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Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir
USA TODAY BESTSELLER For readers of I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, a candid and heart-wrenching memoir about child abuse, family secrets, and the healing that begins once the truth is revealed and the past is confronted. Andrea is four and a half the first time her father, David, gives her a bath. Although she is young, she knows there is something strange about the way he is touching her. When her mother, Marlene, walks in to check on them, she howls and crumples to the floor—and when she opens her eyes, she is blind. Marlene’s hysterical blindness lasts for weeks, but her willful blindness lasts decades. The abuse continues, and Andrea spends a childhood living with a secret she can’t tell and a shame she is too afraid to name. Despite it, she survives. She builds a life and tells herself she is fine. But at age thirty-three, an unwanted grope on a New York City subway triggers her past. Suddenly unable to remember how to forget, Andrea is forced to confront her past—and finally begin to heal. This brave debut offers honest insight into a survivor’s journey. Readers will feel Andrea’s pain, her fear, and her shame—yet they will also feel her hope. And like Andrea, they will come to understand an important though healing is complicated, it is possible to find joy and even grace in the wake of the most profound betrayals.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
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3084 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
July 15, 2025
This was a deeply touching, raw, and emotional memoir. Although hard to read at times, it was also hard to put down. I don’t normally post trigger warnings in my reviews, but I feel that this book may be too triggering for some. The major triggers in this memoir are: incest, SA, self-harm, and betrayal.
This memoir is broken down into Three Parts. In Part One (1962-1969), at only 4 1/2 years old, Andrea’s father gives her a bath for the first time. Her mother walks in and catches her father doing something very bad. Andrea’s mother then faints, and wakes up blind. Her mother is admitted to a hospital for two weeks, and still cannot see due to “hysterical blindness”. However. Andrea’s mother (Marlene) thinks this happened because her husband was giving their daughter a cold bath… In the meantime, it is to be just Andrea and her father’s ‘secret’ as to what happened.
In Part Two (1969-1981), Andrea was going through her teenage years learning that she had no boundaries. She was taken advantage of by boys, and could not form a healthy, meaningful relationship with a boyfriend. As Andrea went away to college she was achieving everything she wanted academically, yet she was falling apart physically and emotionally. She began to have recurring flashbacks from her childhood and her times with her father (and the ‘secrets’ they shared together). Andrea sees a psychiatrist for the second time in her life, and he fails to believe her and makes her question her reality.
Part Three (1989-1992), an incident happens to Andrea on the subway in NY, which once again triggers her past. She finds a new female therapist, one she can finally open up to. She then goes to a 12 day recovery/grief program, where she is able to open up for the first time in her life. This was heartbreaking as no one had ever believed her in the past, and she was betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect her.
The Epilogue along with the rest of the book was just phenomenal. This is one memoir that I highly recommend reading. The author also indicates that 25% of all royalties will be donated to RAINN (The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Absolutely remarkable!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, She Writes Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading.
Publication date: October 14, 2025
Genre~ Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction (adult)
This memoir is broken down into Three Parts. In Part One (1962-1969), at only 4 1/2 years old, Andrea’s father gives her a bath for the first time. Her mother walks in and catches her father doing something very bad. Andrea’s mother then faints, and wakes up blind. Her mother is admitted to a hospital for two weeks, and still cannot see due to “hysterical blindness”. However. Andrea’s mother (Marlene) thinks this happened because her husband was giving their daughter a cold bath… In the meantime, it is to be just Andrea and her father’s ‘secret’ as to what happened.
In Part Two (1969-1981), Andrea was going through her teenage years learning that she had no boundaries. She was taken advantage of by boys, and could not form a healthy, meaningful relationship with a boyfriend. As Andrea went away to college she was achieving everything she wanted academically, yet she was falling apart physically and emotionally. She began to have recurring flashbacks from her childhood and her times with her father (and the ‘secrets’ they shared together). Andrea sees a psychiatrist for the second time in her life, and he fails to believe her and makes her question her reality.
Part Three (1989-1992), an incident happens to Andrea on the subway in NY, which once again triggers her past. She finds a new female therapist, one she can finally open up to. She then goes to a 12 day recovery/grief program, where she is able to open up for the first time in her life. This was heartbreaking as no one had ever believed her in the past, and she was betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect her.
The Epilogue along with the rest of the book was just phenomenal. This is one memoir that I highly recommend reading. The author also indicates that 25% of all royalties will be donated to RAINN (The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Absolutely remarkable!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, She Writes Press, and the author for an advanced digital copy of this book, in which I had the pleasure of reading.
Publication date: October 14, 2025
Genre~ Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction (adult)
July 24, 2025
I received a free copy of, Such a Pretty Picture, by Andrea Leeb, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a very hard read, I cant imagine being sexually abused by my father, and having such a cold hearted mother. This is a touching and heavy memoir. It seemed like all the adults in her life failed her, so sad.
October 8, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Oct. 14, 2025
Andrea Leeb’s heartbreaking and emotional memoir, “Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir” is an up close and personal depiction of the physical, emotional and sexual abuse that Andrea suffered at the hands of her father (and inadvertently at the hands of her mother, by her avoidance and purposeful ignorance of the issue).
At four years old, Andrea was molested for the first time, while she’s being given a bath by her father. When her mother walks in and discovers this, she suffers from what doctor’s diagnose as ‘hysterical blindness’. Andrea’s father uses this diagnosis to remind Andrea of what could happen to their family if she tells. Even after her mother is healed physically, her mother completely ignores Andrea’s plight, living in a world of denial. Andrea lives, barely, until adulthood, keeping this secret and, when she finally tells a trusted psychotherapist, she is belittled and her claims are ignored.
Fans of Dave Pelzer ’s “A Child Called "It"” or, more recently, Jennette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, will be touched by Leeb’s devastating story. Not only was Leeb betrayed by those who were supposed to love and protect her, but when she finally did tell someone, her claims were deemed false, time and time again.
“Picture” provides a realistic and painful view of the many ways the systems around Leeb failed her.
Obviously, this is not a light story, but it ends on a positive note. Finally, Leeb is able to tell her story and be listened to, and believed, which makes all of the difference.
“Picture” is more than Leeb’s story, it is a story of survival, bravery and strength, which Leeb has in spades. For those who share experiences like Leeb, “Picture” may give them solace and consolation and for those of us who have not had these traumatizing experiences, Leeb’s memoir stirs compassion and understanding.
Leeb’s memoir is an emotional read but it is also inspiring, as Leeb went on to become a successful lawyer and finally find peace and safety in a monogamous relationship. Her adult relationship with her parents is complicated, and no doubt readers will have an opinion on this, but I admire Leeb for the honesty and openness that she has brought into the world through “Picture”.
Expected publication date: Oct. 14, 2025
Andrea Leeb’s heartbreaking and emotional memoir, “Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir” is an up close and personal depiction of the physical, emotional and sexual abuse that Andrea suffered at the hands of her father (and inadvertently at the hands of her mother, by her avoidance and purposeful ignorance of the issue).
At four years old, Andrea was molested for the first time, while she’s being given a bath by her father. When her mother walks in and discovers this, she suffers from what doctor’s diagnose as ‘hysterical blindness’. Andrea’s father uses this diagnosis to remind Andrea of what could happen to their family if she tells. Even after her mother is healed physically, her mother completely ignores Andrea’s plight, living in a world of denial. Andrea lives, barely, until adulthood, keeping this secret and, when she finally tells a trusted psychotherapist, she is belittled and her claims are ignored.
