Author Christine Mehring has created some solid YA characters who are going through some very difficult life changes in her debut novel Bitter Blessings.
We are introduced to Megan who is happily eating dinner with her family.
Then the phone rings and it’s bad news. Mom has been killed in a car accident.
Megan is very sad.
But it only gets worse from there. Her grandma tells her to get a better job to put food on the table and gets all grumpy and wrapped up in her own problems. Then her sister starts being all secretive and rebellious and that all makes Megan very mad.
So there she is, trying to pick up the pieces of her life when she finds out that everyone seems to be harboring some secrets from her--her family and her best friend--and she doesn't know what to do. Megan's life is complicated and lonely while she tries to figure out what to do. Poor Megan.
It was one of those reads where you want to keep turning pages to see how the main character would end up handling it all and if she would be okay in the end.
So there you have it. I thought Bitter Blessings was an emotionally gripping book. The author’s main character, Megan, stays true to character with the unique voice of a teenager who is facing some daunting challenges in her life and she’s just trying to muddle through as best she can. I loved her relationship with her best friend Adam, and I really liked how the author made Megan so three dimensional in her coping skills with everything that happens to her. The only thing I had difficulty with was the reason for her mother’s secret. It didn’t quite ring true to me at first, but the author did a great job in making the motivations more clear as the book went along. A very nice debut novel and I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Here is the back copy:
Megan has the perfect life, but when her mother dies in an accident, everything spins out of control. With the rest of her family falling apart, Megan must confront her past to uncover the truths that will keep everyone together. Thought-provoking and heartfelt, this book shows that even in times of trial, you can often find blessings.
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6 comments:
This sounds like an interesting book--even without the totally captivating drawings to give that all-important visual one sometimes needs.
Love the artwork! I did a book review with pictures today too. It's fun, isn't it? :)
Thanks, Deb, and Janice it really WAS fun! :)
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review Bitter Blessings, and to go above and beyond with illustrations, too! I'm speechless. Now I can say to other writers, sure, they loved your book, but did they draw you stick figures??? Seriously though, I'm grateful for your time and so glad you enjoyed the book. :)
I have a new dream in life. To have you review a book that I've written, and draw pictures for it :-)
You're welcome Christine!
And Sarah, you are ON! Just waiting for the manuscript to appear on my desk. :)
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