Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined

by Danielle Younge-Ullman

To prove to her mother, a famous opera singer dealing with depression after losing her singing voice, that she can handle the grueling life of an actress, Ingrid must survive a wilderness camp.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Mental Health, Young Adult Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2017

About the author

Danielle Younge-Ullman is the award-winning author of the young adult novels, HE MUST LIKE YOU (July 2020), EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED (2018), LOLA CARLYLE’S 12 STEP ROMANCE (2015), and the adult novel, FALLING UNDER (2008). Danielle’s work has been published internationally, won the White Pine and Earphone awards, and been nominated for multiple awards and best-of lists, including the Governor General’s Award, the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award, the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award, the Green Mountain Book Award, American Library Associations Best of YA award, the Crystal Kite award, the Prix du Libraires du Quebec, and the Prix Sorcières du France, the Prix Lucioles du France, the Prix Farniente of Belgium, and CBC’s Best Books of 2017, Bank Street Best Children's Book list of 2018, Ontario Library Associations Best Bets of 2018. Danielle has an English degree from McGill University, and worked as a theatre and voice actor (plus server/host/temp/admin/Pilates instructor) before turning to writing. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[♛ may · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've literally never heard of this book and i stumbled upon it while looking for 'underrated contemporaries' and GOSH DAMMIT IS THIS BOOK SO FRICKEN UNDERRATED

- basically its about a snarky, angry, hurt girl who is embarking on this 3 week wilderness camp for 'troubled teens' and she ain't too happy to be there
- it switches flips between two time periods, the "before" briefly narrating and exploring her life as a child of an opera singer (i thought that was SO COOL) through her mother's careers and their travels up until the moment when (& why) she accepted going on the wilderness trip/camp/thingy
- the main character has SUCH a great sense of humour, there were genuine laugh at loud moments amidst the challenges, need to survive, and the natural humiliations that come with.......no flushed toilets or running water
- during the camp, we got to see a lot of characterization of the other 'troubled teens' and view an insight into their lives and the specific issues theyre dealing with
- i love how each of the characters had voices and how they all start somewhere and end up SO MUCH stronger and more capable and confident at the end
- depression is a main theme of the novel. the main character's mother is seen to have suffered from it while the mc was a child & later in her teen years and then the mc is faced with overcoming it as well
- i thought it was handled really well and really brings a lot of discussions on it as well as having a realistic portrayal
- issac was the cutest little bean until he pulled the crap he pulled and got written out of my good graces.........and then i maybe forgave him in the end damn me
- I LOVED HOW he wasn written off as a character for the mistakes he committed in his past. for the actions that he literally committed in 10th grade but also it was waved off as 'hes-just-being-a-boy-its-okay'
- like he had to earn back the trust he broke and i thought that was so fantastic to see in YA
- AND ALSO TAVIK
- I DONT KNOW WHEN IT HAPPENED BUT I LOVED HIS CHARACTER SO MUCH
- he's so realistically flawed and genuine and fjdkajflkajlfdakljalfjddldakdjddlka
- thats that on that
- the writing is captivating. i started and could not put the book down bc i was just so immersed in the story and the adventures and the excitement and the sorrows
- i WANT IT ALL
- I. EFFING. LOVE. HER. STEP. DAD.
- the relationship they share is so wholesome and precious i literally died at all their scenes and prayed he wasn't going to pull a fast one on anyone bc he's literally a gem of a father and i want to lie down and sob again
- also im making this sound like its all fun and games but you literally become so attached to the characters that you dont realize when the last 50 paged punches you in the throat and you can't stop crying
- 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

so my friends, stop giving into the idea that this is a underrated contemporary and give it the damn love it deserves

[Lala BooksandLala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent.

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys, this was so good. Like, SO GOOD.

Read it read it read it READ IT.

[Fares · Rating 5 out of 5]

1 2 3 4 I declare a thumb war on you all who haven't read this book!
I have no words...

I actually thought this is going to have what I call The One Chapter Syndrome. It's the case where I enjoy all of the book but comes this chapter near the end that I just hate and it ruins the book for me.
This book was about to do that. After reading chapter 33 I went like ughh there goes my 5 stars, but then come chapter 34 to the rescue.
I can tell you this, I can't remember the last time a book made me feel such a wide range of emotions and I just love it!

Also, I can't believe how underrated this is! Please guys let's fix that. This is an important beautiful book and deserves more.

Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined is about a girl named Ingrid as she tries to prove to her mom that she has what it takes to pursue her dreams. So when her mother challenges her to go to this wilderness survival program in exchange for her approval, Ingrid agrees.
Now the fun begins as she discovers that her fellow campers are an ex-convict, a creepy pervert and a runaway.

It's one of the best mental illness books I read.
Usually, when I read a book about mental illness, the common theme is, talk about it and you'll feel better. I don't disagree with that but I have my reservations on how it's usually portrayed as the magic wand that can fix things instantly. I get that it's hard to do a good character arc in not so many pages, I ignored it most times but it has always nagged me.
After reading this I don't think I'd be so forgiving. This book did such an amazing job with it. While it had the theme that talking about your problems can fix things, in no way did it hint that's an instant magical solution. It really isn't even about that, it's more about how not talking can make things worse.
And I just loved how Ingrid explained her reasons for not talking about what happened to her. I have the seem feelings, some things just feel personal and you can't just share them with anyone especially if the people are ex-convicts and recovering addicts you just met.

Characters

We must interrupt this review for the breaking news that Andreas is the best!
This newsflash was brought to you by The Sky Is Blue Network.

But seriously, I love that guy. He could've stayed away from Ingrid and her mother. He knew what he was getting into and he did it anyway, and I love him.

“You still love her?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said fiercely.
I believed him. In fact, I would almost say he loved her more.

- Ingrid
Ingrid is one the best character's I read about, at least contemporary wise. I don't exactly agree with some of her actions and views, probably because I had loving supportive parents, but even without that, I don't think I'd react the same way she did to certain things. Suffice to say that I didn't empathize with her but I did sympathize.
She did help me see how different we humans are because every time she went into an argument with her mother, I could see both sides. And that's what I meant when I said I don't agree with her. Her mother had a lot going on and Ingrid did try to help her but she still wants to live her life. You could say that's somewhat bratty but it also isn't. I honestly would've absolutely loved Ingrid if she gave up and put her mom's needs before hers but that wouldn't mean it's the right thing to do, and that ladies and gentlemen is why I love this book.
Ingrid to me just acted her age, and I don't think anyone can blame her for doing that.

- The mother
I don't know what to say here.
A lot of things happened and you can't blame her for the things she did or said because she had a reason behind that even if somethings were a bit too much. I do however see how she did feel cornered almost all the time, be it by Andreas or Ingrid. It's just a very hard position to be in.
Sometimes I did feel angry because of her constant unsupportive attitude but at the same time, I was angry at Ingrid and Andreas for not helping much and kinda cornering her into agreeing to somethings. I'm being very vague here but I don't want to spoil anything, you just have to trust me that this deserves your time :)

Writing

I'm not sure if this is for everyone but I just love nonlinear narrative as long as it's not confusing. It helps me realize that the character didn't start their lives just with me picking up the book, they have a past and it affects them now and it will affect them after I finish reading.
This book wasn't confusing, it all unraveled smoothly and I enjoyed almost every bit of it.

I didn't like

The only thing I could think of is Ingrid's relationships.
Her relationship with Isaac wasn't really my favorite thing but it wasn't bad. The thing with Tavik is the one I didn't like at all, not that I don't understand it but it's what Ingrid herself complained about.

I think that's all, EXCEPT FOR ME BEGGING YOU TO READ THIS BOOK.
READ THIS BOOK!
READ THIS BOOK!
READ THIS BOOK!
Okay that's all, have fun... Reading this book :)

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is a million times better than I was hoping it would be. This book is about a camping trip and has some backstory woven in throughout the story. The supporting characters are all so developed and have such complex stories. The main character is also smart, strong, and musically talented. This book does not disappoint.

This book is a story that focuses on a summer camping trip in the wilderness and has bits of intricate backstory woven in. I loved switching between the present and the past, where the story of Ingrid’s mother and the events leading up to the trip are revealed. The theatrical and survival aspects made for a nice contrast and made the book so unique. I was definitely not prepared for the big reveal at the end and appreciated the element of surprise.

One of the most interesting aspects of Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is the cast of character. While Ingrid is away at camp, she meets a group of teens who are each troubled in their own way. At first, I had some doubts about a lot of the characters, but after learning each of their stories, most of them grew on me. Each of the characters is quirky and there’s definitely more to them than what meets the eye. The growing bond between them was entertaining to read, and I enjoyed watching them start to rely on each other.

Ingrid is a clever and insightful main character. I enjoyed her sarcastic voice and her hilarious letters to her mom. Ingrid really transforms on the camping trip, and it is really inspiring watching her grow stronger. She is so determined to follow her dream, despite the protests from her mom, which I really admired. Her character really makes the book emotional and entertaining.

Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined alternates between past and present as it tells the story of a camping trip. The supporting characters are all so interesting and unique in their own way. Ingrid is also a strong character who comes a long way from who she is at the beginning – or technically the end – to the present. I would strongly recommend this book!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This YA novel was so much more than what I was expecting. Beautiful writing, captivating characters, and tons of tough topics that were handled with the utmost respect. I know that I am not going into times of detail. Suffice it to say, this is a book that you don't leave on the shelf.

[Julia Sapphire · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Suicide, Depression and Sexual Assault

“My demon is you. My best and worst is about you: how I need you and fear for you, how I fear for myself if I lose you, how I have let myself be defined by you.”

This was such a good read. This book is about a girl named Ingrid who wants to attend a very acclaimed music school and her mother does not want her to go. Ingrid's mother's career went down the drown after her losing her voice and her passion as an opera singer. She is in a bad state of mind and believes that a career in music is not stable and does not want her daughter to be heart-broken as she was. They come to a deal, if Ingrid attends this outdoor wilderness survival camp and gets through it, she can attend her dream music school. We follow Ingrid writing to her mother at this camp and her experiences their, as well as her past and her growing up.

This book is a coming of age story, it's about what its like to lose your passion, and it's about what its like to not be aloud to pursue your passion. The writing was interesting and engaging along with the overall plot. I did find the main character annoying and juvenile at the start of this book but she eventually grew on me. I think a lot of people would be able to relate and connect with this book and its subject matter.

I enjoyed the overall atmosphere of the book and found myself being totally enthralled in learning about Ingrid and her families past. I think this book brings a lot of topics to light with a diverse and interesting set of characters.

I loved the concept of family relationships and the complications. It also shows the importance of family in one's life and how a family member can really affect you in a positive or negative way. I loved the relationship with Ingrid and her Dad, it was absolutely touching and very important.

I had few issues with this book, one being that sometimes I was more interested in one time period over the other, which is bound to happen. two is some jokes that rubbed me the wrong way, one of the characters makes a joke about sexual assault and they talk about it in a really light way. I think it sugarcoated the situation at times. Than again it brought awareness to making charges and the pros and cons of doing so, which I have never soon a book discuss before.

... like when Ingrid gets sexual assaulted and almost raped, she also almost gets drowned. Afterwards, she just says how a near death experience taught her something. But fails to really mention later in the book, that she was sexually assaulted and that it is really serious. Though I am glad they discuss making charges against him and the pros and cons of doing that. I didn't find it cool making sex and sexual assault jokes with Ingrid after what had just happened.

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 out of 5 Stars!

Writing the review of this book for me was so hard, because I was expecting to LOVE this book and there isn't a single review for this below 4 stars, but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be the case.

