I was initially drawn to the book by both the cover and the title... it was visually appealing and I loved the message of the title - Survive and Keep Surviving. 

The book follows Mara, a high school senior that was sexually assaulted the summer before her freshman year at a party, and then had a psychotic breakdown her freshman year. Now, 4 years later, she is still dealing with the aftermath of how her assault effected her mental stability. 

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and 1 in 6 American women have been the victim of completed or attempted rape in her lifetime. 

Like Mara, I fall in that 1 in 6 statistic, so her story, though fictional, reflects a reality that is far too common in our society. Reading Survive and Keep Surviving made me reflect on my own assault, as well as the mental illnesses that originated due to my traumatic experience. Unlike Mara, I did not suffer a psychotic episode, but the way Mel Mallory unraveled Mara's experience clutched my heart. It made me wish I knew this fictional character, so I could give her a hug and tell her that while things feel dark and terrible now, they do eventually get better. 

I applaud Mel Mallory for writing this emotionally raw story, and raising awareness for both sexual assault and mental health. 

The one thing I hope for with the final publication would be for it to include resources for those who have had to endure sexual assault.