I think the author was able to take this tough topic and make it into something that was really well done. The characters were great and I really felt bad for Lex.

Super important book, and the plot was executed well. The plot was interesting, however, there was some content that I did not expect in the book. Overall though, I'd recommend for anyone looking for a strong narrative.

This was a very hard, challenging read for me due to the content. However, I am glad I read it because it is an important issue that happens every day in the world that I believe more authors need to write about. It really opened my eyes to more of what the trafficked victims go through in the aftermath. How they are judged by others, how they feel, how they think, etc. I would love to read more of this author's work in the future and know she would be an auto-buy for me.

I don't really know that I can review this book the way it deserves? It's an important book but definitely a difficult read. I recommend it if you can handle the subject matter because it’s real life and these awful events happen despite not happening to us or people we know. What a nightmare for the victims that live this every single day, I appreciate being educated through literature on such a delicate subject matter. Thank you to the author for taking on this burden and NetGalley for the eARC.

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books

I picked up What Unbreakable Looks Like a few times, and just could not get beyond the first few pages. For me it was the unknown that kept me from flipping to the next page. It opens up with "Poppy" in hotel room with other teen girls, waiting for the next John to come in and violate them. As it seemed to start right at the climax I wasn't sure if I had enough strength to attempt this novel written for young adults. I read Gossip Girl while I worked at the bookstore and it was worlds away from Sweet Valley High that I read as a preteen. I am aware that books geared towards teens are more sexual, but I am not sure if parents are aware of that. This is a novel that doesn't use sex as a way to be more mature or use it to sell books. I do think that this is a great book for teens to read with their parents as it has an important topic that is very prevalent nowadays of human trafficking.

Finally one night as I sat down with this novel again, I told myself I had to read this story. While it is fiction, it highlights one girl's experience with human trafficking. It is something that we should all be learning more about to do our part to see this get eradicated. Not a spoiler alert, but something that may make it easier to get past the first several pages, Poppy, whose real name is Lex (Alexa( is rescued by the police early on. Usually in true crime shows/docs we forward after the rescue to see how they are doing now. What we don't realize is that getting rescued isn't the part where things get easier. This is when they have to fight for a new life. After Lex is treated for physical symptoms in the hospital she is taken to a recovery/rehab centre that specializes in girls who have been in similar situations. They are being treated for addictions, mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, suicidal ideations, etc. They are also treated like humans again. They are provided with little care packages that are their own. They also get tested for STI (and in most cases treated if possible). Another issue is just being able to sleep and to feel safe again. Women are seen as property and financial revenue for the pimps, so they will try to get them back into the life. With all the grooming since they met some want to go back. (There are also young girls who are "recruiters" for the pimps. They go out and look for the young girls and talk them into meeting the pimp.) In some cases girls left their families as their situation home seemed worse. If still underage, where do these girls go.

For Lex, she has her aunt (mother's younger sister) and uncle who take her in. They are well off, so she does have some advantages there. She meets two teens with their own demons who help her be a teen again, and also put her trust in others. She goes to school, therapy and tries to live a normal life. Unfortunately, her mother and her mother's boyfriend aided in Lex being groomed by her pimp in the first place. Her mother's boyfriend helped his friend (another grown man) befriend Lex and make her think this man is her boyfriend. When Lex is rescued her mom and her boyfriend try to get her back into the life again. Lex also has to deal with dating, how to be around men, and peers. It is a lot that she deals with in a very short period of time.

McLaughin does a great job in balancing the book with heavy issues. As we learn about what is happening under our noses, we also fall for Lex as a character. We get invested in seeing where her story goes, and for me hoping that good things come her way. It is beautifully written and engaging, so I hope that people at least try this book as I think it is an important piece of literature. I know if I was a teen this is the kind of book I would have preferred to learn in school, as there is so much that can educate the kids that are targeted.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I had to sit with this one a bit after finishing. This book was raw, emotional, heartbreaking, enraging, and powerful. Due to the subject matter, it was hard to read at times. The author made the character come alive through her words and tell a gut wrenching story.
My only criticism of the book is around its use of AAVE and tired stereotypes to portray someone as “hard” or “rough”.

Let's begin with the trigger warnings: sex trafficking, rape, sexual assault, child abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, self harm, slut shaming.


