While the premise had such promise, the execution was faulty. Unfortunately just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little A (Amazon Publishing) for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

I’m judging a 2020 fiction contest. It’d be generous to call what I’m doing upon my first cursory glance—reading. I also don’t take this task lightly. As a fellow writer and lover of words and books, I took this position—in hopes of being a good literary citizen. My heart aches for all the writers who have a debut at this time. What I can share now is the thing that held my attention and got this book from the perspective pile into the read further pile.

Meadowlark, a fun gripping read, reminiscent of Where’d You Go Bernadette.

3.5 stars

Special thanks to Netgalley for granting me a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Meadowlark is the second novel by Melanie Abrams and tells the story of Simrin, a photojournalist who grew up in a spiritual cult but ended up running away with her friends, Arjun and Jaishri, and then they went separated ways shortly after.

Years after she had escaped from Ananda, Simrin — now Simone — lives peacefully with her daughter Quinn, who is a synesthete just like her but at a more intense “level”. Quinn is about to start kindergarten and Simone is kind of worried about how the world is going to react to her child.

It’s been a long time she last heard from Arjun — now Aaron — and when his e-mail reaches her, asking for a reunion in a commune called Meadowlark, which he founded hoping to create a place “where children can be who they are and access their true powers”. At first, Simrin thinks the fact that they fought so much to leave Ananda behind them and now Arjun could be creating a place so Ananda-like is weird, but she promises to consider the idea. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to be with Quinn somewhere her child would be truly accepted?

And she really missed Arjun for a long time.

Right before they got there, Simrin finds out that Meadowlark is in the middle of a child abuse investigation, but Arjun assures her that this is one of the reasons he wants her to be there. To register everything and to show the world there’s nothing wrong within the commune walls.

Then Simrin makes her choice, will she be able to reconnect not only to a friend but also to ghosts of her past?

When I first saw the synopsis I’d known I had to read this book. Recently I’ve discovered cult/ commune plot fascinates me, so I made my decision.

The book and, mainly, Abrams’ writing are extremely absorbing. Really, you just don’t feel the need to put this book down for a second. The premise was interesting and incredible but I sensed a lack of development and I must admit I was expecting an explosive final. Instead, I got a confusing one.

Don’t get me wrong, I honestly think this is an amazing read and I would totally go for a second reading to see if I missed something, BUT I felt like there were so many things that could’ve been more explored (like the aftermath of Bethany and her children after what happened in the end).

However, I loved the fact that we got to see four different POVs of four different women with distinct ages.

The book was truly an exquisite and amazing work. I recommend it!

Story of two adults who come together after many years apart. Simrin and Arjun grew up together in a compound and as teenagers, run away. Arjun goes back leaving Simrin to navigate the world alone. They reconnect when Arjun, now a leader of his own commune called Meadowlark., contacts Simrin for help. He wants her to help him spin a positive light on Meadowlark, a place that allows children discover their "gifts." But she learns there is an investigation going on and realizes she has put herself and her young "gifted" daughter in danger.

Great insight into the commune community and cult behavior. Meadowlark explores how children are forever molded and affected for a lifetime by their experiences and relationships early on. Really enjoyed this read. Thanks to NetGalley for the copy.

NetGalley gave me a free digital copy in exchange for a honest review.

The cover is gorgeous. Meadowlark refers to a commune called Meadowlark. This novel is a haunting novel about the effects of childhood trauma. Simrin /Simone and Anjuin ran away from the commune then drifted apart. Simone is now a divorced mother of Quinn when Anjuin contacts her. Anjuin is now in charge of another commune, Meadowlark. He is married to a former child star, Bethany.

If I was to find a word to describe the novel, the word is ominous.

The story was very scary.

Unfortunately, the characters were not well developed, which is why I give this novel a three starred book review.

Although this novel is not my cup of tea, there will be other people who would love this novel.

Fans of Sidney Sheldon would love this novel.

What a book! Nothing like a combination of cults and communes and childhood trauma to keep you absolutely glued to the pages. Having worked in a the mental health field for years, I was interested in the perspective this book would bring; I wasn't, however, expecting it to be as page-turning as it ended up being.

The book centers around Simrin, who was in a cult as a youth. She escaped, as did her close friend - while Simrin went on to change her name and flourish professionally, her close friend's trauma manifested differently. As it so often does, her friend 's trauma was re-enacted, as he opened his own compound in Nevada. While this compound is designed to be the opposite of what they experienced as children, you quickly discover the terrifying reality.

I truly loved this book, and will be recommending it widely. It's well written, fast-paced, and a fascinating look at the ripples of trauma throughout our lives.

"Meadowlark" started out rather strong in my opinion, but then it started to be rushed and too slow at the same time.

