From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends With Us and November 9 comes a moving and haunting novel of family, love, and the power of the truth.
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.
Poignant and powerful, Without Merit explores the layers of lies that tie a family together and the power of love and truth.
"Emotionally wrenching and utterly original, Without Merit's characters stayed with me long after I finished." Sara Shepard, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars
Industry Reviews
"Emotionally wrenching and utterly original, Without Merit's characters stayed with me long after I finished." -- Sara Shepard, New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series
"Honest, funny, and heart wrenching, all spun together perfectly. I couldn't put it down." -- Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the After series
"Hoover does an excellent job of revealing the subtle differences between healthy teenage rebellion and clinical depression... This quirky, complex, and frustrating heroine will win hearts and challenge assumptions about family dysfunction and mental illness in a life-affirming story that redefines what's normal." * Kirkus (starred review) *
"Merit is complex and charming as she struggles with depression, and Hoover shines here as she reveals hope glowing within a house of dysfunction." * Booklist (5-star review) *
"Hoover has captured the insecurities that make us human in this unforgettable novel. . . A captivating and poignant story delving into the complexities of living in a house filled with turmoil, secrets, and mental illness, and the vulnerability it takes to lean on those we love in times of need." * RT Book Reviews *
Praise for Colleen Hoover:
Hoover joins the ranks of such luminaries as Jennifer Weiner and Jojo Moyes, with a dash of Gillian Flynn. Sure to please a plethora of readers. * Library Journal (starred review) *
November 9 is yet another breathtaking novel by Colleen Hoover that's full of blushing, gushing, and heartache. I loved every page and breathed in every beautiful word. -- Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the After series
If you haven't read November 9 yet, then, apologies to your busy schedule, but you're going to have to put everything down and spend the next day devouring it. * RT Book Reviews, Seal of Excellence Winner *
Colleen Hoover's one-of-a-kind style of storytelling shines with November 9... I dare you not to fall in love with Ben and Fallon. * Vilma's Book Blog *
Colleen Hoover reminds readers that love is a fragile thing, built from courage, hope, and tears. Every person with a heartbeat should read this book. -- Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author
It Ends with Us isn't an ordinary love story. It will break your heart while filling you with hope,and by the end of this gripping, pulse-pounding novel, you'll be smiling through your tears. -- Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the After series
What a glorious and touching read, a forever keeper. The kind of book that gets handed down. * USA Today *
It Ends with Us tackles [a] difficult subject...with romantic tenderness and emotional heft. The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author's note at the end that explains Hoover's personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read. Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse-and the strength of the survivors. * Kirkus, Starred Review *
