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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
started: 04/01/25
finished: 04/02/25
format: 📱🎧
genre: women’s fiction/AA
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- many social injustice situations
- neurodivergent
- britttany & kemi were my favorite stories
- many social injustice situations
- neurodivergent
- britttany & kemi were my favorite stories
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Kemi….girl, wtf!
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this book much more than I actually did. The premise was really interesting, and to the author's credit, the portrayal of three different experiences of being a Black woman in Sweden was really well done. That being said, I couldn't wrap my head around some of the decisions the characters made, specifically Brittany and Kemi. For example, I couldn't for the life of me understand what Brittany saw in Jonny - he struck me as a red flag from the minute they met . Muna's character didn't feel like she was explored with enough depth compared to the other two women, which made the whole story feel too shallow. I also HATED how Muna's story ended. I read the author's explanation for why all three characters got "tragic" endings, and I understand the point she was making, but she did Muna SO dirty. I am going to read the sequel, because I borrowed both books on Libby and because I want to know how the characters' stories wrap up, but unfortunately I can't say I liked this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book would have earned a perfect 5 stars, if some of the accented dialogue had been better. The American, Jamaican, and Gambian accents are horrible. The Swedish accents are excellent. The storyline and concept for the book are clever, thought-provoking, and engaging. I really enjoyed this book.
I'm not sure I have ever read a novel that has taken on so many social issues at once, and executed them so well- and so naturally. It would be easy to describe this book in terms of the topics it addresses- racism, xenophobia, class, misogyny, poverty, status. However, it is really about 3 incredible women navigating life in Stockholm at different levels of society and the struggles each encounters along her way to achieving the status she desires.
It might have been tempting to have these 3 women become best friends, supporting each other through the ups and downs. However, Akerstrom's decision to keep the characters separate for the most part, enhances that feeling of not fitting in, loneliness- and being utterly alone.
The other surprising aspect of the novel is that despite being written in a fun, 'women's fiction' way, with comedy, sex and family issues, the book ends as a tragedy. This comes as a shock for the reader, and a deliberate one, setting the novel apart from others by Black authors. As Akerstrom puts it herself 'how could I transparently address Black joy when we're still not confronting the problems that prevent Black women from thriving here?'
It might have been tempting to have these 3 women become best friends, supporting each other through the ups and downs. However, Akerstrom's decision to keep the characters separate for the most part, enhances that feeling of not fitting in, loneliness- and being utterly alone.
The other surprising aspect of the novel is that despite being written in a fun, 'women's fiction' way, with comedy, sex and family issues, the book ends as a tragedy. This comes as a shock for the reader, and a deliberate one, setting the novel apart from others by Black authors. As Akerstrom puts it herself 'how could I transparently address Black joy when we're still not confronting the problems that prevent Black women from thriving here?'
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This book quickly climbed to the top of my favorite reads of 2021. So did I fangirl when the author liked my five star rating? Yes, yes I did.
Complex characters. Excellent writing. Heart wrenching stories. This book has it all. I hope Lola Akinmade Akerstrom writes more fiction because I can't wait to read more from her.
Complex characters. Excellent writing. Heart wrenching stories. This book has it all. I hope Lola Akinmade Akerstrom writes more fiction because I can't wait to read more from her.
It was interesting to have an insight into Sweden.
I pushed through, but Kemi and Brittany are frustratingly self destructive. Kemi & Brittany being in positions where they were with black men, leave them, and then are tempted by these white privileged men who destroy. Muna also deserved better. Her whole story was trauma porn that replaced any potential for character development. To be honest, none of the characters developed, Kemi and Brittany end up making the same mistakes again.
I pushed through, but Kemi and Brittany are frustratingly self destructive. Kemi & Brittany being in positions where they were with black men, leave them, and then are tempted by these white privileged men who destroy. Muna also deserved better. Her whole story was trauma porn that replaced any potential for character development. To be honest, none of the characters developed, Kemi and Brittany end up making the same mistakes again.