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Alexis: My True Story of Being Seduced by an Online Predator
In six words, an instant message changed Alexis forever. After a rocky junior year of high school, Alexis Singer was lonely, stressed out, and vulnerable--the ideal target for an older man with bad intentions. When a message popped up on her computer screen one night from a message board acquaintance, she could never have known that by responding she was making a choice that would change her forever. By posing as a friend and confidant, the man gave Alexis the attention she desperately craved and weaseled his way into her life in an unimaginable way. Within weeks, Alexis was sucked into an emotionally dependent relationship, engaging in cybersex and sending him explicit photos of herself. Somewhere along the way, she lost who she was and put her dreams for the future, relationships with friends and family, and psychological well-being on the line. 'Not much about that first online conversation we had sticks out in my head except for his surprising interest in me. I probably would have forgotten about it if it weren't for that. I would have dismissed him as just another creep.' Because Truth Is More Fascinating Than Fiction www.louderthanwordsbooks.com
163 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2010
5 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Singer
1 book3 followersAlexis Singer attended the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts as a writer and is currently a sophomore at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA, studying political science and women's studies. She is nineteen years old.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 17, 2010
I feel incredibly awkward rating someone's personal experience.
Alexis takes us on the journey of what it's like to be seduced by an online predator. I had a few mixed feelings about this book... I've been on the internet for years, and maybe it's just me, but I've never given out my real name to someone I don't know. The only time I've given out my name online was on a forum my real life friends were on, but even then, I gave out only my nickname. To me, the funny thing about the internet is, you can be whoever you want to be. And when I was younger, I wanted to be someone else. So I always was (to be completely honest right now, Marie isn't my real name, but it is half of my real name so I guess I'm not exactly lying). I wondered through out the book why she would give out her real name or real life information, but I guess (after discussing this with my husband) it's common for people to not really think about it.
The signs that Alexis' predator gave were obvious ones and she even admits that she eventually knew where this would lead, but yet she still came back for more. She still craved his attention, even though he knew her requests were wrong. What he was doing was wrong. And I can't help but think, she could had easily logged off, or easily turned off the laptop. I know that her addiction to him was hard and unexplainable, but somewhere in there you have to realize that he's married and this is wrong. And just let it go. I hate how that statement made me sound like a jerk, I don't want it to sound like I'm saying "oh well it's just that easy" because I can imagine it's not. I was happy with the outcome and that she eventually did release herself from that situation. I was curious to know what happened to the predator after.
Internet experiences are... crazy. I guess I was lucky enough that my first online "relationship" (which was with a guy, across the country) wasn't anything crazy, but we're now Facebook friends and we still do talk a lot from time to time. And another online "relationship" which ended up much more awkward (and I have to admit, I did form an addiction to this guy at several points, but we're around the same age) is that he completely lied about who he was. His name, his race, his age, and what he looked like. It wasn't until 6 years after I knew him (and keep in mind, we kept in touch all those years!) that I tracked down his real MySpace and confronted him about it. Which resulted in him not speaking to me for a few days because he didn't know what to say. But in the end, I'm glad to know who he really is. At least all other events in his life weren't false. At least, I'm hoping they weren't...
I do recommend this book for younger teens, especially in these times where they're spending more time online and on social networking sites (I mean come on, my husband's 5 year old sister's TV shows talk about MySpace and she goes online!) which can be so much more dangerous than forums and chat rooms! I recommend it to parents with teens who spend a lot of time on the internet as well, just to be informed of a real life experience of something that can really happen.
Alexis takes us on the journey of what it's like to be seduced by an online predator. I had a few mixed feelings about this book... I've been on the internet for years, and maybe it's just me, but I've never given out my real name to someone I don't know. The only time I've given out my name online was on a forum my real life friends were on, but even then, I gave out only my nickname. To me, the funny thing about the internet is, you can be whoever you want to be. And when I was younger, I wanted to be someone else. So I always was (to be completely honest right now, Marie isn't my real name, but it is half of my real name so I guess I'm not exactly lying). I wondered through out the book why she would give out her real name or real life information, but I guess (after discussing this with my husband) it's common for people to not really think about it.
The signs that Alexis' predator gave were obvious ones and she even admits that she eventually knew where this would lead, but yet she still came back for more. She still craved his attention, even though he knew her requests were wrong. What he was doing was wrong. And I can't help but think, she could had easily logged off, or easily turned off the laptop. I know that her addiction to him was hard and unexplainable, but somewhere in there you have to realize that he's married and this is wrong. And just let it go. I hate how that statement made me sound like a jerk, I don't want it to sound like I'm saying "oh well it's just that easy" because I can imagine it's not. I was happy with the outcome and that she eventually did release herself from that situation. I was curious to know what happened to the predator after.
