A review by wanderingbear
Cuffed by K. Bromberg
5.0
Before I review this book, I do want to warn any survivors of childhood sexual abuse that this story may potentially be a trigger for you.
Now to my review.
Grant Malone has missed his childhood best friend ever since the day he broke his promise to her at eight years of age, and she disappeared. He's never forgotten how she told him she hated him, and that she never wanted to see him again as she was escorted by their teacher from the classroom. It was the last time he saw her.
Fast forward twenty years, he's now a police officer, and while on duty at a large event in town, he comes face to face with the same girl he loved as a little boy. She's even more beautiful than he remembered, but when he speaks to her, she pretends she doesn't know who he is and walks away as fast as she can.
Emerson Reeves is broken. Her best friend betrayed her when she told him a secret. He promised he wouldn't tell anyone ever. They even pinky promised on this one. He told anyway, and then she and her mum became gypsies, moving from place to place to stay safe.
Now she wants to lay down some roots, and an opportunity has come along back in the town she used to call home. Deep down she knew she would run into the boy she blamed for her life going to hell. Only he's no longer that little boy; now he's a sexier than all out police officer with a hero complex, and he wants her.
Can they overcome their past and build a future with one another? Or will their past destroy any hope of them ever becoming friends again?
I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down, except for a few moments where I needed to compose myself.
And I cried.
A lot.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a 'trusted' family member, this book triggered me in ways I hadn't been before. Things I had thought were firmly locked away in the basement of my mind, have come to the forefront over the last couple of days.
Unlike Emerson, I didn't confide in anyone. Too afraid of the consequences of telling, and it getting back to my abuser. It took me over twenty years to acknowledge to myself that it happened to me at all, and another ten or so to confront my thoughts, fears and ghosts. My abuser was never faced with any punishments or accusations as they died before I was brave enough to say anything, effectively ending my many years of abuse.
I have to give Kristy Bromberg a big thumbs up and a thank you. The way in which the abuse was portrayed in this story was done so with care, dignity and without explicit, unnecessary details. For this I am grateful. Reading that she was a real life Grant, without some of the added fiction added to the story, helped me understand how she so tactfully portrayed everything in this book for the reader.
I felt a huge connection to both Emerson and Grant in this story. I found ways that seemed extreme to those around me who know of my background, to deal with my fear and anxiety over what happened to me as well. I also know the guilt and self-hatred. I didn't want to remember either, but after finding someone who loved me for who I am, I was able to deal with it all better. I have someone strong enough to face it all with me. Just as Emerson did with Grant.
'From here on out, we forget the memories and just chase the moments.' - Grant Malone.
This line resonated with me, and I've been repeating it in my head ever since. I'm still fighting my demons. I'm still fighting with my past, but I do want to live in the moment. And I intend on chasing the moments from now on.
One of the best books I have read in quite a long time. I can't even begin to tell you all exactly how I am feeling three days after reading it. I haven't been able to pick up another book since.
If I could give this book more than five stars I would.
I want to give more than five stars.
Thank you, Kristy @kbromberg . I too hope your Olive and her brother have found some happiness in their lives. Thank you for sharing part of your story.
Now to my review.
Grant Malone has missed his childhood best friend ever since the day he broke his promise to her at eight years of age, and she disappeared. He's never forgotten how she told him she hated him, and that she never wanted to see him again as she was escorted by their teacher from the classroom. It was the last time he saw her.
Fast forward twenty years, he's now a police officer, and while on duty at a large event in town, he comes face to face with the same girl he loved as a little boy. She's even more beautiful than he remembered, but when he speaks to her, she pretends she doesn't know who he is and walks away as fast as she can.
Emerson Reeves is broken. Her best friend betrayed her when she told him a secret. He promised he wouldn't tell anyone ever. They even pinky promised on this one. He told anyway, and then she and her mum became gypsies, moving from place to place to stay safe.
Now she wants to lay down some roots, and an opportunity has come along back in the town she used to call home. Deep down she knew she would run into the boy she blamed for her life going to hell. Only he's no longer that little boy; now he's a sexier than all out police officer with a hero complex, and he wants her.
Can they overcome their past and build a future with one another? Or will their past destroy any hope of them ever becoming friends again?
I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down, except for a few moments where I needed to compose myself.
And I cried.
A lot.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a 'trusted' family member, this book triggered me in ways I hadn't been before. Things I had thought were firmly locked away in the basement of my mind, have come to the forefront over the last couple of days.
Unlike Emerson, I didn't confide in anyone. Too afraid of the consequences of telling, and it getting back to my abuser. It took me over twenty years to acknowledge to myself that it happened to me at all, and another ten or so to confront my thoughts, fears and ghosts. My abuser was never faced with any punishments or accusations as they died before I was brave enough to say anything, effectively ending my many years of abuse.
I have to give Kristy Bromberg a big thumbs up and a thank you. The way in which the abuse was portrayed in this story was done so with care, dignity and without explicit, unnecessary details. For this I am grateful. Reading that she was a real life Grant, without some of the added fiction added to the story, helped me understand how she so tactfully portrayed everything in this book for the reader.
I felt a huge connection to both Emerson and Grant in this story. I found ways that seemed extreme to those around me who know of my background, to deal with my fear and anxiety over what happened to me as well. I also know the guilt and self-hatred. I didn't want to remember either, but after finding someone who loved me for who I am, I was able to deal with it all better. I have someone strong enough to face it all with me. Just as Emerson did with Grant.
'From here on out, we forget the memories and just chase the moments.' - Grant Malone.
This line resonated with me, and I've been repeating it in my head ever since. I'm still fighting my demons. I'm still fighting with my past, but I do want to live in the moment. And I intend on chasing the moments from now on.
One of the best books I have read in quite a long time. I can't even begin to tell you all exactly how I am feeling three days after reading it. I haven't been able to pick up another book since.
If I could give this book more than five stars I would.
I want to give more than five stars.
Thank you, Kristy @kbromberg . I too hope your Olive and her brother have found some happiness in their lives. Thank you for sharing part of your story.