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bookishkellyn's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
- 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
3.5
Maleek’s life becomes complicated when he has to acknowledge his abandonment issues after accepting guardianship of his two half-siblings. His life becomes simpler when Nuri–a former elementary school teacher recovering from PTSD–enters his life as their caregiver but also steals his heart. This book was trying to be deep, but the dialogue and plot were basic. I wanted to rate it lower, but Maleek and Nuri together were just too cute.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Body shaming, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Grief, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Blood, and Emotional abuse
sarah_thebooknerd's review
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Narrators: Jakobi Diem and Nicole Small; I loved the audio narrators! Pretty much anything Jakobi narrates I will love.
Reading Challenge: #Thediversebaseline; reading prompt: BIPOC and Fat MC/ written by BIPOC author and the 24 books by 24 friends
The FMC, Nuri is homeless, living in her car and needing a new job. She applies to be the nanny for hockey player, Maleek who is raising his siblings after the death of his father. Nuri is comfortable in her body as a fat woman and just living her life. There is fat shaming from a side character towards Nuri. When Nuri first starts as a nanny for Maleek she is attracted to him and he is with her as well but he is engaged to someone else who is struggling with his new guardian role.
When I tell you there is some drama with the fiancé turned ex in this book, I mean there is some drama. She does not take it well to being dropped for the kids but even worse when she realizes that Nuri is his new partner. The story and characters were the plus for me with this one. I also was laughing out loud at one point in this book when Maleek happens to come home when Nuri is trying to have some alone time.
Maleek is still engaged until about 40% point of this book, so the pacing was just off for me for them because they had to rush their romance/ love connection to make the other aspects of the story work. If there was more time spent on them falling and connecting outside of the bedroom, I would have loved this book even more.
CW: fat shaming, miscarriage (graphic), stalking, death of a parent, abandonment, mass shooting ( mentioned), emotional abuse- child
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Stalking, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse
stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Goal by Alexandria House
Content warnings: Nuri was a teacher at a school that had an active shooter event, and she struggles with PTS from that event. This story also includes parental abandonment, neglect, and emotional abuse, toxic family members, and fatphobia. Nuri has a miscarriage and the story shows her deep depression, and the whole family's grief and sadness. The author takes good care of the characters and they get their happy ending. Take care of yourself when reading.
This is the third time I've read this book. First from the library and then I purchased it. If you love something from the library, and you have the means, support your favorite authors.
Things I am here for:
"the one and only NHL team that could proudly boast of being black owned and black coached, not to mention its roster full of black players." I dream of when professional ice hockey gets to this goal!
Nuri's amazing heart and her light
Maleek's steadfast belief that Nuri is his One ❤️
Found family, and Miss Iesha coming home
Instalove!
Nuri loving every one of her curves!
The steam!!!!!!!!!
Therapy for everyone
No doormats here!
There are so many things that I've highlighted in this book. Here are a couple of my favorites.
"A lot of women would rather lose a leg than be fat. It didn’t bother me because my appearance was my business. I loved myself, always had."
"I didn't understand love before Nuri.
Now, I do."
"Yes, I was nice, but I wasn’t a damn doormat."
This is my fifth book for #23for23
This is my 15th book for #24for24
Content warnings: Nuri was a teacher at a school that had an active shooter event, and she struggles with PTS from that event. This story also includes parental abandonment, neglect, and emotional abuse, toxic family members, and fatphobia. Nuri has a miscarriage and the story shows her deep depression, and the whole family's grief and sadness. The author takes good care of the characters and they get their happy ending. Take care of yourself when reading.
This is the third time I've read this book. First from the library and then I purchased it. If you love something from the library, and you have the means, support your favorite authors.
Things I am here for:
"the one and only NHL team that could proudly boast of being black owned and black coached, not to mention its roster full of black players." I dream of when professional ice hockey gets to this goal!
Nuri's amazing heart and her light
Maleek's steadfast belief that Nuri is his One ❤️
Found family, and Miss Iesha coming home
Instalove!
Nuri loving every one of her curves!
The steam!!!!!!!!!
Therapy for everyone
No doormats here!
There are so many things that I've highlighted in this book. Here are a couple of my favorites.
"A lot of women would rather lose a leg than be fat. It didn’t bother me because my appearance was my business. I loved myself, always had."
"I didn't understand love before Nuri.
Now, I do."
"Yes, I was nice, but I wasn’t a damn doormat."
This is my fifth book for #23for23
This is my 15th book for #24for24
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Fatphobia, Blood, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Mass/school shootings
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