At the beginning it was so very hard of me to get into the book and the characters didn't seem engaging at first, and a lot of times (at first) I wanted to dnf this book. Then, slowly I started to enjoy it. I liked the depth of the story.
The One character that I adored in this book was Ingrid's stepfather.

Moving on to the epilogue: I didn't like it! It's like everything went back to the way it were before.

I knew from the beginning that the main character's mom was dead, but as the story progressed the author made it seem like her mother wasn't dead, so I started thinking that she indeed wasn't dead. Then there was the horrible moment in the last few chapters where she explained how her mother left and it felt like the ceiling came crashing down on me, it was such a heart breaking moment for me and I literally became emotional.

[fatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

love love love. so many emotions right now.

imma do this review Random Thoughts style:
► If I had to sum up this book I would say it's all about Complicated Shit. I'm not kidding. The beauty of Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is that you get to see Ingrid work through all her emotional and psychological turmoil throughout the book. You go to hell and back with her as she tries to untangle her mess of emotions, and when she finally does, you're just so damn happy for her. I just really love Complicated Shit books, man. They're emotionally taxing, but they're 100% worth it. (If you liked We Are the Ants, then you might like this too. They're not particularly similar content-wise, but they're both YA contemporaries about, as aforementioned, Complicated Shit, and the process of sorting through it.)
► Ingrid is a wonderful main character. She's caustic and self-aware and upfront and I love her for all those things.
► I loved how Younge-Ullman explored Ingrid's—here's that word again—complicated relationship with her mom, who, by the way, was a really fascinating character (both fiercely loving yet aloof, distant yet unhesitatingly vocal). Like Marchetta's Saving Francesca, this book deals with how a mother's mental illness—depression in particular—takes its toll on her, her daughter, and their relationship.
► THAT ENDING THO. I may or may not have cried.
► ok but the premise behind this book was VERY clever and well-executed. You go back and forth between Ingrid's time at this super intense camp and her past at home with her mom and at her school. And lemme tell you, these two plotlines complemented each other incredibly well: the former informs the latter and the latter informs the former. Together, they worked almost magically to breathe life into Ingrid's character and to explain why she made the decisions she made. Honestly, kudos to Younge-Ullman for pulling it all off, because she did.

Definitely one of the best contemporaries that I've recently read. Highly recommend you give this one a try.

[Zahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful and sad and messy
Loved it

[saintsinclaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book existed when I was 17 and in high school and trying to understand my relationship with my mother and myself. Even so, in my 20s, this book was emotional and therapeutic. I love books with wilderness survival, forced proximity, flashbacks done well, and a cast of broken characters. Solid YA.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt story of survival and strength in its many forms.

TW: homophobia, depression, sexual assault, suicide

[Johanna Lundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

När jag läste ut boken satt jag och höll den mot bröstet en lång stund, med tårarna strömmande ner för kinderna och med ett hjärta fullt av känslor. Den var så mycket mer än jag trodde och vågade hoppas på.

[Alekz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mållös.

[Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I know that not everyone who reads it will love it in the way that I did, mainly because this book hit my two main teenage/college hobbies: camping and singing. Not only that but Ingrid's journey and trials were told through her experiences in these activities, making her connections with the outdoors and with her life in music even stronger. If you're thinking about reading this book, let me give you a little bit of a synopsis:

Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined is told from Ingrid's point of view, but through two different timelines: one as she is growing up with her opera star-gone wrong mother, and one in the present on a month long wilderness survival-turned disaster trek she wasn't quite expecting. Growing up, Ingrid and her mother lived a wonderful life, with Margot-Sophia Lalange performing in the spotlight of the great opera houses until she does exactly what she knows not to do--she over sings and does not take care of her voice thus resulting in vocal nodes and the end of her career. Ingrid's mother becomes bitter regarding music and theater, and the glamorous life ends. Ingrid struggles to fit in at school and she grows up taking care of her mother. Eventually, a role in the school play and (of course) a boy will change many things for both Ingrid and her mother.

