Not bad.

Without Merit (2017) is a contemporary young adult novel written by Colleen Hoover.

Unlike many of her viral romance hits, this book shifts its primary focus away from a central love story to explore heavy family dynamics, mental health, depression, and the burden of keeping secrets.

The story follows 17-year-old Merit Voss, who considers herself the invisible outcast of her incredibly bizarre family. The Voss family lives in a repurposed church affectionately dubbed “Dollar Voss”.

The living situation is highly dysfunctional: Merit’s father lives upstairs with his new wife (who was formerly his ex-wife’s nurse), while Merit’s biological mother lives downstairs in the basement recovering from severe anxiety and agoraphobia.

It sounds depressing. But Merit is an interesting and funny character.

She collects unearned trophies. 😀

Hang in there. The book concludes on a hopeful note centered around reconciliation, mental health treatment, and open communication.