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januaryghosts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence and War
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Wow, this blew me away!
In 1965, 15-year-old Ana is married off (they fake her age to be 19 instead on official papers) to Juan (double her age!!!!!) and moves to the United States (New York), leaving her family, friends and only life she has ever known in the Dominican Republic. Her mom hopes that Ana will be able to find a job and send money back home, eventually having enough money and connections to bring the rest of her family to NYC. It is a grim transition and Ana is incredibly isolated, lonely and scared to be on her own with her new husband.
As Ana navigates Juan’s infidelity, his anger, and an apartment that leaves her wanting, she begins to realize that a life with Juan is not all her mom talked it up to be. When Juan leaves Ana to go back to the DR for a bit, she begins leaning into her independence, learning English, and taking initiative to do things on her own, like dance and go to the beach! She also spends a lot of time with Juan’s brother Cesar, who had convinced her to stay in the states after she had tried escaping back home. Ana finds herself and her voice and learns about deception, betrayal and how dire consequences can be when you put your faith in the wrong people.
Ana’s journey is so traumatic; I can only imagine. To think of myself or anyone at 15 years old navigating what Ana was forced into is devastating. And yet, Ana keeps it moving! I was so incredibly proud of her at the end of this novel, and while I’m deeply sorry she had to endure everything she did, I admire her growth, perseverance, courage, and honesty. She eventually refuses to accept being a passenger in her life and takes on the driver’s seat, which felt impossible at the beginning of her journey. I will absolutely read more from Angie Cruz in the future, and the audiobook narration was excellent as well!
See content warnings below (some are more graphic than others, but they all hit very hard. Characters display a lot of anti-Blackness, misogyny & even use the word “retarded”) & take care while reading.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
natgzmun's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, and Pregnancy
joslynschafer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
leahkarge's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Police brutality, Antisemitism, and War
sarahelem's review against another edition
Take note: this book is very trigger heavy.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Colonisation, and Deportation
ksuazo94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and War
readingrandbow's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
Moderate: Racism and Violence
Minor: Antisemitism
sammyb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and War
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Ableism, Miscarriage, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Abortion, War, and Deportation