children from the grips of a sociopath posing as a family man—and from the inherited trauma passed down by her own family of birth—while learning to trust in the inner voice that’s been trying to guide her all along.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
7 people are currently reading
1814 people want to read
About the author
Francesca Miracola
1 book13 followersFrancesca is an Italian American from Queens, NY, currently living on Long Island, but in her mind she’s a free-spirited wanderer. She wants to travel the world, but she’s afraid to fly, although a glass of wine gets her through most flights. Francesca’s mostly an introvert who greatly prefers deep, meaningful conversations to surface small talk. She keeps her circle small, and she’s still debating if that’s a good or bad thing. She’s a breast cancer survivor, but she rarely defines herself as one – probably because she feels like she’s been surviving something most of her life. She’s funny; at least, she makes herself laugh. Francesca graduated cum laude from New York University and worked in financial services for twenty-five years, even though she wanted to be a therapist. That’s probably because she needed a therapist. Francesca finally wound up on her true path as a student and teacher of A Course in Miracles, author, life coach, and founder of Protagonist Within LLC. Francesca is a wife, a best friend, and above all, a mother.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 20, 2023
Miracola's debut novel tells the raw and insightful story of her journey to peace after her tumultuous marriage and divorce. She keeps the reader hooked as she navigates through the story of her life and how she had to keep going and fight harder for what she believed in. It was a fantastic read that left me thinking about her and her family's happiness through to the very end.
December 22, 2023
Didn't "Wow" Me
As my subject line for this review indicates, the book didn't "wow" me. It kind of plodded along with nothing particularly earth shattering or attention catching except for when the sociopathic father got unreasonably angry at his youngest son (he favored the oldest who is only a year older) that he didn't love him as much as he did the older little boy. I had hoped at that point, things would move along. But, given the topic covered in the book (domestic abuse, sociopathic behavior, legal battles etc) I'm rather glad it didn't.
Also, if you're considering purchasing the book and you're Italian as I am, perhaps I should add that Italians (as well as Greek Orthodox ) are portrayed as shallow, volatile, chaotic and dysfunctional people to some extent based on the author's experiences in her own family as well as with her husband and in-laws times two. (She divorced Jason and married Theo a while after.)
I'm glad the author was starting to work on herself because while domestic abuse is no one's fault except the abuser, the author knew from the beginning that she didn't love Jason, that she thought he was "creepy" and odd, she knew her mother didn't like him at all, and soon after her dad didn't either but she married him anyway because she worried about appearances and what people would think as well as whether her family would be judged along with her. Then again, her parents were also quite dysfunctional but in different ways to some extent.
I can see why her self esteem is trashed but I think she should "own" the mistakes she made as well! If you hate the dysfunction and drama, don't approve of dad's abuse of mom and others, you don't turn around and let your parents pay for a divorce (after paying for your wedding AND your education) from someone you KNEW you didn't love or want to be with from well before you married him. That's irresponsible.
However as I said, I know the author felt trapped not only by circumstances but also she wasn't in a place to stand up for herself or her children or recognize her own worth! I hope and pray you got your children some counseling as well. The boys will likely need it.
As my subject line for this review indicates, the book didn't "wow" me. It kind of plodded along with nothing particularly earth shattering or attention catching except for when the sociopathic father got unreasonably angry at his youngest son (he favored the oldest who is only a year older) that he didn't love him as much as he did the older little boy. I had hoped at that point, things would move along. But, given the topic covered in the book (domestic abuse, sociopathic behavior, legal battles etc) I'm rather glad it didn't.
Also, if you're considering purchasing the book and you're Italian as I am, perhaps I should add that Italians (as well as Greek Orthodox ) are portrayed as shallow, volatile, chaotic and dysfunctional people to some extent based on the author's experiences in her own family as well as with her husband and in-laws times two. (She divorced Jason and married Theo a while after.)
I'm glad the author was starting to work on herself because while domestic abuse is no one's fault except the abuser, the author knew from the beginning that she didn't love Jason, that she thought he was "creepy" and odd, she knew her mother didn't like him at all, and soon after her dad didn't either but she married him anyway because she worried about appearances and what people would think as well as whether her family would be judged along with her. Then again, her parents were also quite dysfunctional but in different ways to some extent.
I can see why her self esteem is trashed but I think she should "own" the mistakes she made as well! If you hate the dysfunction and drama, don't approve of dad's abuse of mom and others, you don't turn around and let your parents pay for a divorce (after paying for your wedding AND your education) from someone you KNEW you didn't love or want to be with from well before you married him. That's irresponsible.