Now that you're informed about the trigger warnings, I can tell you about how unbelievably raw this book is. It's impactful, it's tough, it's emotional, it's gut wrenching, it's entrance into the world of human trafficking. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, but I was told that it would be right up my alley by the publisher given that I'd read two of their other most recent gritty novels, Sadie and Foul Is Fair. It did not disappoint.


Lex, aka Poppy, was lured by a man that her mother's boyfriend knew. He spent time at their place, made her feel special and let her fall for him. Then one day things changed and he wasn't her boyfriend anymore, but her pimp. The story flips back and forth between current day and flashbacks to her life as Poppy. 


It was so disheartening to see Lex flip flop between wanting to trust the adults in her life now and just wanting to walk away and back into the life of a sex worker. It tugged at my heart each time she started to think she wasn't worth fighting for. 


As you read and learn more about what it was like to live that life, how taking drugs numbed the pain (both physical and emotional) and how conditioned the girls became. How they are almost brainwashed into thinking no one would ever want them now and that if they tried to go home they'd be turned out or abandoned. I hated how her pimp renamed them all flower names so they'd start losing their identities sooner.


Another hard thing was watching Lex learn to trust others and even herself. She had to unlearn all of the bad and figure out what was worth fighting for. Her story is intense and terrifying at times. It makes me realize just how lucky I was to grow up the way I did and how I want to ensure my daughter is raised. How I want her to know she is loved and wanted and that she can talk to me anytime about anything. It takes a lot for Lex to trust her Aunt and let down her guards.


When she finally makes some new friends and begins to start school, she feels almost herself again. She meets a boy, but not too long into dating do things take a turn and she's forced into the spotlight with everyone knowing her business. Should she run away and go back to her previous life or stand up and fight for herself and the other girls left behind?


Another scary situation that I did not realize might even happen once out of the life was her pimp trying to track her down to bring her back to his fold. That if the girl was popular enough, they would do almost anything to trick her back into her previous life. These scenes were making me anxious and angry. 


I feel like Lex was one of the lucky ones who had someone out there that cared enough about her to give her a chance and a safe place to start over. Who wanted to fight along side her and for her. Who encouraged her to work as slow as necessary to recover. Who helped create a support network so that she always had someone to turn to. Who supported her decisions and helped her focus on what she could do going forward instead of always looking back.


I think the main themes are learning to trust again, hope, and education on such a difficult topic that needs to be spoken about more. I knew about human traffickers and assumed how shitty the life would be, but not until I read this book did I realize just how horrible the entire series of events would be and how hard it would be to rehabilitate those who were turned into sex workers. Not only would they have trust issues, but they would need rehab due to addictions and psychiatrists for issues with anxiety/PTSD and the like. So much trauma. So much hurt. So much taken away. And not enough done to fight against it.


I always love reading books that discuss such difficult topics because I rarely see them done so wonderfully. This was a well written story that helped open my eyes to this disgusting subculture. I hope if you enjoy reading gritty, raw and powerful stories that you'll give this one a chance.

EDIT: I wrote this review weeks before it was ready to post for blog tour and now that I've thought on it more, I have a few more things to add.

1) I think the timeline might not be as realistic as it would be for someone to be "saved" from the life and try to settle into a new normal. But I do understand that the book is only so long and what the author was most likely trying to convey that it was possible. It just might have needed to span over more time than the few short months that it seems to. Though this did not hit me right after reading it as I was caught up in the moment and dialogue of the story. 

2) I've read a lot of comments from other readers about the language used in the book and terminology that the girls used. I didn't read too far into how the girls talk to one another while in the life, so I want to make it clear that I enjoyed the book for the glimpse that it was. I do not always sit and pick apart a book for every tiny detail, so yes, while some my not find certain aspects or wording accurate, I just read the book to let myself fall into world it describes. So even if the words were not 100% how they would talk, to me it's more the atmosphere, the feeling the story evokes, the topic that gets people talking about and becoming more aware of. If a book can get people talking and can make people start fighting for something or against something then it's done it's job. This book made me more aware of how easy girls can fall prey to this. And it was impactful to me for this reason. It also gave me hope that many can get help and move on. That they can speak out and help others. Eventually.

3) Not everything has to be taking to heart. Not very detail has to be perfect to get a point across. I still truly enjoyed this book and what it brought to my attention. 

So there you have it. My initial thoughts and my follow up.

