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januaryghosts'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, and Sexual violence
Minor: War and Gun violence
fieldsandfeels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape and Racism
sparklingpynk's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, War, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Hate crime, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
isabellew27's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
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
hennesieinthepages's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Moderate: Racism and Gun violence
joslynschafer's review against another edition
- 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
leahkarge's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Violence, Rape, Racism, Sexual violence, Blood, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Classism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Antisemitism, War, and Police brutality
siobhanward'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
However, there were some solid aspects to the story. Ana was a well-written character, especially for a 15 year old trying to navigate immigrating, learning a new language, abuse, relationships, etc. I think Cruz setting the story during wartime in the Dominican Republic while having the bulk of the story taking place in the United States added a lot and really reinforced Ana's feelings of isolation. I think I just struggled because for so long Ana just feels so helpless and it was hard to read. The story was well-written, but I just don't know what it offered.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: War, Pregnancy, and Death
sarahelem's review against another edition
Take note: this book is very trigger heavy.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: War, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Deportation, Colonisation, Antisemitism, Hate crime, Gun violence, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Incest, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Infidelity