5-star ratings are very difficult to earn from me, but I'm feeling generous today and I will round up a 4.6 rating on this one to a 5 for a few reasons. First of all, the wilderness survival camp is one for at-risk teens and while Ingrid didn't feel that she wasn't "at-risk" so she didn't need to be there, she still toughened up and took it like a champ. I think that a lot of her thought processes were exactly like mine would have been (I won't really give more information than that because it's part of the humor and charm [lol...sass?] of Ingrid). Second, the way that passion for music and performing on stage is described. How you get up on stage and more or less don't always know if you did well or not. Or Margo-Sophia's phrases like "You did well last night but today you must be better. Always better." In some ways she often comes across as self-centered but her career and that state of mind was her entire life. It was her state of mind for years. It was hard to see her discourage Ingrid from pursuing music but she was completely horrified for her. The one thing I did NOT like was how Ingrid treated Isaac after the show and the incident with the other girl. I didn't think that blaming him so strongly was fair at all and I hated that. I thought that was the big chink in the book for me. And the end, of course, is a cryfest and my biggest weakness in books. It could have been more played up but I think it was just the right amount considering the characters so I say it was very well done. Overall, wonderful book. It is one that I highly recommend.

--I was given a copy of this book by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review--

[Zemira Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Danielle Younge-Ullman since 2012, when I read . Falling Under is still embedded onto my soul and I don't think I'll ever stop loving it. Last year she published her first new adult novel and this year, her first young adult novel.

Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined is Ingrid's road to survival. She is at a wilderness camp where things could always get worse but nothing is bad as the life waiting for her in the real world. She might want to give up, sit and cry at times but her passion for what's ahead would save her in the end. Her struggle was genuine and she always felt like a real person, not a character.

[Emmy Ruijven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn. Zoveel feels.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5

insightful, emotional, amazing

Ingrid I love you, I love you so much and you don’t even exist.

[Clarabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suivre le parcours de cette héroïne dans son trek infernal a été sincèrement stimulant. J'ai souvent souri, beaucoup compati, malgré moi gloussé et halluciné à la lecture de son apprentissage, mais c'est raconté à la fois avec fraîcheur, humour et ironie. Il faut lire toutes les lettres que la jeune fille adresse rageusement à sa mère, sa montagne de reproches tournés en dérision, sa sensation de subir un rite initiatique auquel elle n'était pas préparée (et on la comprend, imaginez vous balader avec vos papiers WC usagés pour protéger l'environnement... eh ouais !). Un roman qui cache aussi une bonne couche d'émotions ! Top.

http://blogclarabel.canalblog.com/arc...

[Jenny (knasentjej) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oj, det tog 50 sidor sen blev boken bra. För att inte tala om slutet. Några tårar föll och jag känner mig nästan knockad.

[lisamargar3ta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Berörande historia om Ingrid, en smart tjej, som har en annorlunda mamma. Ingrid vill utbilda sig på en fin musikskola i London och innan hon får lov att göra det måste hon tillbringa tre veckor på ett sommarläger med ett gäng ungdomar. Där blir hon utmanad av både naturen, vädret, lägerkamraterna och kanske framför allt av sig själv och hennes känslor för mamman.

[Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this novel as an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There are many YA fiction novels out there that discuss how a teenager deals with problems in her life. Some of these stories are good and some of them don't really make the cut. I haven't read one of these tearjerker novels in a while and I wasn't really expecting this novel to be one. But after reading the first chapter, I knew exactly what it was all about. I continued to read... and I'm so glad I did, because this novel definitely blew me away!

I adored this novel. Truly, I did. From the synopsis to the actual writing to the characters, everything was flawless and perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better story!

