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Reality hit Taylor Armstrong hard one tragic evening last August when she found the body of her estranged husband, Russell, hanging in his California home. Fans across the country were shocked at the horrific news of his death and even more shocked to discover that behind the glittering “reality” of Taylor’s life on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills lurked a painful story of emotional and physical abuse that she had been terrified to tell.
An estimated 80 percent of domestic abuse victims remain silent, suffocated by fear and relentless self-doubt. For Taylor, it was the threat of financial ruin and finding herself alone with her young daughter that kept her tethered to her volatile husband. But after a ferocious roundhouse punch from Russell fractured her face, resulting in reconstructive surgery, she finally made the brave decision to walk away from a man she loved and a legacy of physical abuse that she first encountered as a child and that haunted her throughout her adulthood.
To the outside world, the Armstrongs lived like royalty, throwing lavish parties—including a memorable tea party for their daughter’s fourth birthday—and mingling with their privileged Housewives co-stars. It was impossible to hide the cracks in their marriage from the cameras forever, though, and their darkest secrets slowly began to seep through the gilded façade.
With searing honesty, Taylor candidly examines her difficult journey from the abusive home in which she was born to the low self-esteem that kept her constantly on the run from herself, to the tumultuous marriage that ended in suicide, and ultimately to her realization that only by sharing her moving story could she help other women.
***
“The terrible truth is that I felt lost without the control that Russell had imposed on me for the nearly six years that we were married. Disturbingly, I missed that control. I didn’t know what to do once I had no one there to tell me how to dress, act, and behave; what to want; and who, even, to be. In some ways, I missed the abuse. I missed the pain. I missed being scared. Not because I liked feeling any of that. But because it was the life I had become accustomed to, and without anyone to be afraid of, to apologize to, and to cover for, I felt completely lost.”
—TAYLOR ARMSTRONG
Jmarie-
Posted February 8, 2012
Who are all u to judge this women? You don't know what went on between her and her husband behind closed doors. I give her a lot of credit for telling her story. If you feel that she's a liar and she's wrong for how she's making a living, or how she's living her life then don't acknowledge her. Don't read her book, don't watch the shows she on I mean it's simple. Regardless of how anyone feels about her she's still getting paid and she's still living her life. So get over it find something better to do rather that to put down a women u don't know.
9 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 7, 2012
I just finished this. What a crazy story! I think that Taylor has learned from her relationship and is really trying to help people.
9 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 7, 2012
Give her a break i applaud her. Yes she stayed yes she loved him but isnt that abused spouse sydrome. Give her a break no one is makimg u buy the book. I liked it
9 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Being a child of domestic violence, I feel her story is an important one. Others may not agree but having lived it myself, I clearly see my own family drama in hers. It's an honest portrayal and it takes courage to relive it and a lot of self discovery. I'm glad that she is speaking out about her situation. I do believe she has the outlet to help so many others.
8 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 13, 2012
As a woman that was abused by her husband, very little of this story rings true. Dont know why nI bought it..... what a terrible read!!!!!!!! I guess she should get one star for getting someone to publish this parc......
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 11, 2012
First of all, I found this to be an interesting and sad, sad read. Taylor was candid and shed some light into the backstory of her abuse. The negative comments that some people have written are downright nasty and honestly, I would have done the same thing by writing a book. Having to support herself, a little girl, and pay for all the lawsuits, what option did she have? Her husband squandered their finances. I think she should be supported instead of torn down.
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 11, 2012
I think the book was inspiring. Its clear she was being abused and like others have said if this book helps just 1 person get out of an abusive relationship, then this book is worth it. I would do the same about writing a book for money if i were her too. She has her daughter to raise, so why not? Good luck taylor and thank you for sharing your story!!
6 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 10, 2012
Sad to know this was her life . An authentic look at the myriad of emotions that she faced and continues to deal with as she builds a new life.
4 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 17, 2012
I am seeing a lot of negative reviews here from people who don't appear to have read the book. That isn't right. Reading a few stories on TMZ then coming here to call this woman you know virtually nothing about is not right.
Having read the book I can say that to me the emotions expressed rung true. Taylor is either a brilliant sociopath who should be studied in depth by actors across the globe, or her perception of this relationship was that it was highly abusive.
3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 12, 2012
I applaud her strength and courage. I find it repulsive that anyone of you would judge if you haven't walked in the shoes of an abusive relationship. I have, and I was afraid to leave for many reasons. I watched my mother be beaten by my father and she was afraid to leave for many reasons. So shame on all of you and you Brandy Glanville. How can you even think to protect a man who abused his wife and left her to pick up all of his business mistakes. He wad a coward. So what if Taylor is writing this book to help pay for all of his bad decisions. Funny how no one mentions the other housewives who wrote books about nonsense like "entertaining" or "fashion tips" At least Taylor is donating some proceeds to help abused women. I don't think Kyle has a foundation set up to help the "fashion challenged" Now those books were written strictly for the money, but even that is fine because you know you all would do the same thing if you knew anyone would listen to you. I'm sure Brandy will write a book about her cheating husband sooner or later to make some cash. And I can honestly say I will stop watching if she is permanently on the show. In my opinion, Lee Anne Rimes is hideous compared to Brandy, so Brandy had to be a real treat to live with if her ex divorced her for a downgrade yet was happier! I suppose living with her foul, pig mouth gets old. I think she needs to get off Taylor's case because she has her own issues to clean up. Good luck Taylor and ignore the Brandy's of the world, they are toxic and useless.
3 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 10, 2012
Great book
3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 9, 2012
I am an avid watcher of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and while Taylor's behavior on the show was a major annoyance to me, I wanted to find out what happened behind closed doors; to see if her side was biased or if she could show some impartiality. The first few chapters were a tough read, a lot of rambling. I had to remind myself this was based on her personal journals. After mentioning that, it is an interesting but sad book. I realized I needed to give Taylor some sympathy, when I started to realize Russell was a mirror image of my exhusband.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 14, 2012
Great book
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 9, 2012
Like it a lot u should read it
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 9, 2012
"Shana" really told it all and there was so many tell tail signs of mental illness with Russell.. sometimes love can blind us from so much. I have a different kind of respect now for her and can say she truly inspires me. Stay strong Taylor
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 8, 2012
I was checking the reviews on this book and only one person commented on the book its self the rest people wherebashing one anothers remarks .
2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 17, 2012
I just finished reading this book . It reminded me of my own personal battles with low self esteem and the need to be accepted and loved! I get angry when I read reviews stating that Taylor Armstrong is whining about her life! I think this woman has become a strong voice in a world where abuse is almost acceptible , be proud Taylor.your a strong beautiful woman. Thanks for the encouagement
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 15, 2012
It started out slow hang in there...you wont be able to put it down.....
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 24, 2012
My heart goes out to Taylor. What an emotional roller coaster she has been on. Well written, sad & shocking. Definitely worth reading.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 13, 2012
Thank you for your honesty and your story. It helped me heal from past abusive relationships. Taylor stay true to yourself and dont pay attention to the negative press. You have to stay strong and be our voice.
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
NOT EVERY FAIRY TALE HAS A HAPPY ENDING. . . .
Reality hit Taylor Armstrong hard one tragic evening last August when she found the body of her estranged husband, Russell, hanging in his California home. Fans across the country were shocked at the horrific news of his death and even more shocked to discover that behind the glittering “reality” of Taylor’s life on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills lurked a painful story of emotional and physical abuse that she had been terrified to tell.
An estimated 80 percent of domestic abuse victims remain silent, suffocated by fear and relentless self-doubt. For Taylor, it was ...