To Love and Be Loved

This book was recommended to me by Jay as part of the 12 in 12 challenge I am participating in this year. I've never read anything by this author before and I don't really know why so thank you so much Jay for finally getting me to pick up one of her books. I've been sitting here for what seems like forever trying to figure out how to write a review for this book that is more than I absolutely loved this book, and you need to read it. It pulled me in immediately and I was attached to characters, especially Merrin, from the very beginning. You get a taste of what living in a small community is like and how it can affect someone. It is a little slow going more so in the beginning, but the author wrote it in a way that made me not care so much about the pacing. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. I was angry because of what happened to Merrin and how her sister kept guilting her afterward. I was sad because of all the hurt and humiliation and loss she endured and I was happy when she was able to find herself again. I don't cry often while reading. It takes a lot to get me to full on cry when reading a book and this author succeeded. I crying like a baby toward the end of this book because it was so heart breaking. I could go on and on about why I loved this book but I would probably end up spoiling things and I don't want to do that so I am going to end it by saying READ THIS BOOK!!