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amy_alwaysreading 's review for:
Only the Beautiful
by Susan Meissner
Many thanks to my friends at @uplitreads @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the #gifted book.
I read this book right before publication day. It completely swept me away, and I became utterly devoted to Rosie, one of our main characters, right away. And OH the book hangover I felt after saying goodbye to her and Helen.
I was zealous to share my 5⭐️ love of Only the Beautiful with everyone. And yet, I struggled to write a review that embodied the scope of my thoughts. I’ve managed to compile something. But truthfully, nothing equates to the splendor within the book itself.
Haunting. Mesmerizing. Beautiful. Rosie and Helen have left an indelible mark on me.
Rosie had assumed the greatest tragedy of her life would be the loss of her parents at the age of 16. But before her next birthday, she would come to understand the cruel realities of a world that didn’t understand her and afforded her no autonomy.
Helen returned home to California after fighting against the heinous abuse Nazi’s wielded towards the genetically “impure.” And it quickly became apparent that her next battle would be against similar atrocities within her own home state and family.
It feels wholly unoriginal to call this book beautiful. And yet, the word that comes to mind each time I think of this book is exactly that: beautiful. But not reminiscent of a beauty that comes easy or without cost.
The kind of beauty that is cultivated. A rising out of the ashes beauty. Breathtaking and stunning.
With a backdrop that showcases the absolute worst of humanity, Meissner weaves a story of strength and hope that drew me in and touched my very soul. This is a tragic, oftentimes dark, story. And yet, hope radiated throughout. From gut-wrenching to uplifting. From heartbreak to joy.
Powerful and poignant. This is a tender story with important messaging, and it was worth every single tear I shed. This is not a story I will soon forget.
🎧 I enjoyed the vast majority of this book in the physical format. (I can read much faster than I can listen, and I found that important combined with my desire for annotation.) However, the audio narration by Xe Sands and Jorjeanna Marie is exceptional. I’d definitely recommend, particularly if you aren’t one for annotation.
I read this book right before publication day. It completely swept me away, and I became utterly devoted to Rosie, one of our main characters, right away. And OH the book hangover I felt after saying goodbye to her and Helen.
I was zealous to share my 5⭐️ love of Only the Beautiful with everyone. And yet, I struggled to write a review that embodied the scope of my thoughts. I’ve managed to compile something. But truthfully, nothing equates to the splendor within the book itself.
Haunting. Mesmerizing. Beautiful. Rosie and Helen have left an indelible mark on me.
Rosie had assumed the greatest tragedy of her life would be the loss of her parents at the age of 16. But before her next birthday, she would come to understand the cruel realities of a world that didn’t understand her and afforded her no autonomy.
Helen returned home to California after fighting against the heinous abuse Nazi’s wielded towards the genetically “impure.” And it quickly became apparent that her next battle would be against similar atrocities within her own home state and family.
It feels wholly unoriginal to call this book beautiful. And yet, the word that comes to mind each time I think of this book is exactly that: beautiful. But not reminiscent of a beauty that comes easy or without cost.
The kind of beauty that is cultivated. A rising out of the ashes beauty. Breathtaking and stunning.
With a backdrop that showcases the absolute worst of humanity, Meissner weaves a story of strength and hope that drew me in and touched my very soul. This is a tragic, oftentimes dark, story. And yet, hope radiated throughout. From gut-wrenching to uplifting. From heartbreak to joy.
Powerful and poignant. This is a tender story with important messaging, and it was worth every single tear I shed. This is not a story I will soon forget.
🎧 I enjoyed the vast majority of this book in the physical format. (I can read much faster than I can listen, and I found that important combined with my desire for annotation.) However, the audio narration by Xe Sands and Jorjeanna Marie is exceptional. I’d definitely recommend, particularly if you aren’t one for annotation.