Abandoned, by Elisa Dane | Book Review #201

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My name is Tierra Owens, and I like to kiss. A lot. It numbs the hollow ache in my chest and—for a few minutes—makes me forget how truly alone I am. My mother is an alcoholic. She hates me and insists I’m the reason she’s not married to my father, whom I have never met. My best friend, Kaylee, is the only person who knows the real me. Everyone else sees what I want them to: a happy, confident, popular girl who has the world at her feet.

I am a fraud.

Relationships are forbidden. I avoid them at all costs. Sex? Emotions? Those things make a person vulnerable, and vulnerability always leads to heartbreak. When my childhood crush, Mattie shows up at school my world tumbles off its axis. The shell I surround myself with feels more like a pathetic crutch than a protective barrier, and I find myself wanting things. Daydreaming about what it would be like to have a boyfriend, a relationship—love.

The sad fact is: I’ll never have any of those things. I am unworthy—trash. Which is why my mom abandoned me.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Verbal Abuse, Assault, Stalking, Car Accident Resulting in Death, Parent with Alcohol Addiction, Abandonment.

I was able to read Abandoned via Instafreebie.

There’s only one point of view within Abandoned, and that view is from Tierra. Tierra’s had a rough childhood, but the story is more so about Tierra’s life in the now. Early on in the story we get to know Tierra and her situation pretty well. We’re given a glimpse into the hell that she lived with for almost 18 years.

As much as I liked the book, there are a few things that I had a problem with. Let me say this though: the story within Abandoned is incredibly lifelike. OK, the thing that bothered me most about this story is how heterosexual-typical it was. It was apparently alright for girls to smack guys when the girls were teased, and it was completely OK for the guys to get all macho to protect the girls.

Only nearing the end of the book, did Tierra’s life turn towards getting better. And by the end of the book, everything was wrapped up in a neat little bow — which I enjoyed reading.

All in all, Abandoned was a pretty quick read. I managed to finish this book within hours of starting it.