Here Be Dragons, Here Be Feels

A Book That Hits Hard & Heals

If you love books that are raw, honest, and unexpectedly funny, then buckle up, because Melanie Shankle’s Here Be Dragons: Treading the Deep Waters of Motherhood, Mean Girls, and Generational Trauma is a ride worth taking. This was recently released in January, and while I may not have read any of Melanie’s work before, I can now officially say I’m a big fan.

I’ll be honest. When I first saw the cover with the dragon tail, I assumed this was some kind of fantasy novel. I was not expecting a deeply personal and powerful non-fiction read that would hit me right in the gut. But wow, did it deliver! The wording hit me hard and opened my mind in ways I wasn’t prepared for.

Melanie also talks about this book on her podcast, where she dives deeper into the themes and stories behind it. If you want even more insight (or just love hearing authors talk about their work), definitely check it out!

Oh, and with Mother's Day coming up, let me just say, this book is the perfect gift for the moms, daughters, and women in your life. It speaks to the challenges, joys, and struggles of being a woman in a way that feels personal and deeply relatable.

Stay tuned, grab your favorite mug, and let’s do this! 🐺☕

Synopsis: From the New York Times bestselling author of Nobody’s Cuter than You comes a poignant, deeply personal story about trusting God to heal generational wounds so you can be a strong, loving presence for your teenage daughter.

In medieval times, uncharted waters were marked on maps as Here Be Dragons to signify that no one knew what dangers might lie ahead. Melanie Shankle quips that the years spent raising our teenage daughters could be labeled the same due to the uncertainties before us.

Like a lot of moms, Melanie found herself in need of a parenting map when her teenage daughter, Caroline, entered her sophomore year of high school where she encountered relentless mean girls and brutal heartache. While trying to equip her daughter to deal with the toxic social dynamics of high school, Melanie was hit with a cruel The shame, criticism, and verbal abuse she had endured throughout her own life was wrought by one particular mean girl—her own mother.

Melanie hoped to raise her daughter to be a warrior, and she realized she couldn’t do that unless she became healthy enough to fight her own dragons. She invites you into her story as she explores her complex family dynamics, discovering what it takes for any of us to survive and ultimately thrive in spite of wounds that remain. This was the beginning of her journey of trusting God to help break generational cycles that had told the women in her family to find their value in everything but His love.

Filled with personal stories and written in the same whimsical and honest style Melanie is known for, Here Be Dragons will have you both laughing out loud and crying—sometimes on the same page—as you confront the challenges of raising your own strong, independent daughter while fighting dragons along the way.

☕ Spoiler Warning: Minor spoilers ahead, but I’ll keep the major emotional gut punches under wraps. You’re safe… for now.

Alright, pack, let’s talk about a book that hits deep. Here Be Dragons is part memoir, part deep-dive into the messy, beautiful, and often painful realities of motherhood, friendship, and the wounds we carry from generation to generation. It’s introspective, heartfelt, and full of the kind of humor that makes you laugh and cry in the same breath. Let’s break it down.

💭 Writing & Tone: 4.5/5

Melanie Shankle has this incredible ability to make you feel like you’re sitting across from her at a coffee shop, swapping life stories. Her writing is conversational, witty, and deeply relatable. She tackles heavy topics, motherhood, female friendships, and trauma, but does it with a balance of grace and humor that keeps the book from feeling overwhelming. It’s like therapy but with more laughter.

👩‍👧 Themes & Depth: 5/5

This book doesn’t shy away from hard truths. Shankle unpacks the complexities of raising a daughter while still healing from her own childhood wounds. She explores the way generational trauma lingers and how friendships between women can be both a source of deep joy and deep pain. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling enough, as a mom, a friend, or a human, this book will speak to you. Hard.

🤣 Humor & Heart: 5/5

Let’s be real: Books about trauma and motherhood can get heavy, but Shankle knows how to weave humor into the mix without diminishing the depth of her message. She finds the absurdity in the hard moments, making you chuckle even when your heart aches. It’s a delicate balance, and she nails it.

📖 Pacing & Engagement: 4/5

This is a book that you sit with. It’s not a thriller that keeps you flipping pages at lightning speed, but rather a book that makes you pause and reflect. Some chapters hit harder than others, and while a few sections slowed down a bit, the overall flow was solid. You’ll want to savor it.

🏆 Final Thoughts

Did Here Be Dragons break me? A little. But in the best way. It’s emotional, insightful, and a must-read for anyone navigating the tricky waters of motherhood, friendship, and self-discovery. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Melanie Shankle or a first-time reader (like me!), this book is a gem.

☕ Would I Recommend It? Absolutely. If you loved Untamed by Glennon Doyle or I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist, this one belongs on your shelf. Just be ready to laugh, cry, and maybe call your mom when you’re done.

🔥 Overall Rating: 4.5/5

🐺🔥 Now tell me—have you read any of Melanie Shankle’s books before? Did this one hit home for you? Let’s chat in the comments!

See you next week!

Claire, The Coffeeholic Bookworm