Internet experiences are... crazy. I guess I was lucky enough that my first online "relationship" (which was with a guy, across the country) wasn't anything crazy, but we're now Facebook friends and we still do talk a lot from time to time. And another online "relationship" which ended up much more awkward (and I have to admit, I did form an addiction to this guy at several points, but we're around the same age) is that he completely lied about who he was. His name, his race, his age, and what he looked like. It wasn't until 6 years after I knew him (and keep in mind, we kept in touch all those years!) that I tracked down his real MySpace and confronted him about it. Which resulted in him not speaking to me for a few days because he didn't know what to say. But in the end, I'm glad to know who he really is. At least all other events in his life weren't false. At least, I'm hoping they weren't...
I do recommend this book for younger teens, especially in these times where they're spending more time online and on social networking sites (I mean come on, my husband's 5 year old sister's TV shows talk about MySpace and she goes online!) which can be so much more dangerous than forums and chat rooms! I recommend it to parents with teens who spend a lot of time on the internet as well, just to be informed of a real life experience of something that can really happen.
August 1, 2025
Livre très touchant
February 1, 2011
Alexis was my second Louder Than Words book and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up. Although intense and at times frightening, Alexis was a fantastic debut that I finished in a couple of hours.
To begin with, I really liked Alexis. It must have taken a lot of strength to write her story and share it with the world. I’ve never really understood how young girls get caught up with online predators, but Alexis was very eye opening and proved how one simple message can change someone’s life forever. Alexis was lonely and needed a distraction, and the internet provided just that. It was terrifying to realize there are people out there that would try and seduce a young girl. Alexis was soon caught up in speaking with this particular man and before she knew it things were getting out of hand, but she just couldn’t stop. I was constantly wondering- why is she going this far? Why isn’t she putting an end to this? By reading this memoir it really opened my eyes to how hard it is to extract yourself from a situation like that after you’ve gone one step too far. Alexis was a normal girl, like me, and she could be anyone. It made me rethink everything I’d ever known about online predators and how easy it is to fall subject to one.
I highly recommend picking this up. It’s an emotional and heart breaking read, that will hopefully make an impact on many teenagers today.
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars
To begin with, I really liked Alexis. It must have taken a lot of strength to write her story and share it with the world. I’ve never really understood how young girls get caught up with online predators, but Alexis was very eye opening and proved how one simple message can change someone’s life forever. Alexis was lonely and needed a distraction, and the internet provided just that. It was terrifying to realize there are people out there that would try and seduce a young girl. Alexis was soon caught up in speaking with this particular man and before she knew it things were getting out of hand, but she just couldn’t stop. I was constantly wondering- why is she going this far? Why isn’t she putting an end to this? By reading this memoir it really opened my eyes to how hard it is to extract yourself from a situation like that after you’ve gone one step too far. Alexis was a normal girl, like me, and she could be anyone. It made me rethink everything I’d ever known about online predators and how easy it is to fall subject to one.
I highly recommend picking this up. It’s an emotional and heart breaking read, that will hopefully make an impact on many teenagers today.
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars
December 12, 2016
Guys like Phil are so real and so common and it's scary
January 21, 2024
This 158 page book was a quick read. In my professional career, I am a child forensic interviewer. This true story mirrored so closely an actual case we had that it was haunting really. The reality is so many young men and women face situations like this online all the time. It’s truly an epidemic. If you have preteens/teenagers, I recommend reading anything you can about online solicitation, and then have very real talks with your kids.
August 10, 2011
Spoilers.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was not as interesting or scandalous as I thought it might be, judging from the title. There were also lines at the end of chapters that promised all sorts of drama and horror in the chapters to come, but never really delivered on that. And I don't really feel like seduce was the right word to use for the title. Manipulated would be more appropriate here.
I was also concerned about the use of certain psychological terms and their correctness applied to the people involved. I didn't really get the impression that Phil was a sociopath, though he had some tendencies; the reader has no knowledge of his true personal life other than what the author supposes. We don't know if he felt any guilt, how well he kept promises in his home life, etc. I don't like such a strong word to be thrown around randomly.
