This book...wow. Where to begin? It's simply stunning in its ability to do so many things so well. It chronicles the horrific tragedy of sexual abuse of children, while also giving the reader hope on every page. Much of Broken Places is about the sadness and emptiness that happens after abuse, but parts of it are also a celebration of healthy love and sexuality.

I believe it's an important read for everyone. If you're a survivor yourself--and can handle reading about the topic--it may help you to heal. If you know nothing about childhood sexual abuse, this book will help you understand the pain survivors experience. And if you, like me, have a very close friend who was molested repeatedly as a child, this book may help you to understand your friend better. I found parts of it difficult to read--especially as the mother of a 13 year old girl--but I'm glad I did and recommend it highly.