I don't really know that I can adequately review this book. I was sent an eARC of it in exchange for an honest review, but the fact is I don't know how to review something about such hard topics. It's an important book, and I 100% recommend it if you can handle the subject matter, but it's not an easy read, and it's hard to review something that I didn't enjoy yet think is necessary.

The book written by Kate McLaughlin is raw, intense and heartbreaking. It hits the Reader right in the feels and it's hard to read because the story is so real and complex you can't stop reading it

I knew before even finishing What Unbreakable Looks Like that it was a definite five star read for me, and I honestly wish I could give it more. Kate McLaughlin has written such a powerful and emotional story and it needs to be on everybody's radar.

Lex, formerly known as Poppy, was recently saved from a hotel where she and multiple other girls were being trafficked by a man named Mitch. Now that's she's out of the hotel, she has no idea how to stop being Poppy and go back to being Lex. She eventually moves in with her aunt and uncle, and although it takes time and a lot of work, she soon starts to learn that there are people she can count on and not every man is as awful as she once thought.

I'm honestly struggling with what to say because I don't think my words alone can express how important this story really is. What Lex has to go through in this book is horrific, and I'm not going to lie and say it was an easy read but I do feel it's a necessary one. There were definitely times where I felt sick to my stomach, but I couldn't stop because I needed to know how things would turn out for Lex. Kate doesn't hold back, at times it's very dark and heartwrenching, but at times it's also beautiful and moving because you get to see Lex's recovery process and you get to read about how she's able to love and trust those around her again. I cried numerous times while reading this, but I'm glad I did read it because I've never read anything like it before. This book is going to stick with me for awhile, and I think it will stick with you too.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

A tough read about a subject that is more in the limelight these days than it maybe has been in the past. A brutally honest look at the aftermath in the life of a teenager who was trafficked and the ripples that continue to show up and catch her by surprise. Definitely not a book to be "enjoyed" but it was well-written and really brought to life the experience.

I am undecided how I feel about the way that every major character was portrayed with their own significant trauma. While I understand that the vast majority of us will experience some type of trauma, in some ways it took some of the focus away. I also can see how that was done on purpose, and to illustrate that when we are trying to come out the other side of a traumatic experience, you need to still be aware that other people have/are suffering still and in many different ways.

What Unbreakable Looks Like is a raw, heartbreaking, and hopeful story. It shows what a person can go through and come out on the other side, maybe not whole, but strong and courageous.

The story begins the night Lex and Ivy are rescued from the motel where they were sold for sex. At the hospital, Ivy runs away, back to her pimp. Lex stays, and her long road to recovery begins. It’s not easy, and there are many times she wants to go back. You may ask why someone would want to go back to a life of abuse. Often the girls are brainwashed by their pimps, and many are addicted to drugs.

Lex is lucky. She has a fantastic support system and the will to go on. She doesn’t always make the right decisions, but I think that’s what makes the story feel so real.

I would give What Unbreakable Looks Like a mature rating for language and some sexual scenes. Although not detailed, it was enough to make me uncomfortable.

FTC Disclaimer: I received an ARC of the story from the publisher for my honest review.

This book kept me reading as I became so engaged in the story and the desire for it to end happily. The story of one girl’s escape from trafficking and abuse and how she tried to rebuild her life. The other characters all have their own back story - domestic abuse, lesbianism and it could have felt contrived but it worked. The abuse is dealt with sensitively and it is a good way for young readers to understand how easy it is to be groomed by adults that were in a position of trust. Well done!

3.5

I'm about a month late in reviewing this book. Honestly, it took me a while to read it. It covers some pretty serious topics which may not have been the best choice to tackle at this time.

The storyline was interesting. Our main character, Alexa, ends up stuck in a sex trafficking ring. She came from a home where she was easily given away. At first Alexa was treated like a queen but once she was trapped she became just one of many that was used and abused. Then one day she gets a fresh start but that fresh start has plenty of bumps along the way. We get to see some pretty amazing character growth as she adjusts to her new life. And I liked how she continued to deal with big issues and not just a history of being involved in sex trafficking.

There is something about the writing that didn't always flow. Some unnecessary details. At times it was a bit too much of first I did this. Then I did this. Then I did this. You get the idea. I also thought the pacing would speed up then slow down.

Ultimately though the interesting storyline, great character growth and tough topics that were explored were enough to keep me going.

