Cover Image: At Daddy's Hands

At Daddy's Hands

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

It's always hard with these type of books on such topics to actually 'enjoy' reading them, but overall this is a well put together book which keeps you turning the pages. I would preferred more detail put in the characters who were abused rather than the abuser however.

Thank you to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Was this review helpful?

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

This was a really hard read - mostly because the premise is so within the realms of reality

Congratulations to the author though, because as hard as it was to read, its such a deserving topic

Heartbreaking but thoroughly recommend

Was this review helpful?

‘At Daddy’s Hands’ is clearly a well intentioned book. Author Jacob Paul Patchen has experience of working with the survivors of abuse and that background has led him to write a fictional account of spousal and child sexual abuse within a family that draws on common themes he has seen in his career.
Unfortunately, good intentions and knowledge don’t necessarily make for a good book, and they don’t in this case. It’s easy to read (once you get past the horrific subject matter) but fails to be particularly gripping or even to feel that insightful. The three abused children are flat stereotypes rather than engaging characters. It’s not hard to root for them in their quest for revenge on their abusive father, but I found myself not caring that much about them. ‘My Absolute Darling’ by Gabriel Tallent covers similar ground with far more power and grit.

Was this review helpful?

At Daddy's Hands by Jacob Paul Patchen chronicles the horrific realities of domestic abuse from the individual perspectives of each member of a single family. Gritty, graphic, and difficult to process, this is nonetheless an epidemic that needs to be addressed. Although the family is fictitious the circumstances, unfortunately, are a grim reality for many of those whom we encounter socially in our daily lives. The inclusion of personal stories solicited by the author are brief yet impactful, and should not be missed.

Jim is a police officer who was sexually abused as a child and continues the linear cycle with his own family, including wife, Ashley, daughters Ally and Nikki, and son, Tyler. Each family member speaks to their personal experience at the hands of Jim's abuse, and the fear, pain, and suffering endured is almost palpable. The author does a commendable job of demonstrating the impact of this shocking abuse on families, and how the cycle is perpetuated from one generation to the next.

This book details circumstances that are not only difficult to read, but are almost impossible to fathom for so many. I applaud the inclusion of helpline and contact information that is provided at the end of the novel. This is a story that will linger in your conscience long after the final page is turned.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

At Daddy's Hands is a story about a cop who is a pillar of the community that can do no wrong. But, behind closed doors he has become a monster. He beats his wife, who has become a drunk and has sexually abused his oldest daughter and his son. When his wife gets pregnant later in life he is not happy about it but his wife refuses to get an abortion.
As the youngest daughter gets into elementary school he slowly starts to introduce her to the sexual abuse but after a while she decides to tell her teacher in a letter.
What happens from there is such a good portrayal of what victims go through. This book was hard to read at times but if you can get through it you will have a better understanding of what these kids go through and the lengths they will go to to stop the abuse.
Thank you for writing this story Jacob Paul Patchen. I hope you get a lot of reads!

Was this review helpful?

Well written in every sense. The emotions of each character were exceptionally well put across. A lovely ending. Great that real life stories were also included. A great book.

Was this review helpful?

Trigger warning. Trigger warning. Trigger warning.

If you didn’t catch the need for a trigger warning by the description of the book, then you should know there’s numerous topics that deserve a trigger warning.

I really went back and forth between 4-5 stars.

The topics in this book happen far too often, with people you would never expect. This happened to a family in my hometown whose father was a correctional officer. (This is besides the point.) these are real life topics, real life scenarios that people go through. How many times has a victim of sexual assault not been believed by the police?

This author did an amazing job and relating a very hard, disturbing and terrifying topic to what people go through. I commend this author so much for this, because it’s a topic most will not even try to touch.

The reason I knocked it down was there was a grammatical error in this, and I also did not like how there was a section in the beginning describing the assault. Then the book goes on, comes back to the assault later on and shares the same thing. I think we could have done without it being repeated. I think that could have been redone.

As hard of a topic this is, I really think this is something that should be read in school. Maybe not super young, but to show kids it is okay to tell.
Being a victim of domestic violence, this hit me in the feels and I read this book in the matter of about 6 hours.

