From the first page of Grace and Serenity, I was engrossed in this heartbreaking story.

We first meet Grace as a fifteen-year-old teenager and right away jump into her life and how she met her future husband Neil. Grace falls pregnant very quickly into the relationship with daughter Serenity, and the couple marries, though things are already on a downward spiral with her now husband Neil due to the mental and physical abuse he is putting her through.

Finally, she leaves Neil after one too many beatings and goes back to her parent’s home. She finds begin there difficult and struggles to cope when they seem to be taking her husband’s side. Although they seem like loving, caring parents, to Grace they also seem very naive to what Neil is putting Grace through.

Grace finally decides enough is enough, packs her stuff, and leaves, ending up on the streets of her home city Plymouth as she has no-where else to go.

She finds herself in many situations she never dreamed of though this is her only way to survive and cope with the loss of Ren, her baby girl who is with her father.

Months go on and Grace finally plucks up the courage to go back home to her parents, She has to learn to live again and be the mother she always dreamed of and wanted to be but things are not that straightforward. Neil certainly hasn’t changed and doesn’t make it easy for her.

Written in the first person from Grace’s point of view and with short chapters made this easy to read although I was a little disappointed with the abrupt ending as I expected more answers. At times I was shouting for Grace to just stick up for herself and not take all of Neil’s abuse, but I understand this is easy for an outsider looking it to say.

Annalisa Crawford has written a dark, gripping, and emotionally charged story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.