However as I said, I know the author felt trapped not only by circumstances but also she wasn't in a place to stand up for herself or her children or recognize her own worth! I hope and pray you got your children some counseling as well. The boys will likely need it.
May 8, 2023
This memoir tells the story of a young woman who found herself in an awful relationship with seemingly no way out. When Francesca was a young adult, her Italian parents pressed upon her the importance of finding a good husband and settling down, asap. Although her parents didn't love the man she chose, they also didn't seem to see the signs that Francesca saw from the beginning, that this was not the right man for her. In the end, Francesca chose the confident, personable, Jason to be her husband, despite not feeling attraction or love towards him. After they married, her life became horrendous, with small children, an abusive and sociopathic husband, and a limited support network, Francesca risks everything to protect her children and herself from the maniac she married. After many years fighting custody battles, trying to protect her children, especially her middle child who was often the target of their manic father, and insurmountable legal fees, Francesca finally finds her way through the chaos and learns what in life is truly worth fighting for.
Once I was about 20% into the book it became impossible to put down. I found that the legal battles and the drama with her chaotic ex-husband and his family were absolutely enthralling. It was like each step of the way something more absurd happened. I also wanted so badly to scream about the awful system she was fighting and the corruption she uncovered. It is awful to think that a loving mother had to fight so hard to protect her children from their abusive and mentally unstable father and nearly loses everything at each turn in the story. It is heartbreaking to know this was a true story, but there is also much to be learned about perseverance and the lengths a mother will go to for her children. This is a very well written and interesting book and one I would definitely recommend!
Once I was about 20% into the book it became impossible to put down. I found that the legal battles and the drama with her chaotic ex-husband and his family were absolutely enthralling. It was like each step of the way something more absurd happened. I also wanted so badly to scream about the awful system she was fighting and the corruption she uncovered. It is awful to think that a loving mother had to fight so hard to protect her children from their abusive and mentally unstable father and nearly loses everything at each turn in the story. It is heartbreaking to know this was a true story, but there is also much to be learned about perseverance and the lengths a mother will go to for her children. This is a very well written and interesting book and one I would definitely recommend!
May 21, 2023
I Got it From Here is a memoir detailing the abusive relationship the author experienced in her first marriage and the nightmare of coparenting with an abusive, manipulative, narcissistic man. Ms. Miracola was dragged to court through most of her kids lives trying to maintain custody of them while her ex did everything he could to make her live in fear.
🔺Memoir
🔺 Domestic violence
🔺 Strong female lead
🔺 Inspirational
This was a quick, easy read and I couldn’t put it down. The author easily brought me into the emotions she was feeling. I admire her strength while she went through all of that. It was eyeopening about how maddening the family court system can be. I appreciated that the author was vulnerable and reflective on her own emotions and reactions.
It ended with a woman finding her strength which I love but I also wanted to know so much more. I was left with some unanswered questions definitely wanted more and hope she writes more books about her life.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy memoirs. It could be a validating read for others who have experienced abuse like this.
“Dealing with his abuse seemed easier than dealing with failure.”
“The generational baton is sneaky that way.”
Thank you to Books Forward for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
🔺Memoir
🔺 Domestic violence
🔺 Strong female lead
🔺 Inspirational
This was a quick, easy read and I couldn’t put it down. The author easily brought me into the emotions she was feeling. I admire her strength while she went through all of that. It was eyeopening about how maddening the family court system can be. I appreciated that the author was vulnerable and reflective on her own emotions and reactions.
It ended with a woman finding her strength which I love but I also wanted to know so much more. I was left with some unanswered questions definitely wanted more and hope she writes more books about her life.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy memoirs. It could be a validating read for others who have experienced abuse like this.
“Dealing with his abuse seemed easier than dealing with failure.”
“The generational baton is sneaky that way.”
Thank you to Books Forward for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2023
A memoir that’s bound to touch many lives.
I Got It From Here: A Memoir of Awakening to the Power Within
By Francesca Miracola
Published April 25, 2023
Miracola’s debut novel is beautifully written, and unfortunately, many women will be able to relate to it
-A dysfunctional family.
-A marriage, more out of convenience than love, even with warning signs evident
-A controlling, man
-A woman who desired peace enough to be subservient
Had I not seen and read about so many situations like this it would have been hard for me to have comprehended the actions of both Francesca and her husband. But, this is believable and presented in a manner that made me feel sure it would be a priceless resource for many women.
For those who don’t fall into any of the above categories, it’s a memoir that held my interest and helped me realize the unfortunate outcomes that can occur from not trusting ourselves.
It also illustrated the ability to slowly regain control of your life, even when it has every indication of being impossible.