I loved the different characters that we were introduced to, even though it was apparent that Ingrid was the star of the show. The descriptions of the other characters was given through Ingrid and I really liked how this was done, because it showed Ingrid as someone who is not self-absorbed and consumed by her own problems. Ingrid, while seeming to be quiet, is actually a firecracker who knows how to stand up for herself. She may have wanted to back down from the challenges she faced but she doesn't, and that made me love her character! The other characters from the camp were written very well and did a good job in terms of giving Ingrid the support and baseboard that she needed in order to "grow".

I really enjoyed the way this story was written. The chapters would flit from the past to the present and it was really interesting to read from both perspectives and see how they all matched up. The emotions that Ingrid felt in the past, and the pain she was carrying with her in the present were powerfully written; it made me want to go and hug her! The story never dragged, which was really great to see since I frequently find books in this genre are ... slow-paced.

Overall, this book is emotionally-packed. It will make you laugh out loud, and cry, and just ... FEEL so much! I loved Ingrid, I loved Margot-Sophia, I loved every character (except Peace, of course)! This novel was amazing in terms of its writing style, pacing, story line, and character development. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good teen fiction that will make you emotional!

[Allie Lane Sandu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I would give this book 4.5 stars probably if that were an option.
This was one of the more gripping YA books I’ve read in a long time, not in that it was particularly intense or anything, but for whatever reason I could not put it down and finished it over the course of one day.
I really liked Ingrid as a protagonist and some of the elements of this story were super-refreshing. (Spoilers from here on)
I loved Andreas staying and choosing to stay and fighting for Ingrid and for her mom. It was so encouraging and beautiful and the relationship between Ingrid and Andreas is definitely my favourite of the whole book. I also enjoyed her dalliance with Tavik and the realism of him being just a fling and a friend when she needed it.
The thing that downgraded it from 5 stars to 4-4.5 for me was her return to Isaac at the end. I found him boring at best and irritating at worst and Ingrid can do soooo much better and this book would have been stronger for more of an “I choose myself!” ending.
Also Margot-Sophia is the straight up worst but she’s supposed to be, so, I can’t find fault with that.

[Ulrica Kulturladyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

”Allt det vackra är inte förstört” av Danielle Younge-Ullman är en riktigt fin och stark läsupplevelse. Boken griper tag i mig, väcker en mängd olika känslor och kommer att stannar kvar i hjärteroten.

Boken är både lättsam, humoristisk, men innehåller även svärta och starka känslor. Och så älskar jag språket och alla stilistiska grepp, Ja, jag rekommenderar varmt boken som du kanske förstår.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ingrid’s mother sends her to a wilderness camp for troubled teens, she has no idea the camp immerses kids in survival training. Ingrid and eight other teens will be pushed to their physical and emotional limits, and if they’re lucky, learn something about themselves.

EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED far exceeded my expectations. Through Ingrid’s narration of how she ended up in camp and how she’s surviving survival camp, readers see her grow from a child enmeshed in her mother, then parentified by her mother, then held back when her mom feels threatened by Ingrid’s success. Ingrid is sympathetic, though not always likable. She holds back from fellow campers.

Danielle Younge-Ullman did a great job capturing Ingrid’s toughness and vulnerability and gave Ingrid a unique and engaging voice. I will look for other books by Younge-Ullman in the future.

Most of EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED is well researched, except for having boys and girls share tents. No way. No how. There are guidelines and in some states laws against this. The camp wouldn’t be accredited with such a policy and would be shut down if it didn’t. I don’t think the misinformation added to the plot, so I’m not sure why it was included.

At times the plot dragged, but mostly moved at a slow, steady pace. I never saw the twisty ending coming.

Most readers of realistic fiction will enjoy EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED.

[Michela · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was one of the most beautiful endings I’ve ever read.

[lucky little cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old-fashioned YA Group Therapy wilderness adventure features ten YAs with various Emotional Problems. Our girl Ingrid is there because she has Mom Issues. Literally operatic ones.



Fun for a fast read, but unforgivably glib. Problems--big and little--are magically and quickly solved. (Blisters heal in a few days; counselors *force* campers to share a coed tent; no sex ever, ever happens in the coed teen tent).