Fans of Dave Pelzer ’s “A Child Called "It"” or, more recently, Jennette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, will be touched by Leeb’s devastating story. Not only was Leeb betrayed by those who were supposed to love and protect her, but when she finally did tell someone, her claims were deemed false, time and time again.
“Picture” provides a realistic and painful view of the many ways the systems around Leeb failed her.
Obviously, this is not a light story, but it ends on a positive note. Finally, Leeb is able to tell her story and be listened to, and believed, which makes all of the difference.
“Picture” is more than Leeb’s story, it is a story of survival, bravery and strength, which Leeb has in spades. For those who share experiences like Leeb, “Picture” may give them solace and consolation and for those of us who have not had these traumatizing experiences, Leeb’s memoir stirs compassion and understanding.
Leeb’s memoir is an emotional read but it is also inspiring, as Leeb went on to become a successful lawyer and finally find peace and safety in a monogamous relationship. Her adult relationship with her parents is complicated, and no doubt readers will have an opinion on this, but I admire Leeb for the honesty and openness that she has brought into the world through “Picture”.
June 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is such an emotional story. The abuse and grooming by Leeb's father is appalling but what makes it worse is her mother's willful blindness from the very first incident.
The trauma that follows from being abused by boys and the damage it has on her future relationships is very apparent. Therapy is so important in working through the trauma.
This is such an emotional story. The abuse and grooming by Leeb's father is appalling but what makes it worse is her mother's willful blindness from the very first incident.
The trauma that follows from being abused by boys and the damage it has on her future relationships is very apparent. Therapy is so important in working through the trauma.
July 6, 2025
Thank you so much to Netgalley and She Writes Press for an E-ARC of this memoir in exchange for an honest review.
TW's in book - sexual assault, pedophilia, grooming, self harm, suicide attempt/suicidal ideation
Truthfully, I am absolutely blown away by Andrea's story and the courage and bravery she has to tell her story. I am a survivor of sexual assault, and while my story compared to the author's is very different, I find myself amazed by the women who have the courage to put their stories on paper. Facing these realities are difficult, especially in having to drag these memories back into your brain and out of your fingertips is truly a test. This was so beautifully written, and I am so incredibly grateful to be one of the readers that could experience it. It was very raw, and very honest - with its brutal look into the thoughts and memories of the author being groomed and assaulted by someone she thought she could trust. I truly wish this author happiness as she goes about her life knowing she was able to tell her story and possibly help others in possibly telling theirs, too.
TW's in book - sexual assault, pedophilia, grooming, self harm, suicide attempt/suicidal ideation
Truthfully, I am absolutely blown away by Andrea's story and the courage and bravery she has to tell her story. I am a survivor of sexual assault, and while my story compared to the author's is very different, I find myself amazed by the women who have the courage to put their stories on paper. Facing these realities are difficult, especially in having to drag these memories back into your brain and out of your fingertips is truly a test. This was so beautifully written, and I am so incredibly grateful to be one of the readers that could experience it. It was very raw, and very honest - with its brutal look into the thoughts and memories of the author being groomed and assaulted by someone she thought she could trust. I truly wish this author happiness as she goes about her life knowing she was able to tell her story and possibly help others in possibly telling theirs, too.
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May 8, 2025A heartbreaking memoir that was a powerful read and very hard to put down.
The author tells her own very raw and devastating story, handling the subject with a lot of care. I found it quite eye-opening that not only did the author mention the hard times she went through with her family, but also the good times.
Particularly, I found the author’s relationship with her mother intriguing, and thought the epilogue was very moving. I liked the addition of SA survivor hotlines at the end too.
Ultimately, there is a strong message conveyed by the author that there is always hope, and help, out there for victims of SA.
Thank you very much for the ARC.
The author tells her own very raw and devastating story, handling the subject with a lot of care. I found it quite eye-opening that not only did the author mention the hard times she went through with her family, but also the good times.
Particularly, I found the author’s relationship with her mother intriguing, and thought the epilogue was very moving. I liked the addition of SA survivor hotlines at the end too.
Ultimately, there is a strong message conveyed by the author that there is always hope, and help, out there for victims of SA.
Thank you very much for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2025
This is a beautifully written memoir. Andrea shares her story of the brutal abuse and grooming she went through caused by her father that began when she was only 4 years old. Later on the abuse continues from other boys and men. While she shares all the tragedies she faced and how it affects her now as an adult, she also shares how she survived.
This book was devastating and made me cry multiple times while reading. It was heartbreaking to read about how she was failed by everyone around her. She does an excellent job of converting her story and making the reader understand the emotions she experienced. Her story is very important and deserves to be read.
Trigger warning: It deals with heavy topics such as mental health struggles, SA, self harm and abuse.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was devastating and made me cry multiple times while reading. It was heartbreaking to read about how she was failed by everyone around her. She does an excellent job of converting her story and making the reader understand the emotions she experienced. Her story is very important and deserves to be read.
Trigger warning: It deals with heavy topics such as mental health struggles, SA, self harm and abuse.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2025
Andrea Leeb is strikingly honest and insightful, and a very talented writer who perfectly balanced heartbreak and hope throughout her memoir. This is one of the better memoirs I've read, and although the subject matter was incredibly heavy, it was compelling and difficult to put down.
And, even aside from the author's own story, there is incredible value in how she breaks down the total lack of support she received from those around her, especially growing up and experiencing the world as a young adult at the time that she did (around the 1960s and 70s). Her experiences with doctors, family, psychiatrists, etc, all ring true in the modern day, but not to the same overwhelming extent the culture of that time promoted. This memoir is in many ways illuminating on the subjects of medicine, the culture surrounding mental health, and the treatment victims of such abuse suffered in their attempts to get help in that time period.
This book made me cry several times, and the epilogue was quite powerful. I definitely recommend it, though I also recommend being aware of the graphic nature of the content. Leeb's story is incredibly important, and she writes in an appropriately unflinching manner which may be difficult for many people to read. For me, this was four stars only because it is at times a bit disorganized, and I really would have been interested to hear a bit more about her healing journey after the trauma group. I felt that it ended a touch prematurely.
A sincere thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
And, even aside from the author's own story, there is incredible value in how she breaks down the total lack of support she received from those around her, especially growing up and experiencing the world as a young adult at the time that she did (around the 1960s and 70s). Her experiences with doctors, family, psychiatrists, etc, all ring true in the modern day, but not to the same overwhelming extent the culture of that time promoted. This memoir is in many ways illuminating on the subjects of medicine, the culture surrounding mental health, and the treatment victims of such abuse suffered in their attempts to get help in that time period.
This book made me cry several times, and the epilogue was quite powerful. I definitely recommend it, though I also recommend being aware of the graphic nature of the content. Leeb's story is incredibly important, and she writes in an appropriately unflinching manner which may be difficult for many people to read. For me, this was four stars only because it is at times a bit disorganized, and I really would have been interested to hear a bit more about her healing journey after the trauma group. I felt that it ended a touch prematurely.
A sincere thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
November 13, 2025
Andrea's family often presents as "picture perfect" to the outside world, at least for a time. When the cracks start to show, they typically move to another city or state. Her mom pressures Andrea and her sister, Sarai, into "protecting" their abusive dad. She turns away from and makes excuses for his violence and other cruelty, including the sexual abuse she witnessed but denies. Eventually, the pressure of keeping the secrets becomes too much, and the memories leak and then flood out.
