Some stories are written to entertain. Others are written to heal. Already Broken falls firmly into the latter.
Already Broken is an award-winning memoir that traces the author’s life from early childhood to adulthood, offering readers an unfiltered look into a journey marked by pain, perseverance, faith, and growth. In just 119 pages, this powerful memoir proves that healing does not come from pretending you were never hurt, but from facing the truth of who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.
Raised in Jamaica by her grandmother, the author paints vivid pictures of her formative years on the island, grounding readers in a sense of place, culture, and family. But life, as she reminds us, is never just one event. It is a series of moments some beautiful, some devastating, that shape us over time. Her story moves through emotional and physical trauma, childhood neurological challenges, and the responsibility of supporting her family, all while navigating love, loss, and faith.
One of the most impactful moments in the book is the chapter titled “Escaping From Myself.” This chapter, the author shares, quite literally saved her life. It is here that readers witness the raw confrontation between survival and self-discovery, a moment of reckoning that underscores the memoir’s emotional depth.
Writing Already Broken was not easy. The author admits she did not anticipate how emotionally draining the process would be. Reliving painful memories brought tears and exhaustion, but it also brought release. Telling her story became an act of courage and liberation, proof that healing often requires us to reopen wounds so they can finally close properly.
What sets Already Broken apart from other memoirs is its honesty. There is no glossing over the truth, no minimizing of shame or fear. At a point in her life where she could finally speak freely, the author chose to be unapologetic. She told her story without filters, without excuses, and without fear of judgment.
Central to her journey is faith. Through brokenness, confusion, and danger, including escaping a destructive relationship with a drug kingpin, her faith in God became her anchor. It was that faith, she shares, that kept her standing when everything else felt like it was falling apart.
By the final page, readers are left not only moved but also empowered. The author hopes her story inspires others to believe in themselves, to trust that healing is possible, and to understand that brokenness does not disqualify you from purpose, it prepares you for it.
As she says herself, this is not just a book to read. It is a ride to take.
Already Broken is available on Amazon and through the author’s website.
You can learn more and follow her journey at http://www.vernhamil.com
Book link: https://tinyurl.com/mending2022
If you’ve ever felt broken, lost, or unsure of your strength, this memoir is a reminder that survival is powerful and telling your story can be life-saving.
