In Her Own Time: A Novel of Escape, Survival, and Freedom.
Seventeen-year-old Luicia is caught between the fractures of her family and the intoxicating pull of independence. Her father is rigid and haunted by an unspoken past. Her mother is unraveling in a quiet battle to reclaim herself.
And Luicia? She’s left to navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence alone—finding solace in forbidden relationships, late-night texts, and the steady pull of escape.
But the closer she gets to freedom, the more the weight of her past clings to her. When an enigmatic stranger offers a glimpse of something different—love without conditions—she’s forced to question everything.
Is escape the same as being free? Or is she destined to repeat the mistakes of those before her?
Years later, that question still lingers. Trapped in a life that feels eerily familiar, older Luicia is forced to face the truth: breaking free isn’t just about leaving—it’s about choosing to never go back.
Told with raw emotion and unflinching honesty, 'In Her Own Time' is a gripping novel of love and loss, resilience and rebellion.
It explores the cycles of generational abuse and asks: how do we reclaim ourselves from the past—and what does it take to finally break free?
Contemporary, Healing After Trauma, Domestic Violence, Coming of Age
About The Author
My name is Delaney Starling, and In Her Own Time is my debut novel.
I wrote it in 2025, at 22 years old, from a women’s refuge with my almost three-year-old son by my side.
This book was born out of survival, heartbreak, and the desperate need to break free from the cycle of generational abuse — not just for myself, but for him too.
I’m an Australian woman, born and raised, and I’ve lived a life that many don’t talk about.
Through writing, I found my voice — and now I want to use it to speak for others who still feel voiceless.
I’m a mother. I’m a survivor. I’m someone who believes in the power of storytelling to heal, to fight back, and to start again.
My hope is that In Her Own Time finds the people who need it most — and reminds them that freedom is possible.
