What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin
This book was one fantastic debut novel. I was hooked from beginning to end. Because of the rawness and grittiness of it all, the story left me heartbroken at times. But I’m also really glad I gave it a go!! Some books are just meant to be read. Even if the topic is a hard one.
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Lex was taken – trafficked – and now she’s Poppy. Kept in a hotel with other girls, her old life is a distant memory. But when the girls are rescued, she doesn’t quite know how to be Lex again.
After she moves in with her aunt and uncle, for the first time in a long time, she knows what it is to feel truly safe. Except, she doesn’t trust it. Doesn’t trust her new home. Doesn’t trust her new friend. Doesn’t trust her new life. Instead she trusts what she shouldn’t because that’s what feels right. She doesn’t deserve good things.
But when she is sexually assaulted by her so-called boyfriend and his friends, Lex is forced to reckon with what happened to her and that just because she is used to it, doesn’t mean it is okay. She’s thrust into the limelight and realizes she has the power to help others. But first she’ll have to confront the monsters of her past with the help of her family, friends, and a new love.
Kate McLaughlin’s What Unbreakable Looks Like is a gritty, ultimately hopeful novel about human trafficking through the lens of a girl who has escap
What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin
MY THOUGHTS
Just to put it out there, this book won’t be the right one for everyone. There are too many triggers throughout the book, and the topic of sex trafficking is one that breaks hearts.
The author did a fabulous job of putting the reader into the mind of a teenager, rescued from a sex trafficking ring. As I said before, the topic is heart wrenching, and a real life problem all over the world. Because of it the story is incredibly emotional at times. As well as harsh, raw, and gritty.
And even though the topic is not one I thought I could stomach, I was glued to my phone and had no trouble listening the entire day, that’s how intense and all consuming this book was.
I actually enjoyed many of the characters. Their support and friendships meant so much to the main character and to me. It gave me an uplifting feel in all the misery that comes with such a subject. The blossoming love story was also well done, and believable. It also added a bit of hope to the overall story.
The book wasn’t perfect, far from it. But the audiobook was enthralling, the topic heartbreakingly realistic, and for a debut novel it was really well done. Like I mentioned above, I was pulled into the story and easily finished the audiobook in two days.
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What Unbreakable Looks Like by Kate McLaughlin
Wow. This sounds heartbreaking. I don’t know if I could read this one right now. It sounds like it would push me emotionally. I’m not ready for that right now. Great review, though!
It was heartbreaking, not only the story but also the underlying fact that human trafficking happens around every major city. But although it was hard to listen at times, I’m glad I read it. These kind of books really standout from the crowd, and I’m always looking for something different that is 100% captivating.
I don’t think I could stomach it as..it happened TWICE to her! She was rescued and then…. My heart would not survive
yep, it’s definitely not an easy read.
Great review, Corina! I have been seeing this book around for quite a while, but I didn’t even realize what it was about. Sounds like a tough but important read. Adding it to my TBR, but I’ll definitely have to make sure I’m in the right state of mind before picking it up.
It’s a tough topic, and the author doesn’t hold any punches, and I needed to be in the right mind for it too. There are so many books lately that have hit the spot, many of them needed the right moment to be read.