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The Trellis Effect
SECRETS, LIES, AND BETRAYAL, that's all I have known.
Life has always been hard, a torturous game of survival for my brother and me.
Death was something unknown until that one fateful night when it found us, engulfing us. Forcing us into a world that no longer wanted us. A world that I no longer cared to be a part of.
As if disaster has not already struck, and a life has already been lost, mine slowly fades. The more he takes, the more I take from myself, until there is nothing left.
A new house, with the same secrets and lies, where the same monster will feed on its prey. We knew what this new life would a new hell. What I didn't expect was the boy next door.
His sweet smile and protective arms promised an escape, but for how long? Each day spent with him is another day closer to the inevitable.
Only the boy next door won't let that happen.
Life has always been hard, a torturous game of survival for my brother and me.
Death was something unknown until that one fateful night when it found us, engulfing us. Forcing us into a world that no longer wanted us. A world that I no longer cared to be a part of.
As if disaster has not already struck, and a life has already been lost, mine slowly fades. The more he takes, the more I take from myself, until there is nothing left.
A new house, with the same secrets and lies, where the same monster will feed on its prey. We knew what this new life would a new hell. What I didn't expect was the boy next door.
His sweet smile and protective arms promised an escape, but for how long? Each day spent with him is another day closer to the inevitable.
Only the boy next door won't let that happen.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2026
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 13, 2026
Who knew my cousin could write such spice! 🔥
The Trellis Effect is a true page turner, nail biter, and emotional rollercoaster! I fell in love with the characters and felt like I was engulfed in the story.
The Trellis Effect was most definitely a great choice as book 1 of 2026! 💗
The Trellis Effect is a true page turner, nail biter, and emotional rollercoaster! I fell in love with the characters and felt like I was engulfed in the story.
The Trellis Effect was most definitely a great choice as book 1 of 2026! 💗
December 13, 2025
First of all, thank you, Megan, for allowing me to be part of the ARC team, and for giving me the chance to read your very first novel. I’m so honoured! You did something amazing! ✨💖
I took it slowly, as I was not ready for the plot to unravel, I knew I was going to cry, and oh boy, I did! Like a child... I saw it coming, how much this book was going to hurt... and I kept going, I was waiting for hell breaking loose, and it did, and it shattered me in a million pieces....😭
The story is heartbreaking, but it is beautiful, sometimes you need to break and then put yourself together to have the best version of yourself, and this book gave me that! I was hoping to like this book, I always am, but I had no idea that this book was going to be the death of me! It has now and forever a big piece of my heart!❤️
The characters have depth, they grow, they feel, are human, and I love them all. I wanted to hug Scarlett & Levi so bad!!! ❤️🩹Punch Grant in the balls so hard, they went up so far to his throat and choke on them!!!🤬
(Savage, I know, lol, but he deserved that much).🤭
And Spencer, oh Spencer, every girl needs a Spencer, he was just perfect!🥰
Anna and David are my favorite adults ever!! I wanted to hug them and thank them for being the first adults to show those kids unconditional love, it was just perfect😍
This book is a bandaid to the heart ❤️🩹
I took it slowly, as I was not ready for the plot to unravel, I knew I was going to cry, and oh boy, I did! Like a child... I saw it coming, how much this book was going to hurt... and I kept going, I was waiting for hell breaking loose, and it did, and it shattered me in a million pieces....😭
The story is heartbreaking, but it is beautiful, sometimes you need to break and then put yourself together to have the best version of yourself, and this book gave me that! I was hoping to like this book, I always am, but I had no idea that this book was going to be the death of me! It has now and forever a big piece of my heart!❤️
The characters have depth, they grow, they feel, are human, and I love them all. I wanted to hug Scarlett & Levi so bad!!! ❤️🩹Punch Grant in the balls so hard, they went up so far to his throat and choke on them!!!🤬
(Savage, I know, lol, but he deserved that much).🤭
And Spencer, oh Spencer, every girl needs a Spencer, he was just perfect!🥰
Anna and David are my favorite adults ever!! I wanted to hug them and thank them for being the first adults to show those kids unconditional love, it was just perfect😍
This book is a bandaid to the heart ❤️🩹
January 30, 2026
Review of advance copy received from the author.
🌶🌶
The Trellis Effect is a raw, heavy-hitting story that plunges into the depths of trauma, survival, and the thin line between being a victim and a survivor. Throw in spicy romance and this book is a page turner!
Definitely worth the read!
🌶🌶
The Trellis Effect is a raw, heavy-hitting story that plunges into the depths of trauma, survival, and the thin line between being a victim and a survivor. Throw in spicy romance and this book is a page turner!
Definitely worth the read!
Review of advance copy
The Trellis Effect is an emotionally beautiful contemporary romance that had me hooked from the very first page.
The story focuses on Scarlett, Levi and Spencer, told from each characters POV. Meg has written these characters so true to life with each one having their own struggles, strengths, baggage and compassion. The author hasn't shyed away from writing real life struggles that are not often spoken about, and for that, I feel this story will resonate with a wide range of readers.
The pain is raw, the love is deep and the stakes are high.
If you are a fan of emotionally gripping stories with a slow burn and amazing character growth, I URGE you to pick up The Trellis Effect.
Well done Meg on an outstanding debut novel ❤️
The story focuses on Scarlett, Levi and Spencer, told from each characters POV. Meg has written these characters so true to life with each one having their own struggles, strengths, baggage and compassion. The author hasn't shyed away from writing real life struggles that are not often spoken about, and for that, I feel this story will resonate with a wide range of readers.
The pain is raw, the love is deep and the stakes are high.
If you are a fan of emotionally gripping stories with a slow burn and amazing character growth, I URGE you to pick up The Trellis Effect.
Well done Meg on an outstanding debut novel ❤️
February 1, 2026
I was lucky enough to beta read this beautiful story for Meg 🩶
The backdrop is underline with a heavy topic of abuse that happens between Levi and Scar. After tragically losing their mother to suicide, they are left with Scars abusive father. Then you add in another layer of self harming for Scar. Her way to coupe with the abuse.
When they move to a new home, things seem to start looking up for them both. They have neighbors that care for them more than their father (step father for Levi) they each form a bond for a found family.
The part that made me love Levi even more then I already did, was how willing he was to sacrifice himself to keep Scar safe. He always thought of her before anything else.
Can’t wait to see what else Meg has in store as her author career kick starts 🩶
The backdrop is underline with a heavy topic of abuse that happens between Levi and Scar. After tragically losing their mother to suicide, they are left with Scars abusive father. Then you add in another layer of self harming for Scar. Her way to coupe with the abuse.
When they move to a new home, things seem to start looking up for them both. They have neighbors that care for them more than their father (step father for Levi) they each form a bond for a found family.
The part that made me love Levi even more then I already did, was how willing he was to sacrifice himself to keep Scar safe. He always thought of her before anything else.
Can’t wait to see what else Meg has in store as her author career kick starts 🩶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2026
"You need to break to grow, Levi. There is no growth without rest, no strength without weakness."
🌿 Brother's Best Friend
🌿 Secret Dating
🌿 Broken Hero/Protective Big Brother
🌿 Golden Retriever MMC
🌿 Life After Loss
🌿 Hurt/Comfort
🌿 High School (18+)
🌿 Open Door Romance
🌿 Multi POV
The Trellis Effect is a debut contemporary romance novel by Meg Earnest. If this is how she begins her writing career, I feel it is going to be a promising one.
This is a deeply emotional read that explores heavy topics. The story focuses on Scarlett (18) whose life has been nothing but betrayal, loss and secrets. Her home life is horribly unimaginable with one exception. That exception being her very loving and protective older brother Liam (20) who will go to great lengths to keep her safe.
Moving to a new place should bring a fresh start they are both needing but there are some things they just can't leave behind. The same dark cloud hanging over them but it is the sunshine they both find in their next door neighbor Spencer (18) that gives them hope.
This is a character driven story that is raw and introspective. It will have you sitting in the discomfort but gives such a beautiful and rewarding ending. There is growth that comes from grief and trauma and this book shows us just that.
Thank you to Meg Earnest for the arc.
🌿 Brother's Best Friend
🌿 Secret Dating
🌿 Broken Hero/Protective Big Brother
🌿 Golden Retriever MMC
🌿 Life After Loss
🌿 Hurt/Comfort
🌿 High School (18+)
🌿 Open Door Romance
🌿 Multi POV
The Trellis Effect is a debut contemporary romance novel by Meg Earnest. If this is how she begins her writing career, I feel it is going to be a promising one.
This is a deeply emotional read that explores heavy topics. The story focuses on Scarlett (18) whose life has been nothing but betrayal, loss and secrets. Her home life is horribly unimaginable with one exception. That exception being her very loving and protective older brother Liam (20) who will go to great lengths to keep her safe.
Moving to a new place should bring a fresh start they are both needing but there are some things they just can't leave behind. The same dark cloud hanging over them but it is the sunshine they both find in their next door neighbor Spencer (18) that gives them hope.
This is a character driven story that is raw and introspective. It will have you sitting in the discomfort but gives such a beautiful and rewarding ending. There is growth that comes from grief and trauma and this book shows us just that.
Thank you to Meg Earnest for the arc.
January 22, 2026
This book WOW! I can’t even put into words the emotions this book put me through. This story is so beautifully heartbreakingly (is that a word) written. This story gives you hope after reading about 2 people who have grown up not knowing what love is. Thinking they are undeserving of good things of being loved. We see them take a stand and finally fight for themselves and the ending is just amazing! I cannot say enough about this story! Oh and there is spice so spice always makes everything better right? Finishing this read it left me feeling hopeful. I felt that even when things are at there absolute worst and you feel you have nothing left there is hope and everyone deserves the right kind of love.
February 5, 2026
Amazing
This book had me captivated from the first page to the last page. I could not put it down. I read it in one night. That is how captivated I was. I can not wait for Megan Earnest to write her next book. I am definitely looking forward to it.
This book had me captivated from the first page to the last page. I could not put it down. I read it in one night. That is how captivated I was. I can not wait for Megan Earnest to write her next book. I am definitely looking forward to it.
February 7, 2026
everything you could have hoped for in one book
This book contains every emotion and takes you on a well guided ride of all of them. Highly recommend this read and can’t wait for this author to craft another!!
This book contains every emotion and takes you on a well guided ride of all of them. Highly recommend this read and can’t wait for this author to craft another!!
January 24, 2026
I literally did not want to put this book down. Every time I had to put this down I hurried to pick it back up. I loved how with each character you could envision the pain they were going through and truly understand their feelings. It was like walking through their lives myself. I loved Spencer so much. His dedication and his ability to truly see everything Scarlett and Levi were going through. He may have been suspicious but the fact that he never gave up seriously had me falling for him. I loved everything about this book. Thank you Megan for the opportunity to read your first book. I can’t wait to see what you write next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Huge shoutout to Meg Earnest for allowing me to read this beautiful arc of hers in exchange for my honest and spoiler free review!
Where do I even begin with trying to piece my thoughts together on what I felt while reading The Trellis Effect? I read this book in one day because I just couldn’t stop until I saw how this story played out. Scarlett, Levi, Spencer, Maddie, David and Anna have all completely stole my heart in this story.
While this book touches on some very dark concepts, I felt like Meg did such an amazing job at making it feel so real and relatable, so please do check your trigger warnings before going into this. Seeing the brother and sister dynamic between Scarlett and Levi was probably one of my favorite sibling dynamics I’ve read this year. The protectiveness and the love these two had for one another shone so brightly throughout the entire story. Their sibling banter was beautiful and I loved seeing them have their happiest moments in this book. Even when darkness threatened to overtake them, I loved how they were each other’s solid ground.
Spencer and Maddie were such amazing supportive characters. Seeing how they both became Scarlett and Levi’s safe space truly made me happy. After everything they have went through and the secrets they felt like they had to keep, I loved that Spencer and Maddie never left them. Instead they lifted them up, brushed them off and helped them find their spark again to fight for their own happiness. Anna and David were the best parental figures in the book and I loved how they welcomed Scarlett and Levi into their lives and into their home instantly.
I felt like this story will touch a lot of readers hearts and will forge a sense of belonging among the community of readers. This author didn’t shy away from things such as depression/ self-harm, domestic violence situations, and trauma/healing. I felt like these dark topics were written about with such great care that any reader can understand the impact that will come with this story. It was tragic yet beautiful and I am so happy with how it ended. Truly an incredible story!
Where do I even begin with trying to piece my thoughts together on what I felt while reading The Trellis Effect? I read this book in one day because I just couldn’t stop until I saw how this story played out. Scarlett, Levi, Spencer, Maddie, David and Anna have all completely stole my heart in this story.
While this book touches on some very dark concepts, I felt like Meg did such an amazing job at making it feel so real and relatable, so please do check your trigger warnings before going into this. Seeing the brother and sister dynamic between Scarlett and Levi was probably one of my favorite sibling dynamics I’ve read this year. The protectiveness and the love these two had for one another shone so brightly throughout the entire story. Their sibling banter was beautiful and I loved seeing them have their happiest moments in this book. Even when darkness threatened to overtake them, I loved how they were each other’s solid ground.
Spencer and Maddie were such amazing supportive characters. Seeing how they both became Scarlett and Levi’s safe space truly made me happy. After everything they have went through and the secrets they felt like they had to keep, I loved that Spencer and Maddie never left them. Instead they lifted them up, brushed them off and helped them find their spark again to fight for their own happiness. Anna and David were the best parental figures in the book and I loved how they welcomed Scarlett and Levi into their lives and into their home instantly.
I felt like this story will touch a lot of readers hearts and will forge a sense of belonging among the community of readers. This author didn’t shy away from things such as depression/ self-harm, domestic violence situations, and trauma/healing. I felt like these dark topics were written about with such great care that any reader can understand the impact that will come with this story. It was tragic yet beautiful and I am so happy with how it ended. Truly an incredible story!
January 19, 2026
The Trellis Effect
By: Meg Earnest
4⭐️
3🌶️
2💧
📚ARC read📚
Thank you Meg for the ARC!
This was a heart wrenching read, with so much love and pain. 💔
Mutli POV of brother and sister Levi and Scarlett, also neighbor/ friend Spencer… (we love Spencer.)
Also his parents…. If only everyone’s parents were like Spencer’s parents! 😊
Levi and Scarlett has been living through heartbreak and physical pain… moving to a new town going to a new school and meeting new people learning to grow up and stand up for themselves and finding a family in friends.
This was a fast past, heart wrenching story that I truly loved. I love each character. They all had a place in the story, even the side characters which I can see her building on and writing other stories about. I do think this would have benefited from being longer maybe cutting out a POV and having that POV in an another book. Like the brother even though I do love the brother’s POV. I would’ve liked to see more tension and interactions between Scarlett and Spencer in the beginning. By having Levi’s story separately, we can build on his relationship with Maddie, and maybe having a POV of Maddie’s!
Sidenote Spencer’s parents…. I need more too. Lol.
I would definitely recommend giving this one a try. Just make sure you read the trigger warnings. 🥰
What to expect:
- fast pace
- multi POV
- found family
- baseball
- high school (but all of age)
- insta love
- high stakes
- emotional
- trauma
✨Check the trigger warnings✨
By: Meg Earnest
4⭐️
3🌶️
2💧
📚ARC read📚
Thank you Meg for the ARC!
This was a heart wrenching read, with so much love and pain. 💔
Mutli POV of brother and sister Levi and Scarlett, also neighbor/ friend Spencer… (we love Spencer.)
Also his parents…. If only everyone’s parents were like Spencer’s parents! 😊
Levi and Scarlett has been living through heartbreak and physical pain… moving to a new town going to a new school and meeting new people learning to grow up and stand up for themselves and finding a family in friends.
This was a fast past, heart wrenching story that I truly loved. I love each character. They all had a place in the story, even the side characters which I can see her building on and writing other stories about. I do think this would have benefited from being longer maybe cutting out a POV and having that POV in an another book. Like the brother even though I do love the brother’s POV. I would’ve liked to see more tension and interactions between Scarlett and Spencer in the beginning. By having Levi’s story separately, we can build on his relationship with Maddie, and maybe having a POV of Maddie’s!
Sidenote Spencer’s parents…. I need more too. Lol.
I would definitely recommend giving this one a try. Just make sure you read the trigger warnings. 🥰
What to expect:
- fast pace
- multi POV
- found family
- baseball
- high school (but all of age)
- insta love
- high stakes
- emotional
- trauma
✨Check the trigger warnings✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Trellis Effect by Meg Earnest is a story of pain and healing. I loved this book so much, but I also have to say that it was painful to read in some moments. Meg does an incredible job of writing her characters through all of their struggles, and in this story, those struggles are huge. Scarlett and Levi live in a toxic and violent home, never knowing exactly when Grant (Scar's bio father, Levi's stepfather) is going to snap. The abuse (often depicted on page, hence difficulties in reading) causes both of them to have to keep secrets, even from those they want to get close to. Scarlett also struggles with mental health issues, stemming from the abuse and the suicide of their mother.
There were slight moments where the pacing of the story was a bit bouncy, but overall this was an incredible read. It is full of hope, heartbreak, beauty, and ugliness. It will grip you so tight that you can't put it down because you're praying for that happy ending and can't wait to read it.
Thank you, Meg, for letting me read this one as an advance copy, and I cannot wait to read what else you put out there!
There were slight moments where the pacing of the story was a bit bouncy, but overall this was an incredible read. It is full of hope, heartbreak, beauty, and ugliness. It will grip you so tight that you can't put it down because you're praying for that happy ending and can't wait to read it.
Thank you, Meg, for letting me read this one as an advance copy, and I cannot wait to read what else you put out there!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is by far one of my favorite books I have read this year. The raw emotions, the heaviness of the sad situations, and the page-turner plot all contribute to the success of this story. Everything about the book was put together so perfectly! This is a must read for anyone. You truly felt like you were a part of this family in the story. I felt true empathy and felt like I was “living” this story. Reading the last chapter of the book felt like saying goodbye to friends I’ve gotten to know. It was evident Meg put so much thought, detail, and emotion into every single chapter. I would highly recommend giving it a read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great easy young adult read. A girl with a trauma filled past deserves to move on to spicier new beginnings! 🌶️
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews