Trigger warning: sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, murder

Mary killed a baby. Allegedly.

This book is intense. It brings up so many issues that I appreciate it so so much. If anyone needs a really good discussion book this is it. Just beware of the feelings okay?

Mary's story is one that would make many people curl up into a fetus position and never get up again. She has been convicted for murdering an infant. She lives in a group home run by an overweight demanding woman and a number of incredibly violent and relentless young women. She has to sneak around with her boyfriend Ted.

And then she gets pregnant. Which is a whole can of worms for any 15 year old, let alone someone in Mary's position.

Her circumstances are presented in such a raw, unforgiving, no sh** way that it's admirable. Because this is a life lived by some people and nobody needs to sugar coat it.

I personally found a little slow and am glad that I read this one as the audiobook version. The narrator is truly great at her rendition of the story.

There is also an event near the end

Spoiler

involving New Girl and a set of stairs

that kinda threw me off a little. It felt a bit forced and the plot was too distracting from the main storyline for me.

Though the actual ending was perfectly executed in my opinion. I thought it truly brought home all the conflicted, ugly feelings this book is forcing you to experience.

A truly good book about the child protection system, juvenile justice, and the American justice system.

See my full review and more over at my blog!.