Mesha Maren

A Novel

Shae

         I received a free copy of this book through a program that I’m in, hard to explain so I won’t, but I wanted to be fully transparent about how I ended up reading this one.  I get free books from a variety of sources because I have spent years cultivating relationships that got me here.  I sincerely appreciate every book I have ever received, even if I don’t love it. 

            This one, however, I did love.  I’m pretty sure this author wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise, which is another reason why I’m so thankful for these books that sometimes seem to just show up at my house.  Now that I have discovered this author, however, I will seek her out moving forward.  This book is potentially the saddest book I’ve finished in 2024, and the fact that it was able to evoke such a strong emotion speaks highly about the writing.  This is the story of a teenager who ends up pregnant, which is not ideal in and of itself.  The other parent was a transgender girl a bit older, who eventually leaves to have a relationship with a male professor.  Shae, addicted to oxys after a rough c-section, ends up on heroin.  This is yet another story detailing the destruction opiates can cause.  Truly, it’s heartbreaking. 

            Most people don’t start taking opiate-based medications hoping to end up with a full-blown addiction.  I also had a rough birthing experience with the birth of my first daughter, and I also ended up taking oxys.  28 years later, I’m exceptionally thankful that I didn’t develop an addiction.  I’ve had to take them here and there for other reasons as well, but again, small quantities and not for very long.  I feel like a lucky one.  I was also a single mom, struggling with my own personal identity while trying so hard to be a mom and the sole adult in my household.  It’s a lot of pressure.  This character was one I had a connection with simply because our beginnings are similar.  Being a mom is arguably the most difficult role a woman will decide to take on, and sometimes, we cave under the stress of it all.  I feel like Mesha Maren tore my heart apart bit by bit with every page.  THAT is what made this such a great book. 

            There are clearly some themes in this book that some readers might find triggering, but I would recommend reading it if you can handle those triggers.  ANYBODY can fall victim to opiates.  Read this book. 

Kristen Claiborn

         I received a free copy of this book through a program that I’m in, hard to explain so I won’t, but I wanted to be fully transparent about how I ended up reading this one.  I get free books from a variety of sources because I have spent years cultivating relationships that got me here.  I sincerely appreciate every book I have ever received, even if I don’t love it. 

            This one, however, I did love.  I’m pretty sure this author wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise, which is another reason why I’m so thankful for these books that sometimes seem to just show up at my house.  Now that I have discovered this author, however, I will seek her out moving forward.  This book is potentially the saddest book I’ve finished in 2024, and the fact that it was able to evoke such a strong emotion speaks highly about the writing.  This is the story of a teenager who ends up pregnant, which is not ideal in and of itself.  The other parent was a transgender girl a bit older, who eventually leaves to have a relationship with a male professor.  Shae, addicted to oxys after a rough c-section, ends up on heroin.  This is yet another story detailing the destruction opiates can cause.  Truly, it’s heartbreaking. 

            Most people don’t start taking opiate-based medications hoping to end up with a full-blown addiction.  I also had a rough birthing experience with the birth of my first daughter, and I also ended up taking oxys.  28 years later, I’m exceptionally thankful that I didn’t develop an addiction.  I’ve had to take them here and there for other reasons as well, but again, small quantities and not for very long.  I feel like a lucky one.  I was also a single mom, struggling with my own personal identity while trying so hard to be a mom and the sole adult in my household.  It’s a lot of pressure.  This character was one I had a connection with simply because our beginnings are similar.  Being a mom is arguably the most difficult role a woman will decide to take on, and sometimes, we cave under the stress of it all.  I feel like Mesha Maren tore my heart apart bit by bit with every page.  THAT is what made this such a great book. 

            There are clearly some themes in this book that some readers might find triggering, but I would recommend reading it if you can handle those triggers.  ANYBODY can fall victim to opiates.  Read this book. 

Shae A Novel

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