Believe Like a Child is a roller coaster ride of emotions, hurt, pain, anger, hope, love, and trust all wrapped up into a neat little bundle that will open your eyes to something that actually happens every single day all around the world. Alessa is dealt a crappy hand from the moment she entered the world. Born into a family that is dirt poor, with only her Grandmother ever showing her any real love, her mother takes in Alessa's uncle to live with them to help pay the bills. At age seven, she begins to endure continuous sexual abuse from him That lasts until the one night that she witnesses her best friend, and really only friend, being shot. Taking off on her own, Alessa endures too many to count highs and lows. When things start going well, something is always waiting around the corner to bring her down. After suffering sexual, mental, and physical abuse from just about everyone she meets, homelessness, and betrayal she never gives up hope. Alessa's strength and resilience is encouraging and you can't help but root for her to over come everything thrown her way.

I had a hard time pulling myself back into my normal life each time I put the book down for the night. Alessa comes to life in such detail you feel like you know her. Believe Like a Child is a no-holds barred, the truth is in your face novel. It is very graphic in parts but I honestly believe it has to be to make it what it is. The cover is haunting, reminding you each time you look at it that hush-hush child abuse really happens and makes your heart break. I found tears running down my face in parts and cheering out load at others. The ending will grip at your heart strings and leave you haunted when you finish the last page.

Believe Like a Child is a wonderfully written first novel by Paige Dearth and I highly recommend reading it. Paige has a real talent to draw you right into her world and keep you captivated until the end.