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priscilla_smith15's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful book that makes you think about yourself, your friends, family, and what it means to be a human. I wish this book never ended
colleen_lacey's review against another edition
3.0
This was a heartfelt exploration of family, responsibility, and self-discovery through the eyes of Maddie, a young woman trying to find her place in the world while balancing the care of her father with Parkinson’s. At times, I felt a strong connection to Maddie—her emotions, challenges, and journey felt genuine and interesting. However, as the story progressed, I found myself gradually checking out of the plot. The pacing became uneven and I wished the plot and descriptive moments had been more consistently engaging so I could have stayed closer to Maddie throughout. Instead, the more the story drifted and switched around, the harder it became to care deeply about different moments in her story. It still provides a thoughtful glimpse into cultural identity, personal growth, a sense of feeling “behind”, and family values. It’s a solid debut with moments of emotional depth, but it could have benefited from more engaging pacing to keep readers fully invested in the book’s themes.
phdyke444's review against another edition
5.0
I think it took me so long to finish this because I didn't want to admit how much I liked it or how much I could feel the words on a deep and personal level. It might not be likely but Jessica George, I hope you're reading this:
I feel like you wrote this book for me. Maddie and I are different in a lot of ways but we couldn't be more alike. The obsessive googling and over-pathologizing every single thing, the fear that you've never lived, the all-encompassing sadness, the complex west-african parents. There wasn't a single time that I picked up this book without crying somewhere in the middle or laughing out loud. These aren't experiences I see in contemporary literature and I am grateful for whatever I get, but this was truly a masterpiece, a tour de force if you will.
I resisted falling in love with this book because for a while I craved a more despondent and philosophical outlook, I wanted more brooding, less charisma. But I found myself sucked in so forcefully, I couldn't help but nod in agreement, even when agreeing meant rolling my eyes.
Jessica George, you are truly something special. I hope you know that, okay?
I feel like you wrote this book for me. Maddie and I are different in a lot of ways but we couldn't be more alike. The obsessive googling and over-pathologizing every single thing, the fear that you've never lived, the all-encompassing sadness, the complex west-african parents. There wasn't a single time that I picked up this book without crying somewhere in the middle or laughing out loud. These aren't experiences I see in contemporary literature and I am grateful for whatever I get, but this was truly a masterpiece, a tour de force if you will.
I resisted falling in love with this book because for a while I craved a more despondent and philosophical outlook, I wanted more brooding, less charisma. But I found myself sucked in so forcefully, I couldn't help but nod in agreement, even when agreeing meant rolling my eyes.
Jessica George, you are truly something special. I hope you know that, okay?
melindahp23's review against another edition
3.0
Nina George has great potential. I wish the story and the character had gone a little deeper. It felt held back. I hope bravery prevails and she goes all in next time!
cloudnuevereads's review against another edition
5.0
I am shook that this is a debut novel! I went in cautiously, due to the hype around this book. But of course, I loved it. I saw SO MUCH of myself in Maddie. Once she made that Lizzie McGuire reference, I knew she was my girl. Her family dynamic was very much like mine. First-gen immigrants, narcissist mother, taking care of dad and an older brother that’s selfish and infantilized. My 22yr old self felt so affirmed reading this. This book gave me all the feels and I LOVED the ending. Such a satisfying read.
kawai_kanealii's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful, powerful, and poignant debut novel. This book tugged on so many of my heartstrings - the grief that comes with loss, the daily experience of people of color, and feeling like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. My only struggle came from the FMC’s age. She’s in her early 20’s and there were some spots that felt uncomfortably juvenile for me; however, they were few and far between, and overall I’m glad I finally crossed this one off my TBR.
powlita's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me feel like maybe I really do need therapy.
It was relatable from the POV of an eldest daughter, as a daughter of immigrant parents, and as a member of the dead dad club.
It made me want to hug my mom.
It was relatable from the POV of an eldest daughter, as a daughter of immigrant parents, and as a member of the dead dad club.
It made me want to hug my mom.
hlsinger's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is a lovely coming-of-age story. It deals with a lot of heavy subjects in a digestible way, with some humour mixed in. Maddie was flawed but authentic, and I really related to her struggles with mental health. She was very naive, and while it can be assumed a lot of that is due to her being such a late bloomer, sometimes I was shaking my head at just how clueless she was. The Parkinson’s storyline was also very close to my heart due to my own family experiences and dynamics.
mynameismarines's review against another edition
I read this as part of my project to read all of the books nominated for a 2023 Goodreads Choice Award in the debut category. Unfortunately, this is a St. Martin's Press title, so I will be withholding my review and my rating until the end of the boycott.