In a world where women are often praised for being “strong,” a new book dares to ask: What if the strength people admire is built on silent struggles no one sees?
This is the heart of Broken Heroines, a raw and emotionally honest collection of stories that delves into the unseen inner worlds of women who carry invisible burdens behind everyday smiles.
A Book Born from Grief, Healing, and Unspoken Stories
Written by emerging Filipino author I.C. Galvan, Broken Heroines was inspired by an eight-year personal journey through loss, healing, and rediscovery. After losing her mother in 2016, the author found solace in writing again; scribbling down fragments of emotions, scenes, and characters that mirrored her own silent battles.
“It started as a private healing space,” she shares. “But over the years, it became clear that these weren’t just my stories; these were reflections of the struggles many women carry quietly.”
Interconnected Lives, One Shared Truth
The book follows the intertwined lives of women like Eliza and Autumn, Martha, Bernadette, Erika, Nancy, and Sarah. Each woman navigates emotional wounds—grief, betrayal, burnout, quiet loneliness, and the pressure to remain “the strong one.”
Though their stories differ, one truth binds them:
Strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it trembles—but still shows up.
Through vulnerable storytelling, Broken Heroines shines a light on the emotional labor women endure, the expectations placed on them, and the resilience they’re forced to master far too early.
Why This Book Matters Today
At a time when conversations around mental health, emotional wellness, and women’s struggles are finally gaining the attention they deserve, Broken Heroines arrives as both timely and necessary.
The book explores themes such as:
- the weight of emotional expectations
- the guilt of breaking down
- generational trauma and healing
- identity, womanhood, and self-worth
- the façade of being “okay”
For many readers, especially women, these stories will feel familiar, even validating.
A Love Letter to Women Who Feel Too Much and Say Too Little
Beyond fiction, Broken Heroines is a gentle invitation to every woman who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or underestimated. It acknowledges the bravery behind their silence and the courage in their survival.
“I wanted to write the stories women rarely talk about but deeply feel,” the author adds. “If someone reads this book and whispers, ‘This is me,’ then this project has already fulfilled its purpose.”
About the Author
I.C. Galvan is a Filipino author who writes about emotional resilience, quiet heartbreaks, and the hidden battles women face. Her pseudonym is inspired by her late mother, whose love for literature shaped her own. Broken Heroines is her debut book—eight years in the making, and a tribute to the women who hold worlds together even when theirs feel like they’re falling apart.
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Book Information
Title: Broken Heroines
Genre: Women’s Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
Format: Paperback & eBook
Release Date: December 16, 2025
Availability: Amazon, Gumroad, 8Letters bookstore, Lazada, and Shopee (link will be available soon)
Publisher: 8Letters Bookstore & Publishing
ISBN
Paperback: 978-621-10-2441-7
EPUB: 978-621-10-2439-4
Advance Review Copies (ARC) are available upon request.
Interviews, features, guest articles, and collaborations are open.
For inquiries and review requests:
icgalvan.writes@gmail.com
