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Reviewed by Gabriel Santos for Readers' Favorite
Misty isn’t too pleased when her family moves to Palmdale, California, far from the big city. Good news: she quickly grows to love the desert’s natural beauty and wildlife. Bad news: her home life is nowhere near as beautiful, despite the facade of a happy Catholic family. It’s hard enough to deal with the struggles of growing up, but Misty also has to worry about her alcoholic father and her responsibilities as the eldest sibling. Amanda LaPera’s Embrace the Truth follows Misty’s journey from childhood to adolescence, starting in 1986. This journey leads her to many questions and answers, but what will she do when those answers challenge the things she’s been taught her whole life?
Embrace the Truth is a solid coming-of-age novel dealing with topics like domestic abuse, struggles with sexual identity in a conservative environment, and religious fundamentalism. Amanda LaPera has a talent for writing about the small and big things in life in brutally frank but heartfelt ways. The drama only works because we spend time with Misty and her family and friends in lighthearted moments. Misty’s happy interactions with her father are especially bittersweet given their increasingly harsh relationship, reminding us there’s a seed of love and trust buried under the horrible things. It all paints a layered picture that feels very grounded and honest. I would’ve loved to explore more of Misty’s story, especially toward the end, but overall it was a great read. If you’re a fan of the Desert of Dreams series, you’ll appreciate the cameos and references. That said, this book stands on its own and does a good job of introducing characters from previous installments.
