I’m needy.
I’m broken.
Cutting breaks through my numbness, but only opens more wounds.
Depression, self-harm, bullying....that's my reality.
Sex and guys....that's my escape.
The space between the truth and lies is blurred leaving me torn, lost and confused. And while the monsters that live in my head try to beat me-- the two men that I love try to save me.
This is my story of friendship, heartache, and the grueling journey that is mental-illness.
Sometimes you have to get lost in order to be found…
I don’t even know where to start with this review! Gawh…. I have actually owed Therapy for quite some time. I bought it when it was first released and it unfortunately got buried in my massive TBR. Even after I saw all the rave reviews I remember thinking… damn… I really need to read that book. I own it…. I really need to read it. But for some reason or another, life got in the way of me not reading it. Then I saw the blog tour sign ups and I immediately thought, I am all over this!! I need to read this book. Then after reading, my thoughts are now OMGAWD…. Why did I not read this book sooner!!!!!!! DO NOT BE LIKE ME AND LET IT SIT ON YOUR KINDLE!! READ THIS BOOK! It’s so well written and so emotional on so many different levels. I am one that does not cry very easy in books and I freaking cried! It’s been awhile since a book made me feel like this.
Jess is the outcast. She’s a loner that uses sex, alcohol, and cutting to mask her pain. My heart so went out to her. She was constantly bullied by the head cheerleader Elizabeth and her clique. Elizabeth is that bitch I wanted to reach through my kindle and knock her ass out! She is such a bitch on so many levels! On one particular night, Elizabeth stumps to a new low and starts a fight with her at a local hangout spot. What Jess didn’t expect to happen was for Jace, the star athlete of the school and Elizabeth’s boyfriend, to befriend her. This starts a new friendship between the two. Jace, Jace, Jace… Gawh, I just love him…. He has the looks, the personality, and a heart of gold.
“You’re worth more than you think. You have to believe that: then everyone else will too.”
See… what a guy! Just. Love. Him! And let’s not forget this…
““I. See. You. Jessica Alexander.” He cups my cheeks and repeats himself. You need to see you too. If you look deep enough, you’ll see a strong, beautiful girl who has the world at her fingertips. “
Who would not fall in love with that??? He is perfect. They go through their senior year growing closer and closer. But when the fall comes, Jace leaves to go to college and Jess is determined to leave her home she grew up in and not look back. What Jace doesn’t know is that Jess has a secret. She feels like she has to keep this from him and sever all ties with him as it will only bring him down. He has his life ahead of him and she feels like she would just weigh him down. She changes her number, she tells her parents not to tell him where she is… and just like that Jace is no longer in Jess’s life.
Fast forward six years… Jess is still using sex, alcohol, and cutting as an escape. After a DUI arrest she is court ordered to go to therapy. While there she meets Kingsley. He is going through his own personal demons and is attending group sessions to understand things better. Their friendship quickly blossoms and Jess starts to feel something she hadn’t felt in a long time… happiness. You know when things get content, shit going to happen!!!!!!! Seems like Jess’s new therapist is good ole Jace’s finance and he happened to see her file on her desk. He appears at her apartment looking for answers as to why she just left him at that time ago. For him, he still has those strong feelings for her. Even though, he has finance, it’s like the past six years didn’t happen and they are back in high school.
“I belong to you, Jess. My heart has belonged to you since I scooped you off the ground over six years ago. That has never changed.”
Oh lord have mercy… now Jess must choose between two men that she has completely different feelings for. How do you choose? What happens when Jace discovers the lies Jess has kept buried for all these years. When I didn’t think my heart could take anymore, tragedy strikes and it literally left me heartbroken!!!!!!!!!! I so never saw this coming and it left me just shattered! This book is definitely one that is a MUST READ. If you love angst and heartbreak and want a book leaving you thinking, how the hell do I move on from this… this is it!!! 5 HUGE STARS!
I may need Therapy after reading this. It was beautifully painful, touched on sensitive subjects and had me simply oozing with raw emotion.
This book took me on an intense journey filled with beauty, sadness, darkness and heartbreak. Kathryn Perez produced one heck of a story her first go around. She created deep characters that carried the storyline and made it seem so intense, real and at times tragic. The author commanded my attention so easily because it was deep. In fact, I was gutted more than once in this book that dealt with loss, low self esteem, guilt, betrayal and self hatred. It seriously had it ALL. It surprised me, compelled me and fascinated me!
The heroine and hero of this book have had their share of struggles, self loathing and poor judgement. Their paths may lead to misery and misunderstands. But it's their choice and their journey. They at times weren't even responsible for some of the heartache incurred. In life, lessons are learned and we grow from them. Some have it harder than others. No one said life was fair. I encourage you to experience this work of fiction that boarders on dark and was unforgettable.
Jace is a typical teenage boy living with his mom. He has some inner demons and guilt that plagues him from time to time but he's trying his best to cope and thrive.
Jessica is a girl that catches Jace’s attention. They befriend each other and build a beautiful friendship. The relationship is tested. Jealousy and self doubt put a wedge that continuous to grow until it's just to late. Jessica has coping mechanisms that may cause more harm than good. She's been struggling for years.
Sometimes your greatest struggles become your biggest challenge. Finding your way is the hard part. It's the end result and what you learn getting there. This book opened my eyes up to issues that hinder many.
Jessica's experiences will have you ponder and question your life and decisions made. You may empathize for her, pity her and even dislike her at times. But this flawed girl brought this story to life and then some.
Some quotes I enjoyed:
"Everyday I pray they'll forget about me, and I'll become invisible. But they never do."
"I love you, Jess. All of you: the good, the bad, and the imperfect. I love it all."
"I love you for you, Jess. Your past doesn't define who you are. Biography isn't destiny."
Kathryn Perez's book is intense, angsty and heartbreaking. She sucks you in and holds you prisoner til the last page. She has made her mark in the literary world that is for sure. Her words are poetic and painfully beautiful. I implore you to read Therapy it is significant and magnificent.
Kathryn lives in her small East Texas hometown with her family. She 's a music infused writer and self-proclaimed book junkie. When she isn't listening to music, writing or reading you'll probably find her watching her favorite sport, UFC.
Kathryn is also an anti-bullying advocate and avid supporter of mental-illness and suicide awareness.