The whole situation escalated really quickly after a rather slow and character-driven start and it just felt rather exaggerated and forced towards the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Simrin and Arjun grew up in Ananda, a cult. They run away when she is 15, and lose touch. Their time in Ananda shapes their lives in different ways, with Simrin becoming a photojournalist and a mother, and Arjun marrying and opening his own commune, Meadowlark. But is Meadowlark innocent or sinister?

This book is told in different voices, but they all sound the same. They aren't distinct enough, and if you don't read whose POV you are in, you don't know. Also, there is no real action in this book until the last fourth of it, and then it's just over. There's no real resolution, no tying up loose ends, just an abrupt end, and a chapter from one of the children, now grown. It wasn't satisfying.

Arjun is the only character that I felt as though I understood, but that's what keeps the novel unbalanced as well, because he looms over all the women, even in their own narration. Perhaps the point in the book, to show how he sees himself as godlike and transfers that to everyone else, but the other characters are also instrumental in what happens in Meadowlark and it's downfall, and should have autonomy as well. I wanted more, and I just never got it.

“‘Swimmy’ he said, and behind her eyes, the burst of opalescent confetti. She had forgotten. Only his voice, only that word - the shimmery splinters of pearl covering her vision. He had said it often, just to let her see the shimmer, to enjoy the flash of pleasure. And then after, made her describe it, made her try to dissect the magic her brain was constructing, both awed and sullen at his own inability.”

Simrin and her daughter Quinn take a road trip to Fort Bragg in Simrin’s effort to keep up with her newly-popular photography blog. Then Simrin gets an email from a ghost of her past, Arjun, who grew up with her at Ananda, the Hinduist cult they escaped from as teenagers. Arjun founded his own commune and is receiving negative media attention because of a domestic dispute. He hopes Simrin’s photography skills can prevent further negative publicity...or does he?

I was NOT expecting this novel to be sooooo entertaining. You have a Hinduist cult mixed with a children’s commune tied together with a dash of sex. What more can you want? I devoured this book and had to force myself to put it down so as to not finish the book in one sitting.

You get thrown into this story just as much as the characters - this is one of the few books that I’ve audibly gasped at while reading. While it may be a tad predictable or move a little slowly at times, it most definitely redeems itself in the character dialogue and development.

Abrams does a masterful job of symbolizing religion in this novel as well. Even communities that converge with a mission of hope, love, and peace can be destroyed when one person believes they are above others. I really enjoyed the small meditation mantras woven throughout the story and how it affects the characters’ reactions and thoughts.

The only thing I wish had been different was the ending. It seemed a little misplaced and rushed, but sewed things together nicely for the most part. I hate the minor obsession Quinn develops with Arjun, but I guess it only makes sense.

A very thoughtful, and amazingly written story with multiple POVs. The characters were very rich, as was the dialogue and the story. Even though I finished reading this one probably two weeks ago, I still think about the cover and how beautiful the story is.

4/5 Stars

Found this to be an ok read right up until the the last 1/4 of the book. Boy did the ending just fall flat in it's face. It's a shame too because the story/plot had promise and the action was good.

Just not for me I guess.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing a review copy of Meadowlark.

Meadowlark is a gripping story. Once you start, you won’t want to put it down.

Meadowlark begins with our protagonist, Simrin telling the story of her childhood spent in a commune called Ananda. Here she meets her "brother", Arjun and makes an incredible bond.

Arjun is the poster child of Ananda, a place where adults and children can "find themselves" through strict meditation and relentless yoga. The adults tell him how special he is, he was the first child born there after all... We see the beginnings of an ego being created.

Ananda does not recognise itself as a cult as it strikes out the traditional "one leader to rule over them". However, a cult is exactly what they are.

Fast forward twenty years (and after a successful escape) Simrin has a five year old child and is an up and coming photo journalist. The thoughts of Ananda are never far from her mind and either are the thoughts of Arjun, who after their escape... disappeared. Suddenly Simrin gets an e-mail from Arjun... and another and another and after a small battle with her conscience, his pull is too much and she responds.

It turns out that Arjun has set up an "anti-ananda" called Meadowlark, where children, instead of being forced into a certain way of thinking, are given free reign to find themselves. Arjun invites Simrin to visit and document how happy the children are as there have been some very sinister claims from an ex-member...

This book was very interesting. I found the whole concept of cults fascinating particularly because both Ananda and Meadowlark vehemently denied they were cults... it is pretty clear though that that is exactly what they both were. Arjun felt like what he was doing was so revolutionary.

I can't say too much without giving the story away but I will say that while I enjoyed this book, I wasn't blown away by it. I felt like there was something lacking but I don't really know what... The first 70% was slow albeit enjoyable but then the final 30% had so much potential... but fell a bit flat for me.

The characters were lukewarm. Again, it's hard to pinpoint why. I just didn't connect with any of them. I wasn't rooting for any of them and their story arcs could have been stronger I personally felt.

All in all a solid three stars.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Simone is a photographer and blogger with a young daughter and a past. She was mostly raised in a sort of benign cult until she ran away as a teenager. She has made a life for herself and her daughter but feels herself pulled back into her old life when she gets a message from her closest childhood friend, who is in trouble. Arjun (now Aaron) has formed a group of his own that is similar to the one they ran away from, and his little band of societal rebels has run into some trouble with the police. He needs help that only Simone can give, but it could end up costing Simone a great deal. In addition to the crisis at hand, Simone is dealing with her daughter's synesthesia (ability to hear/taste colors, among other things). I have one kid who could hear things in color so I can relate to that a little bit.

This book was an interesting look into the community structure of a commune or co-op, even though it is fiction. I started the book thinking that it was a pleasant sort of reminiscence of where Simone came from and how it shaped her, and I was really unprepared for where the story ended up but I was glued to the page. I stayed up far too late to finish this book!

I really liked the way the story was told from various differing points of view. It's always fascinating how different people can see nuances that others cannot. The author's writing style is soothing and lush - it really helped me feel the atmosphere of each setting. And in addition to the action taking a turn in the last third of the book, there is a little twist right at the very end that will make you sit up and say, "Oh!"

I’m interested in all things cult related. So much so that the descriptions of this book on Netgalley read something like this to me…blahblahblahcultblahblah. I requested it immediately, received and read shortly after. And yes, there was a lot of cult activity in this book. In fact the plot is bookended and shaped by it, but also in its own right it’s a fascinating psychological study of scars rendered in childhood as they play into adulthood. The novel utilizes split narrative, shared between Simrin, Bethany and Juniper. Respectively, a childhood friend/first love of, the present day wife and the daughter of Arjun. The man at the center of it all, who interestingly enough isn’t given a voice of his own. In fact, the reader can only perceive him through perspectivesof others. But then again Arjun is used to being seen and interpreted. Growing up in a yogi style spiritual compound (i.e. cult) Arjun was always the golden boy, the center of attention. A boy Simrin loved, a boy who made their austere existences tolerable. But their relationship didn’t last after leaving the compound as teens, they ended up going their separate ways and now about two decades later, they reunite…only to share a tragedy. In the years that passed, Simrin became Simone, a photographer of some (internet) renown who shares a six year old daughter with an amicable ex. And Arjun became Aaron, a man who started a commune focused on giving children all the freedom in the world, so in theory the polar opposite of his own upbringing. Aaron’s commune that shares the name with the novel has recently come under scrutiny after accusations by one of the members and, after reaching out from the blue, he invites Simone to shed the light on his commune’s innate goodness through photojournalism. Simone (or more like her inner Sinjin) still swoons at the golden glow of her beloved, so much so that it takes her who really should recognize these things too long to realize what her beloved has become. The thing is compound or commune are just different names for a cult and cult is always about a person’s (or persons’) ego. Beneath whatever initial charisma there is a profoundly disturbing psychopathy, egomania and self importance. And always, always, terrible dangerous ideas. And if you think SImrin takes too long to realize it, consider Bethany. A famous child star exploited by her mother, Beth is so desperate to get away from it all she changes her name, hooks up with the first boy who seems genuine, buys a remote property for them…and lo and behold some 14 years or so later finally realizes what sort of man she chose. Juniper, her carbon copy, provides some color commentary, mostly along the lines of what it’s like to be a child in a child oriented community, albeit one operated by a madman. So yeah, very cultish all around. But also very compelling, not an easy book to put down, I barely did. And it isn’t just the present tense narrative either, it’s just intense all around and it really draws you in. A very dynamic story, train crash dynamics. Tragic. But also such a terrific meditation of how one’s childhood affects the people they become in both subtle and radical ways and how seeing and being seen are not the same as recognition and are prone to warping perspectives. A very good read. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

This book was a hard hitter. It's almost hard to put into words how this book makes you feel.

Simrin lived her life in a Cult that her mother had brought them to when she was young. There she metArjun and they become the best of friends, eventually escaping together. After they had left, Arjun leaves Simrin never to bee heard from again until years later when they have both married and made families. 

Simrin runs her own social media as a phorographer who shows behind the scenes of Secret Societies.

 When Simrin recieves email from Arjun asking her to come visit, she is unaware that they local police are trying to get in on charges of child abuse. Arjun is aware of her social media standing and wants her to come take photos to show the world that they are a safe place for children to find their inner power. 

When she arrives all these years later, she is brought back to the past and the undeniable connection that had when they were young. Arjun swears that Meadowlark is nothing like the place they grew up together as children.

Simrin eventually finds that all along Arjun may have always wanted to run things, recalling past events through her grown up eyes. She sees him "handling" her and the people at Meadowlard, just as the grown ups would have back then. As much as Simrin wants to believe in her old friend, it is too hard to look past the feelings and emotions she is havning that are linked to her childhood.

 She sees that Arjun has always cared only for himself when he puts not only her and her daughter in danger but seems to care nothing for even his own family when he goes against the wishes of his wife and forces Simrin to post photos of his own childern. 

The ending is a whirlwind of emotions for all the characters. 

 Years later, Quinn, Simrins daughter doen't recall most of the events but she hold onto one small thing that Arjun said to her......

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for allowing me a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Sold as general fiction or literary fiction, this is a middling book that promises much but somehow fails to deliver a satisfactory ending.

The story begins with introducing us to Simrin, who now goes by the name of Simone, a woman brought up in the midst of a cult that she escaped when she was 15 years old. Now a successful photographer who makes her living creating photo-journalism pieces that have gained a great deal of popularity via social media, Simrin receives an email from a fellow escapee Arjun, who himself once held an almost mystical sway over the other devotees at the compound until he escaped with Simrin, no longer sure of his place or beliefs as had been taught to him his whole life. Arjun invites Simrin to come and see the group he was now created on his own in which the belief is that children have special powers that can be best accessed and developed if they are allowed to live freely, away from the confines of modern-day society, a group that is under current police investigation for allegations of child abuse. Arjun wants Simrin to make the case for his group that they are doing nothing wrong and turn the tables on the current belief that his group is a cult and that they are indeed guilty of all manner of wrongdoings. Simrin finds herself unable to resist the call of Arjun, just as she had when she was part of the cult and defies the needs of her own daughter, who has her own special abilities, and travels out to where Arjun has created a group of around 18 families who all hold to the ideas that he sells of children having special abilities. We are then taken through the plot in which past and current episodes are unravelled and the reader is left to decide what is right, wrong or indifferent. Truths are exposed and Arjun's wife and children are pulled into the mystery and Simrin is left to wonder what is really going on but is unable to ignore the reality and recognise that something is terribly wrong with the whole situation.

This novel promised so much. Anything to do with cults and people seemingly giving up their own ability to choose for themselves in deference of ceding their own power to the will of another is always fascinating. But this book fails to really draw the urgency of the situation, fails to make Arjun seem secretly sinister, his overall plans never revealed until the end when it seems as if it is just done for the ending of the novel rather than an important part of the story. It just didn’t feel like one was sitting on the edge of a knife whilst reading this story. It felt bland and empty. It did go into wonderful detail as to the cult that Simrin and Arjun had grown up in well, but it didn’t create enough threads between the past and the present to make the reader realise that the same sinister thread was woven between the two stories.

The character of Arjun was lacking the viciousness or the cunning that one often associates with cult leaders, with his ultimate plan only being revealed in the final few chapters when the rest of the story he had been pained as a normal guy. It didn’t give the reader the chance to see behind the scenes to understand that he wasn’t to be trusted, that he was the ultimate evil to be wary of. Simrin appears a little too gullible and her refusal to live in the real world even after fifteen years out of the cult seemed off, perhaps a little too forced. Simrin's daughter Quinn is as fascinating as a five-year-old can be and was a missed opportunity by the author to make the most of an interesting thread in the story. Another interesting backstory is that of Cassie / Bethany, who is Arjun's wife and mother of three. She has been a Hollywood child star in her past, where abuse was rife, and she has tried to ‘go to ground’ to avoid any interest in her life so as to be invisible as an adult. The ultimate betrayal she endures is truly painful.

This is a story that tried to bring the focus of what pulls people into cults and the devastating effects upon a person both within and outside of the group. It tries to be powerful and dark but doesn’t fully succeed. It isn’t a bad book, it just promised so much more that it didn’t deliver upon. It just wasn’t the psychological thriller that was expected.

Simone and Arjun grew up together in a cult and both left. Simone, known as Simrin on the compound, has found a life outside and has a daughter. Arjun, however, has become the leader of Meadowlark, a cult which is focused on children. Simone (unwisely you'll likely think) goes, at his request, to visit and finds more than she expected. Told from her point of view, as well as from others, this is a tale that will resonate with those interested in how minds can be formed and manipulated. The criminal investigation of Meadowlark only touches the surface of the problem - what happens when one is a child stays through adulthood. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You, like me, might read this with a growing sense of horror. For fans of literary fiction.