Rescuing Hope by Susan Norris

About the Book:

Every two minutes, evil strips innocence from a child and sells her into slavery for sex. Not in a third-world country, but in the United States of America. Before you take another breath, the next victim will be tricked or taken from her family by a profit-hungry criminal.

She could be a neighbor. A friend.Your sister. Your daughter. You.

At fourteen, Hope Ellis is the all-American girl with a good life—until the day she tries to help her mom with their cross-town move by supervising the movers. When they finish, one of the men returns to the house and rapes her. Held silent by his threats, darkness begins to engulf her.

But the rape proves to be the least of Hope’s troubles. In a gasping attempt at normalcy, she succumbs to the attention of a smooth-talking man on the subway. He promises acceptance. He declares his love. He lures her out from under the shelter of her suburban life.

Hope’s disappearance sets a community in motion. She’s one of their own. They determine to find Hope, whatever the cost, before she’s lost forever.

My Thoughts:

I have to be honest: I couldn't finish this one.  The message is important.  But the writing was choppy and I just never connected with the characters.  As a novel, I didn't care for the style at all.

However, the message of "Rescuing Hope" is vitally important.  Susan does show how deceptive and manipulative men involved in sex trafficking are, and how easy it is to prey on vulnerable young girls (and I'm sure young boys as well).

In an age where more families are broken than whole, it's easy to think it can't happen to someone you love.  All it takes is one act, leaving behind shame and fear and the door swings open.

We have to create an atmosphere of safety and start a conversation that begins with "I don't ever want (this) to happen, but if it does, you can trust me enough to tell me about it."  If Hope had told her mother about the initial attack, she could have been spared what was to come.

Secrets are deadly things.  Our young people aren't always equipped to deal with the hardships that come.  They are too easily victimized, and books like "Rescuing Hope" can help educate.

The book does contain language, and some scenes of sexuality.  While I don't necessarily endorse the book, I do endorse starting a conversation and it has to begin at home.

I receive a copy of "Rescuing Hope" from Glass Roads Publicity in exchange for an honest review.  Mildly recommended, with caution--don't let your kids read without you reading it with them.

Happy Reading!





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