Reviews

This is such a beautifully written story. It feels like a much longer book than it is just because of how much meaning and depth was packed into it. I have a deep appreciation for writers who are also truly artists, and that certainly applies here. Nelson has found the least flimsy of words.

Content Warnings

nacropley's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.0

nkurzweg's review against another edition

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2.0

good story and well written but it got kinda slow for me with the poetic style?

augustreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.5

Written in such a lyrical and poetic way. Meditation on young love and black masculinity. Beautiful read

chellareads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

4.75

This is a love story not a romance.
It's Black and it's London.
It's raw and lyrical.

The second person POV won't suit everyone, and the poetic style of prose might pose a hurdle too, but it's worth persevering, if you find the style difficult. That said, it's not dense or difficult, but it is singular.

This is a startling debut, which sounds like one of those trite soundbites to sell a book, but in this case it's genuinely true.

This book cuts deep. It's about love, friendship, being Black in a world that looks at you without seeing you. But it's also about the hurt and fear carried and hidden by Black men and how that plays out for Black women.

This book is short, but it's saying so much. Highly recommend. It should be on literature reading lists. So good.

Content Warnings

sof7's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

caitlin1066's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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