At the age of 14 Tamika found herself in a relationship that caused her to question her entire existence. A relationship where her pet name was "Dookie," and she was choked when she said "no" to having sex . Love Doesn't Leave Bruises is the first book of its kind as it details Tamika's battle with dating violence and low self-esteem through the fictional story of Evelyn. Evelyn is a senior in high school who seems to have it all together but secretly struggles with the desire to fit in and be loved. When she finally gets a chance to be with her school crush AJ, she learns that love is more than just a four letter word. As the story progresses readers will be educated on the reality of dating violence with Thought-provoking questions, A Relationship Quiz, Safety Planning Guide, and Dating Bill of Rights. Written specifically for teens, Love Doesn't Leave Bruises! is perfect for individual use, in group settings, classrooms, conferences/workshops, and youth book clubs.