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bookishmillennial'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
Wow, this blew me away!
In 1965, 15-year-old Ana is married off (they fake her age to be 19 instead on official papers) to Juan (double her age!!!!!) and moves to the United States (New York), leaving her family, friends and only life she has ever known in the Dominican Republic. Her mom hopes that Ana will be able to find a job and send money back home, eventually having enough money and connections to bring the rest of her family to NYC. It is a grim transition and Ana is incredibly isolated, lonely and scared to be on her own with her new husband.
As Ana navigates Juan’s infidelity, his anger, and an apartment that leaves her wanting, she begins to realize that a life with Juan is not all her mom talked it up to be. When Juan leaves Ana to go back to the DR for a bit, she begins leaning into her independence, learning English, and taking initiative to do things on her own, like dance and go to the beach! She also spends a lot of time with Juan’s brother Cesar, who had convinced her to stay in the states after she had tried escaping back home. Ana finds herself and her voice and learns about deception, betrayal and how dire consequences can be when you put your faith in the wrong people.
Ana’s journey is so traumatic; I can only imagine. To think of myself or anyone at 15 years old navigating what Ana was forced into is devastating. And yet, Ana keeps it moving! I was so incredibly proud of her at the end of this novel, and while I’m deeply sorry she had to endure everything she did, I admire her growth, perseverance, courage, and honesty. She eventually refuses to accept being a passenger in her life and takes on the driver’s seat, which felt impossible at the beginning of her journey. I will absolutely read more from Angie Cruz in the future, and the audiobook narration was excellent as well!
See content warnings below (some are more graphic than others, but they all hit very hard. Characters display a lot of anti-Blackness, misogyny & even use the word “retarded”) & take care while reading.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexism, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Cursing, Blood, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
joslynschafer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
liannaengland's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Animal death, and Pedophilia
kaitsarago's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
angiepoggi's review
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Sexism, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
talonsontypewriters'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Death, Grief, Incest, Gun violence, War, Alcohol, Child death, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Car accident, Colonisation, Excrement, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Vomit, Ableism, Abortion, Antisemitism, and Drug use
Smoking. Strangulation/suffocation. Colorism, antiblackness.notjillsanders's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content
joelleen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Racism, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Gun violence, Death, Confinement, Child death, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, War, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
becks_books's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Infidelity and War
cozylifewithabby's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Pedophilia, and Rape