No Way Back by Chloe Adams

No Way Back (Mia's Way #1)
by Chloe Adams

Reviewed by Angela McLaurin

4.5 Stars

Purchase your copy here.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Sometimes bad things happen to beautiful people.

The wealthy daughter of a high-ranking politician, seventeen year old Mia Abbott-Renou has everything: designer clothes, wealth, spring breaks in Monte Carlo. She lives blissfully unaware of her family’s secrets, until the night she is raped by the son of her father’s greatest political ally.

Her father forbids her from going to the police and threatens to throw her out if she does. It’s a critical election year, one that his party might lose, if the public sours on his doting father image when they realize his daughter is an underage lush and party girl. He can’t risk splintering the party in a nasty court battle that’s certain to draw way too much press, even if that means sacrificing his daughter.

Mia’s world is shattered twice, once by the men who hurt her, and once by the betrayal of her family. She does what her father says. But the rapists strike again and beat their next victim near death.

With the help of her best friend and a couple of unlikely allies, Mia must decide: does she risk losing everything to do what’s right? Or does she turn her back on the truth and preserve the family name?

What’s privileged girl to do, when her perfect little world isn't so perfect anymore?


My thoughts:

This was an intense read on a very real and scary subject matter.   Chloe Adams did a phenomenal job of putting you right where you never want to be, a terrified and wounded victim of rape.   The emotions in this book were painful and eye-opening.  Not only did I suffer along with Mia during the rape and aftermath, I was brought into a political family that puts images and politics above morality and family.  With all of the fallout going on around this country with our political system, I’m sure that Mia’s family situation isn’t terribly unique.  This novel took me into their world where it’s more important to put on a show rather than do what’s right by your loved ones.

Mia was a very raw and inspiring character.  I lived the rape along with her and hurt for her as she struggled to make herself whole again.  Her pain only intensified as her father and his team tried to use her situation to their advantage during an election year.  One of the rapists was also from a high-profile political family and both of the boys were drafted by the NFL.  Their very public lives only made this crime more intense. Throughout the story, Mia found her strength from her best friend, her uncle, and a police officer who found her the night of the attack.  This was a difficult story to read because of the subject matter, but you will not be sorry to take the journey.  It will open your eyes to what millions of women are facing each year right in our own towns and neighborhoods.

The novel not only had a powerful message, it moved along with a pace that kept the story flowing with just enough details to make you feel like you were right there with Mia the whole time.  I was surprised to get to the end without the answers I needed, but happy that there will be four more books in this series to enjoy.  Don’t look for your happy ending, but know that Chloe is planning to continue Mia’s story in the very near future.  This is a deep and inspiring novel that you don’t want to miss.  Grab some tissues and hang on for the ride.  You will be glad that you took the chance!

 

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Book #2 in the Mia's Way Series, Dom's Way, is set to be released sometime this month!