What do readers think of Rise by Cara Brookins? Write your own review.

I used the words from the cover of the book because that is what the main theme of the book is. It is a story about a bruised, broken and scared family. They have suffered the horror of having a family member that not only is mentally ill but dangerous, not once, but twice. The story of how the family built their dream home of safety and comfort. The family pulled together and discovered the joys of family and accomplishment as well as depending on each other. It was a very heartfelt drama unfolding and I felt pulled into the story. I could relate somewhat to what Cara went through and the steps she did to protect her children. I really enjoyed the book.

It's hard to believe this is a true story but it is. Following along as this mom and her resilient kids rebuild their lives as they build their own home is a fascinating experience. My only criticism and it's a mild one, is the flashback scenes to her marriages sometimes interrupted the flow of the narrative and made it feel choppy. Otherwise, this was an uplifting and highly enjoyable read.

An inspirational story of a woman who finally has the courage to break away from her schizophrenic, abusive husband, Cara Brookins and her four young children grow individually as well as a family through building a house. Cara sits down one night and talks about building a house. Her son Drew pipes up with rooms and where they belong. Cara obtains a lot and the building begins. Talk became life and a game changer. You want to read this story: it's real life in the making.

The story of Cara Brookins and her 4 children was an enjoyable, easy read. She alternates her chapters between Rise (during house building) and Fall (prior to house building) However after a few chapters I decided to read the Rise chapters first because I was more interested in how they built their house and the flow was being interrupted by the Fall chapters. It's amazing how they were able to learn enough on Utube to build a house with some outside help. I was also surprised she was allowed to do her own plumbing.

The Fall chapters showed us how the family was living before building their dream home. These chapters were insightful but disjointed, missed big parts of their life with 2 different abusive husbands and Cara's parents. I learned the affects an abusive person can have on their spouse and children. It seems this family has made great strides in healing and living fulfilling lives.

Cara Brookins has certainly written a memoir that is inspiring and heartbreaking. Reading this book made me want to join the family in their endeavor to build a house and solidify their love for each other. Their step-by-step process and the knowledge gained from YouTube is a wonder in itself and gives a new meaning to determination.

Cara and her children have shown through their spunkiness, optimism and strength that even though there were many obstacles in the way they could eventually overcome them.

I enjoyed the first third of the book and then I begin to find the events, though different, becoming repetitious and annoying. I stopped reading about one third of the way through, So sorry.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story of a family who beat the odds after living with domestic violence and mental illness. Although at times it seemed a little bit too simplified, I appreciated their tenacity and loved the way it brought them together in a healing way.

All I can say is wow! I can't even get my kids to clean their rooms and Cara gets hers to build a house? I can't imagine undertaking a task like that. What were they thinking? She's either one of the strongest, fearless and determined women on the planet, or out of her damn mind! I haven't decided. It was fascinating "watching' the family work together to get this done. Their struggles with Adam highlight the failings of our mental health system. I can't imagine being in that situation, trying to protect yourself and your children while having empathy for the person with the illness. I guess next to that building a house is child's play