Scan barcode
novellenovels's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
sharonleavy's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up for kindle thinking it was Katie's first book. This is actually the follow-up, documenting her first move away from her parent's home and how she coped with loneliness and self-confidence after her attack.
I'm actually really glad I got the wrong one - I'm familiar with Katie's story after seeing a documentary about her a few years ago. In 2008, aged 24, Katie was brutally attacked and raped by her then-boyfriend. An accomplice of his then walked up to Katie in broad daylight and threw a cup of acid in Katie's face - leaving her with horrific external and internal burns, as well as being blind in one eye. Both men are serving a life sentence.
This story picks up two years later - Katie no longer has to wear a special mask on her face, and she is ready to move out on her own. She is working for charity, the Katie Piper Foundation, that helps people who are burned or scarred. Katie is understandably very nervous - she is very honest in this book, even down to worrying about the Sky engineer coming to her house, about a strange man knowing her address.
With the help of her friends, she decides to go out and try to meet a partner because of her crushing loneliness. Tales of dates that didn't go well were heartbreaking to read, I was willing Katie on and hoping she would find happiness.
Those of you who follow her on social media or who have seen recent updates will know how this turns out - it was a lovely, well-written book and a lesson in courage. Katie struggles with things that I take for granted on a daily basis - even swallowing - and not once does she come across as a victim. She is a beautiful, strong woman and this was a lovely read. I started it in bed and couldn't put it down until I was done. Lovely book.
I'm actually really glad I got the wrong one - I'm familiar with Katie's story after seeing a documentary about her a few years ago. In 2008, aged 24, Katie was brutally attacked and raped by her then-boyfriend. An accomplice of his then walked up to Katie in broad daylight and threw a cup of acid in Katie's face - leaving her with horrific external and internal burns, as well as being blind in one eye. Both men are serving a life sentence.
This story picks up two years later - Katie no longer has to wear a special mask on her face, and she is ready to move out on her own. She is working for charity, the Katie Piper Foundation, that helps people who are burned or scarred. Katie is understandably very nervous - she is very honest in this book, even down to worrying about the Sky engineer coming to her house, about a strange man knowing her address.
With the help of her friends, she decides to go out and try to meet a partner because of her crushing loneliness. Tales of dates that didn't go well were heartbreaking to read, I was willing Katie on and hoping she would find happiness.
Those of you who follow her on social media or who have seen recent updates will know how this turns out - it was a lovely, well-written book and a lesson in courage. Katie struggles with things that I take for granted on a daily basis - even swallowing - and not once does she come across as a victim. She is a beautiful, strong woman and this was a lovely read. I started it in bed and couldn't put it down until I was done. Lovely book.
More...