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The Art of Survival
Drugs, alcohol, paint, repeat.
At twenty-three years of age, this is the life Beverly has made for herself. She lives on her own thanks to a somewhat successful art career, but dark thoughts of a cruel family, cold religion, and a shadowy past have found their way into every corner of her world, and she is willing to risk anything for a moment’s peace.
This isn’t the life she envisioned for herself, but survival is all she’s ever known.
With her mental health spiraling, exacerbated by forced family dinners that bring back painful memories, tensions between her and her mother begin to become volatile, and Beverly begins to wonder if she can cope much longer.
At twenty-three years of age, this is the life Beverly has made for herself. She lives on her own thanks to a somewhat successful art career, but dark thoughts of a cruel family, cold religion, and a shadowy past have found their way into every corner of her world, and she is willing to risk anything for a moment’s peace.
This isn’t the life she envisioned for herself, but survival is all she’s ever known.
With her mental health spiraling, exacerbated by forced family dinners that bring back painful memories, tensions between her and her mother begin to become volatile, and Beverly begins to wonder if she can cope much longer.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 3, 2026
I am not a crier, but if I was, this one would have had me bawling uncontrollably.
Beverly is 23 years old, and she is just trying to navigate her life through all the tumultuous anguish she has endured up to this point.
She spends her most if not all of her days drunk, high, and starving all while somehow maintaining a rather successful art career. Her clients commission her for all sorts of things, and it’s her dark and unsettling art style that pulls them all in.
But what her clients don’t know, is where all this inspiration comes from. That she just paints what she feels, and what she feels is constant, unwavering turmoil.
Let’s talk about her family. We’ve got her brother Jacob, who wants nothing more than to connect with his sister. Her father Liam who for as long as she’s known him, may as well have been a piece of furniture. And then there’s Grace, her horrendous excuse of a mother. And the biggest contributor to Beverly’s suffering.
If ever there was a person you could wish spontaneous combustion on, it’s Grace.
To make a long story short, every adult in Beverly’s life failed her. They failed to protect her, they failed to make her feel seen, heard, appreciated… instead they made her feel ugly, annoying, and just… othered.
But now she takes all those feelings and expresses it all into her art.
This was absolutely a massive trauma dump, but hear me when I say it was done in a way that was so emotionally stimulating, and the beauty of how it all comes together in the end and where things end up just… like I said if I was a crier, I would have been a puddle. Lilith has such a way of ending her stories on the perfect note that literally gives me goosebumps every time.
Beverly is 23 years old, and she is just trying to navigate her life through all the tumultuous anguish she has endured up to this point.
She spends her most if not all of her days drunk, high, and starving all while somehow maintaining a rather successful art career. Her clients commission her for all sorts of things, and it’s her dark and unsettling art style that pulls them all in.
But what her clients don’t know, is where all this inspiration comes from. That she just paints what she feels, and what she feels is constant, unwavering turmoil.
Let’s talk about her family. We’ve got her brother Jacob, who wants nothing more than to connect with his sister. Her father Liam who for as long as she’s known him, may as well have been a piece of furniture. And then there’s Grace, her horrendous excuse of a mother. And the biggest contributor to Beverly’s suffering.
If ever there was a person you could wish spontaneous combustion on, it’s Grace.
To make a long story short, every adult in Beverly’s life failed her. They failed to protect her, they failed to make her feel seen, heard, appreciated… instead they made her feel ugly, annoying, and just… othered.
But now she takes all those feelings and expresses it all into her art.
This was absolutely a massive trauma dump, but hear me when I say it was done in a way that was so emotionally stimulating, and the beauty of how it all comes together in the end and where things end up just… like I said if I was a crier, I would have been a puddle. Lilith has such a way of ending her stories on the perfect note that literally gives me goosebumps every time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a heavy read, and one that doesn't shy away from talking about uncomfortable subject matters (sexual assault, religious trauma, dysfunctional families, eating disorders -- pay attention to the trigger warnings if this is something that matters to you). I deeply appreciated the heart and honesty that so evident on every page. It almost made me tear up near the end.
I actually didn't expect it to hit home in some ways -- the author captures guilt so well. The complicated emotions the main character felt about leaving her brother with her parents was written very believably.
On that note, my fave part of the story was definitely the progression of the main character's relationship with her younger brother. I also really appreciated her relationship with Davi, one of her work clients.
I think one of my main nitpicky things is that I did kind of feel like some sections were just a tad overexplained at times, or some sentiments/phrasing felt repetitive.
I also kind of felt curious about the mother and learning more of her backstory. HOWEVER, I realize this book isn't about the mother, and considering the first-person POV, it probably would have felt out of character for the main character (who hates her mother) to give us much (if any) insight as into why her mother is the way she is.
I think if you enjoy books that explore themes of family trauma, navigating self-destructive behaviour, and doing what it takes to survive, you may enjoy this! It's definitely one I recommend.
I actually didn't expect it to hit home in some ways -- the author captures guilt so well. The complicated emotions the main character felt about leaving her brother with her parents was written very believably.
On that note, my fave part of the story was definitely the progression of the main character's relationship with her younger brother. I also really appreciated her relationship with Davi, one of her work clients.
I think one of my main nitpicky things is that I did kind of feel like some sections were just a tad overexplained at times, or some sentiments/phrasing felt repetitive.
I also kind of felt curious about the mother and learning more of her backstory. HOWEVER, I realize this book isn't about the mother, and considering the first-person POV, it probably would have felt out of character for the main character (who hates her mother) to give us much (if any) insight as into why her mother is the way she is.
I think if you enjoy books that explore themes of family trauma, navigating self-destructive behaviour, and doing what it takes to survive, you may enjoy this! It's definitely one I recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Lilith Quinn for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
This novel makes no apologies. It’s a fresh face without makeup. A woman rising from bed to answer the door with messy hair, the wrinkles from sheets impressed upon her skin and grit in the corners of her mouth. And the reader is the person who rang the bell. This novel is that woman opening the door and offering a candid look at her face without trying to build a façade. There is no pretense here. It’s the good, the bad and the ugly of life portrayed through one woman’s journey of survival of assault and emotional, religious and family trauma.
This work is deeply character-driven, following Beverly, a 23-year-old artist with a history of trauma, as she navigates the adult world in the only way she knows how. The author goes deep into Beverly’s psyche, exploring how a history of pain can compel a person to escape through substances, dissociation and isolation, but can equally compel a person to court pain for its comforting familiarity. Through this novel, we see how the coping mechanisms parallel the duality of the abuse history and replicate it.
While events occur within this novel, it’s not the sort of story that’s carried by plot. There’s no mystery to solve, no romance to root for. Rather, the main action is in Beverly’s responses, both emotional and physical. This lends Beverly’s POV and internal reflections a drill-bit focus. The reader is not permitted to look away.
For me, the tight perspective without any distractions amplified Beverly’s emotional journey AND, importantly, it held my feet to the fire, amplifying my own emotional response to her arc. The intensity of Beverly’s gaze gave the novel a true sense of how unrelenting and large emotions like depression and hopelessness can feel.
I appreciated how this book doesn’t rescue the reader by taking its foot off the gas and showing a premature growth arc. Beverly struggles, grows, slips, struggles some more and continues to grow in a step-wise fashion that feels real. This allows the growth at the end to shine, given the windy road it took to get there.
Lastly, Lilith Quinn does an amazing job of showcasing Beverly’s changing relationship with art. As a child, it was a means of expression and escape. As Beverly develops and grows over the course of this novel, her art embodies aspects of survival as well. In the final chapter, the title of this work and the cover art take on staggering new meaning.
Notice, by Heather Lewis tackles similar themes and would be an amazing companion read to this work. However, Quinn’s journey is more tightly distilled and conveys a message of growth, healing and hope…a perspective that’s absent in Notice.
This novel makes no apologies. It’s a fresh face without makeup. A woman rising from bed to answer the door with messy hair, the wrinkles from sheets impressed upon her skin and grit in the corners of her mouth. And the reader is the person who rang the bell. This novel is that woman opening the door and offering a candid look at her face without trying to build a façade. There is no pretense here. It’s the good, the bad and the ugly of life portrayed through one woman’s journey of survival of assault and emotional, religious and family trauma.
This work is deeply character-driven, following Beverly, a 23-year-old artist with a history of trauma, as she navigates the adult world in the only way she knows how. The author goes deep into Beverly’s psyche, exploring how a history of pain can compel a person to escape through substances, dissociation and isolation, but can equally compel a person to court pain for its comforting familiarity. Through this novel, we see how the coping mechanisms parallel the duality of the abuse history and replicate it.
While events occur within this novel, it’s not the sort of story that’s carried by plot. There’s no mystery to solve, no romance to root for. Rather, the main action is in Beverly’s responses, both emotional and physical. This lends Beverly’s POV and internal reflections a drill-bit focus. The reader is not permitted to look away.
For me, the tight perspective without any distractions amplified Beverly’s emotional journey AND, importantly, it held my feet to the fire, amplifying my own emotional response to her arc. The intensity of Beverly’s gaze gave the novel a true sense of how unrelenting and large emotions like depression and hopelessness can feel.
I appreciated how this book doesn’t rescue the reader by taking its foot off the gas and showing a premature growth arc. Beverly struggles, grows, slips, struggles some more and continues to grow in a step-wise fashion that feels real. This allows the growth at the end to shine, given the windy road it took to get there.
Lastly, Lilith Quinn does an amazing job of showcasing Beverly’s changing relationship with art. As a child, it was a means of expression and escape. As Beverly develops and grows over the course of this novel, her art embodies aspects of survival as well. In the final chapter, the title of this work and the cover art take on staggering new meaning.
Notice, by Heather Lewis tackles similar themes and would be an amazing companion read to this work. However, Quinn’s journey is more tightly distilled and conveys a message of growth, healing and hope…a perspective that’s absent in Notice.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Lilith Quinn for an advanced copy for review! 🙏
This debut novel follows Beverly, an artist in her early 20s, doing her best to cope with a lifetime of abuse. We start the story close to Beverly’s rock bottom. Essentially estranged from her family, avoiding her reflection, and using drugs and alcohol to numb the heaviness of it all.
The Art of Survival sucked me into the mind of its main character. So much so that I constantly found myself reflecting back to my own headspace at that time in my life. There is so much anger, pain and self loathing written into these pages, I found it hard to put it down during my read through.
What I really appreciated was how this book handles its traumatic moments. Nothing ever feels gratuitous. Even so, this book is still a raw, violent, and honest experience.
The only place I felt some distance was in the portrayal of Beverly’s mother, whose cruelty sometimes felt a little archetypal. Her religious fanaticism is displayed, but I was curious for a bit more context on how she became that way.
The Art of Survival is a heavy read. It’s an uncomfortable story, but a necessary one that found me at the right time. This book reminded me of how far I’ve come in my own journey. I was reminded that no matter how much we may hate who we are at times, there are those around us who are willing to help. Those who may need us, just as much as we didn’t know we needed them.
When you’ve hit your depths and feel like giving up, you either do your best to find some kind of passion or spark, or you let the pain swallow you whole.
If you’re a fan of character driven novels that explore trauma, self-destruction, and the fight to find something to live for, then this book is absolutely worth picking up.
This debut novel follows Beverly, an artist in her early 20s, doing her best to cope with a lifetime of abuse. We start the story close to Beverly’s rock bottom. Essentially estranged from her family, avoiding her reflection, and using drugs and alcohol to numb the heaviness of it all.
The Art of Survival sucked me into the mind of its main character. So much so that I constantly found myself reflecting back to my own headspace at that time in my life. There is so much anger, pain and self loathing written into these pages, I found it hard to put it down during my read through.
What I really appreciated was how this book handles its traumatic moments. Nothing ever feels gratuitous. Even so, this book is still a raw, violent, and honest experience.
The only place I felt some distance was in the portrayal of Beverly’s mother, whose cruelty sometimes felt a little archetypal. Her religious fanaticism is displayed, but I was curious for a bit more context on how she became that way.
The Art of Survival is a heavy read. It’s an uncomfortable story, but a necessary one that found me at the right time. This book reminded me of how far I’ve come in my own journey. I was reminded that no matter how much we may hate who we are at times, there are those around us who are willing to help. Those who may need us, just as much as we didn’t know we needed them.
When you’ve hit your depths and feel like giving up, you either do your best to find some kind of passion or spark, or you let the pain swallow you whole.
If you’re a fan of character driven novels that explore trauma, self-destruction, and the fight to find something to live for, then this book is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whew. This was a heavy one.
We are following Beverly who comes from a very religious + abusive home. Most of that abuse from her mother, but also a lack of concern from her father, and SA from a stranger. She despises everyone-including her little brother Jacob.
She moves out at 18, trying her best to escape, but finds herself addicted to drugs and alcohol-the only way she knows how to cope.
We see her life spiraling out of control. She is depressed, angry, and she is still being assaulted and abused as an adult. The cycle is almost impossible to break it seems-especially with how much she wants to end her life.
The only thing helping her hold onto life is her art. She is phenomenal at what she does and she has a client Davi who loves her work. He really is a ray of sunshine for her and I think a big catalyst in helping her stay afloat.
Beverly has a moment when things come to a head and I was so happy to see her start to break through.
This book was so relatable in a lot of ways-the religious trauma esp. I thought her journey was so realistic-the author did not try to hide her pain, her anger, her addictions.
I only wish this book was longer-I think it would have created more depth to Beverly, her life, her brothers life etc.
It was raw and I was cheering on Beverly the entire time. I especially loved seeing her relationship with her brother change. Those sibling relationships are genuinely the only things we have at times and I’m so happy to see how their relationship started to flourish.
Thank you Lilith for the ARC-what an honor. Thank you for that authors note-sending all my love.
We are following Beverly who comes from a very religious + abusive home. Most of that abuse from her mother, but also a lack of concern from her father, and SA from a stranger. She despises everyone-including her little brother Jacob.
She moves out at 18, trying her best to escape, but finds herself addicted to drugs and alcohol-the only way she knows how to cope.
We see her life spiraling out of control. She is depressed, angry, and she is still being assaulted and abused as an adult. The cycle is almost impossible to break it seems-especially with how much she wants to end her life.
The only thing helping her hold onto life is her art. She is phenomenal at what she does and she has a client Davi who loves her work. He really is a ray of sunshine for her and I think a big catalyst in helping her stay afloat.
Beverly has a moment when things come to a head and I was so happy to see her start to break through.
This book was so relatable in a lot of ways-the religious trauma esp. I thought her journey was so realistic-the author did not try to hide her pain, her anger, her addictions.
I only wish this book was longer-I think it would have created more depth to Beverly, her life, her brothers life etc.
It was raw and I was cheering on Beverly the entire time. I especially loved seeing her relationship with her brother change. Those sibling relationships are genuinely the only things we have at times and I’m so happy to see how their relationship started to flourish.
Thank you Lilith for the ARC-what an honor. Thank you for that authors note-sending all my love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is heartbreaking. And it shows you the lasting trauma of a child who has been sexually abused. Beverly is now in her early 20s, and she copes by painting, drinking, and doing whatever drugs she can get a hold of. She also has an eating disorder because she literally wants to disappear. It makes sense. She wasn’t taught as a child to take care of or protect herself.
It’s a powerful story. Protect your kids. Prosecute abusers, rapists, and pedophiles (and anyone who allows it to happen).
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
It’s a powerful story. Protect your kids. Prosecute abusers, rapists, and pedophiles (and anyone who allows it to happen).
Thank you to the author for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read a lot of sad girl books where struggling to survive and cope with trauma is basically the plot, but this was one of the first ones where I wanted to literally jump into the pages just so I can give the main character a hug, or some semblance of safety and normalcy.
I ugly cried through most of this, and I also raged, because why do men, and parental audacity. Count your days Grace.
I ugly cried through most of this, and I also raged, because why do men, and parental audacity. Count your days Grace.
February 10, 2026
4⭐️ A true gut punch of a story that doesn’t sugar coat trauma and the aftermath of it. It’s raw, it’s highly emotional and yet, so hard to put down. The FMC is flawed but I was rooting for her. Check TW for sure and get your tissues ready!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews