A fun, heartwarming read

 The first thing that caught my eye about The Real Me Because of You by M.J. Apple was the title. Very few novels have memorable names so I immediately gave Ms. Apple a point for creativity. Then I started to read and discovered a sympathetic first-person heroine and her believably unhelpful family. 

Toxic families in books are fun. Readers who never experienced toxic relatives can enjoy the horror and those who have suffered can enjoy the eventual triumph of the downtrodden. Then there’s the third group: those who give thanks that at least their family isn’t THAT bad. Already The Real Me Because of You was looking good.

Isa’s employment situation also resonates with anyone who works to pay the rent while longing for the career of her dreams. She teaches math at a private school when her real interest and talent lie in acting in and directing musicals. Then there’s her high school crush, Ryan, illegitimate son of a British diplomat, who’s turning into her grown-up crush, and the spoiled, rich, mean girl. Who could resist? 

It’s a fun, heartwarming read.