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Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite
Katy Farber's What If It Wasn’t My Fault follows Indie Watson, a teenager trying to navigate life after being sexually assaulted at a party. She wrestles with memories and a relentless sense of guilt. On top of that, she is burdened by her family's problems, such as her dad's distant nature and her mom's exhaustion. Even after her grandfather dies, Indie becomes the 'glue' holding everyone together. But now, she slowly starts pulling away from friends, school, and sports, as she tries to process everything that has happened to her. Her small town doesn't make it any easier: the boys objectify girls, survivors of sexual assaults are judged, and Indie isn't given the support she needs. But over time, she learns she can reach out, especially to supportive people like Becca and her therapist, Dr. Saeed. Even so, will Indie be able to reclaim her voice and accept that the assault wasn’t her fault?
What If It Wasn't My Fault by Katy Farber dives into what it's really like to survive sexual assault in a culture that often blames the victim. Family stress, adult expectations, and gender norms all merge with the trauma, making recovery even harder. Told in free verse, with texts and social media woven into it, the story mirrors the scattered, overwhelming feeling of life after trauma. Friendships, kindness, and mentorship become lifelines for many survivors, as is the case with Indie. Through her journey, Farber candidly explores how hard healing can actually be. Indie’s story is about finding people who have your back, speaking up, and slowly getting your life back. Her journey is really personal, but it also reveals how communities—even now—still treat survivors. It is raw and hits you in the heart, but it also encourages you to consider how much courage it takes to get through trauma and keep going.
