No Ordinary Love

De: BB Gabriel

Narrado por: Emma Love, Pierre Simpson

Three untold, true stories. Three different stages of survival. Three women share their experiences of intimate partner violence, vowing to no longer remain silent. But the countdown is on for them to speak up and say, no more.

In an unspoken story of survival, Gabbi, a therapist in her late thirties, wants her family to know what really happened to her all those years ago, but she's running out of time to finish writing her story before it's too late.

Seeking safety throughout a lifelong escape, Alex, a school counsellor in her late twenties, struggles to navigate dealing with her clients' traumas while healing from her own when her abusive ex finds her and starts sending letters from jail. Now she must flee again before he's released and hunts her down.

Falling for a nightmare disguised as a dream guy, Katee, a high school student, craves love, but her desperation grooms her for the perfect predator. Now she must escape her abusive boyfriend before she becomes yet another statistic in the femicide epidemic. The abuse they suffer echoes the countless shared experiences of domestic violence survivors around the world, but their fight for freedom is uniquely their own.

He shall remain unnamed, for he could be anybody's tormentor.

©2025 Robbin Gabriel (P)2025 Robbin Gabriel

Truly captivating a must read!

I was gifted this amazing audiobook by a Canadian Indie Author whose real and raw story about DV & SA just caught my attention because of the similarities it had to my own life experiences. It is so beautifully written with honest truths about the torture & trauma that we go through being groomed and manipulated into thinking it's love. The author did an amazing job detailing the trauma told by 3 different I highly recommend this this book!!
Please be sure to check out TW's as there is some tough content that may be rough for some.

No Ordinary Love

Three women share their authentic stories of survival against intimate partner violence.
Gabbi, a therapist in her late thirties, wants her family to know her true experiences.
Alex, a school counselor in her late twenties, seeks safety while navigating her clients' traumas.
Katee, a high school student, falls prey to an abusive boyfriend. Their struggles echo the experiences of domestic violence survivors worldwide.
MY REVIEW
This book captivated me with its distinctive narrative, vivid storytelling, and brutal honesty. The author did an amazing job, providing hope to those who need it. The story is a hard but necessary read, and its impact is profound. I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook version.

#truestory #worththeread #struggles #survivors

Outstanding

How do you review a novelized account of a survivor’s true experience? She didn’t get to choose the story—only how to share it. The characters, the events, the decisions and outcomes, the abuse… This book is her life, and she did an outstanding job putting it into words. It’s engaging, suspenseful, emotional, and real. To the end I was wondering what would happen next and if my theory about the 3 storylines was correct. It keeps you thinking.

“The perfect storm can come for anyone.” Those who’ve suffered abuse will understand, but something I hope others will take away from this book is the importance of being informed and aware about these crimes, watching for signs of trouble, and signaling that we’re there for friends and family if they ever need a lifeline. Also, as Alex’s story demonstrates, we have no idea of the traumas and stress many around us are dealing with. For everyone’s sake, be kind.

A necessary, emotional, read

I could NOT stop listening to this book! This story gripped me from the very beginning; the author’s intense, raw vulnerability and bravery is palpable throughout each chapter. For anyone who has had any kind of DV experience - and for anyone who hasn’t - this is a survivor story that deserves to be heard. And one that absolutely deserves to be TOLD.

A Raw, Courageous Story of Survival and Healing

This was one of the most raw, honest and emotionally powerful books I have ever listened to or read. The author shares her story of how she became trapped in a cycle of domestic violence. Not just the physical kind, but the emotional manipulation and slow erosion of her sense of self. She paints a vivid picture of how easy it is to get caught up in an abusive relationship and how hard it is to leave.
What really stood out to me was her honesty about what happens after you escape. She doesn’t sugarcoat the lingering trauma and complicated emotions, or the ways the past can still reach into the present. The narration was excellent, heartfelt, vulnerable, yet strong. I felt as if I was listening to an old friend share with me the parts of her life that she had once kept hidden.
If you are a survivor, know someone who is, or a mental health student or professional, this book is a must-have. It is painful but ultimately empowering

A Raw Powerful Story Of Survival

B.B. Gabrielle’s novel captures the hidden battles of abuse survivors with stunning honesty. Through pain, fear, and quiet strength, No Ordinary Love shines a light on the power of reclaiming your voice — and your life.

Captivating & Authentic

No Ordinary Love is an unputdownable debut novel that delves into the dark realities of intimate partner violence through the stories of three Canadian women: Gabbi, Alex, and Katee. Each storyline gives readers a unique perspective on survival, resilience, and the lasting impacts of abuse. Author B.B. Gabriel, a Canadian social worker and abuse survivor herself, channels her personal experiences into this book. The character and location names have been altered, but much of the story is based on true events she experienced.

Gabbi, a therapist in her late thirties, is determined to share her long-suppressed story in the form of a novel. With her younger sister given a fatal cancer diagnosis, she is desperate to finish her book before time runs out. Alex, a school counselor in her late twenties, grapples with her own trauma from past abuse while helping students. When she starts receiving letters from her abusive ex in prison, she feels threatened again, and her anxiety and panic resurface, affecting her work and personal life. Katee, a high school student, has an unhealthy, dysfunctional relationship with her family. When the family moves to a deadbeat small town, she has a falling out with her mother and moves out. Soon she falls for a seemingly perfect guy, only to discover the nightmare beneath his facade. Their experiences, while distinct, together highlight the insidious nature of intimate partner abuse.

Gabriel’s writing is raw, disturbing, engrossing, and uncluttered. All three narratives of this book perfectly capture the psychological effects of abuse without overdramatizing the victims. The abusers of the women are unnamed, emphasizing that these predators can be anyone and can come from all walks of life. The brutal realities of abuse are not shied away from in this book—instead, they are highlighted with eye-opening details and brutal honesty, making the stories difficult to read and, at the same time, inspiring to see how courageous these women are to break free and heal.

The stories don’t just recount the horrors of abuse the women endure but also highlight the psychological grip their abusers have on them, making their escapes seemingly impossible. There reaches a point in each narrative where each woman finally musters up the courage and strength to fight back, even when the odds are stacked against them. Anyone who’s been a victim of abuse or a witness to someone who’s been abused will find these stories painful, emotionally resonant, and validating. For those who haven't, it's an important read to really understand the psychological impact of coercive control and the strength and resiliency required to survive it and break free!

The stories are fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of raw, disturbing dialogue that is not for the faint of heart. Each story features a first-person POV of the set protagonist—since the three women are all at different stages of their lives (Katee a teen, Alex in her late 20s, and Gabbi in her late 30s), each story brilliantly captures different levels of awareness and wisdom when it comes to abuse and predators. The novel often switches between perspectives just after the most disturbing and unsettling scenes, providing readers both a much-needed “breather” and time to digest what transpired.

The stories of Alex and Gabbi, women who have taken steps to heal from the effects of violence and PTSD, provide hope and inspiration to readers. In contrast, Katee’s story is the most difficult to read. Readers should be prepared for triggering content including grooming, psychological manipulation, and graphic violence. As she’s only a teenager when her abuse story takes place, her story is even more unsettling. Her bad relationship with her mother and her strong desire for independence lead her to some very bad decision-making. After the abuse starts, the psychological grip that her boyfriend has on her is alarming and painful to read. Her journey is not an uphill battle but instead a rollercoaster of abuse that readers will want her to get off of—and just when you think she’s about to break free, she makes more poor decisions, clearly fueled by a warped sense of hope that things will change and the strong psychological grip that her manipulative boyfriend still holds. Her story exposes the darkest horrors of what many women have endured and try to forget but offers peace in knowing that she’s not alone and she survived. Her story comes full circle by the end and includes a very dramatic climax that readers won’t soon forget!

Overall, No Ordinary Love is a gripping and brutally honest novel that offers realistic insight into dysfunctional families, loss, the lasting effects of domestic violence, and the power to break free and heal from dark horrors. The author also brilliantly showcases how easily someone can get caught in an abusive relationship and how hard it is to leave. Knowing that this novel is based on the author's real-life journey makes it even more powerful and thought-provoking. It's a must-read for anyone who has endured abuse, knows someone who has been abused, or who enjoys emotionally resonant stories that demonstrate the resiliency of the human spirit. If all of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to grab a copy of this book—the stories will stay with you!