Abuse often hides in plain sight, and author Karina Lambarén set out to reveal it in her powerful book, “Y yo queee?!!”
Published under the name Diana Jacobo, in tribute to her mother and Princess Diana, the book shares three stories of women who endured physical, emotional and psychological domestic abuse. Lambarén wrote this book with the goal of challenging harmful norms and sparking change.
“It was very hard to begin,” Lambarén shared. “But I told myself: ‘either I do it or I do it.’ I needed to tell my story and the stories of other women who, like me, decided to speak up.”
Rosalina, a reader of the book, said: “What impacted me the most was how in each story, you can find something that reflects your own experience. I personally suffered from narcissistic abuse for 14 years. Reading this book was like seeing my life written out in its pages.”
According to Rosalina, the power of the book lies in its ability to help women wake up. “Many don’t even realize they’re living through abuse. They normalize it because that’s what they saw growing up. This book helps you question if what you’re calling ‘love’ really is love.”
Lambarén also works as an event coordinator, a job she loves for its creativity and energy. But writing a book took a different kind of discipline and dedication. Thanks to her personal coach, Dr. Elena Quevedo, Lambarén was able to turn her idea into a published project.
“The hardest part was just starting,” she explained. “I used to go to bookstores and read motivational books. I’d think to myself, ‘Someday I’ll write one, too.’ Then one day, I just said, “It’s now or never.”
Dr. Elena Quevedo, a personal coach and founder of the organization Dios y sus Diamantes, supported Lambarén through the writing journey. With over 17 books published and a unique method that teaches people to write a book in just 15 days, Elena has helped many writers share their stories.
“Everyone has a story to tell,” Dr. Quevedo said. “But not everyone knows how to put it on paper. I developed a method that helps people build the skeleton of their story, and I guide them step by step until the book is published.”
She emphasizes that the true value of these books isn’t in the money, but in the emotional impact they have. “A good story can save lives.”
Lambarén was motivated by just that, hoping her book would invite readers to reflect and seek help.
“The most important thing for someone going through domestic violence is to find support, to surround yourself with the right people and not be afraid to speak up,” Lambarén says. “Because as long as we stay silent, the cycle continues. And it doesn’t just affect us, it affects our children, who grow up in that environment.”
The book includes discussion tools, such as the Power and Control Wheel and a list of myths and facts about domestic violence, to help readers recognize red flags and seek help. For example, one common myth is that abuse only happens when there is physical violence, but the truth is that abuse can also be emotional, verbal, and psychological. Another misconception is that victims can simply “leave if it’s really that bad,” when in reality, many face financial dependence, fear, shame, or threats that make leaving extremely difficult.
Rosalina believes this book can change lives and recommends it to others. “I would especially recommend it to teenage girls in high school who are dating early, so they don’t start thinking harassment is normal,” she says.
For those inspired by Lambarén’s journey, Dr. Quevedo offers writing workshops to help others publish their own books. Her course includes live classes, personalized support, idea organization techniques, editing, and even marketing help, all for just $150.
“My mission is to create more Hispanic authors,” she says. “Not for the money, but because our stories deserve to be told.”
For more information about the workshops, call (313) 694-2982.
Y yo queee?!! is available on Amazon and will soon be released in audiobook format, narrated by Lambarén herself. Readers such as Rosalina said the book made them feel seen and understood and says it can impact even those who haven’t experienced domestic violence themselves.
Lambarén knows that speaking out isn’t easy. But she hopes her book can be a small step toward change. She says “A woman’s worth doesn’t depend on who loves her, but on how much she loves herself. And if my book helps even one woman realize that, then it was all worth it.”
Kaylee Razo is an Alumna of Detroit Cristo Rey High School and an incoming freshman at Harvard University, where she plans to concentrate in government and economics. She is an intern with Strangers No Longer and a mentor at the Michigan Youth Civil Rights Academy.
This article and photos were made possible thanks to a generous grant to EL CENTRAL Hispanic News by Press Forward, the national movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news. Learn more at www.pressforward.news.
