Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Change Your Name and Disappear by Rosie Malezer is a truly horrifying account of domestic violence. Tammy had it all - a fantastic family life, friends and career - until she walked into a martial arts studio and met the instructor, Steve. Following a whirlwind romance, Tammy moved in and, from the first night, her life would never be the same again. Follow this brutal account of mental, emotional and physical torture as Tammy tries to hold down a career and keep her sanity while Steve slowly takes it away with every attack. She battles through miscarriages until she finally gives birth to her son, and that is the catalyst to make her leave Steve and try to rebuild her life once more. Steve tries to win her back with promises and when this doesn’t work, he sinks to the lowest depths of depravity. Tammy is constantly let down by the police and even the church. The final attack by Steve left Tammy deaf and blind, and in hiding. This is a story you will never forget reading, and it is an inspirational account of a woman who has faced constant pain, torment and anguish, but has emerged on the other side.

This book is a very realistic account of the mind games played by an abuser. The building of suspense and the accounts of the violence were very cleverly written from the perspective of the victim. The feelings of helplessness and hatred for her attacker are vivid, and especially including her thoughts as a form of dialogue was a great idea. This allowed the reader into Tammy's mindset; she was saying one thing to appease her attacker but thinking something completely different. Tammy didn’t come across as a helpless victim, but rather a young woman who was trapped and couldn’t find a way out. When she left, and throughout the barrage of tragedies, Tammy stayed strong and determined for the most part. I feel her story is one that will inspire strength in women and her story humbled me. An excellent book, highly recommended.