Shut Up & Read discussion

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Description: Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. 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. Then, there’s Merit.

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her—until she discovers that he’s completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.

Fed 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. 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.

Starting

Started. I love Merit. She is a good narrator for this story. Her family is odd, lol.

There was a girl who used to babysit my kids when they were little, Nicole. Her mom had been in a car accident when Nicole was young and had brain damage, and she reminds me of the bio mom in this story. She was involved in her kids' lives, but she always was a little off, not quite all the way there. I always thought it must have been hard for Nicole to grow up like that...having her mom around but not really having a mom.

I wouldn't like having a stepmom only 10 years older than me. I don't blame Merit for not having any respect for her.

Victoria reminds me of my ex sister-in-law, lol. She doesn't let her kids eat anything with sugar and is very strict with their food. She doesn't want them to "get fat."

Sheri wrote: "Started. I love Merit. She is a good narrator for this story. Her family is odd, lol."

Yes, I love Merit, too. Her family is totally whacked!!!!I feel sorry how Merit is treated by her family.

Sheri wrote: "There was a girl who used to babysit my kids when they were little, Nicole. Her mom had been in a car accident when Nicole was young and had brain damage, and she reminds me of the bio mom in this ..."

I can't imagine that. That would be so hard.

Sheri wrote: "I wouldn't like having a stepmom only 10 years older than me. I don't blame Merit for not having any respect for her.

Victoria reminds me of my ex sister-in-law, lol. She doesn't let her kids eat..."

The whole situation is messed up. I can't imagine living in the same house as my husband's ex-wife and his kids who hate/disrespect me.

Leigh wrote: "Sheri wrote: "I wouldn't like having a stepmom only 10 years older than me. I don't blame Merit for not having any respect for her.

Victoria reminds me of my ex sister-in-law, lol. She doesn't le..."

Yes! Living with the ex-wife...would be crazy!

Holy Moly! The secrets that Merit was keeping in has made her the way she is. The revelations were staggering!

I loved the story that Sagan wrote for Moby. Moby is adorable! It is one thing if someone is allergic to something but another thing to just be controlling. I think there has to be moderation in everything which can be difficult when it comes to sweets with me.

Just finished. I so wasn't sure about this story at first because it was crazy. I ended up loving it. I liked the way mental illness was discussed and addressed. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a very wise thing to seek help. I'm glad that they came together as a family and have started healing the wounds. I can't imagine going 5 years without human touch...no wonder Merit was having so many issues along with all the other stuff. Love the tattoo! Love Sagan!!!!

I kind of hate their dad. I didn't like him in the beginning, but after he made his revelation I think that's even worse. It had to have been hard for him to live with his wife like that, but to keep his kids in the dark their whole lives is horrible. No wonder they hate him. The family's whole problem was lack of communication, which started with him. I wasn't a huge fan of Honor through the whole book, though Merit's actions did contribute to the problems, too.

I love Sagan and Merit. The tattoo was neat. Luck is odd, lol. The whole family situation is still odd.

I liked this one a lot. It deals with some tough issues. None of my kids have depression, but I have a son with anxiety and a son with Tourette's. Those definitely take a toll on your mental health. Both of them have been in counseling at some point.

Sheri wrote: "I kind of hate their dad. I didn't like him in the beginning, but after he made his revelation I think that's even worse. It had to have been hard for him to live with his wife like that, but to ke..."

I agree. Lack of communication and rash decisions caused majority of their problems. The Dad was between a rock and a hard place with the whole situation. While I don't agree with the decisions he made, I can't imagine how I would react in that same situation. I wasn't a fan of Honor, either. I did like her better after she explained herself to Merit. I do like Merit but she was very quick to react before asking questions which let to wrong assumptions. Luck is just weird.

Sheri wrote: "I love Sagan and Merit. The tattoo was neat. Luck is odd, lol. The whole family situation is still odd.

I liked this one a lot. It deals with some tough issues. None of my kids have depression, bu..."

Yes, even though issues have been addressed and therapy for all. It is very odd.

I liked the narrator. I thought she did a good job.

Depression and anxiety is difficult. I have two child that have dealt with both. Thank God they are both doing well.

Congrats Sheri!

I don’t think I’ve read a Hoover book that I haven’t liked yet.

Sheri wrote: "I don’t think I’ve read a Hoover book that I haven’t liked yet."

I love her her books, too.