A review by catlion27
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

dark hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

There is something magical about the alchemy of this book. 

It is horror. It is not for those who get dizzy at the mention of viscera. People get eaten. There's a lot of talk of bodily fluids. (I was completely fine with this. Make of that what you will.)

It is romance. It is not spicy. It deals genuinely with learning to love someone, and also grappling with the knowledge that the things you love about someone are the result of their trauma, and what to make of that. 

It is about family trauma, and how that shapes us, and how we are more than our families despite that. It is about parenthood, and what it means to be a good parent and what it means (and doesn't mean) to nurture someone. 

It is a book about healing, and how that happens slowly over time, not all at once. 

If you're intrigued by the premise at all and are not squeamish, read this book.