"It Only Starts with One Word."

Words shape us in ways we don’t always realize. They build or break confidence, inspire hope or plant fear, and can linger in the mind long after they’ve been spoken. For Malachi, words were not just something people said—they were the foundation of everything he believed about himself.

From the time he was a child, Malachi was surrounded by words that told him who he was—and who he wasn’t. At home, he heard warnings, criticisms, and comparisons that made him feel small. At school, classmates like Jeff made him question his worth. Even when his best friend Rebecca spoke encouragement, he couldn’t fully believe it. No matter where he turned, he felt like he wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or strong enough to succeed.

His doubts followed him through life. When he had a chance at love, he didn’t believe he was worthy of it. When he tried out for sports, he didn’t think he could be good enough. When he applied for his first job, his mother’s words about his father’s failures played on repeat in his mind. No matter how much he wanted to believe in himself, the words of his past always seemed to be louder.

But what if words don’t have to define you?

Malachi’s journey is one of self-doubt, struggle, and eventually, self-discovery. Through moments of fear, failure, and frustration, he starts to realize that he has a choice. He can keep believing the words that have always haunted him, or he can replace them with the truth about who he really is. With Rebecca by his side and the support of unexpected mentors, Malachi begins the process of breaking free from the labels placed on him.

Your Words Hurt Me is a deeply moving, coming-of-age novel about self-worth, resilience, and the power of choosing which words to believe. It speaks to anyone who has ever been hurt by words and reminds readers that the words you speak and the ones you accept into your life can shape your future.

This book challenges readers to think about:

• The words they’ve been told throughout their life.
• The words they’ve told themselves.
• The words they choose to speak to others.

Because words don’t just fade. They stay. And the right ones can change everything.