Andrea's journey through childhood and to reclaiming her voice and herself can be challenging to read at times, but it's equally difficult to put it down. The writing is compelling.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I recognized myself in some things, like the flooding of memories. It's helpful for me to see that I'm not alone with some experiences or feelings, especially after feeling alone for so long.
If you are a survivor, know a survivor, or if you want to learn more about experiences of surviving CSA, read this memoir.
Andrea's journey through childhood and to reclaiming her voice and herself can be challenging to read at times, but it's equally difficult to put it down. The writing is compelling.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I recognized myself in some things, like the flooding of memories. It's helpful for me to see that I'm not alone with some experiences or feelings, especially after feeling alone for so long.
If you are a survivor, know a survivor, or if you want to learn more about experiences of surviving CSA, read this memoir.
May 7, 2025
This was a heartbreaking, powerful, and honest memoir. I read it in only a couple of sittings because it was impossible to put down. It was absolutely devastating and a very important story to tell. Andrea Leeb is so so so brave and I admire her for writing this. She had a great voice within the prose and conveyed her emotions so well. The epilogue was absolutely beautiful. I also really loved how she provided abuse hotlines at the end along with the note about donating 25% of all royalties to RAINN, it was such a nice and thoughtful touch. And while it didn’t hit me in the way I reserve 5 stars for, that’s a personal response, not a knock on the book itself. I feel so lucky to have read Andrea's story.
Thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC - this is my honest review 🩷
Thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the ARC - this is my honest review 🩷
April 29, 2025
Wow this memoir was intense but I'm glad she got to share her story. I loved how honest she was and that the stories were told in a matter of fact way. I liked how it was organized linearly instead of jumping around it time so it was easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2025
A heartshattering memior of a young girl, a child, experiencing incest at the hands of her father. After reading of her struggle with telling people of her experience, I am so happy that Leeb was able to overcome and tell people her story. I am grateful to have read this book, and honored to have gotten an advanced copy of it.
September 7, 2025
Does it feel better or worse to know some of us have had nearly identical childhoods? This memoir will make some extremely uncomfortable - too bad.
I will not provide a synopsis. Andrea, you are brave and thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC.
I will not provide a synopsis. Andrea, you are brave and thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC.
November 12, 2025
Very disturbing, emotional read. I was hoping to read more of her eventual healing...
November 18, 2025
A tough one.
June 27, 2025
4.5⭐️ What a book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. More later but Leeb’s memoir will stay with me for a very long time.
July 11, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley for sharing this ARC with me.
When first starting the book I thought the writing style felt somewhat “clinical”. This made perfect sense once I began to understand the childhood trauma the author had been through. It highlighted how Andrea really was just a young girl, explaining in basic terms, the abuse she was subjected to.
I was happy to see Andrea pursue therapy throughout the book, despite having had the situation blamed on herself.
Overall this a well written memoir which I would recommend to others to read.
December 27, 2025
This memoir shares a woman’s unflinching truth about her childhood and the abuse she endured, offering an intimate look at both survival and resilience. The story is complemented by a cover that immediately drew me in, minimalist yet beautifully designed, it reflects the quiet strength and depth of the narrative within. Through her lived experiences, the author not only recounts the darkness of her early life but also the immense courage it took to confront that trauma rather than be defined by it. While deeply personal, the story reaches beyond memoir, offering readers insight into how strength can be found, even forged, within life’s most painful and difficult moments.
The author’s reason for telling this story feels twofold: to offer support to others living with trauma by affirming their truth beyond victimhood, and to find peace through confronting her own past. Writing the memoir becomes an act of release, allowing her to unburden herself from years of silent suffering. Her lived experience shapes a narrative that is emotionally challenging yet carefully controlled. While the subject matter is difficult, the author presents it with intention and restraint, sharing only what is necessary to convey meaning. The voice is raw and honest, punctuated by moments of reflection in which she questions whether different choices might have altered the outcome. These moments feel both deeply personal and universally recognizable, highlighting the limits of control within traumatic circumstances.
The narrative is presented in a straightforward manner, closely mirroring the way memory is recalled, while also allowing space for reflection. This balance invites the reader to sit with the author in moments of uncertainty, making it easier to understand the emotional and psychological context behind each experience. Structurally, the memoir unfolds chronologically, tracing the author’s memories from early childhood through adulthood. This linear progression supports clarity and continuity, helping the reader follow her journey and deepening the sense of growth, endurance, and survival over time.
As a reader, the emotional weight of this memoir felt intentional and deeply affecting. I experienced a wide range of emotions throughout—grief, anger, sorrow, and moments of quiet reflection—without ever feeling overwhelmed or manipulated. The author allows the experiences to speak for themselves, trusting the reader to sit with the discomfort and meaning behind them. There were passages that were undeniably difficult to read, yet they felt necessary rather than excessive. What resonated most for me was the balance between pain and presence; the story invited me to bear witness while also offering space to reflect, breathe, and process. This intentional emotional pacing made the memoir not only impactful, but meaningful.
Her story demonstrates remarkable strength, showing how she perseveres through abuse, fear, and neglect, from recovering from illness to navigating a deeply dysfunctional home life. At the same time, the memoir highlights the complexity of family and trust: moments of care, such as her sister sharing a diary or her mother apologizing after a near-tragedy, exist alongside neglect and betrayal, illustrating that love and pain can coexist. By facing her past and giving voice to her experiences, she reclaims her story and makes sense of the uncontrollable factors in her life, offering readers insight into how confronting trauma can be a path to peace. Through her honest and restrained reflections, the memoir also fosters empathy, inviting readers to understand the emotional and psychological weight of her experiences without dramatizing them, making the lessons both personal and universally meaningful.
It excels in its honesty and emotional transparency, giving readers a clear and unflinching view of the author’s experiences without feeling exploitative. The writing demonstrates remarkable clarity and restraint, presenting difficult subject matter in a way that is accessible and digestible, even while conveying its full emotional weight. The author’s bravery shines throughout, sharing personal trauma with vulnerability requires immense courage, and her reflective approach adds depth, allowing readers to understand not only what happened, but how she processed it. Additionally, the narrative’s accessibility makes it engaging for a wide audience, offering insights and lessons that resonate beyond the specifics of her story while maintaining the authenticity of her lived experience.
In many ways, this memoir is tightly crafted, with few limitations to note. The pacing is steady, the narrative focused, and the content consistently aligned with its intended audience. Reflection is thoughtfully integrated throughout, and there are no inconsistencies or unnecessary repetition. While the emotional intensity is strong, particularly for readers who may personally resonate with experiences of trauma, it feels purposeful rather than overwhelming. Overall, the memoir delivers a powerful, honest, and carefully constructed account that maintains its clarity and impact from beginning to end.
It is a powerful and necessary read for anyone interested in understanding resilience, trauma, and the complexity of family dynamics. It will resonate strongly with survivors of abuse, mental health professionals, and readers who seek honest, reflective storytelling that does not shy away from difficult truths. While emotionally intense, the narrative is carefully restrained, making it accessible even to those new to such heavy subject matter. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to witness a survivor’s journey, gain insight into the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and find inspiration in the courage it takes to confront the past and reclaim one’s voice.
