Mercy Blain’s story is wonderful and heart-felt, one of overcoming fear and finding home wherever you are. Lock’s alarmingly accurate depictions of Mercy’s physical experience of anxiety were a little triggering, to be honest, but the wonderful rhythm of her writing carried me through the discomfort. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

My full review of The Other Side Of Beautiful is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.