Self Inflicted

“Self Inflicted is a powerful and emotionally charged young adult novel that tackles grief, self-harm, abuse, and resilience with unflinching honesty, offering a compelling story of a young woman’s journey to find her worth and break free from the pain that threatens to define her.” – NewInBooks

Some scars are visible. Others are hidden beneath the surface.

Aurora has mastered the art of pretending she's okay.

To everyone around her, she's just another rebellious teenager with brightly colored hair, piercings, and an attitude that keeps people at a distance. What no one sees are the scars hidden beneath her sleeves-the physical reminders of a pain she's been carrying ever since her mother lost her battle with cancer.

Self-harm has become Aurora's way of coping with grief, loneliness, and emotions she doesn't know how to face. It's the one secret she works hardest to protect. But secrets have a way of unraveling.

When Aurora discovers she is pregnant during her senior year of high school, her already complicated life becomes even more chaotic. Determined to create a stable future for her unborn child, she agrees to marry her boyfriend, Erik. On the surface, it seems like the responsible choice.

The truth is far more complicated.

Behind closed doors, Aurora's relationship with Erik is filled with manipulation, betrayal, and abuse. Yet she continues to convince herself that if she tries harder, loves him enough, or becomes the person he wants her to be, things will get better. After all, she believes she deserves the way he's treating her.

As the pressure mounts and the cracks in her carefully constructed world begin to show, Aurora is forced to confront painful truths about herself, her relationships, and the damage caused by the secrets she's spent years hiding.

Caught between grief, self-destruction, toxic love, and the responsibility of becoming a mother, Aurora must decide how much pain she is willing to endure before enough is finally enough.

Raw, emotional, and unflinchingly honest, Self Inflicted is a powerful story of loss, trauma, abuse, survival, and self-discovery. Through heartbreak, difficult choices, and moments of hope, Aurora must learn that healing begins when she stops blaming herself for the pain others have caused.

Sometimes the deepest wounds are the ones we inflict on ourselves.

Morgan Rylie is an indie author of young adult, new adult, and fantasy fiction whose stories explore love, loss, identity, healing, and resilience. Inspired by real-life struggles and the power of storytelling, she writes emotionally driven, character-focused novels that tackle difficult topics while offering hope and connection to readers.Her published works include Summer Love Autumn Goodbye, the Self Inflicted Saga, the #BeYourself Series, and the In the Ring Series. Across her books, readers will find themes of mental health, self-discovery, LGBTQ+ representation, trauma recovery, found family, and personal growth. Her upcoming fantasy romance, Heir of the Forgotten, marks her first venture into epic fantasy while maintaining the emotional depth that defines her work.A mom of four, Morgan balances writing with a busy family life filled with school activities, appointments, and plenty of organized chaos. She is also deeply involved in children's theater, serving on the board and supporting young performers both on and off the stage.When she's not writing, reading, or attending rehearsals, Morgan enjoys connecting with readers, sharing her author journey, and championing stories that remind people they are never alone.You can learn more at morganryliebooks.com.