At six years old, the author was ready to confront the abuse inflicted upon her by her mother. The random viciousness of her mother’s attacks along with her constant mind games crippled the young girl’s confidence. Unfortunately, abuse would follow her into her adult years as she would be subjected to cruel indignities by a manipulative and controlling husband who concealed his nature behind a loving facade. Her attempts to escape the constant pain of daily life led her to find refuge in self-destructive behaviors, such as drug addiction. Gethers needed to gain control of her life, and the first step would be in reaching out for help and allowing herself time to heal and learn to love herself. Her healing and self-assessment would put her on the path to aiding others.

Trauma is not an easy thing to overcome, depending upon the inciting incident, but it may seem insurmountable when it is a collective trauma occurring throughout one’s life. In relaying her own painful experiences, the author seeks to comfort those going through similar ordeals. The book provides an important step-by-step guide in taking back control of one’s life and learning to live for oneself. The author’s powerful advice appeals to those who blame themselves for their victimization and urges them to stop their self-flagellation. The book succeeds on both a sympathetic and empathetic level, as the author has experienced the abyss and was able to step back from it. Gethers has written a first-rate self-help book and memoir with the ability to reach a large and grateful audience.

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