Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back (P.S.)

Even if you had a prior knowledge of the book, which mine was minimal at best, there is no way that you could be prepared for the powerhouse that this book actually is. The most prepared person will get knocked off their rocker by the sheer and honest emotions found within these pages. Nestled between the covers lies the strength of love, determination, self exploration and personal growth told in such a way that it is sure to take your breath away.The writing.`Exquisite' is the first word that comes to mind. Although, much too fancy of a word to cover the style and talent behind Mia and Claire's personal portrayal of their story, it's power is truly fitting. From the moment you begin reading, you can actually feel the emotions that Claire goes through. It's not difficult to place yourself in her shoes, even if you've never experienced the kind of intensity as the roller coaster ride that Mia and Claire go through.This is a smooth read, not something that requires you to have to concentrate in order to get through it. The words just sort of jump off the page and take over your mind and your emotions from the onset. Effortless and all encompassing, this is one book that goes by way too fast. As I read, I began to feel as though I knew these two women. I cried when they cried, I laughed when they laughed, I celebrated their triumphs and wallowed in the disappointments right along with them. I began to feel like Claire and Mia were sitting at my kitchen table with me, sharing a pot of fresh brewed coffee as they filled me in on the roller coaster ride that had taken them away from my immediate friendship for two long years. I wanted to hold Claire in my arms as she cried in the night full of fear for the well being of her daughter. I wanted to hold Mia in my arms as she ran scared and fast toward her seemingly inevitable demise.The story.I believe so intensely that everyone whom reads this book can walk away from it and be able to take something with them that I have purchased the book for several people I am close to in my life. It is such an inspirational story, a testament to the human spirit, that nobody on the planet should miss out on this book. The lessons learned by Mia and Claire are morals and lessons that each and every one of us could benefit from and find ways to incorporate within our own lives. Live not by the hand of fear. That is one thing that I walked away from this book coveting and determined to not only face up to, but to change within my own life. Claire and Mia show us, that even when we believe we've made the right decisions in life, that if those decisions were made out of fear, they could cause unimaginable harm in ways that our minds cannot begin to fathom.Heart wrenching and intense, this is a page turner of the best kind. I promise this is not a book that you will ever take lightly, or dislike. This is a story that will inspire you, and live within your heart for all of time. It touches places within your soul that you didn't even know were there. It gives hope to those whom feel hopeless in their own relationships with their mothers/daughters and brings to focus the true power of love. I highly suggest that if you haven't already, you go right now and purchase a copy of this book.

I have read many books on teens with addiction issues, teens with behavioral issues, family emotional issues, and the mother/daughter relationship. This book contained all four topics and dealt with them in such a raw, profound way. I have not been this affected by a story in a very long time. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it all that more compelling.My sixteen year old daughter is currently in rehab for alcohol and marijuana issues plus dabbling with acid and Adderall. Her counselor had her read Claire and Mia's book first, and my daughter actually recommended it to me. To say that is a first is a complete understatement. I couldn't wait to finish reading it to write to my daughter and let her know how touched I was. I was astounded by how many connections I was able to make between myself and Claire, my daughter and Mia. The issues stemmed from different places, they have varied in different ways along the way, but so many of the conversations (arguments) were the same. The emotional roller coaster was so similar. The struggle for control unbelievably familiar. It's not too hard to find these types of connections in other books of similar themes, but something about this one was just so much more powerful.Despite all of the controversy surrounding the Morava Academy and even the Spring Creek Lodge Academy in Montana, I found the programs as they were described, and the seminars for the parents to discover their own issues, to be astounding in their ability to cut through all the outside garbage and help these kids and their parents to realize their strengths and weaknesses and how to work on both. I believe, as was described in the book, that it is often the isolation from the outside world that really allows these kids to finally let go of their manipulations, and often get back to the real business of being a kid. What could be better than that? On the other hand, I know these types of places can be very risky and we all realize the risks we are taking when we send our children off to be cared for by strangers. I suppose it's the lesser of two evils if the other options they are facing are either detention or probable death.Anyway, rambling aside, my daughter and I both really liked this book and we applaud both authors for their openness and willingness to share their story with the rest of us. I will recommend it to anyone I think will benefit from its contents, and I will not forget it. It will resonate with me for a very long time. And I only pray we can have the happy ending they earned.

As the mother of three now-adult children, I began this book thinking that it would be a good read but that I wouldn’t really relate o the characters. My children never ran away, never were sexually abused; never told me they hated me, nor did they get immersed into a world of danger as Mia did.How wrong I was. The honesty and depth in this story grabbed me immediately. I felt as though I was right there with them, and I ached for each of them as they suffered and blundered and learned and coped.I learned so much from this book, and though I am certain it was therapeutic for them to write it, it was also profoundly generous for sharing such personal pain and ultimately, triumph.

Come Back (P.S.) This book is about a child that was abused and how she rebelled again everything and everybody. As Mother's would or should do is not give up on a child who she knows is hurting and lost.She goes to rehab, learning how to love herself and accept what happened to her and it was not her fault.She and her Mother grows this bond between them again and it is a heart touching story of how one Mother lost her daughter (after she was abused) to drugs, etc.Very inspiring book that every Mother or daughter should read. Come Back (P.S.)

Excellent Book!!! Only put it down to sleep!

The author and her daughter appeared on a Ricki Lake show and I was looking forward to the read. A third of the way through it I lost interest because of the mother's monotonous lament for her spoiled daughter and her errant ways. The remainder of the book is just mind numbingly boring. How either of the authors could recall entire conversations on every day of the daughters 'rehab' during months abroad..is questionable. I did finish it, but I donated it to a charity shop rather than pass it to a friend.