Overall, I found this story to be a profoundly moving and skillfully written account of survival and resilience. I rate it five stars for its honesty, clarity, and emotional depth. I initially received a copy through NetGalley but was so impacted by the story that I purchased my own copy to revisit and reflect upon. This is a memoir I will not soon forget, and one I believe can offer insight, strength, and hope to anyone who reads it.
The author’s reason for telling this story feels twofold: to offer support to others living with trauma by affirming their truth beyond victimhood, and to find peace through confronting her own past. Writing the memoir becomes an act of release, allowing her to unburden herself from years of silent suffering. Her lived experience shapes a narrative that is emotionally challenging yet carefully controlled. While the subject matter is difficult, the author presents it with intention and restraint, sharing only what is necessary to convey meaning. The voice is raw and honest, punctuated by moments of reflection in which she questions whether different choices might have altered the outcome. These moments feel both deeply personal and universally recognizable, highlighting the limits of control within traumatic circumstances.
The narrative is presented in a straightforward manner, closely mirroring the way memory is recalled, while also allowing space for reflection. This balance invites the reader to sit with the author in moments of uncertainty, making it easier to understand the emotional and psychological context behind each experience. Structurally, the memoir unfolds chronologically, tracing the author’s memories from early childhood through adulthood. This linear progression supports clarity and continuity, helping the reader follow her journey and deepening the sense of growth, endurance, and survival over time.
As a reader, the emotional weight of this memoir felt intentional and deeply affecting. I experienced a wide range of emotions throughout—grief, anger, sorrow, and moments of quiet reflection—without ever feeling overwhelmed or manipulated. The author allows the experiences to speak for themselves, trusting the reader to sit with the discomfort and meaning behind them. There were passages that were undeniably difficult to read, yet they felt necessary rather than excessive. What resonated most for me was the balance between pain and presence; the story invited me to bear witness while also offering space to reflect, breathe, and process. This intentional emotional pacing made the memoir not only impactful, but meaningful.
Her story demonstrates remarkable strength, showing how she perseveres through abuse, fear, and neglect, from recovering from illness to navigating a deeply dysfunctional home life. At the same time, the memoir highlights the complexity of family and trust: moments of care, such as her sister sharing a diary or her mother apologizing after a near-tragedy, exist alongside neglect and betrayal, illustrating that love and pain can coexist. By facing her past and giving voice to her experiences, she reclaims her story and makes sense of the uncontrollable factors in her life, offering readers insight into how confronting trauma can be a path to peace. Through her honest and restrained reflections, the memoir also fosters empathy, inviting readers to understand the emotional and psychological weight of her experiences without dramatizing them, making the lessons both personal and universally meaningful.
It excels in its honesty and emotional transparency, giving readers a clear and unflinching view of the author’s experiences without feeling exploitative. The writing demonstrates remarkable clarity and restraint, presenting difficult subject matter in a way that is accessible and digestible, even while conveying its full emotional weight. The author’s bravery shines throughout, sharing personal trauma with vulnerability requires immense courage, and her reflective approach adds depth, allowing readers to understand not only what happened, but how she processed it. Additionally, the narrative’s accessibility makes it engaging for a wide audience, offering insights and lessons that resonate beyond the specifics of her story while maintaining the authenticity of her lived experience.
In many ways, this memoir is tightly crafted, with few limitations to note. The pacing is steady, the narrative focused, and the content consistently aligned with its intended audience. Reflection is thoughtfully integrated throughout, and there are no inconsistencies or unnecessary repetition. While the emotional intensity is strong, particularly for readers who may personally resonate with experiences of trauma, it feels purposeful rather than overwhelming. Overall, the memoir delivers a powerful, honest, and carefully constructed account that maintains its clarity and impact from beginning to end.
It is a powerful and necessary read for anyone interested in understanding resilience, trauma, and the complexity of family dynamics. It will resonate strongly with survivors of abuse, mental health professionals, and readers who seek honest, reflective storytelling that does not shy away from difficult truths. While emotionally intense, the narrative is carefully restrained, making it accessible even to those new to such heavy subject matter. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to witness a survivor’s journey, gain insight into the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and find inspiration in the courage it takes to confront the past and reclaim one’s voice.
Overall, I found this story to be a profoundly moving and skillfully written account of survival and resilience. I rate it five stars for its honesty, clarity, and emotional depth. I initially received a copy through NetGalley but was so impacted by the story that I purchased my own copy to revisit and reflect upon. This is a memoir I will not soon forget, and one I believe can offer insight, strength, and hope to anyone who reads it.
July 12, 2025
Wow, what a memoir. For readers of “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jenette McCurdy and “The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls, this gut-wrenching story follows Andrea starting at age four-and-a-half — the first time her father touched her. Her mother walked in, fainted, and woke up blind. Andrea’s childhood continues, rife with abuse and secrets. This abuse affects Andrea long into adulthood and, eventually forced to confront her past, she begins to heal.
This was such a painful but important read. It is also extremely well-written; you can see how the smart, precocious, avid-reader child turned into the adult who put pen to paper here. The author did an excellent job at reflecting while not attributing age-inappropriate thoughts to her younger self, which can be very difficult when writing a memoir about childhood abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Andrea, for your vulnerability and trusting the world with your story.
This was such a painful but important read. It is also extremely well-written; you can see how the smart, precocious, avid-reader child turned into the adult who put pen to paper here. The author did an excellent job at reflecting while not attributing age-inappropriate thoughts to her younger self, which can be very difficult when writing a memoir about childhood abuse.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Andrea, for your vulnerability and trusting the world with your story.
July 30, 2025
One of the most raw Memoirs I have read since “A Child Called It!”
In “Such a Pretty Picture” we dive deep into the life of Andrea. A little girl, whose life is turned upside down, after a nighttime bath! We are brought into her world as though we are her ghost reliving the past.
You never know what goes on in a seemingly decent home. Where parents thrive outside of the four walls and are proactive members in society, but really they are hiding the darkest secrets! My heart breaks for her in so many ways, but am happy to know she made a life for herself! Thank you NetGalley, She Writes Press and the Author for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this memoir!
In “Such a Pretty Picture” we dive deep into the life of Andrea. A little girl, whose life is turned upside down, after a nighttime bath! We are brought into her world as though we are her ghost reliving the past.
You never know what goes on in a seemingly decent home. Where parents thrive outside of the four walls and are proactive members in society, but really they are hiding the darkest secrets! My heart breaks for her in so many ways, but am happy to know she made a life for herself! Thank you NetGalley, She Writes Press and the Author for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this memoir!
May 13, 2025
Book Review: Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir by Andrea Leeb
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
Andrea Leeb’s Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir is a harrowing yet ultimately redemptive account of survival, trauma, and self-reclamation. Drawing comparisons to I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, Leeb’s memoir unflinchingly recounts her tumultuous childhood marked by sexual abuse, familial dysfunction, and the struggle to forge an identity amid chaos. The book’s raw vulnerability and unvarnished honesty make it a standout in the genre of trauma narratives.
Themes and Content
Leeb’s memoir navigates several core themes:
Survivorship and Resilience: The narrative centers on overcoming systemic abuse and the long journey toward healing.
Family Dysfunction: Explores the paradox of love and harm within familial bonds, particularly how silence perpetuates cycles of trauma.
Self-Discovery: Charts the author’s path to reclaiming agency through writing, mentorship, and advocacy for survivors.
