I really liked the straightforward manner in which Carolyn told her story. She was able to recount the horrible things she went through as the wife of Merril Jessop without a lot of anger coming through. That's not to say she doesn't have anger but she didn't let it cloud the story she was trying to tell.

I appreciated how she repeatedly pointed out that her husband, Warren Jeffs, and their ilk were not following the principle of polygamy correctly. She gives examples of other polygamist relationships in her community in which the husband and wives were happy. (That is before Jeffs came to power. Once he was in charge, no one was really happy.) When she recalls her grandmother's explanation to her of the spirituality behind the principal of polygamy, it actually seems to make sense. (As much sense as any religion makes to a person who is not a part of it.)

This book was published before the raid on Warren Jeffs' Yearning for Zion ranch in 2008 but it does explain how Jeffs rose to power in the FLDS church and why he had such a hold on his followers. There are other denominations besides the FLDS that practice polygamy and may not be as cult-like as the FLDS, which I think is important to keep in mind. I really enjoyed reading Carolyn's story - she is a strong, intelligent woman and that came through in her story.