Unwanted: Abandoned But Never Broken

A story of survival, love, and the courage to hope.

In this raw and unflinching debut, a broken system meets an unbreakable spirit. A powerful story about finding light in the darkest places and the courage to reach for something more, even when the world has taught you to expect nothing at all.

Unwanted: Abandoned But Never Broken is a compelling coming-of-age story that explores themes of abandonment, the resilience of the human spirit, the healing power of connection, and the difficult journey of finding one's place in the world.

Fifteen-year-old Sam Rain has spent her life being everyone's protector-shielding her younger siblings from their mother's violent outbursts, searching for her runaway brother, and building walls around her own wounded heart. But when she's confined to a treatment center that feels more like a prison, Sam's carefully constructed defenses begin to crack.

Abandoned and feeling unwanted, sixteen-year-old Samantha's life takes a drastic turn when her mother gives her up to the state of California. Thrust into a treatment center for adolescents, Sam navigates a world of closed doors, strict rules, and the lingering pain of a past marked by neglect and her mother's disturbing accusations. Amidst the uncertainty, she forms a bond with fellow resident Tara and unexpectedly finds herself drawn to Eddy, a thoughtful and caring boy. Their connection deepens as they share their vulnerabilities and offer each other support.