My description of As the Flowers Bloom by Cheryl T. Long, in three words is complex, empowering and raw.

Book synopsis:
Living in a two parent home would seem ideal, but for this little girl.

Cherish Flowers is a six-year-old child prostitute trafficked by her father, and her mother knew about it. Although severely sexually and mentally abused, she finds a way to deal with her life as it is. She takes solace in her ability to dance.

Cherish is in love with the dancing, but can she survive the daily travails of her life?

With no formal training other than her passion for dancing, Cherish has finally gotten her big break, but it might cost her everything. Unable, to put the nightmares of her past and the man that abused her out of her mind, she soon finds herself spiraling under those bright lights.

Will this flower bloom? Or will she wilt?

My musings:
I wish I could say that I absolutely adored this book but sadly, I just can't. Nevertheless, I found it a remarkable story, though it did contain some depressing and horrific elements. Essentially a story about sexual abuse and trauma, it's well-written and gritty. The protagonist, Cherish, is ably fleshed out, but I had very little connection with her. As the Flowers Bloom is an empowering story that shows how a woman who has lost hope can rise from the depths of despair through sheer determination and perseverance. Although gripping and edgy, it was an extremely uncomfortable read in many places.

Verdict:
Recommended for those looking for a raw, realistic, and disturbing read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

I almost did not finish this book, as it was so graphic and badly written. What should have been a sympathetic look at this child's life, evolved into something really not worth of being printed...only my opinion.

An important story to tell. Disturbing and hard to read due to the topic: abuse of a prepubescent girl.

The synopsis of this book had me expecting more. I should not have done this. This book is not good at all. Father letting clients have their way with his 8 yr old daughter which his wife knows about. Bad writing and just not a good read. There is nothing more I will say about this ship wreck of a book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.