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Reviewed by Jessyca Garcia for Readers' Favorite
Releasing Me: A Novel by Melissa Payne is a memoir about her life. It is also the story about how Payne learned how to start healing after suffering from sexual abuse as a child. This is a work of fiction but is based on actual events from Payne’s life. In Releasing Me the main character is named Meredith A. Pearson, but the events that occurred actually happened to Payne. I thought Payne’s story was interesting and at times very sad. The poems throughout the book were a nice touch. My favorite one was “Where You Are.”
The characters were very memorable. I absolutely hated Meredith’s mother for being so unsupportive of her. I felt bad for her that the one person who should be protecting her was putting her in harm’s way. Mothers should NEVER put their children second to some man. This happens far too often these days. I thought Meredith’s stepfather was a dirty old man. My hatred for him grew enormously when he forced her to kiss the corpse of his father goodbye. I understood why in later years she avoided her mother completely. I am happy that at least her grandparents were there for her. I was a little disappointed in that Meredith’s stepfather seemed to get away with the abuse. I am glad that Meredith was finally able to heal.
I always try to be aware of my child’s as well as other children’s surroundings, but Releasing Me made me become even more aware. I recommend this book to any sexual abuse survivor as well as any mother who chooses a man over their child’s safety. Your child should always come first.