And I was disappointed that the family did not press charges. Who knows how many other young girls had already or will fall prey to his behaviors? Not to mention that his wife has a right to know what he's been doing, especially considering they have a baby daughter.
I also did not feel that the author did an adequate job of detailing why she allowed this man to slither into her life. She says she was insecure and needed attention, but there was something lacking in her writing on the matter. More information about her inner world and the insidious way in which he crept in would have been helpful. I understand how something like this can happen, but for someone who cannot understand, they will leave this book feeling like anyone who would allow themselves to be handled this way is stupid. They won't get how easy it is to lie to yourself, to ignore your gut feelings, and to continue on with something you know is not good for you. More elucidation on the author's part would have helped.
However, I think it could be an important book for many teens (or adults) who find themselves heading into the same sort of relationship. I see it appealing more to younger teens than older teens. It's a very important issue; I just wish it had been handled a little differently.
Product Description
In six words, an instant message changed Alexis forever.
After a rocky junior year of high school, Alexis Singer was lonely, stressed out, and vulnerable--the ideal target for an older man with bad intentions. When a message popped up on her computer screen one night from a message board acquaintance, she could never have known that by responding she was making a choice that would change her forever.
By posing as a friend and confidant, the man gave Alexis the attention she desperately craved and weaseled his way into her life in an unimaginable way. Within weeks, Alexis was sucked into an emotionally dependent relationship, engaging in cybersex and sending him explicit photos of herself. Somewhere along the way, she lost who she was and put her dreams for the future, relationships with friends and family, and psychological well-being on the line.
'Not much about that first online conversation we had sticks out in my head except for his surprising interest in me. I probably would have forgotten about it if it weren't for that. I would have dismissed him as just another creep.'
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was not as interesting or scandalous as I thought it might be, judging from the title. There were also lines at the end of chapters that promised all sorts of drama and horror in the chapters to come, but never really delivered on that. And I don't really feel like seduce was the right word to use for the title. Manipulated would be more appropriate here.
I was also concerned about the use of certain psychological terms and their correctness applied to the people involved. I didn't really get the impression that Phil was a sociopath, though he had some tendencies; the reader has no knowledge of his true personal life other than what the author supposes. We don't know if he felt any guilt, how well he kept promises in his home life, etc. I don't like such a strong word to be thrown around randomly.
And I was disappointed that the family did not press charges. Who knows how many other young girls had already or will fall prey to his behaviors? Not to mention that his wife has a right to know what he's been doing, especially considering they have a baby daughter.
I also did not feel that the author did an adequate job of detailing why she allowed this man to slither into her life. She says she was insecure and needed attention, but there was something lacking in her writing on the matter. More information about her inner world and the insidious way in which he crept in would have been helpful. I understand how something like this can happen, but for someone who cannot understand, they will leave this book feeling like anyone who would allow themselves to be handled this way is stupid. They won't get how easy it is to lie to yourself, to ignore your gut feelings, and to continue on with something you know is not good for you. More elucidation on the author's part would have helped.
However, I think it could be an important book for many teens (or adults) who find themselves heading into the same sort of relationship. I see it appealing more to younger teens than older teens. It's a very important issue; I just wish it had been handled a little differently.
Product Description
In six words, an instant message changed Alexis forever.
After a rocky junior year of high school, Alexis Singer was lonely, stressed out, and vulnerable--the ideal target for an older man with bad intentions. When a message popped up on her computer screen one night from a message board acquaintance, she could never have known that by responding she was making a choice that would change her forever.
By posing as a friend and confidant, the man gave Alexis the attention she desperately craved and weaseled his way into her life in an unimaginable way. Within weeks, Alexis was sucked into an emotionally dependent relationship, engaging in cybersex and sending him explicit photos of herself. Somewhere along the way, she lost who she was and put her dreams for the future, relationships with friends and family, and psychological well-being on the line.
'Not much about that first online conversation we had sticks out in my head except for his surprising interest in me. I probably would have forgotten about it if it weren't for that. I would have dismissed him as just another creep.'
April 4, 2012
Alexis was lonely. That's most likely why even though it went against he better judgment she took up an online relationship with a man old enough to be her father. There were many times when she knew in her gut that it was a terrible idea, but sometimes what you know and what you think you need are two different things.
