Dating-Violence Books

Paul offered Johanna a ride home, and suddenly shy, "good girl" Johanna is saying, "I want you to kiss me." A junior in high school, Johanna has long admired the handsome, fast-driving senior. Now things have changed. She has found the nerve to make a move.

Although nothing happens immediately, Paul eventually begins paying attention to Johanna. Little does she know it's because he and girlfriend Carla have split up, and he needs a replacement. Whatever the reason, Paul and Johanna become a couple.

Grades used to hold top priority for Johanna, but they've been moved to second place to make room for hours spent with Paul. Needless to say, her parents are not thrilled and neither is her best friend, Pam. Paul wants to spend so much time with Johanna that he demands she choose between her best friend and him. There is no choice - Paul is the love of her life.

As time passes, Johanna begins to notice that Paul's gentle caresses are becoming painful slaps, squeezes, and pinches. His loving words are now put downs said not only in private but also in front of their friends. Johanna doesn't know about Paul's hidden problems, but she's learning fast.

Paul's personality surfaces in the novel through letters written to "Dear Dead Dad." His father left when he was twelve, and news came later that he died in a car accident. His mother lost her husband, then her home, and then she "found" Jesus, and Paul began fending for himself. Anger issues and drinking problems begin complicating his relationships. He always apologizes and promises that "things will change," but doubt about their relationship haunts Johanna.

In THINGS CHANGE, Patrick Jones paints a chilling picture of physical and emotional abuse. People often question why the abused continues to "love" the abuser and refuses to seek help. Johanna's story attempts to show how loss of friendships and alienation of family keep the abused from reaching out. This emotion-packed novel tells a story that shouldn't be ignored.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I thought that this was an extremely good book. I liked this book because i could relate very well to the things that the author portratyed in the book. The book is about high school life...but not the covered up version that you'd read about most of the time. This book is about the REALITIES that tend to happen in high school. I have actually had the privalage of meeting the author of this book, Patrick Jones. Hes not the typical kind of author that is full of him self and just wants more money...he is very down to earth and a good guy. He comes into schools and talks about his book, where he got the ideas for it, and explains and answers any questions. One of the main issues in this book is dating violence. Its a very real thing, and he brings that out through this book. he explained where he got the ideas....which was very cool...but ill stop boring you and simply tell you to read this book, because you definatley WONT regret it.
-Corey Dunning

-i am also looking forward to reading nailed...and i am currently reading the first draft of his next book "Cheated" which is so incredebly good...even on the first draft...so remeber this author in the future.

While reading this story I reached out to Johanna. I couldnt stop reading this book. I sat down and within two days i finished it. I didnt think i would like this book but i took a chance. I've already recommended it to many of my friends.
Its byfar one of the best books ive read in my short life.

I LOVED this book i couldnt put it down for one second! i finished it so fast! i enjoyed it the characters are sooo engaging , the story everything and i barely ever read books acutally i only read this one and tears of a tiger. So yeah the book was really good and i hope you read it.

As a high school teacher, I assigned this book for reading in a literature circle. One of my male non readers was sitting in the hallway while an almost non reader (also male) was reading aloud. They were hanging on every word, and trying desperately to finish the book in time for the discussion. I almost cried to think that they finally had found something that made them want to read. When everyone had finished the book, the discussion was lively, animated, and the book had appealed to both males and females, something that is a bit rare for this age group.

Another student even wrote a note thanking me for letting her read a book which because of its realistic character portrayals which helped her see herself through someone's eyes.

Forced to read the book, I was cringing, as I hate YA literature. What a delight to learn that this was a novella that would not be put down. I found myself carrying it around all day until I was finished. Jones obviously has some talent for creating realistic characters, realistic situations, and a plot that enthralls readers.

