I received this book for free from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Little Peach Published by Balzer & Bray on March 10th 2015 Genres: Contemporary, YA
Source: HarperCollins
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What do you do if you're in trouble?
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.
This hauntingly vivid story illustrates the human spirit’s indomitable search for home, and one girl’s struggle to survive.
Wow… this was a very harsh read. Like, I felt sick to my stomach while reading most of it. It deals with incredibly heavy subjects – disturbing, even – but it is, in my opinion, one very important story. It’s a real eye opener regarding the sex trade. We all know that it exists; we all hear about the projects and the poverty and the hard knock life, yet it never quite hits home until you encounter an up close and personal story like this. The story of a young girl who is so innocent, so oblivious to what’s even happening to her. She’s only known fear and abuse, she thinks this is her way out. Her “daddy” is showing her the love and affection she’s been craving since childhood – though she’s technically still a child.
You can’t help but hear your heart breaking when you read Michelle’s story. It also makes it easy to understand how kids get themselves into these situations – somewhat willingly, too. They don’t know any better, sometimes not even realizing they’re being sold. When you’re fleeing from a broken home, this new life your “daddy” is offering can seem glamorous to them. Michelle even wishes her mom could see how well she’s doing. How proud of her she would be for making a great life for herself, no? Standing next to Michelle are a couple of other girls that we get to know and adore. Especially Baby who’s already so lost in this messed up, fucking world that all she made me feel was broken, helpless, ashamed. She could be so happy, she’s so very young, yet you just know she’s so not ok…
With that being said, while I do recommend this novel, it definitely comes with warnings. If you’re not comfortable with disturbing scenes of rape, violence, and child molestation, this book may be incredibly hard for you. Still, I’m not one to warn against reality. While this story may be fiction, it is based on real life. Stories like Michelle’s are happening in our very own society every single day to young girls – to our children – and it’s not something you should ignore no matter how sick it makes you feel. I think this author was very brave to approach such sensitive topics, but it’s a story that needs to be told. Who else can stand up for these victims? They sure don’t have much of a voice, unfortunately.
Poignant and tragic, Little Peach swings a surprisingly heavy punch that is bound to knock you down and make you want to scream for girls like Michelle. It’s harsh, but all too real.
4 Hot Espressos
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I could have gotten this from Edelweiss but it seemed to heavy for me. And after reading a couple of reviews, I know it is. I don’t think I could handle reading this.
Hannah
Excellent review. I’ve heard and read great things about this book, despite the dark subject matter. It sounds incredibly compelling, and I think it’s excellent to have fiction that shines a light on these kinds of issues, as horrible as they may be. Definitely will be looking out for this one.
S.Huston
I definitely want to give this a shot but I’m glad I caught your review first so I know to be prepared before I start it. Heavy books like this really effect me, which they should, so I usually need a few hours to recover from it all.
Nick @ Nick's Book Blog
I don’t think I could handle this book. It seems too intense for my liking and I would probably wind up wanting to not get out my house for days. I have to applaud the author for writing such a devastating story though. This is a story that needs to be told.
Lovely review, Giselle!
JennRenee
I am very hesitant to read this book becuause of the intensity and reality of it all. Knowing it exists makes a fiction book harder to read and distinquish from non fiction. I really want to read this book because of the harsh reality exists and none of us should close our eyes to it.great review.
Allison
Wow, this sounds like a very intense and heartbreaking read. But like you said, it’s so important because this stuff is out there and happening right now. Thanks for the review!
Kristin
Wow. I’ve never heard of this book before but… yeah. I don’t even know what to say about this review. I’m so glad I saw it though. This sounds like one of those books that will leave you haunted for a little while after reading. I’ve added it to my list. I look forward to reading it when it comes out.
Ramona
I love brave books & authors that deal with subjects that make your skin crawl. I added this and will read it very soon. It sounds like it’s going to break my heart… Thanks for sharing it.
Rashika
So.
Um. This book.
*hides* (I AM HIDING FROM REALITY)
I know that when I first saw this on EW, I had wanted to download it but decided against it for reasons I cannot remember (I was probably being a chicken, you know how it is.. paaaak *flaps hands like a chicken*).
I am so so so glad you enjoyed this though, Giselle. It’s such an important book and I can tell it was such an eye opener.
I feel like a lot of the times, we hear about all these things but because we have no context, we cannot even begin to understand how bad things can get. I know I had a moment like that a while ago when I realized that I cannot even begin to understand how bad things can get because I haven’t experienced those things. *sigh*
I do hope that not everyone will be a chicken like me and will actually read this book. I am going to go and add this to my TBR now and hope that sometime in the future, I will woman up and actually read this instead of hide from it.
Gorgeous review, hon <3
A.P.Bullard
This is not something I could read, but I liked your review of it. I’m glad it was well-written.
http://www.triskelereviews.com/
Hannah @ The Irish Banana Review
Giselle, you know how I feel about this book. I love your review. I wish people wouldn’t be so scared to read this book because it’s “heavy” or “tough”. If they can’t handle reading a fictional book, how do they think the girls living this reality daily are doing?
Awesome review, babe!
Shalonda
Thanks for the review, Giselle. A few years back I read Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott, and it opened my eyes to things I am glad to say I have never experienced. Little Peach seems as though it will be just as disturbing, and so I stayed away from it, until reading your review. I am expecting this one to be a difficult read, but I just downloaded it on EW.
Jess@Fairday's Blog
Wow! This sounds like a read that will stay with you a long time after you turn the last page. I bet it packs a punch! I really enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales
Wow,this sounds like an intense and emotional read!I know a lot of readers might avoid this book since it sounds so heavy,but I personally love books like that.I love it when books deal with social issues and show the harsh reality.
Wonderful review,Giselle!
Benish
I’ve heard many great things about this one, it sounds realistic as well – happy you liked it!
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
Holy moly. I like my horror but this . . . would give me nightmares for weeks. It’s like I really wanna read it . . . but I totally don’t lol. I’ve read books like it that were really good but so hard to read. Definitely not something to pick up when looking for a light read!
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I got this one off EW as well ages back and I’m really eager to read it because well, I love my dark and gritty books. I do think I’ll have to wait until the right moment though, because this seems to be a very emotionally draining read.
Lovely review, Giselle <33