#PBwkendread Review: Leaving Eva (The Eva Series #1) by Jennifer Sivec

Title: Leaving Eva
Author: Jennifer Sivec
Published: April 7, 2015
Publisher: Booktrope
Pages: 222
Genre: Abuse, New Adult
Buy Links: Amazon, Amazon.uk

There is a secret pain lurking within all of us, waiting to consume us if we allow it.

On the outside, Brynn Michael seems to be living the perfect life. She’s a successful businesswoman married to a handsome and devoted husband. But nobody, not even her husband and childhood sweetheart, Adam, knows the true depth of Brynn’s horror. Abandoned on the side of the road by her young drug addicted mother, then abused by her adoptive father, teenage Brynn turns to the only solace she can find in the sharp end of a razor. She spends her lifetime hiding the scars, both physical and emotional, until she has no choice but to face what she has been running from her entire life.

Brynn must figure out a way to confront her past or risk losing Adam, the only true love she’s ever known, forever. But in spite of it all, Brynn may not have the ultimate choice, as the past eventually seeks her out.

Leaving Eva is the heartrending story of one woman’s battle to overcome her tragic childhood and the abandonment and abuse that haunt her. Caution: Eva’s story is contains graphic violence, strong language, drug abuse, domestic abuse, and child abuse.

In this dramatically dark novel, Jennifer Sivec, author of women’s fiction, delves into the selfishness and depravity of human nature, and begs you to question whether happiness can ever truly be attained once you have been deeply scarred.

So this was my weekend read and to me this was one of my powerful reads for the year already. I am sure I will read more powerful reads but this one was the start of one.

I had so many emotions with this book and when I got to the very end I literally slammed the book down and yelled ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! It wasn't bad far from it I just couldn't believe it ended THERE. 

Now if you are not good with reading about child abuse then this book will not be for you it is dark. The first chapter starts off mind blowing and I literally had to stop for a second to take a breath. We meet Brynn right off the bat and not in a good way her father abuses her but what she came from before was no better. 

She has grown up with abuse and that has lead to her self-cutting herself, so when she meets the love of her life at fifteen I hoped for happiness for her she needs it. Though we see how she handles her present life and you can tell she is still guarded even though Adam loves her no matter what. 

Brynn deals with a lot as an adult and her husband doesn't make it better when he leaves her, her whole world falls apart and on top of that she has to take care of mother Rose who is deteriorating. Will Brynn even be able to let go of the past and move on with her life? Or will it always hold her down? 

This story is not easy to read and I found myself holding my breath and then letting it go as I kept hoping her story would have a happy ending. When the little twist of what happened to her adoptive father Thomas came about I was like how did I not know that? Why didn't it click. 

I will be buying this next book as soon as I can because where it left off I need to know what else will Brynn endure in her life, can the past be left in the past so she can move forward? 

The plot was a steady pace and kept me wanting to find out more, the characters were well developed to me and I could feel what the main character was going through. 

#PBwkendread 

I was the girl who hid under the covers with her flashlight, reading until she fell asleep, the girl who saw monsters and fairies when she closed her eyes, and believed that there could truly be a Narnia if she wished it hard enough. I was the girl who loved to read more than playing outside, and did everything with her nose in a book.
Now I get to write stories of my own, creating my own reality, while sparking the imagination and pulling on the heartstrings of others, even my own children. I've always been drawn to broken and imperfect characters, those who wrestle with their moral compass, and struggle with their own demons. Getting to create my own characters and write stories like this now, is truly a dream come true, and I have never been more fulfilled.

For me, writing has been an escape, a refuge, and an outlet for me throughout my life and I feel so fortunate to get to channel my energy and creativity in this way. My body of work includes two books in the Eva series and the standalone novel, I Run to You. In February 2016 I released the first novel in my fantasy series, The Lost Children, beginning with The Forgotten. Themes of love, loss, abandonment, and resilience can be found in all of my books.

I was accepted to publish my books with Booktrope Publishing in February of 2015 and have been incredibly fortunate to work with the best team who support, challenge, and teach me every day. I am grateful for the life I get to live and all of the love and support from friends, family, and readers.

You can follow me on BookBub, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Wordpress, or Amazon, and I would love to hear from you at jennifersivec@yahoo.com.
Jennifer Sivec
P.O. Box 766
Lagrange, Ohio 44050