Forgiven are the Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller

Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed

by Christine Doré Miller

My rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Evernight Teen (April 24, 2019)

Publication Date: April 24, 2019

Genre: YA | Abuse |Social Issues

Print Length: 172 pages

Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Sixteen-year-old Andrea Cavanaugh is elated when Josh, a bright-eyed piano prodigy, becomes her first boyfriend. But the closer she gets to him, the more she realizes that he's not the boy she first fell for. In its poignancy and emotional darkness, Forgiven are the Starry-Eyed takes you deep into the delicate and devastating web of shame that spirals from the depths of dating violence when dreamy teenage love turns dark. Andrea must find not only an escape, but a belief that she is even worthy of freedom.

Forgiven are the Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller

Andrea is that teen who doesn’t get into trouble, is pretty much “wash and wear,” an uninvolved parent’s dream, the girl who gives no one any problems, therefore is overlooked by those who should be watching for “changes.” She was also ill-equipped to know where to turn, who to turn to and how to speak up for herself, she is a teen drowning in trouble.

Christine Dore Miller’s FORGIVEN ARE THE STARRY-EYED will gut you, bring out your rage and hopefully open some eyes and hearts.

Andrea is a victim of parents who are uninvolved, friends who betray her, peer pressure and her own emotional immaturity and insecurities and she fell for a predator and lost what little self-esteem she had.

Josh is a mentally twisted predator and he uses his power over Andrea to quickly tear down her heart and ravage her soul, as well as her body. She gave him the power to control her, because she was never provided with the tools or the strength and support to say stop.

This author has brilliantly told a tale of pain as seen through the eyes of Andrea, a sixteen-year-old girl. Readers will see that many details are left foggy, underdeveloped, but that Andrea stands in stark relief, after all, we are looking through Andrea’s eyes.

Be prepared to be in uncomfortable, guilty disbelief. Be prepared to rage and to realize that the system, her family, all of us let her down. Posters do not work, billboards will not work, handouts piled on a desk will not work, people shaking their heads will not work…action works and if action or “getting involved” works for just one person, it is a start. But always start by looking at your own world and never be afraid to reach out to someone who may be screaming inside for help. And let's not forget about those who let Josh down, too.

A must read for anyone who knows how to read. Share it, talk about it and make a difference. Thank you Christine Dore Miller for one of the most powerful reads I have ever seen.

I was invited to read complimentary ARC edition from Evernight Teen! This is my honest review.