Recently, I read Fault Line, by Janet Tashjian. I first picked it up because the author also wrote The Gospel According to Larry and its sequel, Vote for Larry, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed and read multiple times. Later, I was intrigued by the subject of the story. Rarely do you read novels, especially young adults', that deal with abusive relationships. I have noticed the signs in several, but none actually call it abuse. It's kind of a touchy subject. But this book deals with it straight out. I really appreciated that.
Becky and Kip are very original main characters that drew me into the story. I liked that they were both aspiring comedians. I was able to laugh at this book even though it has a serious topic.
Another thing that I enjoyed about this book was that the story was told from both points of view. It really helped me understand how abusive relationships work and why the girl doesn't just leave. I blamed the girl in the relationship for not leaving before I read this book, but now I see why it's so hard. I also don't perceive the abuser as a heartless jerk any longer. It's more complicated than that. However, that doesn't make what they do right.
I would definitely recommend this book to every girl in eighth grade or above. These are important issues that need to be recognized. Not only should everyone girl read this so that she can recognize these warning signs in her own relationships, but also because this is such a good and interesting book. Read it!

I really like this book in different ways from the way I liked Sarah Dessen's Dreamland. I like the detail better in Dreamland but Faultline was still a very good book.

Becky Martin is a 17-year-old comedienne who believes she has found true love with fellow comedian Kip Costello. As Kip becomes increasingly more possessive and controlling, however, Becky finds herself enmeshed in an abusive relationship she has difficulty giving up. This novel is written with great sensitivity as both sides of the abusive relationship are explored, and all the characters are very believable. Recommended for young men as well as for young women.

Book Response:

The book Fault Line by Janet Tashjain deals with a girl named Becky Martin who is struggling in an abusive relationship while at the same time trying to balance her career as a standup comic. It analyzes the steps of how men can take control so easily. Through this process of controlling and abusive behavior, she comes out as a new person who is stronger, wiser, and majestic.
Starting off, Becky is a very self-conscious girl who relies on the opinions of others to form who she is. For example at the start of her career as a standup comic a simple insult of her performance caused a major breakdown. She thought she was a lost cause and could never have been worthy of any real career in this profession. Also as she gets deeper into her relationship with Kip she feels that she isn't worth anything unless she has a boyfriend. Becky stays in the relationship after repeated physical and emotional abuse because of the peer pressure to have a boyfriend, which comes from her friends. Finally, because of the constant insults from Kip she started to become isolated from her family and friends. After this she only plummeted into a world of insanity and suicidal. She even went as far as keeping dead animals in her bedroom. Of course by the end of the book her skin became thicker. When an insult was made about her performance she took it as constructive criticism instead of a remark dealing with the quality of her character. Also Becky discovers that a woman doesn't need a boyfriend to be accepted by her friends. She even starts giving lectures to other women who were previously in abusive relationship just as she was. Finally because Becky starts to come out of her isolated world of insanity she finally starts interacting with her friends and family once again. This leads to a healthier environment in which she takes more risks in her career as a standup comedian.
Becky Martin not only becomes a stronger individual but also uses her new wisdom to impact the lives of others going through these same circumstances. In a lecture given to women in the same position she says that, "A relationship is a lot like a hot bath. The more you get used to it, the more you realize it's not so hot..." She means that in this instance it can be hard to determine how dangerous the situation is because of how manipulative the man can be and how easily he can get away with treating women violently. Also Becky starts to go after her dreams of college and a career as a comedian. She realizes that in order for things to happen she must do it herself by focusing on her grades and working on her act as a comedian. Finally, Becky becomes more confident with herself and creates a clinic for abused women. Through this she obtains the tools necessary to help others in need.
Because Becky becomes wiser and stronger through the hard times of her relationship with Kip she becomes an icon in the world of jokes and laughter as well as an icon to the people she works with at her battered women's shelter. Her transformation of a simple struggling comedian to a majestic and influential individual shows how extreme her character has changed form the beginning. For example in the beginning of the book she had stage fright and constantly feared rejection from the people she was entertaining. By the end her act onstage was solid and took the rejection as a way to figure out how to improve her performance. She even lands a spot on MTV where she is able to perform some of her material live. Also with the women that she helps through her shelter she is able to give them a voice by making this issue more aware to the public through her fame as a comedian. Finally through her struggles she manages to achieve everything she wanted; acceptance to a good college and a career in the comedian business.
Becky Martin never expected to be so violently transformed from the self-conscious teenager to a famous comedian who advocates the abolition of abusive relationships. She not only changes her resume, but changes a person as well. She does this by becoming stronger, wiser, and more majestic as a person who was once weak, ignorant, and still trying to find her spark in life.

