3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
In life, some young women are exceptionally blessed to have a mother and best friend built in one. In other cases, some women are lucky to escape their childhood lives and be able to successfully build a life for themselves. In A Quiet Place to Grow, author Lysa Rochelle tells the story of a young woman who has been dealt a hand of turmoil in her adolescent life.
Published in August of 2018, A Quiet Place to Grow features Deloris Toliver as the main character and revolves around the relationships she has with her mother, father, sisters and several significant men who have treated her with less respect than any woman deserves. Finding out she's pregnant at age 16 was hard enough, but being unsure of who fathered her child and a traumatizing childhood seems more than the young woman can handle. When Deloris is forced to marry Jasper, the man most likely to have fathered her child, the two are thrown head first in a life that neither had pictured. Threated with a rape accusation, Jasper agrees to marry Deloris, although that means giving up everything he had planned for himself.
When a dangerous man from her past shows up, Deloris is forced to face the possibility that her life could begin to get even more complicated. As her mother stirs up lies and drama with the ultimate goal of elaborately making Deloris miserable, her only way out seems to be to rise over the odds against her. When even more secrets from her past are pulled to light, Deloris is forced to face her demons, allowing her the perfect opportunity to see just once and for all why her family seems to have always turned their backs to her.
Family drama seems to be the most prominent theme expressed in A Quiet Place to Grow. While the story does feature a bit of romance, this is certainly not your average "page-turning romance novel." The in-depth drama and constant battling that the main character is faced with seems a bit overbearing at times, but ultimately adds a connection between the reader and Deloris. I found myself rooting for the young girl, in hopes that she would finally be able to escape her horrible past and have an opportunity to make a decent life for herself. The character development from the first few chapters to the last is what I would consider one of the best depictions of growing up that could be portrayed in a novel with such a deep background into a desperate childhood. There are triggering themes within the story that some readers may be uncomfortable reading. With lengthy details into the life of child prostitution, abuse and rape, it's fair to say that this story isn't a match for everyone.
I was pleased with the editing services for A Quiet Place to Grow, as I was able to read the story smoothly without pause due to errors. I did feel at times that the story seemed to change direction rather suddenly and then just as suddenly revert back to the original ideas. Although the back and forth did feel overwhelming at times, I wouldn't expect less from a story with this much depth. Always a fan of an entertaining plot twist, A Quiet Place to Grow did not disappoint with the ability to keep me second guessing how the ending would play out. I'm pleased to rate A Quiet Place to Grow 3 out of 4 stars and would recommend to readers who are looking for something to completely become engulfed in. While I wish I could give a full 4-star rating, I did feel that parts of the story seemed a bit over the top, but as a true fan dramatic reads, I was able to put my expectations aside and enjoy the story in a way the author intended.
******
A quiet place to grow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like klbradley's review? Post a comment saying so!
