After Tina was kicked out by her Catholic mother at 16 for refusing to cut off all contact with her sister, Jewel, she has two choices. Become Robert "Bugs" Crawley's old lady or live on the street. Seeing him as the lesser of two evils she spends the next three years with Bugs enduring everything he puts her through with one liberty. She is allowed to attend High School to get her diploma. On graduation night Tina is very proud of herself and her accomplishments. Bugs, however, feels his old lady having more of an education than him will tarnish his reputation in the motorcycle club. To get back he takes her to a secluded cabin in the woods and rapes her. Weeks later when she finds out she is pregnant Bugs demands she get an abortion. When she refuses he throws her out. At first, it seems her problems are solved when Jewel takes her in. Except a case worker wants her to sign over rights to her unborn baby and Bugs is going to want his property back and he'll go to extremes to get what he wants.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. When I started this book I was excited. I grew up in a biker club, The Sons of Silence, and know a lot of how they operate. When your dad is in the top five in the club and the resident tattoo artist you learn fast. However, there were so many differences between that life and the one depicted in these pages. I didn't realize until halfway through the book that this was set in the 80s. I suppose I should have guessed with words like 'rad' being used, but it just didn't click for me.
I really enjoyed this book, but some parts of it just seemed off base to me. I don't know if it was because things are different in Canada, but to my knowledge case workers don't get involved until after a baby is born and police would not assign 4 plainclothes to watch 2 basically nobody teenagers every day for weeks. Especially not for something as low-level as a group of five bikers who left the main club and branched off. On that. I don't know if things have changed since the 80s, but bikers are extremely territorial. If you leave the club to make your own and you plan to operate in their territory you have to petition the club leader. Without their approval that is basically issuing a challenge and you want trouble.
Like I said, I don't know how things were in the 80s. I wasn't alive back then and I haven't asked my dad about it. He was in the Sons back then as well, so he'd be able to tell me, but for the purpose of this review it's not overly important. I can't ask the leader, Animal, about it since he disbanded the group a few years back when he got sick and his sons are not fit for any kind of leadership. It was for the best, honestly. Uncle Animal can still inspire some fear and I know for a fact if I ever need anything help is just a phone call away. Before I realized this book was set in the 80s I was frequently wondering why she didn't just use a type of foundation that is easily purchased to cover her tattoos. I've used it on mine before. However, when I realized it was the 80s I don't suppose they had that option then.
Enough on that. Back to this book. The fact that she takes comfort in touching a tattoo is something I can completely understand as well as a lot of her actions. When you are hurt by someone you question everything, including your sexuality. I can see how it was a lot more difficult for her than it would be now considering times were much less same sex relationship friendly than they are now. Beyond that Bugs is someone that is easy enough to find in clubs. Long, dirty hair. Ugly as sin. Too rough on his old lady. It happens. And as long as said old lady isn't the daughter of one of the higher ups they others will leave you to your devices. So long as it doesn't draw too much unwanted attention from the police.
I feel that the author made relatable characters and did a great job of describing how a female at that point in time would have responded to the challenges faced with. Especially for a male author who cannot know first hand what it is like to give birth. Of course, everything else she experienced he could potentially have faced. Tina is a strong-willed girl and with the help of her new friend, Jenny, was able to achieve her full potential. Fighting back against her abuser and coming out of the other side. I won't say more than that as I don't want to give things away.
Just know that this book is relatable even 40 years after the time this book was written in. A heartfelt telling of a young woman struggling to make her way in a life that throws constant obstacles at her. I will say there were some typos in the copy of the book I received, but as most reviews I have read on this book state it was well written they may have been resolved in the time since.
This book is available on Amazon for $2.99 by clicking here.
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