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nothingforpomegranted's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When uptown lawyer Frank Tripp discovers Mamie Greene and her sister, daughters of one of his wealthiest and most reliable clients, gambling in a casino multiple times within the course of a few weeks, he takes it upon himself to protect Mamie from the dangers of downtown. What Frank doesn't expect, though, is for Mamie to be resentful of his "help" and perfectly capable of exploring and avoiding those dangers herself, slyly pickpocketing one of her tablemates and taking solo trips downtown as a charity project.
Having recently come to terms with her own privilege and the vast disparities between her life and the lives of people only a few miles away on the island of Manhattan, Mamie becomes passionate about pursuing equity and providing what she can to support the women and children she encounters. When one of these women is arrested for the murder of her abusive husband, Mamie swallows her pride and approaches Frank for legal representation.
Frank is hesitant to damage his precarious reputation as one of uptown's best lawyers, but, of course, is convinced by Mamie's begging, and ultimately, the two navigate institutional and experiential privilege, poverty, murder, and the law, antagonizing and attracting each other all along the way.
This was fun, escapist, and engaging. I recognize and respect the opinions of reviewers who felt like this was a farcical depiction of charity and privilege and those who were disappointed in the physical-only chemistry between Frank and Mamie. I, too, would have liked to see more of Frank's family dynamics and Mamie's relationship with her mother, but I was satisfied. For me, this book got me out of my head on a tough day, and that's exactly what I was going for. I will definitely be reading more Joanna Shupe.
Having recently come to terms with her own privilege and the vast disparities between her life and the lives of people only a few miles away on the island of Manhattan, Mamie becomes passionate about pursuing equity and providing what she can to support the women and children she encounters. When one of these women is arrested for the murder of her abusive husband, Mamie swallows her pride and approaches Frank for legal representation.
Frank is hesitant to damage his precarious reputation as one of uptown's best lawyers, but, of course, is convinced by Mamie's begging, and ultimately, the two navigate institutional and experiential privilege, poverty, murder, and the law, antagonizing and attracting each other all along the way.
This was fun, escapist, and engaging. I recognize and respect the opinions of reviewers who felt like this was a farcical depiction of charity and privilege and those who were disappointed in the physical-only chemistry between Frank and Mamie. I, too, would have liked to see more of Frank's family dynamics and Mamie's relationship with her mother, but I was satisfied. For me, this book got me out of my head on a tough day, and that's exactly what I was going for. I will definitely be reading more Joanna Shupe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
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