The Beautiful Misfits


Fiction - Womens
254 Pages
Reviewed on 06/04/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite

The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt is the story of Josie, a mother suffering as a result of her son's drug addiction. She spirals out of control and loses it while appearing live on television, pouring out her heart to the world. Thinking her life couldn't get worse, she's proven wrong when the TV station fires her from her news anchor job, and no other station will touch her as her video goes viral. She leaves her hometown of Atlanta and moves to Asheville to start a new life without her beloved adult son Finley, and Frank, her tormenting ex. She starts a new life as a cosmetic consultant, hoping to give herself and her late-in-life daughter Dottie, who has Down’s Syndrome, a fighting chance. As much as Josie attempts to escape her problems in Atlanta, they follow her to Asheville, mainly because her undying love for her first-born son pulls her back to the life she tried to avoid.

The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt is an emotionally charged, riveting, gripping, and heart-warming story of the endless depths of a mother's love. Reinhardt unpacks almost every issue women face while giving each topic the perfect amount of time required to unravel its complexity and impact. The novel covers marriage, divorce, motherhood, childhood trauma, weight, and beauty, and the societal pressure on women to maintain composure while fighting their personal and family battles. This is undoubtedly a page-turner that depicts one woman's journey beautifully. Readers will see their own reflections as they relate to one or more parts of Josie's story. It is well written and a phenomenal contribution to women's fiction.

Maria Victoria Beltran

The Beautiful Misfits is a heart-wrenching literary novel by Susan Reinhardt. In this story, we follow Josie Nickels, an Emmy award-winning news anchor whose life takes an entirely different turn when she spills family secrets on air. As a result, she loses her job and her son Finley to addiction. Divorced and desperate for a new start with her young daughter, who has Down Syndrome, Josie gets a job at a makeup counter, working with other disgraced celebrities. She moves to Asheville, NC, and is overwhelmed by a desire to save her son. Then she comes across an extraordinary treatment plan for his addiction, but first, she has to do whatever it takes to get Finley back and reach him on time.

Susan Reinhardt’s The Beautiful Misfits is a poignant novel that delves into the devastating effect of addiction on a family. Written with a mother's heart and a dose of humor, it has a cast of memorable characters. The story is dialogue-driven, immersing us in the character’s world. This is the story of a mother’s unconventional love for her son. Josie Nickels’s desperate attempts to save her son take her on a painful journey of self-discovery and healing. Her struggles are heartbreaking, and I couldn’t help but root for her every step of the way. Her journey is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit. Ultimately, it is a story of hope and redemption and is a must-read for anyone who has been touched by addiction.

Alma Boucher

In The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt, Josie Nickels has an on-air meltdown. Josie’s husband’s abandonment and the recent death of her father pushes her over the edge. The news broadcast about addiction and death hits close to home, and Josie spills family secrets on live TV. Josie’s career is over, and she watches her son try to find ways to get and stay high. Josie wants to start a new life and find a way to save her son. Josie escapes to Asheville and accepts a job at a cosmetics department with other disgraced celebs who are as troubled as they are perfectly coiffed. In the mountains of Asheville, N.C., Josie must take a chance with an out-of-the-ordinary treatment plan to help her son with his addiction or lose him forever.

The Beautiful Misfits by Susan Reinhardt is a powerful story of a mother’s struggle to save her son while trying to start a new life. The story focuses on addiction from a mother’s perspective when dealing with a phone call from the hospital about an overdose. The characters were exceptionally developed. Ruby and Philly provided humor that lightened the heavy atmosphere of addiction and abandonment. Josie is a very strong woman who fights to start a new life. She is too busy mothering her children to complain about her circumstances. The reality of a child in the clutches of addiction is heartbreaking. The sensitive themes of addiction and abuse were handled with great care and empathy, and this story gives hope to those struggling with addicted children.

Marenda

Loved it