A good read. Hard because the author gets how Bobbi feels and acts so well. And Craig is such a nasty narcissist that I wanted to throttle to death. But he is an accurate depiction of an abuser especially psychologically. He gaslights Bobbi and June, actually anyone he thinks is inferior to him which is everyone in his narcissistic opinion. ( )

Age of Consent by Marti Leimbach is an unflinchingly honest novel about a woman who was sexually abused when she was a teenager who finally tries to get justice thirty years later. The subject matter is dark and disturbing yet the rambling, disjointed narrative does not do the topic justice.

In the late 70s, Bobbie became the victim of a sexual predator whom her mom later married. In 2008, Bobbie brings charges against him for the long ago crime. What should be a compelling court case in the present becomes muddled by extraneous details and a meandering storyline that flashes back and forth between past and present. The present day narrative is concise yet contains a few troubling coincidences that diminish the impact of the court case. There is evidence that could corroborate key facts in the case, yet somehow the prosecutor fails to see it. The courtroom scenes fall flat and the lack of clear resolution is a bit of a disappointment when taking into consideration the fact that a key witness has an epiphany that could turn the entire case around.

The flashbacks contain horrifying details of fifteen year old Bobbie's abuse at the hands of twenty-eight year old disc jockey Craig Kirtz yet these details are often lost in tedious passages that do little to explain why Bobbie was drawn to a man with absolutely no charm or redeeming qualities. Bobbie's scenes with Craig are harrowing and her fear and disgust are palpable. The fact she kept the relationship a secret from her mother is easy to understand since teenagers often remain silent in these types of situations. Bobbie's shame later in life is realistic as is her underlying belief she is somehow responsible for what happened to her as a teenager. Bobbie's explanation for the series of event that led up to her involvement with Craig occurs so late in the story that it almost feels like an afterthought.

However, what is most perplexing is why Bobbie's mother, June, was so thoroughly enthralled with Craig in the first place. Yes, his job as a disc jockey made him a "celebrity" of sorts, but his behavior is so appalling that is impossible to understand what she found so appealing about him. And the fact that June was able to overlook and explain away certain details that should have been major red flags is mindboggling.

Age of Consent by Marti Leimbach does manage to end on positive note but overall, the novel is a bit of a disappointing read. While some parts of the story are unsatisfying, it is a gritty and realistic portrayal of how sexual predators groom their victims and coerce them into keeping silent about the inappropriate relationship.
( )

This was just not a great book to me. The subject matter was a horrible reality that is beyond disturbing in itself - but it wasn't the subject matter that caused the two stars....it was just the lack of story. It was just was all over the place and I felt it difficult to understand any of the characters. It was like looking through the windows of a house---you see activity and events - but really don't understand the reasoning behind the actions. Even Barbara - who I guess we know the most about - I didn't have any understanding of her at all. No depth.
I really expected this to be extraordinary (even if in a painful way) - but it was fell flat for me:-( ( )

A special thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the author of Daniel Isn’t Talking and Dying Young, Marti Leimbach delivers a dark and disturbing tale AGE OF CONSENT, a haunting portrayal of a young teenage girl trapped, sexual and psychological abuse, molestation-a relationship with a man- a heavy burden to carry.

Then the unthinkable, he moves into their home, when her own mother takes him in. It is the daughter he is after, not the mother.

It is 1978, Bobbie (Barbara) is a young teenage girl of fifteen years old, attempting to escape the clutches of a psycho-controlling man obsessed with her. He likes them young and flawless. He plays with her mind.

Craig, age twenty-eight years old, a Maryland disc jockey for a local radio station. A secret relationship. A local celebrity. An evil monster.

Bobbie finally gets her shot for escape during an automobile accident. She thinks hopefully he will die. However, the worst thing happens.

He is still alive. Her mother, June is stuck on this guy and visits his hospital daily. He is twisted and her mom falls for him. She is clueless to her daughter’s own needs. He now has the mother and daughter under his sadistic control. The monster isn’t staying away. He is forcing her from her own home. A continuous argument over the $1,000.

The biggest problem of all was how much her mother liked Craig. She would tell him exactly where Bobbie was, none the wiser while Craig set on his hunt.

Bobbie runs away and years later, she returns to the town, for the trial. To bring charges against the man who abused her, after learning he has done to same to other young girls. Decades ago she told herself she would never come back, never even look back. Now here she is.

Alternating between 1978 and 2008, the author details every evil deed and the horrible crimes against a poor young girl. A predator, who makes it his life mission to torture her even years later. (this is one sicko). Now her step-father.

Bobbie feels a combination of tenderness and rage—that her mother could command such love from her, that her mother could sully that love by talking about Craig.

Bobbie has to face the scorn from others and is named a “middle-aged woman with a vendetta.” She’s accused of waging war against her own family. Her step-father. Her mother. Everyone wants to know why she did not speak up years ago.

What about the mother, June who was not there to save and protect her; even during the trial, she takes the monster’s side. A powerful portrayal of mother and daughter and a link to a master emotional manipulator. From pain, suffering, and loss, a family in crisis. A mix of domestic, crime, and psychological suspense.

Pain, confusion, fear and the capacity of the human spirit to survive and thrive and even take on the burden of other’s guilt.

The dark high-charged subject matter is difficult to read at times. However, a cautionary tale to be mindful of those we bring into our children’s lives. Men can work their ways into a mother’s life to take advantage of the daughter or son. Also for those suffering from CSA and the devastating psychological effects of a lifetime. Deep shadows everywhere.

While reading AGE OF CONSENT, I was also listening to Hollie Overton’s Baby Doll. Both books have predators of young girls (I was hoping someone would kill them both).

For victims, the effects of child sexual abuse can be devastating. Victims may feel significant distress and display a wide range of psychological symptoms, both short-and long-term. They may feel powerless, ashamed, and distrustful of others. Guilt, shame, and blame. As in the book, many perpetrators of sexual abuse are in a position of trust, or responsible for the child’s care, such as a family member, teacher, clergy member, or coach.

The author delivers a realistic view; the heartbreaking emotions from both daughter, mother, and a manipulative narcissist pervert. You will want to scream at the mother to open her eyes. Overall, the author captures the intense emotions and fear, keeping readers page-turning to the very end.

For fans of Chevy Stevens, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, T. Greenwood, Diane Chamberlain, and Jodi Picoult.

JDCMustReadBooks ( )

I'll start out by saying that this is a difficult book to read but that as a mother or a daughter or a woman, its a book that you should definitely read. It's a novel about abuse of a child but told in a way that I've never read before and in a way that's really made me think about how evil some people can be to other people.

First the triangle - June is a young widow - not real attractive but she would love to find someone to love. Bobbie is her 13 year old daughter - she is very cute and extremely smart and plans to go to college someday. She loves her mother deeply and tries to take care of her. Craig Kirtz is a local disc jockey who becomes a friend to the small family. June has a major crush on him but it was Bobbie that he was interested in and Bobbie that he seduced at the young age of 14. June has no idea that there is an on going relationship between Craig and Bobbie until years later when Bobbie brings charges against Craig for sexual abuse.

The novel alternates between the past and the present. The reader learns how Bobbie felt during her teenage years and how it affected her as an adult and why she decided to come back to her home town and face Craig and her mother again. By facing her past, she had to re-live it all again.

This is a fantastic novel about a difficult subject. It was so well done that I had trouble putting it down once I started and I was unable to start a new book once I finished it because the character of Bobbie kept resonating in my mind.

Thanks to Goodreads for a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. ( )