Abuse. You've heard about it a lot, it happens everyday; it may even happen in your own lives. Whether you're the victim or the perpetrator, whether you're a young teen, whose relationship just began, or an older lady who's been in the relationship for years, it happens all the time.

Becky and her family are working on Becky's career in comedy. While performing Becky and Abby, Becky's best friend, meet a new guy who they think is real cool, sweet, and the best comedian ever. Becky and Kip begin a relationship that doesn't go as they dream. Becky finds herself trying to be the perfect girlfriend, trying to do what she thinks is best, but Becky's relationship, may not go like the fairytale she's always dreamed of.

It's all through all the tragic events that Becky figures the dating life out. She realizes that she doesn't have to have a boy to make her comedy career, really something.

Sometimes the most important lessons are learned through a tragedy. Its also been said, that everything happens for a reason. Janet Tashjian gives us a realistic view of relationships; she lets us know that a relationship doesn't always stay the same. The harsh realities of our decisions don't only affect one person, but everyone involved in our lives.

This is a great book. A lot of people will enjoy this reading material. I would recommend this to any teen, but I'd recommend it more to teen girls or even grown women. This book lets us know some of the dangers of abuse and how it can worsen, but it also lets you know that you can get out of the relationship. This is a really great book and anyone could read it and enjoy it.

The book "Fine Line"is a well written and enlightening book that I recommend all teenagers and adults to read.The book, based on the relationship of Maggie Garrity and her offensive boyfriend Tom, gives readers an insight about the emotional strain an abusive relationship causes. Not only does it have a physical affect, but it also effects a persons mental state, grades, and relationships with other people.The book is VERY realistic and beleivable, and shows the nasty side of dating that most books do not cover. Its a huge change from all the mushy love novels that have no realistic bases; a change that you really enjoy!Its a book you cant put down until you are done.I read it in one night!

A fine Line. A book written by Constance D.Casserly has a great story line, it is very interesting and it keeps you wanting to read on and on. Its a story that was based somewhat in real life and it advices about what so many teen girls go through now a days.Maggi Garrity is the young adult in the story that in her short life has gone through he fathers death and now if dealing with an abusive boyfriend and on top of that the problems with her mom. but maggi soon realizes that its wrong for her to be going through this and she gets the confidence and the guts to get out of this relationship and get her life back in the right path. this story is trully heartbreaking and realistic that keeps you with a tear in your eye. By far one of the best stories I have read.

I recommend this book because it tackles real issues that many young women face.

A Fine Line by Constance Casserly was one of the most intriguing books that I have ever read. It was one of those books that once you pick it up you cant put it down. The story is about a teenage girl named Maggie Garrity. Maggie's father died from a drunk driver when she was a junior in highschool. Maggie and her brother David had to deal with this tragedy with very little help from their mother whom they called "the ice queen". She has many things to worry about in her young adult life but her biggest problem is her abusive boyfriend Tom. Tom begins to hurt her physically and also follows her around everywhere. Every time he bruises her he tries to buy her forgiveness and her love. He gets angry if she does not spend each and every minute with him. She doesn't know what to do because she thinks she loves him, and she doesn't want to hurt him since he has had a hard life also. Maggie's grades dropped and she lost touch with alot of her friends. A boy named Tony who was like a brother to her helped her get through this struggle. Maggie never thought that Tom would go so far, but he did. This was also a very good lesson that every girl should learn from. The metaphors used in this book were remarkable and very well thought out.

