What Unbreakable Looks Like: A Novel by Kate McLaughlin – My Review

Title:

What Unbreakable Looks Like: A Novel 

Author: Kate McLaughlin 

Release Date: June 23rd 2020

Genre: Young Adult

Lex was taken–trafficked–and now she’s Poppy. Kept in a hotel with other girls, her old life is a distant memory. But when the girls are rescued, she doesn’t quite know how to be Lex again.

After she moves in with her aunt and uncle, for the first time in a long time, she knows what it is to feel truly safe. Except, she doesn’t trust it. Doesn’t trust her new home. Doesn’t trust her new friend. Doesn’t trust her new life. Instead she trusts what she shouldn’t because that’s what feels right. She doesn’t deserve good things.

But when she is sexually assaulted by her so-called boyfriend and his friends, Lex is forced to reckon with what happened to her and that just because she is used to it, doesn’t mean it is okay. She’s thrust into the limelight and realizes she has the power to help others. But first she’ll have to confront the monsters of her past with the help of her family, friends, and a new love.

Kate McLaughlin’s What Unbreakable Looks Like is a gritty, ultimately hopeful novel about human trafficking through the lens of a girl who has escaped the life and learned to trust, not only others, but in herself.

This book really blew me away. It brought out many emotions that I felt deeply in my soul. I cried more than I ever have while reading a book and it’s not a bad thing. This may be a hard read for some readers. Proceed with caution. We follow Alexa’s “Lex” on her recovery from sexual trauma. Her own healing process isn’t pretty and it isn’t meant to be. Lex struggles with her demons and the things that has happened to her. Through all of it, she finds her voice. She refuses to be a victim and her strength shines through. I applaud her! I was rooting for her the whole way. 

The author did an amazing job on both the story and the characters. The story is emotional. One of the things I appreciated was how relatable it was. Some of the situations I have seen in real life. Like I mentioned earlier, I cried a lot. Most of the characters have a special place in my heart. I look forward to reading more from this author! Even though the subject isn’t a nice one, I highly enjoyed this book. I give this 5 stars. 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*