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Rita Gigante spent the first 16 years of her life in the dark about who and what her father was. But she knew enough to know that something was wrong. Panic attacks and obsessive compulsive traits haunted her days. When she finally learned the secret that her family had been keeping from her – that her father, Vincent Gigante, was the head of the five crime families in New York in the 80s – it was the start of a whole new chapter for her.

Gigante’s book is like three stories wrapped into one narrative. First, it’s the story of a young girl growing up in a deeply dysfunctional mob family. Second, it’s the story of a young woman struggling with her homosexuality in the face of a devoutly Catholic family. Third, it’s the story of a woman embracing her intuitive gifts to become a healer.

As the main focus of the book, the first thread is both the most compelling and the most successful. The second and third issues are an integral part of the story, but they get a little less air time and are thus somewhat less satisfying – I was left with the feeling that there were some important things that were being glossed over. However, given that the material is highly personal, potentially inflammatory, and (given the names involved) very public, it’s not something I can find any fault with.

As a tale of pain, recovery and redemption, I highly recommend this book.

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FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

I received my free copy of the book, "The Godfather's Daughter: An Unlikely Story of Love, Healing, and Redemption," by Rita Gigante, from Hay House Publishing for review purposes; and couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

Secrecy, fear, and betrayal are the powerful themes that plunge the reader straight into the darkness of the author's sheltered childhood. At times, you can literally feel her fear as she describes her spiritual journey in this coming of age story. You also want to celebrate when she finally gains the courage to live and speak her truth--even in the face of enormous familial, cultural, and religious pressures. The characters in the book are brought to life through her vivid portrayals of their flawed, yet perfect humanity. And while the exploits of the author's father could have easily taken up the entire story--he was a New York crime boss after all--she focuses instead on the complexities of their relationship with each other. The emotional fallout her family experienced as the result of her father's choices, and the devastating impact of one secret in particular, is especially heartbreaking.

Yet inspiration, redemption, and encouragement (along with a bit of mysticism) are the gems that makes this story a triumph.

The Godfather's Daughter by Rita Gigante is the latest book I have been reading to keep my mind off waiting and waiting for my little one. Boy, is this book ever unique! This is a true story written by the daughter of a New York crime boss. She writes about her life from very young on all the way through adulthood and how growing up in this family situation influenced every part of her life. I was shocked as I read this book! I could hardly believe the truth of her words!

As I read this book, I couldn't help but be thankful for my life and my blessings. I also found myself contemplating how I am affecting my children as their parent. Am I giving them the love and attention they so crave? Am I a good example that they want to follow?

This book is eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and a very interesting look at the underworld of crime families. Here is a brief overview of the story:

On the surface, Rita Gigante's family looked like all the other Italian Catholics in her suburban New Jersey neighborhood. But behind closed doors, they had a secret—her father was notorious crime boss Vincent "the Chin" Gigante, head of all five New York crime families.

In The Godfather's Daughter, Rita takes us on her emotional and spiritual journey growing up on the tumultuous fringes of the underworld. Her struggles with deception and honesty, violence and love, and sickness and healing finally lead Rita up to a world of light—and a life where she can finally accept and bravely live her own truth.

If you love learning from other people through their struggles, victories, and lives, you will love this book! I am sure you will be saying, "Wow!" as many times as I did while reading this book.