Don't Expect Me to Cry by Janet Bentley is a detailed account of her life. The trust between children and adults, especially guardians, is special and should not be broken. Janet was raised in an abusive family. The sexual abuse by her father started as early as four years old. At a very young age, she was forced to play the role of a parent for her younger siblings. There were so many hopes when Catherine became her friend, and she introduced Janet to a church where she could be loved and surrounded by caring people. Not long after, Janet was disappointed, but how can the church perpetuate abuse? To find out more about her marriage, dealing with a diabetic daughter, her battle with mental health issues, and fighting cancer, get a copy of this book.

Don't Expect Me to Cry by Janet Bentley took me through various emotions. I had to hold back tears in some instances. The book was thought-provoking and an eye-opener. It got me thinking about the role of families and society in stopping abuse. Janet also vividly explained all the events and emotions, making the book very relatable. Her story is one of hope and resilience, and I believe it will greatly help those who have faced similar circumstances. I loved the emphasis on getting help, the patience, and the resilience to rise above it all. I look forward to reading something else by Janet and also hope more people will have the courage to come forward, write more, and combat abuse.

The book is narrated by Janet Bentley herself, and she did not disappoint. The sound clarity and voice quality were amazing. Her tone, which was soft and steady, was very welcoming and added to the beauty of the book. She did not just narrate it; she brought the book to life to the advantage of the listener.

Don't Expect Me to Cry: Refusing to Let Childhood Sexual Abuse Steal My Life by Janet Bentley is an astounding memoir of Janet’s life telling the story of sexual abuse she suffered continuously from her father, his friends, and many others whom she hoped she could trust. It is also a story of Janet’s uphill struggle to create her life and overcome the inhibitions and misgivings planted in her mind by her early life traumas. Janet wrote her memoir chronologically, starting with her childhood and guiding the reader through the lows and highs of her life, introducing her family, friends, and doctors, and talking about their roles and impact on her life. An important part of the story is how Fundamentalist and Mormon churches affected Janet’s upbringing.

Don't Expect Me to Cry by Janet Bentley is a brilliant, praiseworthy work, both in its story-telling quality and social relevance. Janet meant for it to help other sufferers of childhood sexual abuse. I am not a victim of any abuse, but having witnessed my dad’s decades-long struggle with his mental health issues, I found Janet’s story highly relatable. From my standpoint, I think that Janet’s memoir is invaluable for everyone with an interest in mental health. Psychiatrists, nurses, and family members will find a lot of useful information in Janet’s honest and heartfelt feedback on the words and acts of a doctor, a family member, or a nurse. Janet’s emotionally challenging, thought-provoking, and optimistic story lingered in my memory long after I finished listening to it.

The audiobook is narrated by Janet Bentley herself, and I think this is the best choice of narrator Janet could make – her clear and distinct voice, her confident tone, and her well-paced and unemotional storytelling enhance the messages with the power, strength, and courage of a true survivor. The sound quality is excellent, and in only five hours of listening time, Janet has given me as her audience more than I could wish for – the account of the challenges she has been through, her failures and successes, and most importantly, her life-asserting “never give up.” I wholeheartedly thank Janet for her courage, effort, and determination to share her story with the world.