The prose oscillates between visceral recollections of childhood terror and reflective maturity, offering a nuanced portrait of trauma’s lingering shadows. Leeb’s willingness to expose her pain—without veering into gratuitous detail—lends the memoir both emotional weight and literary merit.
Writing Style and Structure
Leeb employs a fragmented, almost cinematic style, using vivid vignettes to mirror the disjointed nature of traumatic memory. This approach immerses readers in her perspective but occasionally sacrifices narrative cohesion. The latter chapters, focused on healing, adopt a more linear structure, symbolizing the author’s hard-won stability. While the shifts in tone (from despair to hope) are effective, some transitions feel abrupt.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Authenticity: Leeb’s voice is piercingly genuine, avoiding performative victimhood.
Social Impact: Highlights systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children, adding a layer of societal critique.
Empowerment: The memoir’s climax—centered on advocacy and mentorship—transforms pain into purpose.
Weaknesses:
Pacing: Early sections overwhelm with intensity, risking reader fatigue.
Ambiguity: Certain relationships (e.g., with peripheral family members) lack deeper exploration.
Section Scoring Breakdown (0–5)
Emotional Impact: 5/5 – Devastating yet cathartic; lingers long after reading.
Thematic Depth: 4/5 – Robust exploration of trauma, though some angles feel underexamined.
Narrative Technique: 3.5/5 – Innovative but uneven structure.
Originality: 4/5 – Distinctive in its unflinching honesty.
Transformative Potential: 4.5/5 – Offers solidarity and hope to survivors.
Final Verdict
Such a Pretty Picture is a testament to the power of storytelling as survival. While its structural quirks may divide readers, Leeb’s courage in exposing her truth—and her commitment to turning pain into advocacy—elevates this memoir beyond mere catharsis. It’s a vital addition to conversations about trauma, resilience, and the messy, nonlinear path to healing.
★★★★ (4/5) – A brutal, beautiful mosaic of brokenness and rebirth.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Andrea Leeb, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
Andrea Leeb’s Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir is a harrowing yet ultimately redemptive account of survival, trauma, and self-reclamation. Drawing comparisons to I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, Leeb’s memoir unflinchingly recounts her tumultuous childhood marked by sexual abuse, familial dysfunction, and the struggle to forge an identity amid chaos. The book’s raw vulnerability and unvarnished honesty make it a standout in the genre of trauma narratives.
Themes and Content
Leeb’s memoir navigates several core themes:
Survivorship and Resilience: The narrative centers on overcoming systemic abuse and the long journey toward healing.
Family Dysfunction: Explores the paradox of love and harm within familial bonds, particularly how silence perpetuates cycles of trauma.
Self-Discovery: Charts the author’s path to reclaiming agency through writing, mentorship, and advocacy for survivors.
The prose oscillates between visceral recollections of childhood terror and reflective maturity, offering a nuanced portrait of trauma’s lingering shadows. Leeb’s willingness to expose her pain—without veering into gratuitous detail—lends the memoir both emotional weight and literary merit.
Writing Style and Structure
Leeb employs a fragmented, almost cinematic style, using vivid vignettes to mirror the disjointed nature of traumatic memory. This approach immerses readers in her perspective but occasionally sacrifices narrative cohesion. The latter chapters, focused on healing, adopt a more linear structure, symbolizing the author’s hard-won stability. While the shifts in tone (from despair to hope) are effective, some transitions feel abrupt.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Authenticity: Leeb’s voice is piercingly genuine, avoiding performative victimhood.
Social Impact: Highlights systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children, adding a layer of societal critique.
Empowerment: The memoir’s climax—centered on advocacy and mentorship—transforms pain into purpose.
Weaknesses:
Pacing: Early sections overwhelm with intensity, risking reader fatigue.
Ambiguity: Certain relationships (e.g., with peripheral family members) lack deeper exploration.
Section Scoring Breakdown (0–5)
Emotional Impact: 5/5 – Devastating yet cathartic; lingers long after reading.
Thematic Depth: 4/5 – Robust exploration of trauma, though some angles feel underexamined.
Narrative Technique: 3.5/5 – Innovative but uneven structure.
Originality: 4/5 – Distinctive in its unflinching honesty.
Transformative Potential: 4.5/5 – Offers solidarity and hope to survivors.
Final Verdict
Such a Pretty Picture is a testament to the power of storytelling as survival. While its structural quirks may divide readers, Leeb’s courage in exposing her truth—and her commitment to turning pain into advocacy—elevates this memoir beyond mere catharsis. It’s a vital addition to conversations about trauma, resilience, and the messy, nonlinear path to healing.
★★★★ (4/5) – A brutal, beautiful mosaic of brokenness and rebirth.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Andrea Leeb, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2025
**Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This author was incredibly brave to publish this memoir, and I give her so much credit for taking the huge steps it took to get here today. Thank you for sharing your words with the world because they are powerful & might be just what someone needs to hear to start their own healing journey.
This story was powerful and at times hard to read, but we know that going into it. Make sure to check trigger warnings before opening a book about childhood rape trauma and incest. I feel like an asshole saying that I expected it to be more detailed and graphic. There really were maybe two scenes that she put the details into, but she still did not get overly graphic. I was a little afraid that the whole entire book would be too graphic or too hard to read…almost like Lolita without all the fluff. This book was not written to disturb the reader with details, but it was more written to share the author’s life experiences…how her life revolved around the abuse and the ways in which it defined her as a person.
The opening story was shocking because she was only four and a half years old in the bath scene. The details of exactly what happened here were just not there. Her father had his hand on her privates, but we aren’t sure exactly what he was doing outside the tub. We are left to assume his penis was out of his pants because her mother “went blind” from whatever it was that she saw. This scene is referenced so many times throughout the book, but we never actually find out the details of what happened. The abuse from her father is never really mentioned in detail throughout the book (except for the one time where she mentions his fingers inside of her), but she went into pretty graphic detail on the rape scene in the woods. I’m not sure if that was to save the feelings of her sister reading the story, or if that was done for any other reason…it was just something I noticed while reading. All of the rape scenes were disturbing, obviously, but it’s something I noticed while reading and was curious about.
The only reason I chose to leave four stars instead of five for this memoir is because at times the story seemed very unorganized. The ending was all about healing, and that seemed like it was organized better…the epilogue was fantastic, moving, and brought tears to my eyes. I just hope the editor can help with the organization of the first 3/4 of the book. This may have been the first arc I have read with so many typos and editing errors, but I assume all of that will be fixed before the book gets published…of course.
Spoilers?! Not sure if you know how this book ends or not…
Overall, I would commend this author for coming out with her story. Some of it was very hard to read, but books like these can seriously help someone struggling in the same manner. Her bravery and healing can be someone else’s saving grace. I’m happy she finally found peace, but her continuing to have a relationship with her parents through healing greatly confused and angered me. I understand her mother was very important to her, but I do not understand how it was more important than her healing. I am just happy that it all worked out for her in the end.
This author was incredibly brave to publish this memoir, and I give her so much credit for taking the huge steps it took to get here today. Thank you for sharing your words with the world because they are powerful & might be just what someone needs to hear to start their own healing journey.
This story was powerful and at times hard to read, but we know that going into it. Make sure to check trigger warnings before opening a book about childhood rape trauma and incest. I feel like an asshole saying that I expected it to be more detailed and graphic. There really were maybe two scenes that she put the details into, but she still did not get overly graphic. I was a little afraid that the whole entire book would be too graphic or too hard to read…almost like Lolita without all the fluff. This book was not written to disturb the reader with details, but it was more written to share the author’s life experiences…how her life revolved around the abuse and the ways in which it defined her as a person.
