When Jasmine goes to a party with her best friend she has no idea what to expect. She is only a sophomore after all. Shortly after their arrival she catches the eye of the most handsome boy she has ever seen. She is overwhelmed by his attention soaking up every moment as the most envied girl there. He is the man of her dreams.
Or is he truly a nightmare? Jasmine’s best friend sees a dark side to Tyler Winegard and cannot understand why Jasmine is so blind to it. As the relationship deepens Jasmine finds herself having to fight to prove her love to him as he becomes more demanding and controlling with each passing day. Can she bring back the attentive sweet and charming boy she fell for or will he steal everything from her including her sanity and her life?
Professional Reviews
True Survivor
This story is not for the faint of heart. I am proud beyond words of Renee for putting this story on paper, because I understand firsthand just how difficult it can be. This heartbreaking tale of a young girl, named Jasmine, you will find yourself crying and feel her pain so deeply. She is a survivor, much like the author who wrote it.
I wish that this subject matter, domestic violence, was more prevalent in our world, because it is more prevalent than most people realize. Renee has taken a stand with this novel and I feel it will do great things.
Abuse Over Time
Sophomore Jasmine has a best friend and aspirations as a photographer. When she meets Tyler, everything melts into the background. He is everything to her, even when his behavior isn’t understandable or nice, but he showers her with attention, even demands it. Who is she to say no?
While I appreciate stories like Survivor, I felt like this particular tale was missing much of the important parts of a good story. When I think of survivor stories I think of Speak and how amazing that book is. This book, though it ended well, glossed through much of the action. As can be seen by the lack of dialogue, most of the action was told to the reader. The narrator was not as detailed or forthcoming with thoughts or emotions like I think someone in an abusive situation would be, even if they were negative thoughts and emotions. I never truly felt connected to the characters or the plot, though I was mad as all get out at Tyler and him getting away with his behavior. To that end, the ending was immensely satisfying and the climax contained all the tension that the beginning and middle were trying to reach.
Once again, no credit for the professional reviewers. But I am pleased to see in the second review, that you allowed some criticism to be aired along with the positive. Since you are a PTSD survivor, perhaps of boyfriend/spouse abuse, it might be better for you to write this kind of book as a true memoir rather than a fictional tale. Written in the first person, you could convey much emotion and make the story seem real for the reader.
A page-turning novel about a relationship between best friends that is interrupted because of betrayal , deceit, sexual promiscuity and pregnancy happens!
