It Could Happen!

Thank you to Atria Books for giving me a copy of It Happens All The Time by Amy Hatvany. I was given this copy in exchange for an honest review. I also received no financial compensation.

Sexual assault is a major crime against women.  In It Happens All The Time by Amy Hatvany, shares a story of sexual assault and how it impacts both the victim and the abuser. I am a sexual assault survivor like Amber in this story. This story is symbolic what this experience might be like.

Synopsis:

Amber and Tyler have been friends for years. Their families met when they were teenagers. Tyler has been the best friend that Amber has ever had. He has been with her through some of the worst times in her life. Tyler also has a secret crush on Amber. So fast forward to college and Amber comes home with an engagement ring on her finger. Tyler is crushed that he has lost his opportunity with the woman of his dreams. When Amber graduates from college, and starts her plans towards her future. . She also starts spending a lot of time with Tyler. Amber argues with her fiancé that they are just friends, but Fourth of July party changes everything. Will Tyler be able to come to terms with what happened? Will Amber be able to heal?

My Thoughts:

It Happens All The Time is a great story! It is well written. I feel that Ms. Hatvany did a great job of sharing both sides of the traumatic event, and the trials both characters go through. The characters of Tyler and Amber are well developed. I loved that the backstory did not overtake the book. I have a love hate relationship with this book because of my past experience. I am a sexual assault survivor and therefore it was a little hard to read Amber’s side of the story. Ms. Hatvany did a great job of covering the topic of sexual assault. Many cases of this type of crime do no end like this story.

One point that I would like to make is that many don’t know how hard it is to share your story. The first thought is that many victims have is that none will believe you. I have had that experience over the years or the judgement from others about my story. It is important regardless of the choice made by either party to accept their truth.  Then investigate that truth. We should validate the feelings of the victim.

Rating:

5/5

You can purchase a copy of it happens all here.