After Mercy realises she can’t turn to her not-so-ex-husband for help, she purchases an old campervan from an eccentric man and with the company of Wasabi, her sausage dog, she hits the road heading north to Darwin.
This story is one that warms the heart. What particularly touched me is the fact that I personally, along with many others am all too familiar with anxiety so strong that it stops us from completing everyday activities such as leaving the house.
This story of self-discovery and healing is so wholesome and Kim Lock has written this novel in such a way that allows the reader to truly feel and understand what Mercy is going through. The small to large triumphs that Mercy experiences provoke a sense of comradery and an innate urge to cheer her own as if we personally know her, and encourages self-reflection in our own lives, rousing the question “If she can do it, why can’t I?” However, the true moral of the story that is so eloquently written is that it’s better to face your problems than live in fear. The mental health representation and the fact that this book is so relatable makes you want to laugh, cry, and make positive changes through a bit of self discovery of your own.
If you are looking for a wholesome, easy and relatable book that is a little bit sugary in all the right places, look no further than The Other Side of Beautiful.
Rating: 5/5
Purchase a copy of The Other Side Of Beautiful here.
