Hope in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum

You can read the first chapters and find additional information on The Patience Books at Ms. Fehlbaum's website.  Here's a bit about Hope In Patience: Fifteen-year-old Ashley Asher has spent half of her life living in fear. Her stepfather has been sexually abusing her for years, but her mother doesn't believe her. After his latest assault lands her in the emergency room, Child Protective Services finally removes Ashley from her home, and sends her to live with the father she barely remembers and his new family.


Her new life in Patience, Texas, is much better. She's in therapy to deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is trying to make her way in a new high school. She's getting used to living with her father, stepmother, and stepbrother, and she's made new friends in the summer course taught by her stepmother, Bev. She even joins the track team at the urging of her new African American friend, Z. Z.

But Ashley is so traumatized by her past that she sometimes scratches herself until she bleeds and sleeps in her armoire, even though she knows she's safe now. Worse, when her stepfather is finally put on trial for hurting her, she learns that truth and justice don't always go together. Will Ashley adjust to a better life? Will she trust enough to date Josh, the cute guy on her track team who likes her? YA readers will be caught up in the heart-pounding story of a damaged girl trying to heal herself and get on with the rest of her life.

My Take

I was fortunate enough to win a copy of this book.  It's ranks right up there with Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.  I will say that Ms. Fehlbaum's book is more about Ashley's survival than her coming to terms with the fact that she has been sexually abused by her stepfather. 

Ashley is trying to move forward in life and realize that she is worthy of the love that her father and stepmother are giving her.  She has to overcome the fact that her mother will never be the person she wants her to be.  Ashley is determined to not let the fact that she was abused define her but for it to meerly be one aspect of her that she will rise above.  This is a wonderful book full of truth and hope.  I'm giving it 4 1/2 tender kisses!