The opening story was shocking because she was only four and a half years old in the bath scene. The details of exactly what happened here were just not there. Her father had his hand on her privates, but we aren’t sure exactly what he was doing outside the tub. We are left to assume his penis was out of his pants because her mother “went blind” from whatever it was that she saw. This scene is referenced so many times throughout the book, but we never actually find out the details of what happened. The abuse from her father is never really mentioned in detail throughout the book (except for the one time where she mentions his fingers inside of her), but she went into pretty graphic detail on the rape scene in the woods. I’m not sure if that was to save the feelings of her sister reading the story, or if that was done for any other reason…it was just something I noticed while reading. All of the rape scenes were disturbing, obviously, but it’s something I noticed while reading and was curious about.
The only reason I chose to leave four stars instead of five for this memoir is because at times the story seemed very unorganized. The ending was all about healing, and that seemed like it was organized better…the epilogue was fantastic, moving, and brought tears to my eyes. I just hope the editor can help with the organization of the first 3/4 of the book. This may have been the first arc I have read with so many typos and editing errors, but I assume all of that will be fixed before the book gets published…of course.
Spoilers?! Not sure if you know how this book ends or not…
Overall, I would commend this author for coming out with her story. Some of it was very hard to read, but books like these can seriously help someone struggling in the same manner. Her bravery and healing can be someone else’s saving grace. I’m happy she finally found peace, but her continuing to have a relationship with her parents through healing greatly confused and angered me. I understand her mother was very important to her, but I do not understand how it was more important than her healing. I am just happy that it all worked out for her in the end.
October 10, 2025
It is important to me to start out by commending the clarity and candour lining every page in this book. I cannot begin to fathom the amount of bravery it must’ve taken to—figuratively or literally—put pen to paper, write the first few words, and continue documenting the worst parts of one’s life as viscerally as Andrea Leeb managed to do in this novel.
My heart stopped beating, fluttered with hope, shattered, raged and finally found a still calm as the chapters flew by. Astoundingly, beauty can also be found in coexistence alongside the trauma, especially intertwined in the moments divulging parts of her Jewish-American culture, fond familial experiences, the excitement of growing up basking in the aura of the 60s, spilling over into the 70s.
The moments of reprieve bear their own importance, too. It brings Andrea’s story a lot closer to home, reaffirming the fact that abuse can happen to anyone without there being any conspicuous indications of what might be going on behind closed doors.
The high points also shed a light on the internal struggle those who haven’t experienced similar types of abuse would not immediately be attuned to, and might have a difficult time understanding, inducing an ignorance-fueled frustration. Andrea herself questions why she was unable to expose her father whenever the opportunity arose, or create the opportunity herself. The answer to which is split into three parts: because of her desperation to be loved by her mother who would’ve never forgiven her daughter for taking away her favourite person from her, her belief that she lived a good life surrounded by things and opportunities many lacked that would potentially cease to exist if her father’s income dried up which a conviction or public condemnation would certainly lead to, and the effectiveness of her father’s convincing manipulation which she was especially susceptible to during the very impressionable stage in her life when it began.
Ultimately, the choice of how, when, where and to whom a victim shares their story is not for anyone else to question. It is a kernel of control wrangled away from the perpetrators’ hands by survivors who get to choose what to do with it.
Every new piece of material detailing the thoughts, emotions and actions of survivors of abuse is a resource. Just like this novel, they carry evidence of the non-linear nature of trauma. There isn’t a template for overcoming the mental or physical damage imparted through any kind of mistreatment, which is a valuable lesson delivered by Andrea’s story.
Such a Pretty Picture is a raw and fearless memoir that exposes hidden abuse and the cost of silence. Painful, brave, and unforgettable.
Reviewed By Chantal
October 3, 2025
📜Quick Summary: Andrea is only four when her father touches her for the first time. And when her mother witnesses it, becomes blinded and quite literally, loses her vision. As a young girl, you would imagine having your parents as your protector, but Andrea never witnessed that from either of her parents. As she grows up, the abuse continues, and bleeds into her life with horny stricken boys.
❣️Initial Feels: As a mom to young children, this is painful in so many ways.
👀Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse by father, physical abuse from parents, suicide, bodily harm, incest, r*pe
📖Read if you want: a survivor’s journey, gut wrenching memoir
🙋🏼♀️Moving Character: Andrea…gosh. As a mom of young kids, I just wanted to reach into the pages and hold her. Watching her grow up on the pages, and experience abuse after abuse was hard. She didn’t ask to be a survivor, but was dealt a gruesome hand that started with her father. By the end of her journey, it was nice to see her working on a happier ending.
🗨️Touching Words: “In moments of despair, I wanted to give people that same flash of hope. Something no one had ever given me.”
💡Final Sentiments: First of all, thank you to Andrea for sharing her story. This story will surely touch other’s, and inspire some to get the help they need. This will be hard for some to read. I struggled with the words on the pages because I could not FATHOM this situation. As a mom, I wanted to carry that little innocent girl and hold her and tell her everything would be okay. As a mother, I wanted to tear her mother from her life for being a coward and letting the abuse continue on for years and years. And there’s not enough words for her father that would ever do that vile man justice. In the midst of all this, you feel Andrea’s hope. You see her will to live, even in the deepest and darkest of times. You see her reach out for help, but get turned down multiple times. And then you see therapy triumph and start to heal her. I would have loved to see more at the ending, just to see how she met the man she married, how therapy continued to shape and heal her. I understand some things need to stay private, but I felt proud of her by the end.
🌟Overall Rating: 5 heartbreaking and soul breaking stars
🔉Special thanks to Andrea Leeb, She Writes Press, and NetGalley for this arc of Such a Pretty Picture.
📘Grab yourself a copy on October 14, 2025.
❣️Initial Feels: As a mom to young children, this is painful in so many ways.
👀Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse by father, physical abuse from parents, suicide, bodily harm, incest, r*pe
📖Read if you want: a survivor’s journey, gut wrenching memoir
🙋🏼♀️Moving Character: Andrea…gosh. As a mom of young kids, I just wanted to reach into the pages and hold her. Watching her grow up on the pages, and experience abuse after abuse was hard. She didn’t ask to be a survivor, but was dealt a gruesome hand that started with her father. By the end of her journey, it was nice to see her working on a happier ending.
🗨️Touching Words: “In moments of despair, I wanted to give people that same flash of hope. Something no one had ever given me.”
💡Final Sentiments: First of all, thank you to Andrea for sharing her story. This story will surely touch other’s, and inspire some to get the help they need. This will be hard for some to read. I struggled with the words on the pages because I could not FATHOM this situation. As a mom, I wanted to carry that little innocent girl and hold her and tell her everything would be okay. As a mother, I wanted to tear her mother from her life for being a coward and letting the abuse continue on for years and years. And there’s not enough words for her father that would ever do that vile man justice. In the midst of all this, you feel Andrea’s hope. You see her will to live, even in the deepest and darkest of times. You see her reach out for help, but get turned down multiple times. And then you see therapy triumph and start to heal her. I would have loved to see more at the ending, just to see how she met the man she married, how therapy continued to shape and heal her. I understand some things need to stay private, but I felt proud of her by the end.
