I got this book from the library yesterday and could not put it down. Nikki’s story would be unbelievable, except that it’s true.
Michelle Horton felt she had a close relationship with her sister Nikki Addimando, her partner, and their children, but one morning all their lives were shattered when Michelle learned that Nikki had shot and killed her partner. Michelle quickly comes to learn that Nikki had been living for years with terrifying intimate partner violence, and killed her partner to avoid a murder-suicide situation.
While Nikki is in jail, Michelle takes temporary custody of Nikki’s preschool aged children and faces the truth of Nikki’s family violence, and how to speak the truth of the situation with Nikki’s young children, as well as to herself and with her parents. She unravels generational trauma and uncovers Nikki’s childhood abuse.
Amazingly, Nikki has a network of support, her surrogate sisters as Michelle calls them at times, or the committee, as she calls them elsewhere. She learns that Nikki had relied on these “sisters” to share her truth while previously living within the violence and through their support, is able to document the violence and navigate the complex and hostile justice system that unfortunately retraumatizes her as Nikki finds out she is not believed and is painted as a “master manipulator” in the courts.
I don’t want to walk you through the whole book, other than to say it is worth a read for so many reasons. One, Michelle is a wonderful writer. I am not a mother, but my heart ached at her portrayal of Nikki’s love for her kids and vice versa and their struggle to survive while being apart.
Additionally, the book helps you understand generational trauma, long-term PTSD and abuse, and how the justice system has long failed domestic violence victims.
Most importantly, Nikki, Michelle and their system of support demonstrate strength and resilience through the various battles. They both often talk of hope, and the love they share for each other, their family, and that they are given by their support system uplifts them through the toughest times.
Trigger Warning: the book describes intimate partner violence and abuse on multiple occasions
Lazy Reader Jane 