The Girl Once Known

An amazing thriller. This is what repeats in my mind as I read this awesome book while on the edge of my seat. This book explores the life story of an embittered young teenage girl in an early twenty-first-century setting, her unflinching desire for acknowledgement, and her determination to shake the dust off her feet. It also explores her family bonds and love life with all the topsy-turvy that surrounds them, and how she journeys on overcoming past trauma. Indeed, the grass is not truly greener on the other side. Mira Harris, a neatnik and perfectionist, lives in a rather unstable maternal home where everyone views her in a negative light. Over time, devoid of family approval and parental affection, she becomes more inclined to focus on her sense of freedom and liberty. When she and her sister Tiffany move to stay with their dad, Mira realizes too soon that her sister’s faultfinding and bullyish nature is only the tip of the iceberg. Mira faces a darker side of reality as she gets into a harrowing experience, and the plot thickens and twists as several familial mysteries and secrets from the past and present begin to rear their heads. Readers are in for a breathtaking and suspenseful experience as they immerse themselves in the sensational and unforgettable narration with all its emotional rollercoaster. I truly enjoy reading this amazing story, with its well-detailed and intriguing topics of family disputes, drama, mischief, and the unmistakable young romance. The author’s writing style is so profound, as indicated by the way the generational dysfunction of parental abandonment is well portrayed in this story. The characters are also very lively and unique, with each having distinct traits that add spice to the book’s content: from the grumpy Sherry, to snippy Tiffany, chattery Leah, and many others. I find some of Mira’s personality traits very relatable. Like me, Mira loves art, reading, and seeking a way to find order amid chaos. She is thoughtful and sensitive to her surroundings as well as those around her, and tries to act like a pacifist when necessary. A relevant example is when she tries to ease tension whenever Tiffany acts snippy around Sierra and Leah. She is a good housekeeper and I am glad she gets a change of environment to make a living out of her favorite hobby. Mira’s grandmother’s saying cuts deep to the core: “Sometimes, like a delicate flower, we must let go and nurture growth elsewhere.” Overall, I am impressed with the author’s depiction of the circumstances that parentally challenged characters go through, and how essential good parentcraft is to a child’s growth and development into adulthood. I also appreciate the eye-opening reminder that being bitter, angry, selfish, and resentful can have a domino effect that leads to catastrophic consequences. This is in line with Sierra’s own sayings: “Stability breeds well-adjusted adults.” I do not have any dislikes to offer about the book, nor did I encounter any grammatical errors or typographical mistakes while reading. This book is well-written and excellently edited. Its context and style are truly emotionally intense, enlightening, and sensational, and therefore I give it a flawless 5-star rating. Like a good thriller, this book’s plot twists are flawless, and the ending is well-justified and eye-popping. A question that still lingers in my mind is why Leah’s biological father chose to abandon her and Sierra. Nonetheless, I enjoy reading it and will not mind reading it again at the least opportune moment. I recommend this book to young adults and family-oriented readers who love psychological thrillers. Reader’s discretion is advised, because the book contains profanity and traces of sexual content.