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Book Reviews of Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back

Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back
Come Back A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back
Author: Claire Fontaine, Mia Fontaine
ISBN-13: 9780060859718
ISBN-10: 0060859717
Publication Date: 2/19/2007
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 177

4 stars, based on 177 ratings
Publisher: Regan Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

48 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Incredibly compelling tale about a mother's determination to pull her daughter out of self-destruction.

Hard to read . . . but difficult to put down. Anyone who has struggled with extremely rebellious teenagers needs to read this.

A welcome tale of a famliy who had a positive experience with a home for troubled teens.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This was an excellent account of a mother and her daughter's journey through a tumultuous life. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing although it was difficult to read at times. The writing was so descriptive; it was easy to imagine being right there watching it happen.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book is OUT OF THIS WORLD! It is gripping. It is suspensdeul. It is a true story and is authored by the mother and daughter the story is about.

What is unusual is how WELL the story is written. It reads like fiction. It could be easily turned into a screenplay and be hollywood blockbuster.

It is a fascinating yet horrifying journey into abuse, anger, neglect, love, and hatred. A scared, hurting 15 year old girl turns to a life so distroted through the taste of drug abuse that she runs away from home.

The story follows Mia (the runaway drug addict daughter) through her run away, rehab, escape and ultimate "lock up" in a Czech Republic instution.

I couldn't put it down and recommend it highly!
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Inspiring. A true story about a strong mother daughter bond as they go through the effects of abuse, drug use and more. There are dark moments in the book, but the victories in their life make the story worthwhile. A book you'll have a hard time putting down.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 391 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Amazing- it will grip every mother's soul
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What a great book - shows the true love and devotion of a Mom who went through so much with her only daughter. This book showed the situation from both perspectives, and really was hard to put down. Great read!
Flipper avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
How does an honor student at one of Los Angeles's finest prep schools-a bright, beautiful girl from a loving home-trade school uniforms and afternoons at the beach for shooting up in the back of a van in rural Indiana? How does a devoted mother emerge from the shock of finding that her daughter has not only disappeared but had been living a secret life for more than a year? Mother and daughter tell their paraell stories in mesmerizing first-person accounts.
This was an amazing book, an unbelievable true story, with a wonderful ending. Although I could have done away with some of the language, that was my only set back.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was amazing!!! The journey of this mother and daughter is an incredible story. I read it in a day or two, because I could not put it down! Great book for parents who are having problems with their teens (these are serious problems in the book so they either put things in perspective or give ideas), or also great for the girl who was the tough kid to raise. I definately shed some tears during this book.
donaverde avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A touching narrative that dances between mother and daughter as they both fight for understanding and peace. Both parties work hard to realize that they each hold part of the responsibility for Mia's (daughter) drug use and self-loathing.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on
Helpful Score: 1
This book was so fascinating! Very easy to read as it is written in the voices of the mother and daughter. So interesting to read how each viewed the same situations. One of my favorites now.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I absolutely adored this book. Some passages are a little depressing to read since you, as a reader, feel as if you are connected to the individuals in the book. Even more so since this is a memoir written by a mother and her daughter. I simply could not put this book down. Definitely a worthwhile read!
cesprinces avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I couldn't put this book down! By reading the back cover, you know Mia (the daughter) "turns out ok" and there is a happy ending. But I HAD to know how she got there. This book is a brutally honest story about teen rebellion, drug culture, and a mother's love.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a great book very eye opening to many things, I gave it a second thought to adding it to my list to send out but I want others to enjoy the book also.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a hard book to read at times. I almost put it down because I was so mad at the mother, Claire. But I finished it and now I'm envious of Mia for having a mother who would do anything to help Mia get better.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was a sad and moving book about how past trauma can effect a family for decades. A mother and daughter who fight alone and together to become the people they never knew they could be.!
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on
Helpful Score: 1
I always feel sensitive to a book with language so I will start with a warning that this book definitely has it - but it didn't seem like it was there just for the sake of being there. There was power behind every word and I understand the feeling and the reason for the usage. A very moving story about the triumph of love and never giving up on those you do love. Obviously the mother was able to afford to send her daughter to a place that saved her life, but as I read and wondered if I could ever afford to do the same I realized that my own children would be worth any price, any cost. A moving tale about redemption, forgiveness and the love a mother has for her child, and her child for her. I recommend 100 times over.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 222 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The first half or three-quarters of the book, I couldn't lay it down. The last part....I had a hard time slogging through. Maybe it isn't fair but the therapies, described in detail and exhaustively, became tedious to wade through. I'm happy for Mia and Claire restored relationship though.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing journey of a mother and daughter through huge trauma. A huge testament to the love they ultimately shared.
booklit avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 473 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A good look at a daughter's rebellion to a drug society because of previos abuse. A good read
JennJenn avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I found it confusing at first with the POV changes but it was well worth the confusion. Very emotional book
dulcimer42 avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
They had been so close. But drugs and the friends on the street became the daughters family. And mother was dying inside. She made a difficult choice - but the only choice left. Read this powerful story of the mother and daughter's journey ...... and how they found their way back. I could hardly lay this book down, it was so compelling and powerful.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I could not put this book down. It was heart wrenching, painful and beautiful. The mix of tragedy with unconditional love and the God-given strength these two had made for an incredibly touching reading experience. Its not just a voyeuristic journey where you read as they go through their experiences, the lessons about communication, trust, guilt and shame bring you through the pages and have you questioning your own pain and hurt along with them. I found myself reacting with Mia and I read the questions thrown in her face, the truth accusations that helped her tear down the walls she had built around her traumas. I can't think of someone I wouldn't recommend this book to.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 19 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. It was fascinating. I couldn't help but think of my 5 yr old daughter as I was reading it and hoping that in 10 years I don't have to deal with the stuff the Fontaines were dealing with. Very well written book and I enjoyed how it went back and forth between the mother's and then the daughter's perspective.
cattlefarmer avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 9 more book reviews
I loved this book! Wonderful how mother and daughter put it together and reader enjoys both experiences.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on
Interesting and good read. The book includes the mother's narration in the book and also the daughter's narration. The mother's narration is a little slow and at times dull. However, the daughter's narration makes the book into a real page turner.
amijackie avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 16 more book reviews
Powerful story of addiction and recovery.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 2 more book reviews
Difficult to read, not a hard read, just hard to believe they went through this and had the strength to share it!
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on
Hard to put down....My heart goes out to this family and their struggles. Excellent read!
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 24 more book reviews
this book was great! It was so well written in both the mother and daughter's point of view. I loved how the mother never gave up on her rebellious 15 year old, and kept forgiving her after all her faults
everydayreader avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 19 more book reviews
This book was fantastic! It gives you a great look at both sides of addiction....the person who is addicted and the family dealing with it.
berries674 avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 92 more book reviews
eh, found this a little boring and undescriptive...some of the dialogue got redundant and run-on-ish...otherwise a good book, i guess for mothers that may want to relate to the loss of a child to drugs.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 4 more book reviews
I could not put this book down. Really intense. If I didn't assume a happy ending (based on the fact that it is written by both mom and daughter) I don't think I could have read it. The issues that lead to the daughter's drug abuse, though not graphic, were difficult to read about. Really great book.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 11 more book reviews
a very moving, initially devestating book. you have to push through the first few chapters when all you really want to do is put it down and go get a sunnier book. but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. it doesn't end with you in tears.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 213 more book reviews
This book was exceptional!! It was so brutally honest, i just loved it.
murder101 avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on
Good book about a 15 year old who was sexually molested as a small child does fine until 15 then ends up shooting speedballs with skinheads in Indiana, Then mother has her kidnapped and sent to Morava a rehab program in Brno the she move to a sister program in Montana a real page turner for sure. Anyone who ever had or has a child on drugs should read this it actually opens a little door inside of there thinking and also how to handle your dialouge with your troubled child,
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on
Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I find myself thinking about the lessons they both learned as they went through the healing processes. Highly recommend!
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 27 more book reviews
Very well written account displaying the strength and courage of a teenage girl and her mother. Could not put it down!
ilovebooksanddogs avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 365 more book reviews
This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I just couldn't put it down until I knew the outcome. Deeply moving story.
ncsuz avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 77 more book reviews
The book is alternates narrating from the mother's perspective and the daughter's perspective. Mia, the daughter is going through a tough emotional time and trying to find her own way in life. She runs away from home and gets caught up in drugs. All the while this seems like a nightmare for her mother Claire as she tries to find her daughter and get back the Mia she knows.

I could relate to both the mother and the daughter's thoughts. When Claire does find Mia, she sends her to a "boot camp" type of school two continents away. Mia and Claire go through a rigorous program to find out how they wound up at this point and how to fix it.

It was a good story and one any mother or daughter should read.
stocktonmalonefan avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 58 more book reviews
Another great book on dealing with a child that is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Very harrowing account of a mother's search for and attempts at saving her daughter from this seedy underworld. It will break your heart and also gives parents hope that there is help out there. Let's face it, if you're reading this because your child is an addict, your heart is most likely broken already.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 3 more book reviews
this book was very good!!
jillykat12 avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 13 more book reviews
Makes you think about and process those emotions that you, yourself internalize. Rather empowering to be honest with yourself and express to others how they make you feel.
calevanik avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 31 more book reviews
This book was a very scary, yet interesting journey for a mother and dughter. They both went through some very tough times but eventually were able to overcome it all. I learned a lot about the program that the daughter was in and found it to be a very fresh approach to dealing with addictions. I would recommend this book to anyone who has dealt with abuse in the past as an insight into what could come back to haunt you in the future.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 25 more book reviews
This book is eye opening! It exposes raw feelings & reactions. Moves between the mother's point of view & daughter's point of view. I found my emotions going all over the spectrum!
Cheryl-Sam avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 39 more book reviews
Really well-written. I was suprised by how much I liked this book. Both mother and daughter were very open about their experiences.
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 86 more book reviews
Completely engrossing story of a mother's desperate struggle to help her daughter turn her life around, as well as both mother and daughter coming to grips with their own issues. The method of therapy seemed kind of "out there" at times - not something your average every day family with a similar problem can do - but it was very interesting. I kept thinking "In real life, this would never work..." but it did, and I don't think the mother's or the daughter's account was embellished in any way - it feels "true".
reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 4 more book reviews
An overwhelmingly powerful book. Whether or not you agree with the extreme measures Claire took to "reform" Mia, you will be captivated by the writing, the shared experiences and the pure raw emotion captured in this book.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reading about child abuse, sexual abuse, drug addiction, overcoming childhood abuse, incest, behavior modification schools, troubled teenagers and mother/daughter relationships.

One of the best books I have ever read.
megt avatar reviewed Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back on + 179 more book reviews
This was well written and they did a great job of weaving the two stories/views together. If you want gory details this is a good book for you. Some of the drug use and sex acts were a little too descriptive for my personal taste. But if nothing else it will make you hold your own children a little closer.