So it's sort of hard to write a review of somebody's life story. I can't say things like that is so unrealistic or that could never happen in real life because it is and it did. Luckily those are things I didn't think because this was a great book. I was so excited when I heard about Louder Than Words, and couldn't wait to get them in at the library. These are stories that need to be told. Alexis Singer tells her story plainly without much gritty detail, but a lot of emotion. One thing that bugged me a bit about this book though, was the timeline. She would talk about weeks or months passing but then go back to the first day of that time period. "I committed to participating in National Novel Writing Month in November... For a good two-thirds of the month, I was obsessed with it, writing 3,000 words religiously every night." Then the next chapter starts; "The day after Halloween..." I just didn't like how much the timeline jumped around. She kept getting ahead of herself with one thought and had to backtrack for the next thought. It just seemed sloppy. Besides that though, this was a fascinating look into the mind of a girl who was so lost that she sought comfort where she knew she shouldn't. I really liked that she compared her online relationship to being an addict. I can see where she's coming from. Attention somewhere is better than no attention and one can crave that comfort and then not be able to give it up that easily. This is a great novel for teens to be aware of. If it can even help one teen from not falling into a trap, maybe even worse than Alexis', than this book will have done it's job.
First Line:
"I wish I had known the future when an instant message (IM) popped up in the top right hand corner of my laptop screen on June 29, 2007."
Favorite Line:
"Addicts [feel] okay when they're getting what they need on a regular basis, but withdrawal is a whole different story."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1r65...
So it's sort of hard to write a review of somebody's life story. I can't say things like that is so unrealistic or that could never happen in real life because it is and it did. Luckily those are things I didn't think because this was a great book. I was so excited when I heard about Louder Than Words, and couldn't wait to get them in at the library. These are stories that need to be told. Alexis Singer tells her story plainly without much gritty detail, but a lot of emotion. One thing that bugged me a bit about this book though, was the timeline. She would talk about weeks or months passing but then go back to the first day of that time period. "I committed to participating in National Novel Writing Month in November... For a good two-thirds of the month, I was obsessed with it, writing 3,000 words religiously every night." Then the next chapter starts; "The day after Halloween..." I just didn't like how much the timeline jumped around. She kept getting ahead of herself with one thought and had to backtrack for the next thought. It just seemed sloppy. Besides that though, this was a fascinating look into the mind of a girl who was so lost that she sought comfort where she knew she shouldn't. I really liked that she compared her online relationship to being an addict. I can see where she's coming from. Attention somewhere is better than no attention and one can crave that comfort and then not be able to give it up that easily. This is a great novel for teens to be aware of. If it can even help one teen from not falling into a trap, maybe even worse than Alexis', than this book will have done it's job.
First Line:
"I wish I had known the future when an instant message (IM) popped up in the top right hand corner of my laptop screen on June 29, 2007."
Favorite Line:
"Addicts [feel] okay when they're getting what they need on a regular basis, but withdrawal is a whole different story."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1r65...
October 1, 2013
This book was about a girl who is going through a had time. She's in high school and doesn't have that many friends. Her parents are divorced and she started liking a man older than her own father. She barely even knows the guy. The only way they contact each other is through internet. Alexis likes to pour out her feeling to this man but all the man does is give a bit of advice and ask for pictures of her. Sometimes he would even have inappropriate talk with her. At first she hated it but then she just couldn't help but admit she actually liked it. Soon her mother found out and help her stop talking to this guy. The guy also happens to have a wife who later on in the story gets pregnant. The Alexis realized that she wished she had never spoken to him in the first place. Later on she gets over the man and moves on. Now she is dating a boy named Colin who loves her just the way she is.
One quote from this book that made me think was " He might have taken a tiny bit of my past, but my future is mine." on pg 158. This made me think that even through so much trauma she is still so strong. It shows me that we people are capable of doing whatever we want as long as your determined. Another quote is "I wasn't sure what I wanted." on pg 30. This quote made me think that she was so young yet she went thorough so much but still prevailed in the end. It also showed me that she was out of the innocent stages of childhood. She had no ambitions and dreams. I think this book was really good and I would recommend it because it helps us realized that while we are nagging about our own lived there are people out there who are having an even harder time.
One quote from this book that made me think was " He might have taken a tiny bit of my past, but my future is mine." on pg 158. This made me think that even through so much trauma she is still so strong. It shows me that we people are capable of doing whatever we want as long as your determined. Another quote is "I wasn't sure what I wanted." on pg 30. This quote made me think that she was so young yet she went thorough so much but still prevailed in the end. It also showed me that she was out of the innocent stages of childhood. She had no ambitions and dreams. I think this book was really good and I would recommend it because it helps us realized that while we are nagging about our own lived there are people out there who are having an even harder time.
