Review of Shades of Shame

Blurb: One night changed everything.

What began as a carefree evening with friends ended in an act of sexual assault that shattered Sage’s sense of safety and self. In the silence that followed, she carried the unbearable weight of trauma alone—unsure who to trust, afraid of not being believed, and struggling to put words to an experience that reshaped every part of her life.

In Shades of Shame, Justina Pembleton shares her own story with unflinching honesty. Written like a novel but rooted in lived experience, this memoir explores the devastating impact of assault, the silence survivors often keep, and the long, painful road toward healing, resilience, and reclaiming your voice.

This is not an easy book to read. It speaks openly about trauma, consent, fear, and shame. But within its pages is also the story of survival, strength, and the quiet courage it takes to rise again after being broken.

For survivors of sexual assault and those who love them, Shades of Shame offers recognition, validation, and hope. It’s also an important read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the lasting effects of trauma and the resilience it demands.

Themes:

Sexual assault, trauma, and consent

The silence and shame survivors often carry

Healing, resilience, and reclaiming your power

Friendship, trust, and the search for safety

Speaking your truth, even when it feels impossible

Both heartbreaking and empowering, Shades of Shame is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is strength to be found—and that telling your story can be the first step toward healing.

Review: Sage was excited for a night out with friends, but it ended with the devastating sexual assault that left her silent and broken for years. This is Justina Pembleton's true story told in novel format including journal entries. Her trauma and the scars it left are laid bare, but so is the road to healing and hope.

This is a highly emotional memoir that spares the reader no details. The reader lives through the assault, the silence, and the shame with Sage. It's not an easy journey. Mistakes are made and her voice is lost under the trauma. It's brave and brutally honest, and not glossed over with flowery prose. This is how it is for survivors, the reality of what trying to live your life after a traumatic experience. It is never being able to trust anyone, including yourself, and having that nightmare live inside of you for years. It is also learning to love yourself again and to live with courage and hope. Highly recommended not only to survivors of sexual assault, but to everyone so they can learn about the internal struggle so many traumatized people go through in the world.

I know Justina. We grew up in the same small town in Ontario. I babysat her and her brother regularly. I remember her as a bright and imaginative child who was not shy with her opinions. I don't know if she remembers much of those years when I was babysitting, but she and I used to play story games a lot. We'd write out little adventures, do mad libs, and one sentence fold-over stories. I left town to go away to college before she was ten, so in my mind, I remember the little girl she once was. Reading her memoir broke my heart and made me so incredibly proud. So many of us have experienced brutal trauma and the silence kept us isolated, making us feel like we're alone. Yet Justina is so very brave to speak out and to open up the gates for others to speak and know they're not alone. It's no surprise that it makes me happy when someone I know becomes a writer, but it is a greater joy to know that Justina has grown into a strong and compassionate woman with an immense heart.

Justina, I agree: writing is the best therapy.

You can find Justina Pembleton on Instagram and buy the book here.