Book Review - The Unwelcomed Child

The Unwelcomed Child
Ghost written by Andrew Neiderman
Published Under VC Andrews

373 Pages
Contemporary/ Memoir / Teen / New Adult/  Religion
Medium Read
5 stars

I have never read a VC Andrews novel or anything published by Andrew Neiderman who took up her pen name after her death. I have made up a list of authors with over 50 books and decided to try and read at least one book from each of these authors as a challenge.

"My mother had looked into the face of evil so many times she knew what it was. It was me. I was born without a soul. . . .

Elle Edwards grew up believing that because of her mothers sinful ways she was born without a soul; thats why she was abandoned and left in the care of Grandmother Myra and Grandfather Prescott, who try to ensure her evil will not infect them;by raising her in a virtual prison. Because her days are occupied with homeschooling, strict religious studies, and vigorous housekeeping in their upstate New York home, Elle knows practically nothing of the outside world, even as she emerges as a young woman with impressive artistic talent. But when she makes a secret, forbidden connection to vacationers at the nearby lake;a handsome boy and his precocious twin sister;Elle's world will shatter. Will discovering the truths about her past send her future plummeting to hell"

That was the synopsis for the novel copied and pasted off of goodreads, I really disagree with the way its worded and the message that it sends it way to harsh for what the book is. This novel feels like it is told almost as a memoir from the point of view of Elle looking back upon her younger years from some unknown age. In the beginning of the book I was very critical and judgemental of her grandparents (partially because of the synopsis) as the book progressed however that changed drastically while I don't agree with everything I don't think that her grandparents where bad people or that they meant to harm Elle in any way, the opposite in fact. I think that they loved Elle very much and where honestly trying to do what they thought was best for her. Elle realized this as well, she did express some regret and frustration more than anger. The only issue I found with this novel was the twins, I liked there personalities and most of there relationship but I felt like maybe there where some overly sexual innuendoes injected into the story that where totally uncalled for. The oversexualization of both Elle's relationship with Mason and Mason's relationship with his sister took this book down from a 7 star read to a 5 star.

This is not really my kind of read, not what I thought I was going to be reading. Good writing but not my cup of tea. Don't think I will be picking up any other VC Andrews novels.