Today, I get to share information with you that isn’t usually available to authors or readers. But I’m burying the lead…
My contemporary novel Beautiful and Terrible Things has won it’s eighth award! Eighth! I am overwhelmed and grateful. The Wishing Shelf Book Awards out of the United Kingdom gave my book a Bronze in the Fiction for Adults category of their annual program. This one is a little different than many of the contests out there, in that the judges are avid readers like you, not industry professionals, in London and in Stockholm, Sweden.
Also setting it apart is the fact that the sponsors of the program share some of the judges’ feedback with authors. Did you ever get a really good grade on a project but no feedback saying why it was so good? That’s what most book awards programs are like.
So it is very rare, and special, to be able to share the judges’ comments with you verbatim, as provided to me by The Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
And as you’ve figured out by now, today’s post is all about Beautiful and Terrible Things, so if this content doesn’t appeal to you, I’ll see you next month when I’ll return to my regularly scheduled combination of updates on my upcoming books, book reviews and behind-the-scenes info.
What Real Contest Judges Say About Beautiful & Terrible Things
“Read this for the awards – and I loved it. I expected a story about friendship, but what I got was something much richer—it’s about finding your place in the world when you’re convinced you don’t belong. Charley felt incredibly real to me, and I found myself rooting for her from the very first chapter.
“I also loved the diverse cast. They never felt like stereotypes; they were simply people with strengths, flaws and complicated lives. The friendships were messy, funny, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful. There were moments that genuinely made me emotional.
“If you’re after a thoughtful novel with plenty of heart, this one absolutely delivers.”
“I don’t usually read contemporary literary fiction, but this was recommended to me by TWSA, and I’m glad I gave it a chance. The characters stayed with me long after I’d finished, especially Charley. Watching her slowly emerge from isolation felt authentic and uplifting without ever becoming sentimental.
“The friendships are what really make this novel shine. Highly recommended.”
“What I appreciated most about Beautiful and Terrible Things was how honest it felt. It tackles depression, loneliness, identity and social issues without ever feeling preachy. Instead, everything grows naturally through the characters and their relationships.
“Charley is wonderfully written—flawed, vulnerable and incredibly easy to care about. Xander brings so much warmth and energy to the story, and together with the wider friendship group they create one of the most believable ensembles I’ve read in quite a while. I actually found myself wishing I could join them for coffee and conversations.
“It’s emotional without being overwhelming, hopeful without ignoring life’s difficulties, and beautifully written throughout. One of those books that quietly sneaks into your heart.”
“I absolutely adored this book! It made me laugh, it made me tear up, and it reminded me how life-changing good friendships can be. The characters felt like real people rather than fictional creations, which made every victory and setback hit that much harder.
“Definitely one I’ll be recommending to friends.”
“Every so often I come across a novel that reminds me why I enjoy reading, and this was one of them. The writing is intelligent without being difficult, and the emotional journey is handled with real sensitivity. Charley’s struggle with isolation is portrayed in a way that feels compassionate and believable, while the supporting cast each contribute something meaningful to the story. I particularly enjoyed that no one was entirely perfect or entirely flawed; everyone felt recognisably human.
“Although the novel touches on contemporary social issues, it never loses sight of the individuals at its centre. At its heart, this is a story about friendship, hope, forgiveness and learning to trust again.
“I closed the final page feeling genuinely moved, and that’s not something I can say about every book I read.”
“This is one of those novels that quietly grows on you until suddenly you realise you’re completely invested in everyone’s lives.
“I loved the mix of humour, heartbreak and hope, and the friendships were beautifully written. By the end I felt like I’d spent time with real people rather than fictional characters. It’s thoughtful, emotional and incredibly uplifting without pretending life is easy. An excellent read that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.”
Finally, here’s what The Wishing Shelf Book Awards provided to sum up their judges’ reactions to the book. (And if you want to catch up on what other awards the novel has won, or find purchasing information, go here.)
