At fourteen, Amahle's childhood was stolen by secrets too heavy to bear. Trapped between loyalty to her mother and the cruelty of her father, she learns to survive by wearing masks, hiding her pain, and pretending to be what others demand. She Was Only Fourteen is a raw, haunting novel told through Amahle's own voice-a testimony of silence, resilience, and the desperate fight to protect the ones she loves. Kabelo Brighton Ratsoma delivers a powerful narrative that confronts trauma head-on while illuminating the strength of the human spirit. This is not just a story of survival, but of awakening: a girl who refuses to be defined by what was done to her, and who begins to reclaim her voice in the shadows of fear. Honest, heartbreaking, and unforgettable, this book is a call to listen to those who are too often silenced.