Ingrid, without any formal training or even much practice wins a prestigious musical scholarship. And of *course* Controlling Diva Mom says no, then says maybe. Last, talk therapy is the answer for *all* the troubled YAs, and it only takes two weeks!

Do not get me started on the ending's Big Reveal, which is shameless indeed.

[Gina Murdoch · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know that camp changes a person. I remember spending a week away at overnight camp every summer and then later on at a more in-depth leadership camp. Your fellow campers became your extended family and the bond was forever forged. I remember my heart feeling heavy when I returned home and wanting to sleep in my sleeping bag on the floor of my room for months at a time to remind myself of camp.

My experiences may not have been as life-altering as Ingrid’s at Peak Wilderness, but I understand the trials of being forced to grow up quickly. I enjoyed her stories and letters to her mother spliced in with a year-by-year telling of her life. Although I felt it coming, the last chapter or two were crushing, but it tied up the story well.

[Jessica G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. I was so ready to give this book 4 or maybe even 4.5 stars right up until the last 3 or so pages!! Why would you end it like that after such good character development! *frowny face*
So basically, this book was a roller coaster for me - after reading the first 50 pages, I was ready to stop, but then as it progressed I suddenly got it! I was like, YEAH, these characters are all amazing and I love the camping and the narrative as well! But GODDAMN! THAT ENDING. I am so not okay with that - it was super disappointing, and I didn't see any reasoning behind it!!!!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book from Booksandlala on Youtube and she loved it and lately everything she has read and loved I have also loved. I didn't realize she and I had similar tastes in books. So because she so highly recommended it I got it on my Overdrive and flew through it. (I actually finished it 3 days ago but life stepped in the way and I am only just today updating)

This was not what I thought it was going to be but I loved it all the same. I thought light fluffy contemporary and in some parts it was but the nitty gritty of this book was some major mental health issues from the mother. I felt so bad for Ingrid and the life she led.


Ingrid was the daughter of a opera singer who ignored the signs that she needed to get some help for her voice and continued to sing until she rendered her voice (the upper registry) unsingable any longer. Her mother, who is now unemployed, no longer famous or needed for leading or any parts of opera went into a tailspin of depression and left a very young Ingrid to basically fend for herself. Not getting out of bed for weeks or months. She did manage to pull herself together and get a job in an office. There was never music played in the house nor was there ever any singing allowed. Ingrid however loved to sing and thought she was pretty decent. She had some bullying issues in one of her first schools which is where she met the first love of her life Issac. In her second school she never told her mother she was auditioning for the Wizard of Oz and when she won the lead as Dorothy she had to come up with a plan to make this okay with her mom. She was singing one day (before the audition) and her mother put her down and basically made sure she knew she couldn't sing. I think she didn't want Ingrid to ever have to go through the heartbreak that she did but putting her singing voice down was not okay.

Ingrid got accepted to a performing arts school in London to which her mother vetoed but said she could attend so long as she went to a camp first. If she went to this survival camp and completed the camp then she would be allowed to attend the school in London. Well this is where Ingrid finds out just how hard life can get. This was such a fun story of a hard core life in a camp with no running water or plumbing of any kind. If you had to go to the bathroom you had to dig a hole do your business and put all used toilet paper in a sealed ziplock bag EWWWW, she had to bathe under the stars every night in freezing lake water and wash her clothes in that same water. It was a true hardship camp but the two camp guides were also trained in helping these kids deal with hardship and try to help them overcome some of the adversity they have endured. Ingrid was in the wrong camp.Her mother had tricked her.

I can't tell you how the end of the book plays out because I never saw the ending coming. I was heartbroken for Ingrid and Andreas(Ingrid's adopted father) I loved the relationship that she formed while at camp and I loved how the author left off with Issac (because part way through I was not a fan of Issac)

HIGHLY recommend this book. It's YA but it touches on mental health, depression, love, suicide and so much more. Such a touching book.