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connieevans's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
Wow. This broke my bloody heart. One of the most powerful novels I have read in a while. Think it will take a few days for this one to fully settle and for me to order my thoughts properly.
sjd's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
litwithleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Penguin Random House Canada for my gifted copy. IYKYK my reviews are always honest.
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 2.5/5
THE PLOT
17-year-old Kiara, left to her own devices without help from her older brother, turns to prostitution to make ends meet.
MY OPINION
This was a difficult read because it was a deluge of traumatic events. Prostitution, abuse of all forms, death, murder, etc... Not to mention the dirty cops. Kiara never got a break. And on top of that, she became a stand-in mom to Trevor while his real mom hit the block looking for a fix.
Keeping in mind that Leila Mottley was only 17 years old when she started writing this, I think she has potential to be a great writer. There were several introspective quotes throughout this story, but sometimes it was trying too hard to be deep. I think this can be attributed to the author's age—teenagers can have moments of lucid brilliance sandwiched between notions that dating an older man is totally normal because "I'm really mature."
I found the ending particularly weak. After such a compelling story about the horrors Kiara faces as a young prostitute and the fallout from the OPD scandal, the author forces things to end on a high note. But instead of closing the book with hope, I found myself feeling uneasy, wondering: what TF is gonna happen to Kiara now!!? She can't be on the streets anymore because she's too famous for her own good. And what about lil Trevor, shuttled off to some foster care family?? Who will he grow up to be?? And Marcus??? There were so many frayed edges. I felt like Kiara was in deeper shit by the end of the whole ordeal.
All in all, an impressive undertaking by a young author. At 17 I was skipping a record breaking number of classes LOL. I definitely wasn't selling my manuscript at an auction to publishers all over the world lol.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: at times, thoughtful, poetic prose, enjoyed the fictionalized version of the OPD scandal
Cons: did not feel authentic at times—some major themes left unexplored after being briefly mentioned, ending was contrived, at times overwritten and awkward
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 2.5/5
THE PLOT
17-year-old Kiara, left to her own devices without help from her older brother, turns to prostitution to make ends meet.
MY OPINION
This was a difficult read because it was a deluge of traumatic events. Prostitution, abuse of all forms, death, murder, etc... Not to mention the dirty cops. Kiara never got a break. And on top of that, she became a stand-in mom to Trevor while his real mom hit the block looking for a fix.
Keeping in mind that Leila Mottley was only 17 years old when she started writing this, I think she has potential to be a great writer. There were several introspective quotes throughout this story, but sometimes it was trying too hard to be deep. I think this can be attributed to the author's age—teenagers can have moments of lucid brilliance sandwiched between notions that dating an older man is totally normal because "I'm really mature."
I found the ending particularly weak. After such a compelling story about the horrors Kiara faces as a young prostitute and the fallout from the OPD scandal, the author forces things to end on a high note. But instead of closing the book with hope, I found myself feeling uneasy, wondering: what TF is gonna happen to Kiara now!!? She can't be on the streets anymore because she's too famous for her own good. And what about lil Trevor, shuttled off to some foster care family?? Who will he grow up to be?? And Marcus??? There were so many frayed edges. I felt like Kiara was in deeper shit by the end of the whole ordeal.
All in all, an impressive undertaking by a young author. At 17 I was skipping a record breaking number of classes LOL. I definitely wasn't selling my manuscript at an auction to publishers all over the world lol.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: at times, thoughtful, poetic prose, enjoyed the fictionalized version of the OPD scandal
Cons: did not feel authentic at times—some major themes left unexplored after being briefly mentioned, ending was contrived, at times overwritten and awkward
pmrichard1's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed and always found myself wanting to be reading this, despite the awful subject matter. Appreciated how the ending wasn’t unrealistically positive (especially given the truth it’s based on) but still did end in a very meaningful way for the characters.
natanna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
stoprhymingandimeanit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Trafficking
sunshine_sophia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
this book was heartbreaking, raw, emotional, and infuriating. this book showcases what so many women, particularly women of color and queer women, experience regularly. i was not surprised to find out this this book was based on real events because of the unfortunate reality of sexual exploitation of women and girls of color, especially at the hands of white cops. this is an incredibly timely reading, and i unfortunately think it always will be.
this book is incredibly moving and emotional. i felt like i was right next to kiara through it all. i felt her emotions, her pain, her hopelessness, her struggle. i felt so deeply connected to and with her. i haven’t felt that deeply connected to a character in a long while.
this was a beautifully heartbreaking read, one that won’t ever leave my mind or heart. i’m torn between telling everyone i know to read this book and clutching it to my chest and guarding it with my life. (i will do the former because this is a story that deserves to be told but i am protective and don’t want anyone to talk badly about it).
to all the kiara’s, alé’s, trevor’s, camilla’s, and marcus’s: you deserve the world 🤍
this book is incredibly moving and emotional. i felt like i was right next to kiara through it all. i felt her emotions, her pain, her hopelessness, her struggle. i felt so deeply connected to and with her. i haven’t felt that deeply connected to a character in a long while.
this was a beautifully heartbreaking read, one that won’t ever leave my mind or heart. i’m torn between telling everyone i know to read this book and clutching it to my chest and guarding it with my life. (i will do the former because this is a story that deserves to be told but i am protective and don’t want anyone to talk badly about it).
to all the kiara’s, alé’s, trevor’s, camilla’s, and marcus’s: you deserve the world 🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Trafficking
Moderate: Police brutality, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Transphobia
books212's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
whitgilk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Racism, Death, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, Rape, Police brutality, Sexual violence, and Trafficking