I thought at first that the author caught the problem of Menchausen by proxy as quite believeable. However as the story went on and eventually ended, I felt that parts were not reasonable. Within a twenty-four hour time period characters changed so much they began having warm feelings towards one another. It did not seem plausible, because of the depth of the problem, that the characters and ending should have a happily-ever- after outcome.

4.5 stars

“…only God is bigger than my fears…And that’s Who I’m choosing to hold onto tightly.”

Sadie’s story in Her Good Girl is not an easy read. It’s not a quick read. But it’s an important read. Sadie’s story is one of severe dysfunction all around her, masterfully portrayed by Elaine Stock through varying perspectives and a multi-dimensional cast of characters.

Her mom Tara-Lynn’s mental illness holds Sadie herself captive in an endless round of doctor visits and medications. Most moms don’t douse their daughters with chloroform or shove pills in their mouths on a regular basis to treat illnesses, be they real or a figment of the mother’s imagination. Sadie’s father and grandmother seem safe and loving at first glance, but they’ve effectively tuned out this abuse for years. Her new boyfriend Sky seems to offer stability and protection… until he proposes that Sadie kill her own mother to stop the abuse.

Yet, throughout the darkness that mars Sadie’s young life, a common thread of grace weaves deep.

Mostly this is seen through her unlikely friendship with Callie, the owner of a local cafe who ‘happens’ upon Sadie one day and can’t get the troubled girl off her heart. It’s through the presence of Callie that Stock is able to introduce a survivor of similar circumstances – one who has held tight to Jesus in spite of the abuse she endured growing up. This reliance on Jesus is not presented as a crutch by any means, but rather a powerful Lifeline to cling to in the middle of the storm.

I loved the perspective switch between Sadie (in first person) and other characters (third person). To me, this gave the book an almost psychological-thriller feel and kept my attention riveted to the story. It also helped me connect more personally with Sadie’s character and her story. Yet, it’s the scenes with her father Adam during the cave accident that touched me most deeply, both while taking those scenes at face value and giving weight to their metaphoric purpose.

Bottom Line: Her Good Girl by Elaine Stock is poignant and riveting, a spotlight on generational dysfunction at its worst but also on God’s miraculous grace. Stock tackles an intensely emotional plot with compelling prose, layered characters, a gentle spirit and always HOPE. It’s gritty and real and it doesn’t shy from looking abuse and mental illness in the eye and calling it for what it is. But it’s also tempered with mercy-driven insights and the healing only Jesus can provide. Such a great read – one that you will be pondering for a long time!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower

As is the case with some books, the title drew me to the book to start with. With a title like this, anything could happen. Turns out this book takes another look at Munchausen's syndrome by proxy. This is an issue I have seen before and know a good bit about. It's a form of mental illness and abuse. Sadie has been through so much for so long. What does it take to change? Who do you believe? Who can you trust?

This book is a gritty, in-depth drama showing all sides of a seriously dysfunctional family and a horrific illness. It's not a quick read, it's a serious and deep one. However, hope is not lost or left out in this book. God is still shown through certain characters and it's a story that's worth reading, for the hope that's found within.

My copy came from Celebrate Lit. I have left this review of my own free will. My thoughts and opinions of this book are my own.