I think harrowing really is the best one word to sum this book up.

In July 2006, Canadian mother Melissa Hawach let her ex-husband take their two young daughters, Hannah and Cedar on a vacation to his home country of Australia. Days before they were due to arrive home, all communication between her and her ex stopped and shortly after she learned that Joe, her ex, had taken both daughters to Lebanon, which was in the middle of a very bloody war.

This is Melissa’s story, written by her, on how she did the seemingly impossible and rescued her children.