This book theme is an emotive one. Ria the central character works in a refuge for women abused by their partners. She is very dedicated to her work and is constantly battling for funding to keep the refuge open. I have mixed feelings about the book. It shows a good understanding of the way the women are treat and made to feel the ill treatment they receive is their own fault. However I found that this was presented more in a factual way than as part of a novel. Tanya's diary was to me much more interesting than Ria's accounts. There were several sub plots, Ria's husband's work abroad, her childhood friends disappearance and her own abuse as a child. I don't feel she dealt with her stalker well and the ending was far too pat.