🌟Overall Rating: 5 heartbreaking and soul breaking stars
🔉Special thanks to Andrea Leeb, She Writes Press, and NetGalley for this arc of Such a Pretty Picture.
📘Grab yourself a copy on October 14, 2025.
October 16, 2025
Andrea Leeb’s moving memoir begins when she is a young child experiencing her father’s inappropriate touch for the first time. Despite her young age, she knows that this is wrong and that she is unable to stop it. Her mother has a severe reaction when she walks in and witnesses this. After her mother recovers, she remains in denial. The refusal to accept the truth – whether it be from fear or loyalty – creates greater feelings of shame and isolation for Andrea. As she grows up, and the abuse continues, the consequences of the abuse and secrecy impact on her friendships and relationships.
Having been abused by the people who should have loved and protected her creates difficulties with trust, especially in her intimate partnerships. Past traumas clearly complicate her emotional connections; they also help set her up for further abuse by others. A turning point comes, as an adult, when she enters therapy. While it takes her a while to find her voice and tell the truth about the abuse, she finally does. An intense two-week therapy retreat propels her forward with her healing. From there, we see her growth continue, and she is finally able to move forward into the life that she deserves.
While it is painful to read such a harrowing memoir, the outcome creates feelings of hope because she was able to seek help and propel herself into a much brighter, healthier future. Survivors will find themselves relating to the realities of what she experienced, especially regarding feelings of fear and control from someone who was supposed to be her protector. And for those who have healed, they will also recognize the resilience that helps lead to recovery. Readers who have not gone on a healing journey will see Such a Pretty Picture as a beacon of hope for their recovery. Professional support and supportive relationships can help survivors heal by learning to speak their truth.
Such a Pretty Picture by Andrea Leeb is a must-read for survivors of sexual abuse. It is incredibly well written and imparts a feeling that the author is telling her story directly to the reader. Counselors, therapists, and friends of those who have endured abuse will also benefit from reading Leeb’s story. For those who have remained silent, I hope this memoir will motivate them to find their voice and seek help.
Having been abused by the people who should have loved and protected her creates difficulties with trust, especially in her intimate partnerships. Past traumas clearly complicate her emotional connections; they also help set her up for further abuse by others. A turning point comes, as an adult, when she enters therapy. While it takes her a while to find her voice and tell the truth about the abuse, she finally does. An intense two-week therapy retreat propels her forward with her healing. From there, we see her growth continue, and she is finally able to move forward into the life that she deserves.
While it is painful to read such a harrowing memoir, the outcome creates feelings of hope because she was able to seek help and propel herself into a much brighter, healthier future. Survivors will find themselves relating to the realities of what she experienced, especially regarding feelings of fear and control from someone who was supposed to be her protector. And for those who have healed, they will also recognize the resilience that helps lead to recovery. Readers who have not gone on a healing journey will see Such a Pretty Picture as a beacon of hope for their recovery. Professional support and supportive relationships can help survivors heal by learning to speak their truth.
Such a Pretty Picture by Andrea Leeb is a must-read for survivors of sexual abuse. It is incredibly well written and imparts a feeling that the author is telling her story directly to the reader. Counselors, therapists, and friends of those who have endured abuse will also benefit from reading Leeb’s story. For those who have remained silent, I hope this memoir will motivate them to find their voice and seek help.
August 4, 2025
Such a Pretty Picture: A Memoir by Andrea Leeb is an incredible story, full of heartbreaking abuse and emotional neglect.
The story is broken into three main timelines. Part 1 1962-1969, part 2 1969-1981 and part 3 from 1989-1992.
I don't normally put a trigger warning on a book, but this book was a particularly heavy read. Trigger warnings include: sexual assault, incest, emotional neglect, self-harm, medical gaslighting.
Part 1 1962-1969 begins the story
It is here where we learn that Andrea is being abused by her father. Other traumatic occurences happen in her family, which at the age of 5 she internalizes as her own fault.
Part 2 1969-1981 lasts until college graduation. As the abuse unfortunately gets worse at home, we also see how the effects affect Andrea's life outside her home as well. Andrea begins to get help from a psychiatrist, as the insurance of her parents, except this is also where the medical gaslighting begins.
part 3 1989-1992 is the beginning of the end of the hurt and abuse. Thankfully Andrea finally finds a Dr that doesnt gaslight her and after listening to her suggest a rehab facility where she can focus on her healing.
The epilogue takes place years later. It gives some updates on things that have happened since then, but also shows that Andrea has found some peace about certain things.
Andrea also points out that 25% of all royalties from this book will be donated to RAINN.
Andrea, I am sorry that you had to experience all of this. I hope you have found the peace and happiness that you deserve. Thank you for being incredibly brave and deciding to share your story. I hope it brings awareness to those that havent experienced the same things, and shows the ones that have that they are not alone.
Thank you for partnering with NetGalley. I received and advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for honest opinion and review.
This book is available October 14th 2025
The story is broken into three main timelines. Part 1 1962-1969, part 2 1969-1981 and part 3 from 1989-1992.
I don't normally put a trigger warning on a book, but this book was a particularly heavy read. Trigger warnings include: sexual assault, incest, emotional neglect, self-harm, medical gaslighting.
Part 1 1962-1969 begins the story
It is here where we learn that Andrea is being abused by her father. Other traumatic occurences happen in her family, which at the age of 5 she internalizes as her own fault.
Part 2 1969-1981 lasts until college graduation. As the abuse unfortunately gets worse at home, we also see how the effects affect Andrea's life outside her home as well. Andrea begins to get help from a psychiatrist, as the insurance of her parents, except this is also where the medical gaslighting begins.
part 3 1989-1992 is the beginning of the end of the hurt and abuse. Thankfully Andrea finally finds a Dr that doesnt gaslight her and after listening to her suggest a rehab facility where she can focus on her healing.
The epilogue takes place years later. It gives some updates on things that have happened since then, but also shows that Andrea has found some peace about certain things.
Andrea also points out that 25% of all royalties from this book will be donated to RAINN.
Andrea, I am sorry that you had to experience all of this. I hope you have found the peace and happiness that you deserve. Thank you for being incredibly brave and deciding to share your story. I hope it brings awareness to those that havent experienced the same things, and shows the ones that have that they are not alone.
Thank you for partnering with NetGalley. I received and advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for honest opinion and review.
This book is available October 14th 2025
October 8, 2025
The book starts with this awful scene from 1962, where four-year-old Andrea's dad sexually abuses her during a bath. Her mom walks in, sees what's happening, and immediately goes blind from shock. They call it "hysterical blindness" and it lasts for months. After that, everything falls apart for Andrea. Her dad keeps abusing her and tells her it's her fault. He says she has to keep their "secret forever" if she wants her mom to get better. Her mom gets her sight back but becomes cold and distant toward Andrea. Andrea gets slapped on her face whenever her mother decides she has decided she did something wrong. This messed up family is where the kid who got hurt is the one getting blamed.
“Such a Pretty Picture” by Andrea Leeb is a memoir about surviving childhood sexual abuse. The memoir follows Andrea through years of struggling with the trauma. She deals with eating disorders, cuts herself, and has bad relationships. She does become a nurse and then a lawyer, but the damage remains. Finally, she goes to this trauma recovery program and starts actually dealing with what happened to her. Andrea does eventually find someone who loves her and manages to build a decent life. Sexual abuse is still a subject which is not discussed. It is a horrible experience for anyone to go through. It can be a deadly secret for the one who is abused. Too often it is thought that the victim caused it to happen. That is not true. I applaud the author for writing her experience so that someone who is a victim can realize it is not their fault.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
“Such a Pretty Picture” by Andrea Leeb is a memoir about surviving childhood sexual abuse. The memoir follows Andrea through years of struggling with the trauma. She deals with eating disorders, cuts herself, and has bad relationships. She does become a nurse and then a lawyer, but the damage remains. Finally, she goes to this trauma recovery program and starts actually dealing with what happened to her. Andrea does eventually find someone who loves her and manages to build a decent life. Sexual abuse is still a subject which is not discussed. It is a horrible experience for anyone to go through. It can be a deadly secret for the one who is abused. Too often it is thought that the victim caused it to happen. That is not true. I applaud the author for writing her experience so that someone who is a victim can realize it is not their fault.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
May 3, 2025
thank you to netgalley and she writes press publications for access to an eARC! all opinions are my own.
For readers of I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, a candid and heart-wrenching memoir about child abuse, family secrets, and the healing that begins once the truth is revealed and the past is confronted.
Andrea is four and a half the first time her father, David, gives her a bath. Although she is young, she knows there is something strange about the way he is touching her. When her mother, Marlene, walks in to check on them, she howls and crumples to the floor—and when she opens her eyes, she is blind. Marlene’s hysterical blindness lasts for weeks, but her willful blindness lasts decades. The abuse continues, and Andrea spends a childhood living with a secret she can’t tell and a shame she is too afraid to name.
Despite it, she survives. She builds a life and tells herself she is fine. But at age thirty-three, an unwanted grope on a New York City subway triggers her past. Suddenly unable to remember how to forget, Andrea is forced to confront her past—and finally begin to heal.
This brave debut offers honest insight into a survivor’s journey. Readers will feel Andrea’s pain, her fear, and her shame—yet they will also feel her hope. And like Andrea, they will come to understand an important truth: though healing is complicated, it is possible to find joy and even grace in the wake of the most profound betrayals.
this was an incredibly raw and devastating memoir. it's incredibly written and i read this in almost one sitting because i could not put it down at all.
For readers of I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, a candid and heart-wrenching memoir about child abuse, family secrets, and the healing that begins once the truth is revealed and the past is confronted.
Andrea is four and a half the first time her father, David, gives her a bath. Although she is young, she knows there is something strange about the way he is touching her. When her mother, Marlene, walks in to check on them, she howls and crumples to the floor—and when she opens her eyes, she is blind. Marlene’s hysterical blindness lasts for weeks, but her willful blindness lasts decades. The abuse continues, and Andrea spends a childhood living with a secret she can’t tell and a shame she is too afraid to name.
Despite it, she survives. She builds a life and tells herself she is fine. But at age thirty-three, an unwanted grope on a New York City subway triggers her past. Suddenly unable to remember how to forget, Andrea is forced to confront her past—and finally begin to heal.
This brave debut offers honest insight into a survivor’s journey. Readers will feel Andrea’s pain, her fear, and her shame—yet they will also feel her hope. And like Andrea, they will come to understand an important truth: though healing is complicated, it is possible to find joy and even grace in the wake of the most profound betrayals.
this was an incredibly raw and devastating memoir. it's incredibly written and i read this in almost one sitting because i could not put it down at all.
September 22, 2025
Such a Pretty Picture by Andrea Leeb is a memoir about surviving childhood sexual abuse. The book starts with this awful scene from 1962, where four-year-old Andrea's dad sexually abuses her during a bath. Her mom walks in, sees what's happening, and immediately goes blind from shock. They call it "hysterical blindness" and it lasts for months.
After that, everything falls apart. Her dad keeps abusing her and tells her it's her fault. He says she has to keep their "secret forever" if she wants her mom to get better. Her mom gets her sight back but becomes cold and distant toward Andrea. So you've got this messed up family where the kid who got hurt is the one getting blamed.
The book follows Andrea through years of struggling with the trauma. She deals with eating disorders, cuts herself, has bad relationships, and gets into drugs and alcohol. She does manage to become a nurse and then a lawyer, but the damage remains. Finally, in her thirties, she goes to this trauma recovery program and starts actually dealing with what happened to her.
The writing really captures what it feels like to be a little kid who has no idea what's going on. And it shows how this stuff doesn't just hurt the kid - it ruins the whole family. All that keeping quiet and acting like nothing's wrong ends up being almost as damaging as the abuse itself.
The book ends on a hopeful note though. Andrea does eventually find someone who loves her and manages to build a decent life. So I guess there's some hope even after going through something that awful.
After that, everything falls apart. Her dad keeps abusing her and tells her it's her fault. He says she has to keep their "secret forever" if she wants her mom to get better. Her mom gets her sight back but becomes cold and distant toward Andrea. So you've got this messed up family where the kid who got hurt is the one getting blamed.
The book follows Andrea through years of struggling with the trauma. She deals with eating disorders, cuts herself, has bad relationships, and gets into drugs and alcohol. She does manage to become a nurse and then a lawyer, but the damage remains. Finally, in her thirties, she goes to this trauma recovery program and starts actually dealing with what happened to her.
The writing really captures what it feels like to be a little kid who has no idea what's going on. And it shows how this stuff doesn't just hurt the kid - it ruins the whole family. All that keeping quiet and acting like nothing's wrong ends up being almost as damaging as the abuse itself.
The book ends on a hopeful note though. Andrea does eventually find someone who loves her and manages to build a decent life. So I guess there's some hope even after going through something that awful.
May 30, 2025
Such a Pretty Picture is a raw, unflinching memoir that explores the darkness behind a seemingly idyllic facade. It’s a deeply personal account of a childhood marked by emotional turmoil, family dysfunction, and trauma - and the long road toward understanding and healing. Leeb confronts difficult truths about her past with a kind of brutal honesty that’s both courageous and deeply moving.
Even though the book is quite graphic and by far not the easiest read, I believe memoirs that handle such heavy topics- childhood abuse, mental health, complicated family dynamics - are almost mandatory for us to engage with. Yes, the author did the bravest thing by writing and publishing her experiences, so somehow I feel like we, as readers and bystanders, are obligated to read them as long as they exist in the world. Isn’t this the least we can do?
The writing is unpretentious and emotionally sharp- it doesn’t aim to be lyrical or poetic, and that’s exactly why it lands so hard. The author doesn’t distance herself from the pain, and she doesn’t allow the reader to, either. It’s intimate, direct, and at times unbearably honest, making it a memoir that lingers long after the last page.
This isn’t a book you read for comfort - it’s one you read to bear witness.
Set to published October 14, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.
Even though the book is quite graphic and by far not the easiest read, I believe memoirs that handle such heavy topics- childhood abuse, mental health, complicated family dynamics - are almost mandatory for us to engage with. Yes, the author did the bravest thing by writing and publishing her experiences, so somehow I feel like we, as readers and bystanders, are obligated to read them as long as they exist in the world. Isn’t this the least we can do?
The writing is unpretentious and emotionally sharp- it doesn’t aim to be lyrical or poetic, and that’s exactly why it lands so hard. The author doesn’t distance herself from the pain, and she doesn’t allow the reader to, either. It’s intimate, direct, and at times unbearably honest, making it a memoir that lingers long after the last page.
This isn’t a book you read for comfort - it’s one you read to bear witness.
Set to published October 14, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC.
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