What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen

What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256

Summary: “Don’t even think of leaving… I will find you,” he whispered. “Guaranteed.”

Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it.

With each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late…for them both.

My Thoughts:  We are introduced to Sara who lives with her mother and father. Her brother committed suicide and she is still trying to pick up the pieces. Her father is very abusive and beats on her mother if she doesn’t follow the rules exactly. He also still talks about and talks to her brother like he is still around telling Sara to tell him to get chores done or what he should/shouldn’t be doing.

The abuse has gone on for years now and one day Sara’s mother tells her to pack a bag and the next day they will be leaving him. Sara wakes up the next day, goes to school, and waits for her mom to pick her up and she never shows up. This sets a lot of thoughts in motion through Sara’s head. She wonders where her mom is and if she went to find a new job and house without her. Is she coming back? When?

Sarah also has two guy friends throughout the novel. They are Alex and Zach. Alex is a classmate who takes an interest in Sara and Zack is her brothers best friend, also her friend. We see her relationship change with both guys over the course of the novel in one way or another.

This book was pretty intense. It was a bit mystery and a bit romance. Her dad was a total psychopath, I know that for sure! I thought she should try to get help from the get go, it just wasn’t right!

I did like the characters, and they kept the book interesting enough for me to finish but What She Left Behind wasn't the right book for me. It was just so-so for me. But obviously a lot of other people will like it and enjoy the plot. It focuses on domestic violence and I guess that is something I don’t really like reading about, haha.

Overall: What She Left Behind was an ok book. It was written nicely, and easy to read. The words flowed nicely. I just didn’t love it. I didn’t find myself very interested in the plot or how things happened in the book.

If you're a fan of family issues or suspenseful books, you’ll probably enjoy this one. This is probably more of a 3.5 rating if I did half cupcakes!

Cover: It does fit the book. I like how the girl is running in the woods around all the tall trees. It’s kind of got a dark feeling to it.

What I'd Give It: