bbrewer14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Without Merit is a fast read and should honestly be classified as a YA novel based on the reading level. If not for the content (sexual, drug/alcohol, sexuality, mental illness, major dysfunction in family unit), I would definitely have thought I picked up a book in the wrong section of the library.
Colleen Hoover’s books are enjoyable to me, but despite how much I enjoyed this book, I will consider it a guilty pleasure since it was kind of poorly written and juvenile. The character names were over the top and despite the decent character development, the ending was so succinct and tidy that it left me wanting. The idea that life in a world as dysfunctional as the one of the characters presented in this book can be wrapped up with a tidy little bow was why I rated the book in the 3’s. It leaves you wanting more from the characters and the author.
The book’s focus is on the Voss family. Twin sisters Merit and Honor, older brother Utah, the father, the mother (Victoria), the stepmother (also Victoria), the young half-sibling Moby, the step-uncle Luck and a family friend Sagan make up the main characters. All of these people live in a remodeled church in a small TX town. The mother lives downstairs and suffers from a multitude of health issues. The father, the kids, the stepparent and stepuncle and friend all live upstairs. The main character, Merit, feels alienated and unwanted. The book explores her journey within her family and other relationships as she discovers the importance of listening, communicating, putting forth the truth, learning to forgive and navigating her teen years. Merit struggles as the self-proclaimed outcast of the family and goes on a journey to discover how to be a part of her family or if she even wants to remain in this world to do so.
It is a good book and is a decent choice to pass the time, but it definitely needed more time to become what it could have been if the author gave it more effort.
Colleen Hoover’s books are enjoyable to me, but despite how much I enjoyed this book, I will consider it a guilty pleasure since it was kind of poorly written and juvenile. The character names were over the top and despite the decent character development, the ending was so succinct and tidy that it left me wanting. The idea that life in a world as dysfunctional as the one of the characters presented in this book can be wrapped up with a tidy little bow was why I rated the book in the 3’s. It leaves you wanting more from the characters and the author.
The book’s focus is on the Voss family. Twin sisters Merit and Honor, older brother Utah, the father, the mother (Victoria), the stepmother (also Victoria), the young half-sibling Moby, the step-uncle Luck and a family friend Sagan make up the main characters. All of these people live in a remodeled church in a small TX town. The mother lives downstairs and suffers from a multitude of health issues. The father, the kids, the stepparent and stepuncle and friend all live upstairs. The main character, Merit, feels alienated and unwanted. The book explores her journey within her family and other relationships as she discovers the importance of listening, communicating, putting forth the truth, learning to forgive and navigating her teen years. Merit struggles as the self-proclaimed outcast of the family and goes on a journey to discover how to be a part of her family or if she even wants to remain in this world to do so.
It is a good book and is a decent choice to pass the time, but it definitely needed more time to become what it could have been if the author gave it more effort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Animal death, and Vomit
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Cancer, Chronic illness, Outing, Infidelity, Death, Drug use, Medical content, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, War, and Cursing
nicolewithbooks's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, Gaslighting, Chronic illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Body shaming, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Neglectful parents
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