Beta Reader Review: Finding Molly Parsons

I enjoy dissecting a story, exploring the characters, and discussing what happened. That's why I became a beta reader. So, I also write reviews of books when reading published literature for pleasure, and I post them here!

Finding Molly Parsons by Alyson Root is a beautifully written, emotionally rich story that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I found it absolutely riveting. The prose is strong and immersive, and the characters—each of them vivid and full of depth—lingered in my mind long after I finished reading.

The story follows Faith Parsons, a young woman desperate to escape the trauma of her abusive father. Her search for her long-lost aunt, Molly, becomes more than a physical journey: it becomes a journey of healing, self-discovery, and the redefinition of family. Along the way, she meets Carmen, Mateo, and Enid, who each offer her something precious: acceptance, compassion, and the reminder that family isn’t always the one you’re born into: it’s also the one you choose.

At the core of the novel is a tender, authentic exploration of queer identity. Faith’s growing understanding of herself is handled with care and honesty, never rushed or oversimplified. Her story offers a reminder that claiming your identity can be both terrifying and liberating, and that you don’t have to do it alone.

This book is a gift for anyone who’s ever wondered where they belong. It’s a powerful, heartfelt story that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. It is incredibly well written, and I wouldn't change a thing.