Sunday, August 12, 2012

Giveaway& Review: Shut Up by Ann Tibbets


Mary's older sister, Gwen, has royally screwed up her life. Not only is Gwen pregnant at seventeen, but she's also decided to marry The Creep who knocked her up.

Now Mary is powerless to stop her family from imploding. Her parents are freaking out, and to top it off The Creep has a gross fascination with Mary while Gwen enjoys teasing her to tears for sport.

Despite her brother's advice to shut up, Mary can't keep her trap closed and manages to piss off Mom so much it comes to blows.

Mary doesn't know what to do, and all her attempts to get help are rejected. When she finally plans her escape, she fails to consider how it could destroy them all.


Angry, emotional and raw. This was painful for me to read as the things that Mary went through and felt are very hurtful for any human being. It felt as if I was experiencing her pain with her. The abuse that Mary is subjected to is very real not realistic...real. People that we walk by each day one of them have or are going through something like this. 

Mary believes that she can't do anything right no matter what she does. She lives in a household where she is told not to lie but then do it to show loyalty to her family. Her sister is absolutely hateful to Mary for no apparent reason other than she can; she is evil. It never is really explained why she treats her so bad, maybe jealousy. Her boyfriend or the Creep as he is called by Mary is a sleaze ball, who begins to look and touch Mary in an inappropriate manner. Gwen in this story is like poison and it is amazing how one person can screw up the whole atmosphere. Her hatred and rage invoke some of the violence in this book that is directed towards Mary. Things get so bad that finally Mary decides that she would rather die than take any more of the chaos in her life. She is only twelve-years old and instead of feeling safe, she lives in fear that no matter what she says it's her fault and she gets into trouble.

This story is told from the perspective of Mary and her brother (insert name) from the past point of view and the present. Personally, I didn't get the need for his point of view because he wasn't abused in the way that Mary is as he discovered by keeping quiet and staying out the way is to avoid it trouble. I felt his advice to Mary to just "shut up" and things would be fine faulty. True he was not the main person abused and yes he is still affected by what goes on the house but poor Mary. Through the voice of Mary, I was able to visualize and experience things as if I was right there with her. I can understand and relate to her pain. Gwen, the Queen B in the house is a cruel, insensitive big sister, who needs to grow up and realize no one made the choices for her, she did and she needs to deal with it. The mother doesn’t cope well with Gwen, her own anger nor the negative energy surrounding them very well. Okay, so this is a touchy subject for me and to end this review...good read.

US/CAN ONLY(Just in case, you don't read the terms and conditions)
Thanks to the Author for providing the books for this giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review


17 comments:

  1. I don't enjoy stories of abuse no matter how well written. They break my heart. I read books to escape, they are usually sci-fi, fantasy or cozy mysteries.

    Abuse is too real in the world today--nough said.

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  2. I've heard a lot of good things about this book, it looks really good. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  3. Sounds like a really good read! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  4. This book is on my TBR shelf, I can not wait to read it :). Thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. This looks like a really sad yet good book. These are so hard to read but one that many people should. Thank you for the giveaway!!

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  6. This does sound intense and angry. The storyline is interesting.

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  7. I do not know if I have read a book about abuse where there was not a character who stands up and takes care of business. I am wondering if this read accomplishes that. I am curious how it plays out and thank you for taking the time to share with us and for the giveaway opportunity.

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  8. This title sounds very interesting. As you have said, we live our lives closed off to the idea that others around us have been hurt or are being hurt. I look forward to reading the book.

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  9. Happy Birthday. This book sounds intense. I think i would enjoy it.

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  10. @Tiff Pull- You like all the sad, realistic books.


    Thanks for the review, but I would have to pass on this book. I was never abused by my parents, but I do have some physical and verbal abuse in my past...that I have buried and would like to keep buried.

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  11. I really can't wait! I want this book!

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  12. I am not sure if I can read this book - it sounds so raw.

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  13. I like edgy reads and have hard a lot of good things about this one!

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  14. I really like this book! I want it for someone! Happy birthday my friend (soon.)

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