A Fine Line by Constance Casserly is an outstanding book that appeals not solely to the youth, but adult readers as well. It portrays a relationship between teenagers that involves possessiveness and abusive behavior. Many people experience and go through an abusive relationship, and don't do anything about it. This book is a perfect example of how to cope with a situation like this. For example, the main character, Maggie accepts the behavior of her abusive boyfriend, but later realizes that he was exploiting her. Soon enough she gained confidence to stand up for herself. I really liked how this book covered a real life scenario that could happen to anyone. As I began reading the first page, it caught my attention right away till the end, with its touching dialogue about the lives of normal teenagers. Perhaps, what aroused my interest the most, was how everyone and everything connected at the end, by a fine line between two extremes, love and hate. Overall, A Fine Line is one of the best books I've ever read and is definitely worth reading!

I wish I could personally thank the authors for this book. Parents who find themselves in this circumstance feel very alone and frightened. Our 17 year-old daughter needed to be rescued from an abusive relationship. This book supported us as she was finally able to break away. Can I give it more than five stars?

A very important book that should be mandatory reading for all educators, especially in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Abuse and male privilege are far too common and even accepted by so many. Saving Beauty from the Beast is very readable and compelling. All school counselors should read this book. As a former victim of domestic violence I know what an uphill battle it can be as the victim is often blamed by the police and clergy. This book is a ray of light in a dark tunnel. I am grateful to its authors.

If you even SUSPECT that your child may be in an unhealthy relationship, please read this book! It contains so many insights that would have helped keep my daughter safe had I known. Out of ignorance we let her continue a breaking up and 'getting back together' cycle with a young man who we now know has been abusing her for almost a year. Fortunately, some friends convinced her to tell us, so we can help her get out safely, and make sure he gets the help he needs so that he doesn't do this to someone else.

Besides the many chapters for parents of abused girls, there is a chapter for parents of suspected abusers, and one for youth who suspect a friend is being abused. I feel so guilty that this has happened to my daughter, and the book addresses that as well. It also gives very practical information about how to set up safety plans, minimize the chances of his finding her new phone number, etc.

Dating abuse is so much more common than it used to be. This book is an excellent tool to help us protect our children. Every parent should know about the 'power and control spiral', the cycle of abuse, and the warning signs of potential abusers and abusive relationships, and educate their children about them as well.

In a 2003 "Montel Williams" show on dating violence, Vicki Crompton, co-author of Saving Beauty From The Beast, did more than plug her book, co-written with Ellen Zelda Kessner; she told the highly personal story of her daughter Jenny's murder at the hands of boyfriend Mark Smith, and offered advice to young women and parents torn apart by callous teenage boys, adolescent angst, parent-daughter conflicts, and a culture that, as the book points out, romanticizes forbidden love, taking what you want at any cost, love that hurts, and having a boyfriend.

Crompton, hand-in-hand with parenting author Kessner, has turned her daughter's shattering, unthinkable death into a brilliant, readable book that draws on real teenagers and their parents from all backgrounds, speaking in clear, intelligent voices, articulating the myriad pressures young women today face when involved in a love that hurts. Crompton and Kressner do not make light of peer pressure, or fail to note that the very rich and the very poor of today's youth are the most at risk to become abusers, or shrink from advising parents to "back off" and accept the relationship. The personal safety plan for daughters in abusive relationships, the safety plan for daughters who have left the relationship, the ingenious suggestion of a "code word" signaling danger, are useful tools. The coda of Crompton confronting Mark Smith in prison serves as a poignant reminder and incentive for all parents of teenage girls to read and share this book with their "Beautys."

I recently bought several books on abusive relationships.

My husband (a very picky reader) has read many passages out loud to me from this one.

It is filled with many examples of abusive relationships that are unbelievably similar to what we have seen. We almost feel as if the authors know the young man we are concerned about.

The book is clearly written, provides good details and ideas on how to cope.

Buy this book before your daughter gets involved with an abuser, or at least at the first signs of an abusive relationship. You want to know, as early as possible, what can be going on.

The book is worth many times what it costs..

Collette, like any other sixteen year old girl, dreams of meeting Mr. Right; a guy that will sweep her off her feet, and who will put an end to her miserable single status. Miraculously, Collette meets Mr. Right -handsome, wealthy, and brooding Art. Is he the perfect guy she has set her heart on, or is he too good to be true ?

