While I did enjoy this book it didn't resonate with me personally. I think it would definitely be better suited to a younger reader who is looking for a good "finding-ones-strength" story. It was very well written and deals with some tough subjects relatively well. There are some hard to read scenes such as teen bullying. Those scenes really were hard to read for me since I dealt with a lot of humiliation based bullying when I was in high school so those were just torture for me to read. The story also deals with music and personal dreams and how hard it can be to attain them sometimes and I think that is something unique about this book. The story deals with a mother-daughter relationship where the mother is NOT living through her daughter but instead wants her to understand how hard it can be in this particular dream she has chosen. I highly recommend this book to a younger crowd than the older YA readers. I think this book would be a great summer read for ages 11-15 but I think really anyone who thinks it sounds interesting would like it too.

I adored this novel. Truly, I did. From the synopsis to the actual writing to the characters, everything was flawless and perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better story!

I loved the different characters that we were introduced to, even though it was apparent that Ingrid was the star of the show. The descriptions of the other characters was given through Ingrid and I really liked how this was done, because it showed Ingrid as someone who is not self-absorbed and consumed by her own problems. Ingrid, while seeming to be quiet, is actually a firecracker who knows how to stand up for herself. She may have wanted to back down from the challenges she faced but she doesn't, and that made me love her character! The other characters from the camp were written very well and did a good job in terms of giving Ingrid the support and baseboard that she needed in order to "grow".

I really enjoyed the way this story was written. The chapters would flit from the past to the present and it was really interesting to read from both perspectives and see how they all matched up. The emotions that Ingrid felt in the past, and the pain she was carrying with her in the present were powerfully written; it made me want to go and hug her! The story never dragged, which was really great to see since I frequently find books in this genre are ... slow-paced.

Overall, this book is emotionally-packed. It will make you laugh out loud, and cry, and just ... FEEL so much! I loved Ingrid, I loved Margot-Sophia, I loved every character (except Peace, of course)! This novel was amazing in terms of its writing style, pacing, story line, and character development. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good teen fiction that will make you emotional!

This book is about a girl named Ingrid. She has been sent on a wilderness retreat to the middle of nowhere in Northern Ontario by her mother. When she gets there she realizes that it is nothing like the brochures that she was shown. There are no cabins, no bathrooms, and mosquitos everywhere. It is way beyond out of her comfort zone. On the first day she discovers that the program she is in is for at risk youth. Will she be able to make it the 21 days? And why was she sent there to begin with? As her gruelling journey progresses we learn the answers to these questions.
With every chapter that I read I learned more and more about Ingrid. Her unique childhood, the things she has had to deal with, as well as the things that she hasn't dealt with. With the descriptions that Danielle Younge-Ullman gave I could actually picture being in the settings that Ingrid was. I could feel her pain and discomfort. Danielle gave her characters complexity. You start off with not knowing or caring about the other campers. She made you care about them and their motivations. And hope for their success. I found myself drawn into the story and wanting to find out all that there is to know about Ingrid. Why won't she open up? What happened to put her there? What happened with her and her mom? I enjoyed reading this book. I liked how as it progressed you were shown bits and pieces from her past. It was just enough to make you want to know more. I will be keeping my eye out for more books written by Danielle Young-Ullman

5/5 ⭐

Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is a million times better than I was hoping it would be. This book is about a camping trip and has some backstory woven in throughout the story. The supporting characters are all so developed and have such complex stories. The main character is also smart, strong, and musically talented. This book does not disappoint.

This book is a story that focuses on a summer camping trip in the wilderness and has bits of intricate backstory woven in. I loved switching between the present and the past, where the story of Ingrid’s mother and the events leading up to the trip are revealed. The theatrical and survival aspects made for a nice contrast and made the book so unique. I was definitely not prepared for the big reveal at the end and appreciated the element of surprise.

One of the most interesting aspects of Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is the cast of character. While Ingrid is away at camp, she meets a group of teens who are each troubled in their own way. At first, I had some doubts about a lot of the characters, but after learning each of their stories, most of them grew on me. Each of the characters is quirky and there’s definitely more to them than what meets the eye. The growing bond between them was entertaining to read, and I enjoyed watching them start to rely on each other.

Ingrid is a clever and insightful main character. I enjoyed her sarcastic voice and her hilarious letters to her mom. Ingrid really transforms on the camping trip, and it is really inspiring watching her grow stronger. She is so determined to follow her dream, despite the protests from her mom, which I really admired. Her character really makes the book emotional and entertaining.

Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined alternates between past and present as it tells the story of a camping trip. The supporting characters are all so interesting and unique in their own way. Ingrid is also a strong character who comes a long way from who she is at the beginning – or technically the end – to the present. I would strongly recommend this book!

my review: https://youtu.be/Al-lfMjFQW0?t=5m41s

Holy. S**t. I would give this book 6 stars if I could.

I wish that I hadn't read this at work. I finished this book while sitting at my desk in the library, while around me 20 students wrote their provincial math exam in dead silence and I was desperately trying not to bawl my eyes out.

Ingrid is the daughter of a very successful opera singer, and her childhood is spent being home-schooled by her beautiful diva of a mother and travelling around Europe. She didn't get a chance to make many friends, as they were always travelling, but she didn't feel like that was much of a loss as her and her mother were very close. As long as they had each other, why would they need anyone else? When tragedy strikes and her mother is unable to sing anymore, they travel back to her small town Ontario and try to start a "normal" life.

The story is told in alternating chapters - Ingrid's past, beginning from her childhood when her mother lost her voice, and Ingrid's present, participating in Peak Wilderness, a wilderness camp that was part of a deal between her and her mother. I don't want to say too much else as I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.

The characters were all amazing. They all had realistic flaws and were just lovely. The story - plot, structure, style - beautiful. I truly loved how she depicted depression, it was so heart-breakingly real.

I wish that I hadn't read this at work. I finished this book while sitting at my desk in the library, while around me 20 students wrote their provincial math exam in dead silence and I was desperately trying not to bawl my eyes out.

Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is one of my all-time favourite books that I have gotten from NetGalley (thank you NetGalley), with bonus marks for being Canadian (#readthenorth)! I will definitely be purchasing this book for our school library, and will probably eventually try and pick up a copy for myself as well. Danielle Younge-Ullman will definitely be an author to watch for.

I absolutely adored this book. It was beautiful to see, Ingrid open up a deal with her past. I think it was a very important message in this book as many youth struggle with their past. And this book had so many amazing character. Ingrid was a strong but quiet female character. She knew when you needed to speak up and stand up for herself as the book went on. And her dad was a very powerful and loud character. I love the fact that he took on such responsibility for her and her mom. As well as supported her anyway he could. He is just a prime example of excellent parenting. I will be looking forward to read more from Danielle Younge-Ullman