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ruthjenkins's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The title is misleading because Nnenna doesn't have a lot of joy in her life, mainly anxiety and a lacklustre boyfriend. Her relationship with her mother is strong, almost a friendship, but it becomes strained with Nnenna's increasing independence as a teenager and her wish to know about her absent Nigerian father. Their relationship reminded me or Lorelei and Rory in Gilmore Girls, and the large cast of interesting and diverting side characters made it a slightly grittier Mancunian version. I thought the author goes a little too easy on Nnenna's mother for some very questionable and dysfunctional decisions, leaving a slightly sour note at the end of a very good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Pregnancy and Racism
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
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