Lies We Tell Ourselves by Steena Holmes ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

“I found her.” One phone call and three whispered words is all it takes for Paige Fischer to risk everything - including her own life. (p 3)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

October 2020; SH Press Inc.; 978-1987877335
ebook, print (388 pages); domestic thriller

Paige and her twin sister Jessica are 16 years old and walking home from school.  When they have an argument, Paige goes home and Jessica disappears.  Now, 12 years later, Paige is working with an organization called CHILD that helps families of children who have disappeared into the world of sex trafficking.  She has a wonderful fiancé and son but won't consider moving forward with her life until her sister is found.  When a local sex ring is discovered in her area, she hopes and prays that her sister will be found even as she helps other families find closure in their lives.

I really don't want to say more about the plot because I don't want to give away any clues but I will tell you that it had me racing through the pages to find out what happened to Jessica.  I planned to read a few chapters of this book on a Saturday morning but ended up doing nothing the rest of the day but reading it  - no cooking or cleaning - because I couldn't put the book down.  I have read and enjoyed all of Steena's books but this one was absolutely her best!

Sexual trafficking is a horrific part of our current society and the information in this book was at times difficult to read but it's something that everyone needs to be aware of.  Education and awareness are the beginning of stopping it and we all need to work to put an end to the sexual exploitation of minors.  

Steena has given her readers a fantastic story about the terrible things that people can do to others and about the bond between sisters that can't be broken.  I read a lot of books every year and this novel is one of my favorites of the year - you don't want to miss it!

Another little teaser:

"Everyone lies: the doctors who say I'm safe, the nurses who promise I'm protected, the police who swear to find my abuser.

Everyone is lying - to themselves, to me

No one can protect me.  No one can keep me safe.  No one will find the man who did this.  Even though he's probably right here, in the middle of this mess, known by everyone." (p17)

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NOTE:  This book is dedicated to all the vulnerable women and children exploited by the sex trade industry.  Portions of every print sale will be donated to RESET Society of Calgary, a registered non-profit organization that provides support and safe housing to women age 16 and overexciting sexual exploitation and trafficking.

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Susan Roberts lives in North Carolina with her husband of over 50 years.  She grew up in Michigan but now calls North Carolina home. Since her travel plans had to be canceled for this year, she is starting to make plans for travel in 2021. She reads almost anything (and the piles of books in her house prove that) but her favorite genres are Southern fiction, women's fiction, and historical fiction. Susan is a top 1% Goodreads Reviewer. You can connect with Susan on Facebook, Goodreads, or Twitter. 

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