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The First 22 Years Are the Hardest: coming of age with a baby on the hip and hope for happily ever after
By the time she is thirteen, Angela Giles Klocke has already learned what it means to survive sexual assault, child abuse, and poverty. What follows is a deeply honest survivor memoir about searching for love as a way out—and discovering the high cost of that hope.
When Angela meets Dewayne, she believes she has found her escape. Instead, the relationship slowly becomes a cycle of emotional and domestic abuse, stretching from her teenage years into adulthood and leaving her questioning her worth, her voice, and her future.
This true story of survival is not only about what was endured, but about what refused to hope. With courage, self-reflection, and resilience, Angela begins the difficult work of imagining life beyond abuse.
The First 22 Years Are the Hardest is a powerful memoir about overcoming abuse, written for survivors, advocates, and anyone seeking proof that healing after trauma is possible—even when the road forward feels impossible to see.
Content This book includes discussions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
When Angela meets Dewayne, she believes she has found her escape. Instead, the relationship slowly becomes a cycle of emotional and domestic abuse, stretching from her teenage years into adulthood and leaving her questioning her worth, her voice, and her future.
This true story of survival is not only about what was endured, but about what refused to hope. With courage, self-reflection, and resilience, Angela begins the difficult work of imagining life beyond abuse.
The First 22 Years Are the Hardest is a powerful memoir about overcoming abuse, written for survivors, advocates, and anyone seeking proof that healing after trauma is possible—even when the road forward feels impossible to see.
Content This book includes discussions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
232 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 16, 2022
Must read this book
Angela has been my friend for 15+ years and I knew bits of her story, but not the details. You'll walk away from this book changed with a greater respect for single moms and domestic violence survivors. However, it isn't easy to read, no matter if you know her or not. AGK is a wonderful writer and a beautiful friend!
Angela has been my friend for 15+ years and I knew bits of her story, but not the details. You'll walk away from this book changed with a greater respect for single moms and domestic violence survivors. However, it isn't easy to read, no matter if you know her or not. AGK is a wonderful writer and a beautiful friend!
July 17, 2022
Amazing.
Angela is so brave. One of the strongest people I've ever known. Her story always leaves me with tears and hope.
Angela is so brave. One of the strongest people I've ever known. Her story always leaves me with tears and hope.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews