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A Beautiful Terrible Thing
When Nathan meets Cara, sparks fly. Her smile lights him up, and he falls for her fast. Being with her is like taking a deep breath, after the terrible thing that happened three months ago.
Cara feels the same. And this joy is a gift - because her life is shattered, too. Nathan feels like a new start.
But they're both hiding a secret. And the secrets intertwine in a way neither of them could imagine.
There's no way Cara and Nathan can be together. But, despite everything, they find it impossible to be apart.
This is a stunningly written, thought-provoking drama about loss, atonement, and love which defines a lifetime.
Cara feels the same. And this joy is a gift - because her life is shattered, too. Nathan feels like a new start.
But they're both hiding a secret. And the secrets intertwine in a way neither of them could imagine.
There's no way Cara and Nathan can be together. But, despite everything, they find it impossible to be apart.
This is a stunningly written, thought-provoking drama about loss, atonement, and love which defines a lifetime.
- GenresYoung Adult
Unknown Binding
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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November 15, 2025Everyone should have a Shell in their lives
October 30, 2025
It says a lot about grief. It says a lot about love.
But it’s so, so irritating reading about these characters struggling with a ‘moral dilemma’ when to me the answer is clear.
Funny, sad, wonderfully written. And such a frustrating read.
A bit like a car crash, really. You can’t look away.
But it’s so, so irritating reading about these characters struggling with a ‘moral dilemma’ when to me the answer is clear.
Funny, sad, wonderfully written. And such a frustrating read.
A bit like a car crash, really. You can’t look away.
May 31, 2026
I’m testing out books for my 13yr old niece. It turns out you don’t even need to finish reading the first two pages to realise this is definitely for an older audience. My mistake. But to be honest, by then I was hooked enough to finish it for myself.
A Beautiful Terrible Thing covers a lot of very heavy themes including grief, self-harm and suicidal thoughts over the course of following the fall out of a fatal RTC involving a young boy. It was incredibly sensitively done, thoughtful and utterly believable. The main characters were well developed - I really liked both Nathan and Cara. But what Miranda Moore did really well here was signposting to help and support throughout. Nothing felt forced. I particularly appreciated the chat between Scotty and Nathan. More young men should have these sorts of chats and she did a fantastic job of normalising it. All in all, a good read.
A Beautiful Terrible Thing covers a lot of very heavy themes including grief, self-harm and suicidal thoughts over the course of following the fall out of a fatal RTC involving a young boy. It was incredibly sensitively done, thoughtful and utterly believable. The main characters were well developed - I really liked both Nathan and Cara. But what Miranda Moore did really well here was signposting to help and support throughout. Nothing felt forced. I particularly appreciated the chat between Scotty and Nathan. More young men should have these sorts of chats and she did a fantastic job of normalising it. All in all, a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2026
This book cried for me. During what seems like such an intense time in my life, I can escape into someone else’s intensity. I thank Miranda Moore for that. I thank my local library in Northern Ireland and an exceptional librarian called Erin. The former for making this book available for my reading and the latter for her correct presumption that this would be a read for me and that it was.
As I sat in a Roman taxi with my mum and her husband on the way to the Vatican City, I asked aloud how one could muster such a premise as this book approaches. I was 70% through the book and 100% invested, but I was invested from page 1. Upon completion, I can say this book quite successfully mounted the feat it intended to and I’m grateful for having been on the journey.
I have always said life is both long and short. This book quietly but epically demonstrates that. As in her author’s note, this book deserves an acknowledged and thoughtful nod back at it. It tackles really difficult topics and does both sides that are affected by it justice; justice in the injustice.
4.5 rounded up. As someone returning to reading, the tone was in the spirit of where I left off when reading before as a younger person. In my maturity, the feels still hit but I recognise the audience is someone of a different generation and I am grateful to have consumed it as a distant bystander. The minus 0.5 stars is in fact not a lack but intentional for readers 25+ years old that this may not quite be the best book for them or exactly relatable due to the perspective of the younger minds we explore throughout the novel. For Goodreads, it was important to give it 5 stars to make it noteworthy on a shelf of lesser books.
This author writes both fiction and non-fiction. I look forward to exploring more of her works.
As I sat in a Roman taxi with my mum and her husband on the way to the Vatican City, I asked aloud how one could muster such a premise as this book approaches. I was 70% through the book and 100% invested, but I was invested from page 1. Upon completion, I can say this book quite successfully mounted the feat it intended to and I’m grateful for having been on the journey.
I have always said life is both long and short. This book quietly but epically demonstrates that. As in her author’s note, this book deserves an acknowledged and thoughtful nod back at it. It tackles really difficult topics and does both sides that are affected by it justice; justice in the injustice.
4.5 rounded up. As someone returning to reading, the tone was in the spirit of where I left off when reading before as a younger person. In my maturity, the feels still hit but I recognise the audience is someone of a different generation and I am grateful to have consumed it as a distant bystander. The minus 0.5 stars is in fact not a lack but intentional for readers 25+ years old that this may not quite be the best book for them or exactly relatable due to the perspective of the younger minds we explore throughout the novel. For Goodreads, it was important to give it 5 stars to make it noteworthy on a shelf of lesser books.
This author writes both fiction and non-fiction. I look forward to exploring more of her works.
June 22, 2025
I was sent an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to David Fickling Books for thinking of me as I really did love this book!
This is a beautifully written story about grief and mental health that doesn’t shy away from exploring these difficult subjects in a very real and raw way but without feeling exploitative for dramatic purposes.
Whilst reading this book I felt so many emotions and I definitely shed a tear or two but essentially I was left feeling hopeful. I feel that this novel could be an important book helping teenagers navigate complex emotions and situations that aren’t always so black and white! It will also make them think about what it means to have your life change so irrevocably with a split second decision and the consequences of this. It also made me think about forgiveness, could you forgive someone who caused the death of your brother and how would you feel if you found out that this was the person you were actually dating and had fallen in love with! It could certainly prompt some interesting discussions, I would highly recommend this book.
This is a beautifully written story about grief and mental health that doesn’t shy away from exploring these difficult subjects in a very real and raw way but without feeling exploitative for dramatic purposes.
Whilst reading this book I felt so many emotions and I definitely shed a tear or two but essentially I was left feeling hopeful. I feel that this novel could be an important book helping teenagers navigate complex emotions and situations that aren’t always so black and white! It will also make them think about what it means to have your life change so irrevocably with a split second decision and the consequences of this. It also made me think about forgiveness, could you forgive someone who caused the death of your brother and how would you feel if you found out that this was the person you were actually dating and had fallen in love with! It could certainly prompt some interesting discussions, I would highly recommend this book.
November 3, 2025
A harrowing tale of good people coping with awful circumstances. The trajectories of these star-crossed lovers are unpredictable and therefore heartbreakingly real; a depiction of guilt and grief that is indeed terrible, punctuated by moments of hope that are profoundly moving without ever lapsing into sentimentality. 'The wee girl', 'Polaris'... Beautifully crafted. Also contains a pleasingly varied playlist!
June 16, 2025
One of the most gut-wrenching books I've ever read.
September 9, 2025
An exceptional YA novel, deeply emotional and nuanced. I have written a review on my blog: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
May 17, 2026
Dual POV
Heartbreaking and realistic.
Handles depression with realism and respect. The cliff scene made me emotional and was well written.
The family supposedly got justice for what happened but in my opinion a longer prison sentence was needed even though I sympathised with the character. Speeding and driving through a red light may be a lapse in judgement but he deserved death by dangerous driving.
Well written and a thought provoking book.
Heartbreaking and realistic.
Handles depression with realism and respect. The cliff scene made me emotional and was well written.
The family supposedly got justice for what happened but in my opinion a longer prison sentence was needed even though I sympathised with the character. Speeding and driving through a red light may be a lapse in judgement but he deserved death by dangerous driving.
Well written and a thought provoking book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
Heart breaking read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews