I will say that this maybe feels a little one sided at times but to me that just made the emotion feel all the more raw. We all know I’m not an emotional person but the ending of this book got me! There’s a hell of a lot of rage and trauma in here but also so much hope and strength. It was the perfect balance for me and I adored it with all my heart. It was one of those that I wanted to race through to finish but also for it to never end!

Jodie Chapman - Penguin Books UK Jodie Chapman - Penguin Books UK

Zelda is a rebel who seeks to live life on her own terms, but she’s not entirely successful in leaving her past behind. A story of hope over adversity . . . What each woman goes through will resonate with many. The characters are brought to life in a way that will leave you rooting for them. A touching tale about female friendship, finding strength when you need it most * GRAZIA * Se potessi vorrei rileggere questo libro di nuovo, perché quando ho girato quell'ultima pagina ero devastata.Distinct and so movingly told that as a reader you really root for them to thrive’ – Good Housekeeping

‎A Story Shared Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Zelda, Isobel and Jen all had such unique stories - their voices were clear and distinct even down to their visual style. They all had very different lives, wanted different things, were indoctrinated to different extremes - but as the stories wove together you knew they were all part of something bigger just waiting to take shape. Despite the demands made of them, they are not flawless, soft, compliant women - they can be abrasive, sharp, strong - angry at a world that clearly isn't made for them and desperate for a way to survive.

All in all, I appreciate the novel’s attempts to highlight how much brainwashing occurs in cultish groups and how such religious leaders enforce misogynist practices and discrimination in the name of God. I wish the writing had been more streamlined so as to enhance the impact of the story. Nevertheless, it offers a hard-hitting look at a topic not commonly covered in general fiction. Drawing on her own experiences, Jodie Chapman looks at a denomination of Christianity and how it treats its own when they go against the teachings of the Church. Although the specific religion is never named, readers can draw their own conclusions – although I would recommend doing further research if you’re interested.