Book excerpt: Allie Brock, a shy teen living with her mother and sibling, finds it difficult to distinguish herself in their realm of life, and unable to identify with her own. To steer away from constant bouts within her family’s domain, she turns to the dictates of others. Allie’s gutsy mother, Lydia, steers a desperate quest to find the perfect man to rescue her from a less than idyllic destiny. As Lydia indiscriminately party-on to reach her version of a ‘happily-ever-after,’ her young daughter wriggles and wavers to survive a terrifying journey. Nonetheless, Lydia’s injurious behavior leads Allie to endure a life-changing horrifying night in which no one hears her pleads. As she struggles to cope with the aftershock, Allie struggles to find ways to reach out for help without breaking the family’s number one rule. When she finally seeks refuge, it comes with unexpected consequences.