My name is Kylie-Anne Evans, and it’s time to tell my story as the truth will set me free. I am a survivor.I am a victim of incest. I became pregnant after rape and lost my daughter when I was 15. I suffered domestic violence. Depression stalked me. I attempted suicide. I lost people I loved to suicide, natural causes and murder. And I lost my sons. I could not look after myself, much less my … children. My life was not worth living.I survived. More than that – I lived. I found resilience. I fought my way back. I overcame. And I became me – a mother with wonderful children and an amazing life. Every day I am grateful for the joy of waking up.Come with me on a journey through darkness and despair, and know that if I can triumph, so can you. We are stronger than we realise.
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I recieved a copy of this book from Kylie-Anne Evans in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and I am leaving this review willingly.
I want to begin by taking the time to personally thank Kylie-Anne Evans for sending me a copy of ‘Born To Survive: You Can’t Break A Broken Heart’. I am astonished by your continued strength not only in living each and every day to its fullest but also in writing this memoir. Not only did it take strength of character it also required true courage. Unfortunately, your struggles were not only your reality but in fact the reality of so many women. In writing this book you in turn validated their stories, even the untold ones. Its 2020 and we need to face facts. We have to acknowledge that abuse happens; it happens in homes, in foster care, in schools, in marriages. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the pain and struggles of our fellow humans any longer. Much like abuse is real, so is depression. There is no shame in seeking help. The stigma surrounding mental health is BULLSHIT and it needs to be stopped. If you or someone you love is being harmed, or if your pain is wrapped in your own pysche… You arent alone and you do not deserve any of the bad things that are happening to you.
‘Born To Survive: You Can’t Break A Broken Heart ‘ is easily one of the most difficult books I have read this year. It is difficult because it made me acknowledge the existence of abuse. Dont get me wrong I am not naive and I dont live in a “universe full of cotton candy and unicorn farts” but its not often that I am smacked in the face with such a horrible reality. While reading this book as a woman and a mother my heart broke over and over again.
So yes, this book was difficult, but it was also beautiful and awe-inspiring. In this book you see that even the most horrible things DO NOT have to break you. This book was full of pain and struggles but it was also full of courage and perservance. This book will stick with you long after you close its pages.
One of the things that stands out to me most is the fact that this memoir is transparent. I never felt as if Kylie was writing the version of herself and story that people would want to see or read. It was blantantly obvious to me that she was unapologeticly herself. This story is raw and it is written from her heart. She tells it all, even so far as laying bare her own mistakes and consequences.
The minute I read the books introduction I was on her team. YASSS queen! I loved that sass and humour! And by the end guess what?? I am still on her team. This is a woman who was beat down and rose above again and again. The memoir ends with “My story isnt over yet”… utterly poignant and powerful words. Kylie keep fighting and kicking ass girl! Keep be unapologeticly you!
Kylie-Ann, Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for sending me this and trusting me to share your story. Thank you again for writing a truly inspirational piece that highlights not just the worst in humans but also their strengths.