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annamay1021'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Infertility, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Racism, and Child abuse
bookishevy's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Philadelphia, 1950s: Intelligent fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearshall is on her way to becoming the first in her family to go to college. When a taboo love affair threatens to squash her dreams, Ruby must decide what kind of future she wants and how much she is willing to sacrifice to have it.
Washington D.C.: Eleanor Quarles leaves her small town in Ohio to attend Howard University. She and William Pride, who hails from one of D.C.'s elite Black families fall in love, but his colorist mother already has a woman from another wealthy, light skinned Black family picked out for her son. Eleanor is hoping a baby will ease her assimilation into William's world, but she has a secret that could jeopardize their plans to start their own family.
Eventually, Ruby and Eleanor's stories intercept when they both make decisions they believe would secure their futures.
In this story that explores Black womanhood and motherhood, the reader is taken on a journey of the lengths some women would go to to get what they want. I'm not just talking about Ruby and Eleanor. Yes, they're the main characters, but Ruby's mother is one of the reasons she did what she had to do. Ines is one of those mothers who puts men over her daughter, and Ruby is determined not to end up like her mother, having to depend on a man. Eleanor's mother-in-law Rose is a meddling busy body who would do anything for William and her family's reputation.
Ruby and Eleanor must confront racism and classism on their journeys. Ruby has to navigate a racist system to give herself a chance at the life she envisions. Eleanor has to put up with Rose's attitude, which is fueled by this belief that close proximity to whiteness equals success.
I really enjoyed this audiobook. Alexis Blake and Nicole Lewis are excellent as Ruby and Eleanor, respectively, and their portrayals of the supporting cast kept me engaged. That epilogue gave me chills.
Moderate: Child abuse
reutermiriam'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Child abuse
daniber's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Moderate: Miscarriage, Abortion, Infertility, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Blood, and Bullying
_booksandbells'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
4.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Child abuse
thissagreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
All in all, I thought the story was a fresh perspective with the 2 character perspectives.
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Racism, and Child abuse
Minor: Racial slurs and Abandonment
squintingqueen'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? No
4.75
It not only showed the struggles of race/colorism, it shows how opportunities and treatment differ based on class/wealth which isn't unusualunfortunately.
I appreciated the journey I was taken on while reading for sure.
Minor: Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Racism, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Infertility, Child abuse, and Classism
moniipeters'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Death, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Violence, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Confinement, and Cursing
chinelo_'s review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcohol, Classism, Infertility, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
ruffian23'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism, Grief, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Infertility, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
Minor: Slavery and Rape