A Family Secret

My Shocking True Story of Surviving a Childhood in Hell

By: Maureen Wood

Narrated by: Rachel Atkins

‘Each time my mother laid a finger on me… it was another step into the jaws of hell. Her abuse, more so than any other, destroyed me. It was the ultimate betrayal.’

Abused from the age of eight by her older brother and then her step-father, Maureen Wood quickly became numb to the constant suffering. But Maureen’s world crumbled when her own mother started to abuse her too…

A Family Secret is the harrowing true story of how one little girl survived sickening abuse by the people who should have loved her most, and how an innocent baby finally saved her.

©2021 Maureen Wood (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

This book is the best

This is the best book I have listened to in a long time. And I’ve listen to hundreds of books. I highly recommend it

heart break and tears

loved it .But was so sad .Yet glad she stood her ground and won at end.

Love

So happy to hear a story about a woman who brought herself back from hell. Congratulations to you and your family.

It happens more then people think

I really enjoyed this novel. It helps people realize that sometime home isn't the safest place to be. But with trust into other and hard work people can over come the odds of not repeating history.

Such a Great Read!!!

Narration is WELL DONE! Seriously, the book is well written and the narration is emotional. Great read and the triumph at the end is heartwarming and inspiring!

I felt as though I lived her life

As a little girl she didn’t get help and suffered for it. Why didn’t she tell the Doctors.

INCREDIBLE AND INSPIRING!!!!!

This is one of my most favorite books I have ever read in this genre. The sincerity, directness, poetic flow and triumph of Tori Johnson’s autobiography are etched in my mind and have helped me clarify parts of my own childhood trauma. This books has also given me pause about all of the years I have kept my own family secrets, the rage I feel towards my mother who turned the other cheek while I was being abused, called me a liar, and verbally abused me herself with constant talk about how disgusting woman’s bodies were. I have years of poetry and writing that I want to make public before she and my father die. So thank you vicTORIous!!!!!

Moving

I’m glad I listened to this. I wouldn’t listen a second time. It’s touching and horrifying and heartwarming at the same time.

Gripping, raw and inspiring!

As I listened to this book, I cannot imagine the God-awful horrors she had to survive! As I listened further, I realized she is not even 5 years younger than I. I cannot imagine having to live, survive, care for myself, and endure the horrors that she had to. Her grit and courage is unmatched and inspiring. An incredible story, incredible book and God bless her for coming out of the situation on top and STRONG!!

Hard to Listen To but Very Good Book

The Subject matter of the abuse is extremely hard to listen to and at times I had to take a break, but I knew the end would be good and that's what kept bringing me back.

I myself endured a mother as heartless as this one, though not near the extent of this mother. I reached the age of 35 when I decided enough was enough and cut her out of my life completely and started my healing process. This book helped me realize that I am doing the right thing. No matter your age, it's never to late to stand up for yourself and stop being bullied by an abuser whether it sexual, verbal, mental, or any other kind of abuse.

I do feel though that the narrator was very quiet compared to other books I have listened to.

This book is a hard read but well worth it in the end.