While reading this story, my heart was moving fast through the spectrum of emotions. I would find myself surprised and angry at one time, thinking that these horrific incidents should not happen to anybody, then quickly my heart would warm up at human's potential for sympathy and aid... I love this story and I hope that any abused person on earth whether physically or psychologically would find his own Brian to jump to his/her rescue... ( )

Beautiful and Inspring. I loved it!!! I knew this book was going to be good but the word good is such a huge understatement, this story was....beautiful, amazing, incredible: all of the above and yet even those words fail to capture how great this story was. Ever since Elle Casey first announce Don't Make Me Beautiful I've been looking forward to it, playing out different storyline scenarios in my head and I love the fact that no matter how many times I imagined how this book might possibly turn out, I never even came close. She always takes a story so much further than my imagination can reach and in so many different directions that it never ceases to amaze me. I would really like to talk about the story and share some quotes I saved on my Kindle but I can't. I truly do not want to ruin a moment of this for anyone. I don't even want to post the quotes that really don't give anything away because I feel it could somehow lessen each line for someone and trust me, this is a book where you really need to experience each and every word for yourself. This is a powerfully moving book! The book starts out showing two very different worlds. One world full of hope and dreams and another full of fear and hopelessness. From the very first lines I was sucked in, my heart grew heavy and that sensation only got stronger and stronger. By the end of the book it felt like my heart was turned into glass, shattered into a million pieces, melted down and then remade whole and even better than before.

It pains me to know that there are real monsters out there like this, that anyone has ever had to go through anything even remotely similar to what Nicole went through. Domestic abuse is always a subject that needs more awareness and I applaud Elle Casey for writing such a challenging book with the compassion and respect it deserves. I love the fact that majority of the book concentrated on the healing over the horror and I hope this story will be able to help those who may not feel that they are able to help themselves. Many of us have lived in homes with domestic abuse but much like Nicole we do not have to let it define our lives. I know many people might not be able to understand why anyone would stay in a abusive relationship but it's easy for a sane and healthy mind to judge one that no longer is. Basically people like Nicole are prisoners of war. That's the simplest way to think of it. Words like Stockholm Syndrome cannot even begin to truly describe what goes on in a victimized mind and that is only one form of abusive control, there are many unfortunately. Somewhere along the way it's easy to lose yourself out of fear and pain and when that happens you simply go into survival mode.

I really don't even know what else to say so I'll just say thank you Elle Casey. Judging by the reviews I've read your book has brought others the same hope and joy that I felt. It helps to remind many of us that we are not to blame, that we did nothing wrong and do not/did not deserve to be treated poorly and it also reminds me to be vigilant. To be able to offer that helping hand or that shoulder to lean on if someone ever needs it. Don't be afraid to reach out and help others to or to reach out and ask for help. None of us got to where we are today in life on our own. At some point we all need a helping hand. Thank you Elle Casey. ( )

review to come ( )

This novel is a remarkable story. There is terrible physical and mental abuse, an amazing rescue, and so much love. The first few chapters will rip at your heart, the rest will heal it.

Nicole was a beautiful young woman, just starting college with the world at her feet. She is captivated by tall handsome John, who treated her like precious glass. Before she knows it, she is in love and within a month , moving in with John . Her dream world is quickly shattered. She is cut off from family and friends, and soon the outside world. It starts out with just a few harsh words, but escalates quickly. Nicole is totally confused, what is she doing wrong? She tries so very hard. "She learned a long time ago that standing up for herself just puts her in the perfect position to be slapped down." She knows nothing but searing pain, terror and despair. She has nothing left to live for.

Brian is a single dad of an adorable six year old named Liam. They live a block away from where John and Nicole live. Brian is a very talented woodworker who restores and designs furniture. Brian's ex wife Helen is a corporate attorney, who travels a lot, and they had a very amicable divorce. They still love each other, they just can't live together, and being friends works much better. Brian and Liam are avid baseball fans, and it's a coveted fly ball caught by Brian and Liam that brings about a very unexpected connection to Nicole.

All the characters in this novel are amazing. John being the big exception. Helen is very supportive of anything Brian chooses to do as long as Liam is not endangered. Agnes, Brian's next door neighbor, though known as somewhat of a busybody , is very protective of his little family. I could not put this book down. Sometimes reading with tears pouring down my face. There are some very unexpected twists and turns, and the ending will prove the power of courage and love.

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. This novel is fiction, but I know there are so many women living this nightmare. Ms. Casey has created a fascinating read, with a very serious message. I highly recommend this novel.

Pat Fordyce ( )

It does not matter how many reviews you and I read, or how many people we speak to about this book - this is one of those books you have to experience for yourself. I was quite nervous to start reading the book as the subject is not one I would normally read, but I am so glad I did.

It is a beautifully written story, it is written with compassion and love which makes this very difficult subject easier to absorb. It touched me deeply, and I hope I walked away from the experience a little wiser to what goes on behind closed doors, but it also makes me wonder how many of the women we come into contact with on a daily basis are hiding a secret they cannot share – because they are either too afraid to, or they are too ashamed to.

I loved this story. It may be a story about abuse and the awful repercussions of that abuse, but it is also a story about hope. It is about the kindness of strangers, and it is about love, and the realization that you are not alone, and that you are worthy. It is a truly uplifting book.

One of Elle Casey’s many strengths is her ability to create characters with depth that we can relate to, and as usual she has written a book with some truly awesome characters. Elle has a special way with young children and her little Liam is especially adorable. Even ‘John The Abuser’ is so well portrayed that I wished I could storm into the book and do him some serious damage – I hated that man, and that is not a word I use very often.

I highly recommend this book, it is beautiful love story that is guaranteed to touch your soul.

After every book Elle publishes, I wonder how on earth she can ever top that, but with each subsequent release, she does exactly that. This is Elle Casey at her very best. ( )