***Advanced copy obtained from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley***

What Unbreakable Looks Like was an intense and somewhat difficult for me to read. It is written in the eyes of a girl who has encountered horrible circumstances that no human should meet. She is a human trafficking survivor trying to find her way in the world of high school and what it means to be loved. A side that we hardly hear about, the thoughts and feelings of a rape victim. It is gut wrenching and heroic story. It also shows the ugly side and the reason some rape victims don't report or speak up. It sheds light on how things realistically are in the world today.

Content warning: book does depict graphic abuse and sexual assault scenes.
I received a copy to review, all opinions above are strictly my own.

This book opens up with Lex (aka Poppy) and other young girls being rescued from a trafficking ring at a motel. Lex became involved in sex trafficking because of the company her strung out mom kept. Lex’s aunt Krys and her uncle Jamal open up their home to her, but first she is sent to a rehab facility with other girls who have been through what she has.

Lex obviously has trust issues because of the monster that ripped away her innocence. She is grateful to her aunt and uncle for being there for her, but worries they’ll give up on her at some point just like everyone else has.

This book really focuses on the aftermath of how Lex deals with her trauma and the healthy relationships she builds in her new life. Her aunt and uncle are a huge support system for her and with her every step of the way. I loved their love for Lex and how they showed up for their niece.

Lex meets Elsa who lives down the street and they became instant friends. She also meets a young boy, Zack who reminds her that there are good men in the world that will respect her and protect her. Her relationships with these two characters helped her heal, helped her trust again and showed her that everyone has scars.

Kate McLaughlin did a fantastic job with such a heavy and heartbreaking story. As horrified as I was to read about the experiences Lex had, I was also amazed by her resilience. How someone can survive what she did and come out stronger is truly inspiring. I definitely cried reading this one, but there were also some very heartwarming and humorous moments too. I highly recommend picking this one up-it’s in my top five reads for this year.

Thank you Netgalley for Wednesday Books for this copy- this book was published 6/23/20.

This book! Where do I begin? Its not a light read by any means. However a very powerful one. You have a young girl whos mother does not care that her daughter is trafficked by a man she knows. However when the hotel she's in is busted she finds out does care. Her aunt and she will do everything she can to protect and love her. But is she worthy of this love? Everything comes with a price right?

I cried many times, sometimes because I was over joyed for Lex. She is far from fixed but she is learning how to live.

Trigger Warning: Human Trafficking, Drug Addiction, Stalking, Pedophilia, Miscarriage, Teen Pregnancy, Abuse, Sexual Assault, Rape, Violence, Self Harm, Attempted Suicide

Sex-Trafficking is a tough and under-discussed topic. This book attempts to tackle this topic, The dialogue is unrealistic and all of the relationships feel devoid of emotion. Lex is a frustrating character. The pacing was inconsistent, and I just didn't find myself into it because of the writing.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a heartbreaking yet beautiful book. I would definitely recommend this to someone who loves a good emotionally engaging book.

The story is about one survivor of human trafficking, Alexa (Lex). It tells of her struggles, her strength, her despair, her isolation, her self-loathing and finding her strength, her will and her purpose to reclaim her life. We see what she has to deal with trying to move forward, and glimpses of what her life was like while being trafficked. She doesn't know who to trust, or what they might want in return for being nice to her. She doesn't think she is worthy of love and is always ready to be kicked out, or thrown into the streets. The way she is treated at her school was terrible. I found myself crying more than once while I read this story. So much she endured broke my heart and made me angry. Learning how their pimps or handlers groomed these young girls until they were basically brainwashed and held prisoner in disgusting surroundings hurt my heart and soul.

Kate McLaughlin tackled an extremely tough topic, yet handled it in such a way that the message was clear, without the explicit descriptions. The many victims/survivors of trafficking need acceptance and care if they are to move forward in their lives and the author did an admirable job of showing how that can be done. Lex was lucky, she had a family member willing to take her in and support her, all victims are not that lucky and often end up back in the life, commit suicide or are murdered.

This is a YA book, but certainly is one that adults would get much from as well. If this book helps someone avoid being trafficked or convinces a family member to step in and support someone, then that is a plus. I certainly had my eyes opened about this issue and it is scary. I thank Kate McLaughlin for her well written story. It was well-researched and while it might not have been explicit in its descriptions, it certainly gets the message across