You Belong Here Book Review
Tricky Title
The cover of You Belong Here has an almost hidden “Don’t” between the first two words of the title. This mirrored my thoughts on the Megan Miranda title. As I was reading the book I felt like the title and the book didn’t quite match. However, the ending gives deeper meaning. In fact, the entire book is loaded with many layers.
On the surface the novel is an intense drama filled with missing persons and murder. Then, family dynamics come to the forefront. Especially parent/child relationships. But other forces are also at work. Anyone with experience of living in a college town understands the complex nature of the town/gown relationship. You Belong Here has all of this.
Protagonist
Beckett Bowery is a single mom dropping her only child, Delilah, off at college when the story opens. Beckett, named for one of the buildings at the college Delilah will attend has a difficult relationship with her parents and a decent relationship with Trevor, Delilah’s father. Mother and child are close but not without secrets.
Unbeknownst to Beckett, Delilah had applied to the same college her grandparents had taught at and her own mother had attended. Beckett never shared why she distanced herself both from her parents and her hometown. This resulted in a forbidden attraction for Delilah.
Before and Present
The author shares Beckett’s story alternating between past and present by chapter. The back story is compelling and as dangerous as what is currently happening to Delilah. One’s past has a way of complicating the present and impacting the future. Beckett finds that true.
Recommendation for You Belong Here
Megan Miranda has written an intense suspenseful novel with incredible depth. The surface story captures the reader with action. But it is the under story that captures the reader’s thoughts long after finishing the book. Relationships between parents and their children are complex. Reactions have consequences far after the event. And life can change not only from a single event, but even a single (re)action or a misplaced comment.
Miranda is a top selling author for a reason. I highly recommend this book.