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maitai's review
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was a book that started out strong from page one and stayed strong. I did not want to put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed this read and absolutely loved the Kenyan perspective in this book. It was so well entwined in every aspect if the book. I understood the main character and her perspective. The story is deep, extremely sad in some instances but so well thought out.
I will admit that I shed some tears and severally for that matter.
The pull between maternal love and romantic love was wrenching and so well handled by the author in the book, I cannot praise the writing enough.
The love story was amazing, complex while still so sweet.
This is a book that has in my opinion, completely lived up to the hype around it. I would highly recommend this read.
mtomchek's review
4.0
"Kupenda sio kitu. Kupendwa ni kitu. Lakini kupenda na kupendwa ni kila kitu.
To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved is everything." ~Swahili Proverb
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu's first novel Lucky Girl was truly exceptional. I enjoyed learning more about a different side of Kenyan culture, and the complexities between Africans and Africans in America. Such an interesting, intense, and wonderful read. This book really touched me, focusing on a difficult mother-daughter relationship, and a woman finding herself in a new place.
Following Soila, the young African girl, during her journeys, triumphs, obstacles, and heartbreaks was enticing. This was a great novel teaching people about Kenyan culture with a modern, love-story twist. Highly recommend!
To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved is everything." ~Swahili Proverb
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu's first novel Lucky Girl was truly exceptional. I enjoyed learning more about a different side of Kenyan culture, and the complexities between Africans and Africans in America. Such an interesting, intense, and wonderful read. This book really touched me, focusing on a difficult mother-daughter relationship, and a woman finding herself in a new place.
Following Soila, the young African girl, during her journeys, triumphs, obstacles, and heartbreaks was enticing. This was a great novel teaching people about Kenyan culture with a modern, love-story twist. Highly recommend!
hpets_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
pupandpint's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
sevireene's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mscottyj's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
bandysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Do you ever come across a book simply because the cover is so bright and lovely? Well, that's exactly how I came across Lucky Girl. While scanning the upcoming releases on Netgalley, I was really drawn in by the cover design. Then I read the summary and I knew this was a book that I'd enjoy.
Lucky Girl follows a young, sheltered Kenyan woman named Soila as she attends school in the US. She's mostly been raised by her very conservative mother and aunties. As she explores life in the US, she finds things are quite a bit different than she imagined. There is a bit of conflict between her new life and the one she left behind in Kenya.
Soila was great main character because she was relatable in a lot of ways. We see her dealing with the pressures of school, relationships, and family. It all makes sense with who she is supposed to be and where she is coming from. Her reactions to some of the trauma she's experienced were relatable as well.
I loved the inclusion of Kenyan culture. There were a couple parts that explained Maasai wedding traditions and how they differ from other cultures. I thought this was particularly interesting. And though I didn't always agree with her mother's desire to control things, I did think it was interesting to see what was expected of her as a daughter.
I also really liked that love and romance is a part of this story, but it isn't all rainbows and sunshine. We see difficulties because of cultural expectations on both sides of the relationship, but ultimately the two characters work through them. This struck me as really authentic.
All in all, if you are a fan of Maame by Jessica George, A Daughter In Exile by Bisi Adjabon, or American Street by Ibi Zoboi, you will likely enjoy this book too. It has similar themes and delves deeply into the struggles that come with immigration.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, and Dial Press for the E-ARC of this book. This in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
Lucky Girl follows a young, sheltered Kenyan woman named Soila as she attends school in the US. She's mostly been raised by her very conservative mother and aunties. As she explores life in the US, she finds things are quite a bit different than she imagined. There is a bit of conflict between her new life and the one she left behind in Kenya.
Soila was great main character because she was relatable in a lot of ways. We see her dealing with the pressures of school, relationships, and family. It all makes sense with who she is supposed to be and where she is coming from. Her reactions to some of the trauma she's experienced were relatable as well.
I loved the inclusion of Kenyan culture. There were a couple parts that explained Maasai wedding traditions and how they differ from other cultures. I thought this was particularly interesting. And though I didn't always agree with her mother's desire to control things, I did think it was interesting to see what was expected of her as a daughter.
I also really liked that love and romance is a part of this story, but it isn't all rainbows and sunshine. We see difficulties because of cultural expectations on both sides of the relationship, but ultimately the two characters work through them. This struck me as really authentic.
All in all, if you are a fan of Maame by Jessica George, A Daughter In Exile by Bisi Adjabon, or American Street by Ibi Zoboi, you will likely enjoy this book too. It has similar themes and delves deeply into the struggles that come with immigration.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, and Dial Press for the E-ARC of this book. This in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault