The main character in this book, Alex, has never had a serious boyfriend before, so when the attractive, and charming new boy, Cole, at school starts to show interest in her she believes she's found her soul mate.
But as their relationship progresses Cole becomes jealous of her close friends Zack and Bethany. He also insults her in subtle ways, threatens her, and physically harms her.
As his violent actions and implications increase Alex begins to question their love. She wants to get help but she's afraid of losing him because after all he was her first love; he's her "soul mate". So she doesn't say anything. She stays with him until one fateful night when he loses his power over her.
This book is an enlightening look into the development of the psychology one experiences during an abusive relationship. While scary and painful this book is also an insightful view of what it's like to be the abused in an abusive relationship. More often than not if we know of someone in an abusive relationship we'll ask ourselves why that person doesn't just break up with their abuser. this book reveals that it's not as easy as saying, "I want to break up." The abusive factor makes is something that holds them back from doing what they know they should for fear of being hurt.
Sources
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This resembles 'relationships' happening today, where one partner stays with the other because they are basically afraid to leave, and it is scary. I have heard stories from a few people who have dealt with similar traumas and thought I can say, it is not easy to 'get away' , the ' love' portrayed is not real, and that's what need to kick in , and have someones mind go blank for a second forgetting all those so called ' good times' to focus on the bad, if there is bad, and bad as in abuse... love is out of the question, and trying to leave should become a priority
ReplyDeleteI can somewhat personally connect with this plot because a family member was abused by their spouse and they stayed in the relationship for a while. Just recently I began to contemplate why this person would stay in the relationship, but there are so many factors why this would be the situation. I truly wish abusive relationships did not exist, but in some ways it always will whether it be a subtle put down or being physically harmed. I am glad that there are shelters for battered women and I believe they have some for men as well, so I definitely support people who escape that toxic relationship. Great book to review!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katarina, a lot of relationships these days are abusive ones, again, heard them say that they are afraid to leave that person. Like Jacqueline, one of my family member's was in a abusive relationship, and she was with him so much, that she lost all of her friends, and he was her only friend, so she thought she had to stay with him.
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