August 27, 2010
From My Book Review Blog, Rundpinne:[return][return]Alexis: My True Story of Being Seduced by an Online Predator by Alexis Singer is part of the Louder Than Words book series and is an eye-opening memoir for parents of teens and a valuable lesson for teens to read. Alexis, now a sophomore in college writes candidly about how easily she was seduced into an online relationship with a predator, how she had seen the television shows, knew the warning signs, yet she still fell for it. All the warning signs were present, yet being a teen going through an emotional time, he pretended to offer her what she craved, love and attention. I enjoyed reading Alexis and felt it would be appropriate for teens to read. As a parent I was appalled and surprised her parents were as laid back as they were about the events. The ending still made me feel dreadfully sorry for Alexis and if I could have added one thing to the book it would have been information or hotline numbers for teens to utilize. All in all, Alexis opens herself up in hopes of preventing some other teen from following in her path.
July 17, 2012
Alexis Singer was a lonely high school student. Her parents are divorced and she has recently broken up with her boyfriend. So when an older man she had become acquainted with via an Internet message board begins to flirt with her via email, Alexis is flattered and returns the attention. Things develop quickly, with sexting, inappropriate pictures and him exposing himself via webcam.
This is a true story, part of the Louder Than Words series from Health Communications Inc. Each book is the autobiographical story from someone who has gone through a typical teen problem. Do not expect titillating details, bodice ripping or porn. This book is about the emotional impact this kind of abuse, and it is abuse, can have on a young person. And Alexis is honest about what happened to her, what is still happening to her.
Good for a high school library and above.
This is a true story, part of the Louder Than Words series from Health Communications Inc. Each book is the autobiographical story from someone who has gone through a typical teen problem. Do not expect titillating details, bodice ripping or porn. This book is about the emotional impact this kind of abuse, and it is abuse, can have on a young person. And Alexis is honest about what happened to her, what is still happening to her.
Good for a high school library and above.
July 16, 2013
Mixed feelings about this true story. Good in showing how a young person can easily get involved with an online predator. However, I felt that something should have been done with the police since it demonstrated how easily it was to get an underage girl involved and doing things she knows is wrong. I know the fear was charges could've been filed against Alexis but she is a minor and was taken advantage of while this man is probably still an online predator!
September 5, 2010
Wow. I wish all of my girl students would read this book about a 16 year old girl who lets a 30 something male talk her into doing things online that she would never dream about doing. This book would count for a Memoir/Autobiography/Biography credit in my class. It's an easy read as far as level of difficulty, but it's a difficult read as far as subject matter.
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March 1, 2011 Alexis' story is very powerful and I think that more people should read and realize that it could be you!
Her voice is very authentic, and I was able to relate with things she was saying and how she felt about herself. This is a road that I could have easily been down myself, and I felt for her and wished there was something I could do for her and other victims.
Her voice is very authentic, and I was able to relate with things she was saying and how she felt about herself. This is a road that I could have easily been down myself, and I felt for her and wished there was something I could do for her and other victims.
December 7, 2011
This was very good. It was also really sad, for it being a true story. I couldn't understand how someone could feel so alone and have to turn to a creep of a man for comfort. I could not put this book down. I wanted to find out what happened next. Im glad that the book had an some what happy ending.
December 28, 2012
The writing in this book is very plain as straightforward, and the technology discussed automatically dates the material. That said, this is a realistic look at an all-too-common situation, could be a good read for teens at risk of online sexual abuse. Perhaps doesn't focus enough on how damaging this type of thing can be-- would best be followed by a speaker or discussion group, I think.
July 16, 2015
this book was interesting to read because it is based off of a true story and i enjoy those types of books. it allows you to see what really goes on and can really happen to someone. it gives detail of all the affects her decisions she made had on her and it truly opens your eyes to see that you don't always get a way with things without there being a chain reaction of consequences.
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October 6, 2010was a really good book. it showed that you should be careful on the internet.
June 13, 2012
Concept/Ideas: 4/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
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January 2, 2015Having a hard time thinking any of this was real.The way the book was written reminds me of someone writing for a contest or a creative writing course.
December 14, 2015
very hard and weird book.
March 30, 2025
Alexis is a quick, timely read about the dangers of Internet for teens and kids. I was also surprised at just how well written the book was!
March 8, 2011
Can Alexis break her online addiction before it consumes her life?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews