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hdunscombe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Emira has just come out of a racially charged situation at a grocery store. During an unexpected late-night babysitting outing, a fellow shopper and a security officer corner Emira, who is Black, and insinuate that she has kidnapped her almost 3-year-old charge, who is white. What ensues is several months of convoluted attempts to move on, between Emira, her employer, her significant other, and the very loveable toddler that Emira just wants to spend her shifts cherishing.
The subtlety between these interconnected relationships is phenomenal. Reid has us convinced that Emira's employer and boyfriend each believe they have Emira's interests at heart, but as weedy histories, offhand comments, and questionable behaviors are revealed, their respective intentions get called into question more and more.
Despite the heavy premise, this story has so many moments of delight, especially when it comes to deep female friendship, early adulthood habits and settings, awkward motherhood/caretaker moments, and the silly seriousness of the toddler who is at "such a fun age".
I loved seeing Emira's perspective in contrast with her employer's within the same scenes; the latter was often sanctimonious and obsessive when it came to her "sitter", while the latter saw through all of it with a sigh and an eye roll. And despite her employer's and boyfriend's insistence that they are each looking out for her, their self-interest, privilege, and opposition to each other obscure Emira's true interests at every turn.
Aside from the toddler's absolutely ADORABLE questions, Emira's loveable group of quippy friends, and Reid's stellar dialogue, my favorite aspect of this book is how stealthily Reid inspires compassion for the individuals making Emira's life so complicated. I often found myself thinking, "Aww [they] are trying so hard to have their heart in the right place..." before remembering, "Wait - this is so messed up!" These characters convince themselves that actions like phone stalking, infantilization, gaslighting, white saviorism, fetishizing, tokenizing, and virtue signaling are actually all protecting Emira - as if she needs protection as a 25-year-old adult. Yet they are still humanized by Reid's their (albeit twisted) beliefs that they are doing the right thing, and Reid's dialogue. In the end, both spend so much time pointing fingers at each other for racism, that they forget their own.
There is also an unknowability to Emira's white boyfriend that makes him feel especially realistic. Without his point of view, we only see his track record of surrounding himself with Black friends, exclusively dating Black women, inserting himself into the racially charged inciting incident as if he is an authority on race relations, taking Emira to a white-friendly coded bar, and casually not censoring a racial slur as if he is part of the community it denigrates. We don't know the motivation behind these actions, so we're left to draw conclusions along with Emira. He is a good mirror of individuals in the real world who believe themselves to be woke and anti-racist because they can recognize overt racism, yet obliviously display a subtler form racism and white privilege in how they move through the world.
Finally, I adored the ending. At first, I worried that Emira would reconnect with her boyfriend after she learns that he did not leak a video of the grocery store incident. But she steers clear and moves on from the complete tornado of relationships she's been stuck in and starts fresh. And even projecting a decade into the future, Reid does not spend any time on the status of Emira's love life, because it was her independence, contentment, and professional satisfaction that were at the heart of this story - not these things in relation to anyone else. It was also realistically bittersweet that in order to advocate for herself, Emira couldn't hold onto everything she wanted. Sometimes chasing one goal means letting go of something else. Emira had to let go of her deep relationship with the toddler she loved so dearly, and as a result, resigned to the fact that this child would grow up closer to her selfish employer's image than she would have otherwise.
The subtlety between these interconnected relationships is phenomenal. Reid has us convinced that Emira's employer and boyfriend each believe they have Emira's interests at heart, but as weedy histories, offhand comments, and questionable behaviors are revealed, their respective intentions get called into question more and more.
Despite the heavy premise, this story has so many moments of delight, especially when it comes to deep female friendship, early adulthood habits and settings, awkward motherhood/caretaker moments, and the silly seriousness of the toddler who is at "such a fun age".
Aside from the toddler's absolutely ADORABLE questions, Emira's loveable group of quippy friends, and Reid's stellar dialogue, my favorite aspect of this book is how stealthily Reid inspires compassion for the individuals making Emira's life so complicated. I often found myself thinking, "Aww [they] are trying so hard to have their heart in the right place..." before remembering, "Wait - this is so messed up!" These characters convince themselves that actions like phone stalking, infantilization, gaslighting, white saviorism, fetishizing, tokenizing, and virtue signaling are actually all protecting Emira - as if she needs protection as a 25-year-old adult. Yet they are still humanized by Reid's their (albeit twisted) beliefs that they are doing the right thing, and Reid's dialogue. In the end, both spend so much time pointing fingers at each other for racism, that they forget their own.
