Announcing We Were a Nice, Normal Family — A Story of Trauma, Truth, and Healing

Childhood trauma often hides behind carefully constructed appearances—families that seem functional, safe, and “normal” from the outside. In We Were a Nice, Normal Family, Dr. Patricia A. Grenelle courageously pulls back that curtain, revealing the devastating impact of abuse, abandonment, and silence within a family that appeared intact to the world.

This powerful memoir is both deeply personal and clinically insightful. Drawing from her lived experience and her professional background, Dr. Grenelle explores how childhood trauma shapes the nervous system, identity, and adult relationships—often in ways survivors do not fully understand until much later in life.

At the heart of the book is a story of stolen innocence and reclaimed power. Dr. Grenelle honors not only her own journey, but also the sister who suffered alongside her, giving voice to experiences that are too often minimized or hidden. Her story illuminates the realities of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and the long-term patterns that trauma can create.

What sets this memoir apart is its balance of emotional truth and psychological clarity. Readers are offered language for experiences they may have struggled to name, along with validation that their responses make sense in the context of trauma.

As resilience strategist Marie Cosgrove, PhD writes, “Patricia exposes the kind of hidden trauma that shapes a lifetime — and shows that healing is possible.” Other readers and professionals echo this sentiment, describing the book as a testament to survival, redemption, and hope.

Beyond storytelling, We Were a Nice, Normal Family includes practical resources, insights into triggers and symptoms, and guidance for healing at any stage of life. As Madelyn Balitz, LCSW notes, the book serves as “an invaluable resource… providing validation and hope through Patricia’s survivor story.”

This memoir is for survivors seeking understanding, clinicians supporting trauma-impacted clients, and anyone who wants to better understand how early experiences shape adult lives—and how healing is always possible.

We Were a Nice, Normal Family is more than a memoir. It is an invitation to reclaim voice, agency, and the possibility of a fuller, more connected life. You can get your copy here We Were a Nice, Normal Family