Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful and VERY realistic
Review: As a young child, I was abused by my father and often saw my mom go through almost the same things Annie goes through in this story. Most people don't understand why women and sometimes men just don't pack up and leave, just like that, but it is incredible the mask that the abuser can tie tighter than a noose around the victim. The list about Batterers really helped me to understand the vicious cycle that the abusers use. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though at times I didn't like the writing style. This book is EXTREMEMLY realistc, even though it seems stupid that Annie and Mary didn't just leave. It's so true to life I had to go sleep in my sister's room at the end, because I was having flashbacks of what happened to me. It is so amazing how true this book is.
I recommend that every teen read this book -- they'll be glad in the future that they did.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for All Teenage Girls
Review: As soon as I read this book at the age of 44, I knew it was a story long overdue and have passed it on to my teenage daughters and their friends. Each of us has been affected by the story and the parallels of heroine Annie McGowan and our own experiences. A true story of sadness, hope and victory.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I ever read !!
Review: I felt like I was living Annie's every move, when she cried I cried, when she hurt, I hurt. This book bring dating violence to a new level of awareness. This book is excellent!
Rating: 
Summary: A realistic teaching tool for all
Review: I have used this book and curriculum in my classroom to teach high school students about an issue that plagues them sorely: domestic and teen dating violence. Both the students and I learned a great deal about the mindset of the abused as well as of the abuser, information that is necessary to deal with this issue effectively. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who will read it, abused, abusers, and their families, as well as those who have never been touched by this awful crime of the soul and spirit. Read it, in conjunction with the tools in the back of the book, and learn how to make a difference. Kathryn, Thank you for your candor. You are saving lives.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I thought this was a great book! I couldn't put it down. It got kind of scary and times, but it was very involving. If you look at the cover it may look kind of stupid, but as they say, never judge a book by it's cover. It's a wonderful book and I'd completely recommend it! Great ending too!
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I thought this was a great book! I couldn't put it down. It got kind of scary and times, but it was very involving. If you look at the cover it may look kind of stupid, but as they say, never judge a book by it's cover. It's a wonderful book and I'd completely recommend it! Great ending too!
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't believe what i was reading..
Review: I was glued to this book for many reasons. As a well educated woman, I never expected the man of my dreams to be an abuser. In this book I found a light that illuminated the nightmare I was living. This book helped me make sense of the muddy, confusing situation of being emotionally and physically abused. The Breakable Vow educates the reader about the consistent dynamics presented in all abusive relationships. I wish I had read a book like this as a teenager. I am grateful Ms Clarke wrote this book. It saved my life and the lives of my five children. Whether you agree with Annie's choices along the way , or not, you cannot deny that Ms Clarke has done a fabulous job of showing and telling what it is like to live with an abuser. Just as important, the back of the book is LOADED with good information on how to get out of the abusive relationship safely and how to help a family member or friend who is stuck.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing/Unrealistic Ending & Needs Editing
Review: I work in the field of domestic violence. I was asked to read this book and give my input as to whether we should consider introducing it into our school system. I thought the first three-quarters of the book were realistic and true to life. However, the last quarter was a major disappointment and gives an unrealistic resolution to domestic violence. The ending seemed like either the author got tired and wanted a quick ending or wanted some unrealistic, romantic stuff to draw readers. I think she did a disservice with a potentially good book. Additionally, it's hard to respect a book that's full of grammatical errors.
Rating:
Summary: Poignant and amazing
Review: Kathryn Clarke has successfully conveyed exactly what it is like to be trapped as a young woman in an abusive relationship, while trying to rationalize her choices and keep herself safe. I applaud this incredibly talented writer for boldly addressing a terrifying issue and for writing so honestly and adroitly about dating violence. In the United States, the greatest increase in partner violence is in the group of young woman 13-18 years old and Ms. Clarke's well-written and compelling story reaches this audience in a book every young woman should read. I recommend this keen and poignant novel for every teen's bookshelf-- male or female. Give it as a gift to every young woman you know as she enters high school or graduates. Give as a gift to every young man you know as a reminder that controlling behavior is hurtful and wrong. As parents, we can take the lessons from this well-told story and learn how to be more understanding and concretely helpful to the young women and men we know who may find themselves in relationships they are simply not prepared to handle. Congratulations to Ms. Clarke for a superb story about a topic we all need to understand. I know how difficult it is to articulate the confusion and chaos of that turmoil. Ms. Clarke has done this better than any other writer I have read on the subject. What Anna Quindlen's "Black and Blue" did for the understanding of domestic violence in marriage, let this be the bible for young women and men understanding violence in dating relationships.
Rating:
Summary: An absolute necesity!
Review: Kathryn Clarke's book the Breakable Vow is an absolute necesity for every teenager and college student. As a college student myself, the information I learned from this book has been immensely useful in my life. I urged parents to buy this book for their children, it is a necesity in our society today. It not only describes the horrors of abuse, but more importantly clearly states the warning signs so that people like myself can stop any violence before it happens. The fictional story is beautifully written with incredibly interesting characters. You will not be able to put this book down!
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