There is also an unknowability to Emira's white boyfriend that makes him feel especially realistic. Without his point of view, we only see his track record of surrounding himself with Black friends, exclusively dating Black women, inserting himself into the racially charged inciting incident as if he is an authority on race relations, taking Emira to a white-friendly coded bar, and casually not censoring a racial slur as if he is part of the community it denigrates. We don't know the motivation behind these actions, so we're left to draw conclusions along with Emira. He is a good mirror of individuals in the real world who believe themselves to be woke and anti-racist because they can recognize overt racism, yet obliviously display a subtler form racism and white privilege in how they move through the world.
Finally, I adored the ending. At first, I worried that Emira would reconnect with her boyfriend after she learns that he did not leak a video of the grocery store incident. But she steers clear and moves on from the complete tornado of relationships she's been stuck in and starts fresh. And even projecting a decade into the future, Reid does not spend any time on the status of Emira's love life, because it was her independence, contentment, and professional satisfaction that were at the heart of this story - not these things in relation to anyone else. It was also realistically bittersweet that in order to advocate for herself, Emira couldn't hold onto everything she wanted. Sometimes chasing one goal means letting go of something else. Emira had to let go of her deep relationship with the toddler she loved so dearly, and as a result, resigned to the fact that this child would grow up closer to her selfish employer's image than she would have otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, Vomit, Police brutality, and Death of parent
mayog's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
I listened to this as an audiobook. It is an engaging as any telenovella, but in the process illuminates the "soft" kinds of racism among "progressive" white folks all the while being a coming of age story of a young adult Black woman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Toxic relationship
This isn't a 19th century book about slavery. This is a 21st century book that gives the lie that somehow we are post-racial by exposing the racism and classism of wealthy white folks in satirical, often funny ways. If you are triggered by false accusation of a crime and the threat of (but no actual) police involvement, you should be aware that the opening scene involves something like this.sandysmith's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
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
3.5
A thought provoking read. Emira babysits for the eldest child, Briar, for Mr Peter and Mrs Alix Chamberlain. The initial premis is that Emira is accused of kidnapping Briar in a grocery store, which is videoed. It's a story of white saviour complexes. It's hard-hitting but somehow easy to read. I really disliked Alix, and her behaviours were challenging in that she thought she was doing the right thing, but she was actually stalker-ish and inappropriate in her actions. Race, white privilege, class, power dynamics, wealth, money, careers, and lack of personal direction and identity are tackled. It's funny in parts but also incredibly sad and uncomfortable reading. Challenging and thought-provoking view of the white saviour complex. Read as part a book club during black history month which fitted the bill perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
Minor: Police brutality
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.5
I really liked how different emira and alix’s perspectives were i feel like often in books they’re very similiar or one character kind of knows things that it doesnt make sense for their character to know and it feels like the author got them a bit blurred but it felt really clear in this
I feel like the tension was so well biolt as well, like I absolutely did not want to keep reading it near the end… but like also i didnt want to stop
I did in fact also shed a tear so point for that ig
I dont understand the title though and i very strongly dislike this cover/sprayed edges/striped end pages, there was just a lot going on
The writing in this was actually so good though, likethe slow reveal of alix as a shitty person- look it wasnt always that slow i know that but you get what i mean- emira looking through what alix has decided is her love for her briar and sees how full of inconsistencies it is while you cant rly see that from alix’s perspective was so good
I feel like the tension was so well biolt as well, like I absolutely did not want to keep reading it near the end… but like also i didnt want to stop
I did in fact also shed a tear so point for that ig
I dont understand the title though and i very strongly dislike this cover/sprayed edges/striped end pages, there was just a lot going on
The writing in this was actually so good though, like
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racism, and Toxic relationship
siriface's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Police brutality
kiwichill's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
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
A fresh take on race and how biases can influence our decisions throughout life. It wasn't a predictable book and kept me interested throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
nanirump's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
At first I wasn't so sure what it was trying to say but then everything creeps in on you and sucks you in. I thought it was subtle enough with race issues that it didn't seem like it smacked you in the face but made you really think about it. I thought the characters were all believable and Briar added comedic relief which was great. I really enjoyed this book and would read more from Kiley Reid.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Classism
bellebookstitch666's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Toxic friendship
muffinsforthesoul's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I finished this book in 3 days and I could’ve kept reading. The relationship between Kelley, Alix, Emira, Briar. I was pulled in and entertained, yet simultaneously upset, uncomfortable, and unsurprised. I rushed towards the end like seeing a car crash almost.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Toxic relationship
dielilla's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Classism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, and Alcohol