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.

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.

Loved it