I received this book from Netgalley and would like to say thanks for giving me the opportunity to read it!

Was this review helpful?

After years of abuse, and being failed by the system, one family takes matters into their own hands.
I want to say this book was unbelievable, but sadly, living in a time when just a month ago, a judge admonished lawyers for not telling a rape victim she might ruin her rapists life by pressing charges and suggesting that since the rapist comes from a "good family" he should not have to face consequences makes this story feel all too real. Jim Handler, husband, father, hero, pedophile can do no wrong. The town loves him, his fellow cops love him, even his victims love him and hope that one day he will change.
Although a work of fiction I have no doubt that somewhere this story happens every day.

Was this review helpful?

This book was heartbreaking to read. Although a subject that does need to be discussed more within a public forum. It was engrossing in the type of manner where you needed to read more but didn't necessarily want to know what the characters went through.
A hard hitting read but worthy for everyone. The tone of the book makes it more an adult read than a YA one.

Was this review helpful?

Heartbreaking story of not one but three kids sexual assault at the hands of their father. He is heroic well respected policeman in their town. He physically abuses their mother and his abuse us unpredictable. How they get through the days and survive this horror is amazing. I wanted to choke the father myself. Survival and recovery of the victims of abuse is how you want it to end, read this great book and find out.

Was this review helpful?

It seems as if there is something wrong with the mother of this family, Ashley. However, when her husband, Jim, comes home from work (as a police detective) we find out the truth. Ashley is one of the number of abused/battered women in our country, today. Their children, Ally (16), Tyler (15), and Nikki (11), each have a story of their father's abuse to them as well. The children form a pact to try to poison their father but it fails...

We find out that Jim was abused as a child and Ashley left an abusive step-father to marry Jim.

Things change when Nikki opens up to her school teacher, Ms. V.

Does the family fare better or worse with school intervention?

An extremely frightening look at what some people endure in their lives. This story is good for Family Life teaching or as a suspense read!

Many Thanks to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for a look into a world in which no one wants to exist.

Was this review helpful?

Very thought provoking well written book. Can't say it was an easy read given what the storyline was about but then I expected that.
I went through different emotions of anger, disbelieve and shock that a family couild be so let down by other people and the system..

Was this review helpful?

I want to say I enjoyed this book, but given the subject matter involved “enjoyed” may not be the best term to use. It had me hooked, and I felt extreme emotions for the characters and what they endured. It is both powerful and gripping, tracing the story of a family's abuse at the hands of their father/husband. It is thought-provoking and raises awareness of what can (and unfortunately is) going on behind closed doors, even by those deemed respectable by the outside world.

Whilst being marketed as teen/young adult I do feel that due to the content in this book I would only recommend it to older teens, say 16+. I feel that it tackles sensitive subjects and issues that may not be suitable for younger teens.

At 152 pages it was a quick read and I finished it in an afternoon.

4/5

Was this review helpful?

This book was well written, and I can see how this would help some students. This book was interesting, upsetting, and ground breaking all in one. It also showed how hard it is to tell someone you trust the truth.

Was this review helpful?

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5*****

Was this review helpful?

God, this book broke my heart. It's such a sensitive and important piece of work. Thanks to Jacob for writing it and solidarity with all the brave people who shared their stories at the end. This novel tells a tale as old as time, of the evil lurking in many homes across the world, the flaws in the system which devastate lives further and the ability of survivors to heal.

Was this review helpful?

Books like this (child physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) are hard to read due to the disturbing subject matter. However, it is essential to hear what occurs as these are real things that happen to children and families.

The story is told from the perspective of each person involved and done well. The author discusses how the system can sometimes abuse the victim even more. It also shines a light on the hero’s that step forward.

I was able to read this in one night as the author developed the story and the emotions involved well. At Daddy's Hands is written with passion and disturbing details.

At Daddy's Hands by Jacob Paul Patchen is a very good book about a difficult subject, but one that needs to be told.

Was this review helpful?