Everybody Else’s Girl, by Sarah Sawyers-Lovett, is set in Tazewell, Virginia. The town has two sides: quaint storefronts and poverty. The author shares what it was like growing up in extreme poverty and violence. It’s a true story, even though at times it’s hard to believe one person was able to overcome so much as such a young age.

Writing a book is a monumental achievement and I always applaud anyone who is able to accomplish this goal. Writing a memoir about sexual abuse, violence, and addiction can’t be an easy project to work on. Yet it’s important for people to share their stories, not just for themselves but for others who might be going through a similar situation. Maybe someone who reads this book will realize they aren’t alone. No two situations are identical but not feeling alone can encourage people to seek help. To talk to a friend. A therapist or anyone.

I admire Sarah Sawyers-Lovett’s bravery. Her memoir isn’t a light read. And as weird as this sounds, it’s a good book. It’s hard to reconcile liking a book about abuse. Her writing is honest and she takes you there. Right into her past. Some of the events aren’t sugar-coated. That doesn’t mean every word will make the reader cringe. The author takes care not to over-do things. She’s not writing to gain sympathy. Nor is she writing to justify her actions in life. She’s just sharing her story and telling it like it was. In addition, she talks about the things that helped her deal with her past and how she was able to overcome her dysfunctional lifestyle.

Everybody Else’s Girl is a powerful memoir. It couldn’t have been easy, but it’s an important work to share with others.