Though the synopsis screams A Typical YA Romance Fulff, the story comes out stronger than usual ChikLits. Kate Cann, recounts a realistic story about juvenile infatuations and the somewhat disastrous results they can sometimes cause, in a light and somewhat cynical voice projected through an average young girl. Despite her obvious flaws, the character is very round, and you'll keep rooting for her throughout the book. Honestly, I didn't like the book until I was halfway through it, but in the end it turned out to be a very good one.
(Taken from my review on shelfari)

This book is very funny. The only scary part of it was that it seemed like the family in the book and my family were twins or something.
This book is about a girl named Coll. She swims every Thursday at the pool. And every Thursday she sees the guy she wants to go out with, but she doesn't think that he notices her. But she was wrong. Throughout the book Coll finds herself falling for this guy, but what will happen in the end? Find out for yourself.

This book was amazing, although sometimes a little unrealistic this story grips you from the beggining.
Colette is an average girl who loves to swim, every thursday she goes to the pool and as well as swimming 30 lengths fantasizes about the hansome Art. When he asks her out Colette is thrilled! She goes on and on about him and consequently comes close to losing her best friend, Val. Art tries to pressure Colette into having sex but Colette feels she is not ready and tells him so! When he puts her in the sticky situation of going to his weekend cottage and sharing a room with her Colette refuses and makes a bed on the sofa! When she gets home and tells her feminist mother she flips and has a go at Arts parents, she makes them out to be complete fools and colette and her mum create an immediately stronger bond. This book has a great morrell entwined telling teenage girls not to be pressured into sex. All i can say is im now trying to find the next one in the trilogy!

This book is the best I've read in a long time.It is about one girl's relationship with THE man of her dreams, who turns out to be after more than she's prepared to give!I suggest you buy it NOW before it's completely sold out!

This is a book about all teenage girls! all I can Say is Amazing and that is an understatment. do yourself a favour and read this Book!

Tony Gaskins answers ten of women's most frequently asked questions regarding relationships with men. Each chapter addresses one of the questions, and gives answers that are direct, stirring, emotional, and on point. At times, it is a stinging read, because it shares issues that have plagued and thwarted a respectful, harmonious existence between two powerful entities.

These are potent answers women need to hear: From why men cheat, to why men are abusive, to why Black men date white women. They are delivered with unflinching honesty and with statistics to help support his input. With this updated edition of his original seminal work, Gaskins hopes to provide women with enough wisdom, insight and information to protect themselves in a field of dishonesty and deceit. It's time for women to wake up and question the role they play in perpetuating these actions, and find a way to help change it. Gaskins doesn't say every man cheats, or that those who cheat do it all the time, what he says is every man is capable of cheating but, a good woman or a man's position in life can change that.

He feels this book will help women see life through a man's eyes, and will break down barriers that have been blocking their vision. As he puts it, 'the gates have been locked, and I have decided to give women the key'. This book is not meant to degrade men, instead it is meant to challenge them to man-up.

WHAT DADDY NEVER TOLD HIS LITTLE GIRL is a stirring, tough-love, collection of essays and anecdotes designed to empower women of all ages. Hopefully women will not see men or the dating scene the same. Gaskins is an author, teacher, and motivational speaker, and has amassed a tremendous following of readers with his conversational writing style. Look for WHAT DADDY NEVER TOLD HIS LITTLE GIRL to be adapted for the big screen.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

No synopsis is needed.

This is a very informative and at times entertaining book. Please have patiences and be open minded when reading. It is not male bashing in any shape or form...Phenomenal job for the 1st time author.
Looking forward to reading more work from the Tony.