This is a sad story, but one full of examples for others to learn from. I highly recommend it.
My thanks to Booksforwardpr and She Writes Press for a copy to review.
I Got It From Here: A Memoir of Awakening to the Power Within
By Francesca Miracola
Published April 25, 2023
Miracola’s debut novel is beautifully written, and unfortunately, many women will be able to relate to it
-A dysfunctional family.
-A marriage, more out of convenience than love, even with warning signs evident
-A controlling, man
-A woman who desired peace enough to be subservient
Had I not seen and read about so many situations like this it would have been hard for me to have comprehended the actions of both Francesca and her husband. But, this is believable and presented in a manner that made me feel sure it would be a priceless resource for many women.
For those who don’t fall into any of the above categories, it’s a memoir that held my interest and helped me realize the unfortunate outcomes that can occur from not trusting ourselves.
It also illustrated the ability to slowly regain control of your life, even when it has every indication of being impossible.
This is a sad story, but one full of examples for others to learn from. I highly recommend it.
My thanks to Booksforwardpr and She Writes Press for a copy to review.
May 25, 2023
The author’s story is gripping as we see her go through an unhealthy marriage and tough life. Just when you are rooting for her as she gets out of there, her husband won’t let her go. The red flags seem so obvious when you are looking from the outside but I know that’s not the case when you are in the midst of something. I’m glad the author shared her story, perhaps it will help others recognize their own red flags and get out before it’s too late.
Another mesmerizing memoir from She Writes Press. They always have the most intriguing memoirs. Gift this memoir to a struggling woman in your life or read it yourself to put yourself in someone else’s shoes (the best reason to read a memoir.)
Another mesmerizing memoir from She Writes Press. They always have the most intriguing memoirs. Gift this memoir to a struggling woman in your life or read it yourself to put yourself in someone else’s shoes (the best reason to read a memoir.)
November 10, 2023
I Got It From Here is a memoir about the author’s life of marriage and divorce and finding herself in the midst of it all. It was a fascinating read and getting to know the author. I love how the book captures her story and her fight. Written in a way that takes us along with her journey, readers will find themselves turning every page.
Memoirs have been a new avenue for me, but I love reading about other people’s lives. It is so rewarding to read about other people and their stories, struggles, experiences, etc., and this book shows just that. If you’re looking for a hard to put down book, then this is for you!
Memoirs have been a new avenue for me, but I love reading about other people’s lives. It is so rewarding to read about other people and their stories, struggles, experiences, etc., and this book shows just that. If you’re looking for a hard to put down book, then this is for you!
April 6, 2025
The author’s experience of meeting and marrying someone who seemed like the perfect match in many ways, and then having to endure the divorce from hell, which her ex drew out and out basically because he could. While the story never lags, it was never completely clear to me why she married and then had two kids with him, since it was obvious to her from the beginning she didn’t even like him. People marry for all sorts of reasons, obviously, but her reasons for marrying him didn’t quite convince me. Nevertheless, I thought it was well-written and made some excellent points.
December 19, 2025
I Got It From Here is raw, fearless, and deeply empowering. Francesca Miracola tells her story with unflinching honesty pulling readers into a cycle of inherited dysfunction, abuse, and silence, then showing exactly how she shattered it. This memoir doesn’t just recount survival; it captures the electric moment when a woman reclaims her voice, her power, and her life. Painful, inspiring, and impossible to forget, this is a must read for anyone who believes healing begins the moment you choose yourself.
August 13, 2023
In I Got It From Here, Miracola shares her story of leaving an abusive relationship and dealing with the aftermath. I think it portrays an important aspect of domestic violence - that the abuse does not end when someone leaves the relationship. The frustration and hopelessness you feel while reading reflect Miracola's ability to share her experience so fully. No spoilers, but based on where this book ends, I think I would definitely enjoy a second memoir building from there.
October 1, 2023
I couldn’t put this book down. Feels a tad weird to give 5-stars to such a sad story. As a volunteer guardian-ad-litem for neglected and dependent children, my heart broke for the trauma the kids endured from their father.
May 8, 2023
An intimate open look at the authors personal journey.So thoughtful so well written highly recommend.#netgalley #shewritespress
July 30, 2023
Couldn’t put it down! I can’t believe this is a true story.
October 11, 2024
I didn't like reviewing memoirs....
I thought her story lacked her emotions. She had a long hard battle. I couldn't feel her pain :(
I thought her story lacked her emotions. She had a long hard battle. I couldn't feel her pain :(
January 1, 2024
So, I have one question.
Why did you marry him?
Why did you marry him?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews