When Essie tells her mother she is pregnant she knows there is only one real option. The Hicks family are reality superstars. Pastor Hicks has a megachurch that preacher to thousands. Mrs. Hicks is the iron will of the family and the show. The Six for Hicks stars are the six children of the family: four boys and two girls. Essie is the youngest and has been mostly on her own since her sister Lissie left for college. So she knows that even though her mother discusses other options with the shows producers there will be no abortion or adoption. The only real response is for Essie to marry quickly. 

Essie knows exactly what she is doing when she quietly steers her mother towards Roarke Richards as the groom. Even though Essie and Roarke have never spoken she has chosen him as her way out. Roarke has secrets of his own and is eventually convinced to go along with Essie's plan. So a whirlwind courtship and marriage is planned. Essie has even planned on a way to get the media to help them as well. She enlists Liberty Bell to break the story. Liberty is no stranger to conservative religious groups. She was once a part of a cult that got her sister killed. Now she is a journalist trying to make her way in the world. She doesn't know just what hit her when she gets involved with Essie Hicks. 

I could not put this book down. I literally read it all day and later into the night than I should have. It is such a compelling story about fame and celebrity and religion. Megan MacLean Weir does a fantastic job of walking the tightrope between making the Hicks family monsters and people. I knew that the father of Essie's baby had to be one of two suspects and I was right. However, that did not in any way spoil the surprise when the culprit is revealed. It was a stellar buildup and reveal. 

I think the only misstep for me was Roarke's storyline about a conversion camp. I don't think it was necessary nor did it add to the story. It didn't seem in line with his parents nor were there any explanations given as to what lead to him going to the camp or the aftermath. I feel like it was a forced bit of storytelling to get gay conversion into the story and to add a bit of tragedy to Roarke's past. It wasn't needed. 

Other than that small plot line the rest of the novel was superb and something I will recommend to anyone looking for a "can't put it down" read.