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Torn
Mary Flinn
Independently Published (2024)
ISBN: 978-0997769616
Reviewed by Lily Andrews for Reader Views (05/2025)
5* - A Text that Depicts the Fight for Choice and Survival
Torn by Mary Flinn is a moving, timely, emotional story that centers on one of modern-day
America's popular and often divisive topics—reproductive rights. At the center of it is Merilee
Stillwater, a young Native American woman whose life is suddenly turned upside down when
she discovers she’s pregnant. Her world is already rife with tough circumstances — she’s a foster
child, she’s battling a serious pregnancy illness called hyperemesis gravidarum, and on top of it
all, she’s stuck in Texas, a state with some of the harshest abortion laws in the country.
Right from the very first pages, readers will feel her fear, heartbreak, and turmoil, as well as a
deeply ingrained, fierce determination to take back control of her life. Then there’s Theo
Martinez, a former pro baseball player still grieving the loss of his wife, Liv, whose pregnancy
ended tragically. He meets Merilee at the ideal moment and, without hesitation, starts helping her
to leave Texas for North Carolina, where she can freely get an abortion. Their journey is filled
with tangible tension as well as a beckoning hope amidst a growing bond that feels both fragile
and strong at the same time. The journey also turns painful at times, and readers will keep hoping
as they turn the pages for a happy ending.
Flinn writes in a way that is authentic, honest, and meaningful without being preachy or telling
readers what to think. She invites them to walk alongside the characters, experience their pain,
and witness their struggles with the often-unexpected difficulties they experience. She
remarkably explores important topics like racism, class, healthcare, and personal freedom, all
through the lens of Merilee’s story, while handling her Native American heritage with such
respect and care, showing her identity without falling into stereotypes. The secondary characters
— from Merilee’s well-intentioned but complicated foster parents to her once-supportive
boyfriend Micah and her caring tutor Dani — bring extra heart and depth to the story. You’ll feel
like you know them all by the end, and their choices reflect the larger, messy world we live in.
The many lessons this book imparts, such as the fact that life may become chaotic and require us
to make difficult decisions, will be appreciated by readers. Readers will also adore Flinn’s
writing style, which is incredibly smooth, emotional, and gripping. The way the book is
structured, it seamlessly transitions between the perspectives of the two main protagonists,
allowing the reader to enter their hearts and minds and experience their emotions up close.
Character development is particularly strong; you witness the duo gradually come to terms with
their situations and transform into individuals who find their voices and bravely fight for their
futures.
Mary Flinn's novel Torn is the type that stays with you long after you have turned the last page.
It is about real people, genuine challenges, and the strength of standing up for yourself when life
seems completely overwhelming. This story will make you think about what it means to be
brave, to care about others, and to fight for what’s right, even when the world feels unfair. What
really sets it apart is how much heart it has; you connect with the characters on a deep level, and
by the end, you will feel as if you have gone on this trip with them. If you’re looking for a book
that’s emotional, gripping, and seriously thought-provoking, Torn is one you won’t want to miss.
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