The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

Six for Hicks is a reality television phenomenon and Essie the youngest daughter  has grown up in the spotlight. Her father is an evangelical preacher and her family is know for their "wholesome christian image" but like may reality shows the true realty is full of secrets some darker than others.

Essie's secret is that she is seventeen and pregnant. Her mother and the show producer come up with a plan, quite devious to hide Essie's "problem" but Essie is strong willed and has her own plan. Essie's plan involves a reporter and the big reveal while slightly obvious will change the face of  The Hicks family forever. 

The Book of Essie is full of scandal, the characters are complex and the story telling is compelling. This is a brilliant debut novel with some dark topics told by multiple  points of views. The writing pulls you in and makes you feel like a fly on the wall who hears and sees all the family secrets.

If you like the way Jodi Picoult tackles stories and difficult topics this book is for you. If you follow the train wreck that is the Duggar Family will devour this book. I am not huge on religion and usually pass up those books because I don't like to be preached too -- well this book doesn't preach! 

Religion has a role but this book is about empowerment, women and finding your own worth.