Just a good book to read. Explains why men do what they do. Buy a copy

This book is everything a woman can ask for! It is so exact and so to the point that it brings tears to your eyes and its hard to read at some points but its exactly what women need. Of course all men aren't just alike but the few that are different from this book would love it bc they would be in a class of their own. I asked every man I could after reading this and found that all of them answered the questions the same exact way that the author did. They just couldn't articulate it as well. A lot of men didn't like it bc it was everything they were guilty of. Me and some of my friends found our men to fit right inside of this book to the T. I would recommend this book to every DATING WOMAN in the WORLD!I want to go to florida just to shake this man's hand, his book is speaking of Millions of men,and every man I've dated,so how could this be one man's views and he states in the book that he polled other men. Since I read this I have heard the same things said on tv and radio over and over but never paid attention to it until now. It's time for women to wake up and realize what is real and find a way to help change it. I read the book 6 time and I'm on my 7th, he touches on everything but ppl miss it because its a hour and a half read and they don't read it closely. He doesn't say every man cheats all the time. He says every man cheats or is capable of it but a good woman or his calling in life can stop him from cheating. He doesn't say anything about dating white women to spite black women,if you got that then you were reading to fast. I just wish I knew this man, I wish I could meet this man. Finally a man steps up and exposes himself to give women the game. Ladies can see he is fine and know by looking at him he probably could get you,so you have to respect what he is saying. THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR GUYS!!!!AND THIS ISN'T A HATERS GUIDE!!Why would a man HATE on himself???You can tell in his answers he is being honest and sincere and it brings tears to your eyes. I'm going to get my whole book club to write a review on here. Fella's do what this man has done before you say anything negative about his work!!He has a sister and a mother the book says and the book is for them, you can't knock that, you know a man wouldn't give the women he loves the most false information, and even if it is about the MONEY, he DESERVES A MILLION DOLLARS FOR DOING WHAT HE DID!!!

It was a joy to read, Much detailed and easy to understand. Learned a lot from it

Me interese mucho en este libro despues de una entrevista de MAC
en un programa de televison, lo compre por que tengo una hija de 11 que al igual que la hija de ella es una super hija pero los padres tenemos que estar preparados para luchar contra este mounstro que es la adolescencia mas en este pais, que muchos de los valores familiares se pierden.felicito a MAC por la fuerza que tuvo y por dar a conocer su experiencia para ayudar a otros padres a guiarnos.

As a women's health nurse and student nurse-midwife I have found this book to be invaluable. Every person who works with teenagers should read it.

Is he a liar? Or is he telling the truth? That's the big question in this story. Francis has everything worked out in her life. He was working a part-time job to pay for an art school she wanted to attend. She was able to draw whenever she wanted. She had a great boyfriend, and a great best friend . She was all settled , until he came into the picture. He loved her, but she didn't know why. She didn't even know who he was. All she wanted was her life back , but he just kept taking it away from her.
Catchy, isn't it? This is a really good book. It is definitely one of my personal favorites. I don't read much so saying that is a big deal. I actually read it the first two nights I had it! It's a great story line. It keeps you excited and in suspense through the whole thing, right to the very last line. This book is so interesting. It has awesome wording and is up to date with everything in the teen world since all the main characters are teenagers. Readers can understand everything they say in it.
Also another huge thing I liked about this book is that it faced it's characters with real problems that happen in the world today. It has a combination of depression and love, with stalking and drama. It might sound like a lot to handle, but it is really an awesome book@ so give it a chance and read it.

I feel that abuse is the number one reason why men and women still think the other has the "COOTIES". I mean it neither one of us stop to think about the fact that we're hurting each other. For the men who abuse you say you love your girlfriend, or wife then make sure you do the right things to make sure she doesn't leave you, and then make it hard for other guys to love her. This is the same for girls who abuse. I know that some out there love to be abused, but given half a chance I'm sure at least a good 80% of them would admit "This Sucks". I found this to be actually one of the better books on this subject as it does include tips for those who batter. I feel that the batterer is left on an island as everyone just looks at the batterer with scorn and just tells him/her to see to their own problems. This isn't right; while it's not right for the abuser to abuse it's not right to just shun and avoid the abuser either otherwise they will not be willing to get the help so desparately needed. I know with me I know I have a problem with this, and I want help because I don't want to hurt people anymore the same way I don't want to be hurt by people anymore. Worth Reading.