A lot of Merit’s actions are forgiven by us finding out that it wasn’t really true. It feels like the entire Voss family spend this book being assholes and it is all wrapped up and forgiven without any consequences. You know, there's a difference between creating well-rounded, complex and unlikeable characters, and just creating characters who get away with being obnoxious and selfish. And worse than that- shortly after, Honor moves Sagan into the Voss household.

To make matters worse, she can't stop thinking about him. She reciprocates, but soon realises she has been mistaken for her twin and that she has just kissed Honor's boyfriend. One day, a hot dude called Sagan kisses Merit unexpectedly. Merit retreats further and further into herself as she feels ever more estranged from her siblings - especially older brother, Utah, and twin sister, Honor. Said sick mother lives downstairs in the basement. They now live upstairs in a renovated church with their father and stepmother, after their father cheated on their sick mother. The book centers on Merit Voss and her family. I really do like that she's moving more towards Contemporary and darker subjects - as with It Ends with Us - but this messy book took on mental illness, sexuality, suicide, abuse, even the Syrian refugee crisis, AND a romance. He could probably open his mouth and call me an asshole again and I'd still want to kiss the lips the insult came from.ĬoHo really missed the mark with this one, in my opinion. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.įed up with the lies, Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she’s never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her-until she discovers that he’s completely unavailable. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan.

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect.

They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness. Not every mistake deserves a consequence.

Without merit colleen