When Michelle runs away from her drug-addicted mother, she has just enough money to make it to New York City, where she hopes to move in with a friend. But once she arrives at the bustling Port Authority, she is confronted with the terrifying truth: she is alone and out of options.
Then she meets Devon, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who emerges from the crowd armed with a kind smile, a place for her to stay, and eyes that seem to understand exactly how she feels.
But Devon is not what he seems to be, and soon Michelle finds herself engulfed in the world of child prostitution where he becomes her “Daddy” and she his “Little Peach.” It is a world of impossible choices, where the line between love and abuse, captor and savior, is blurred beyond recognition.
Little Peach is like a pomeranian of a book. It's little, it's small, but it has a bite.
Okay, maybe a pomeranian isn't the right simile, but it makes sense in my head. This is the type of book that reels you in with simplistic writing and an easy to follow story, but then it kicks you right where it hurts and pummels you until you can't breathe.
In other words, this is a very powerful book.
I knew, the second Michelle met Devon and felt that ounce of hope for the first time, that it wasn't going to last. I wanted to scream at Michelle, stop her from being so stupid and so naive, but I couldn't. This is the effect this book had on me. I was furious, I was afraid, I was angry, I was hooked.
I can't even put it into words.
God, this book hit me in a way that so few books ever have. The sad thing is knowing that this harrowing, terrifying story is something that is happening to young girls across the world every day - this isn't fiction, because Michelle is the realisation of thousands or real people. So is Baby, so is Kat, so is Devon.
Peggy Kern doesn't hold back, and for that I respect her. She tells the tale in the narrative of a 14 year old girl, but with all of the maturity of someone trying to get a message out. It's a conflict, but it just goes to show the reality of the issue. I can't comment on the plot becase I almost feel like that isn't the main thing in this book. For me, Little Peach is just the story of real life girls in this grimy, unforgiving world.
And that thought terrifies me.
Just... read this book. Trust me.
Okay, maybe a pomeranian isn't the right simile, but it makes sense in my head. This is the type of book that reels you in with simplistic writing and an easy to follow story, but then it kicks you right where it hurts and pummels you until you can't breathe.
In other words, this is a very powerful book.
I knew, the second Michelle met Devon and felt that ounce of hope for the first time, that it wasn't going to last. I wanted to scream at Michelle, stop her from being so stupid and so naive, but I couldn't. This is the effect this book had on me. I was furious, I was afraid, I was angry, I was hooked.
I can't even put it into words.
God, this book hit me in a way that so few books ever have. The sad thing is knowing that this harrowing, terrifying story is something that is happening to young girls across the world every day - this isn't fiction, because Michelle is the realisation of thousands or real people. So is Baby, so is Kat, so is Devon.
Peggy Kern doesn't hold back, and for that I respect her. She tells the tale in the narrative of a 14 year old girl, but with all of the maturity of someone trying to get a message out. It's a conflict, but it just goes to show the reality of the issue. I can't comment on the plot becase I almost feel like that isn't the main thing in this book. For me, Little Peach is just the story of real life girls in this grimy, unforgiving world.
And that thought terrifies me.
Just... read this book. Trust me.
Book released 10th March 2015 by Balzer + Bray
Book received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
I won't lie, I am pretty interested in reading this book. However.. it's a tough topic. At the moment, I don't think I would actually be able to read it and reach the end. So, it's a no for me right now but I'd like to read it someday :)
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