You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
dixiecarroll's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC! This was a fast read and while the material settles around a missing child and how this impacted her family, it was filled with light moments and funny situations. Some of the writing was a little strange (switching tenses within a single POV) and the ending took a major heavy turn, but otherwise this was well worth the read and was interesting. Felt like an episode of crime junkie - the unsatisfying depressing ones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ruthy Ramirez disappeared when she was 13 years old and her family hasn’t been the same since. More than a decade later her sisters spot her on tv, a contestant on a particularly trashy reality show. This book, as the title suggests, looks at what happened to Ruthy - although not in the way you might necessarily expect. It’s told from multiple points of view - Ruthy’s sisters, her mother and Ruthy herself. It covers some pretty heavy topics, although not in graphic or gratuitous ways. The story is told with a lot of warmth and humour - some of which worked for me and some of which didn’t. Overall an entertaining family story which explores some of the realities of being a woman of colour, but does so in a unique way which isn’t overly heavy.
***Quotation contains spoilers***
“…this Ruby we’d chased hundreds of miles from New York was not our Ruthy by some other port woman, exploited on TV like so many other brown and Black girls and women, but not ours. Not an imposter, but a sister of ours in her own right.”
***Quotation contains spoilers***
“…this Ruby we’d chased hundreds of miles from New York was not our Ruthy by some other port woman, exploited on TV like so many other brown and Black girls and women, but not ours. Not an imposter, but a sister of ours in her own right.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
carolinemwatson's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
angelkisses's review
emotional
funny
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tragicomedy at it's finest. I'm surprised this is Jimenez's debut novel because it is expertly crafted. all the praise for it mentions how Jiménez deftly weaves together dark and heavy subjects with light hearted hilarity and family dramatics & they're correct! It is difficult to combine two moods that contrast to this degree but Jimenez proves it is possible! I'm excited to dive into their short stories at some point in the future because I imagine her snappy voice suits the medium very well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Death, and Pedophilia
brianareads's review
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
spinesinaline's review
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a compelling read, many CWs for sexual assault, pedophilia, physical abuse. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an ARC!
This is not only the story of the Ramirez’s search for their missing sister but of the violence and harassment that each woman in the family has faced and beyond that, of the wider societal issue of violence against women, especially women of colour. It’s a sad and upsetting read, but also one of the incredible love of this family, their fights and making up, and their hilarious humour.
There was some questionable fatphobic portrayal so a heads up for that. The comments that focused on one character’s weight and diets in relation to their grief felt unnecessary to the story.
I really enjoyed this story while also feeling the visceral grief of this family and other women who’ve been in this position. A great read to start off my year.
This is not only the story of the Ramirez’s search for their missing sister but of the violence and harassment that each woman in the family has faced and beyond that, of the wider societal issue of violence against women, especially women of colour. It’s a sad and upsetting read, but also one of the incredible love of this family, their fights and making up, and their hilarious humour.
There was some questionable fatphobic portrayal so a heads up for that. The comments that focused on one character’s weight and diets in relation to their grief felt unnecessary to the story.
I really enjoyed this story while also feeling the visceral grief of this family and other women who’ve been in this position. A great read to start off my year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia
More...