Scan barcode
tlaynejones's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
This was just what I was looking for, a queer contemporary/ lit fic novel about being a person. Then when it opened with a quote from Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom, a book I loooooved, I was so excited. Ultimately I did enjoy this novel about a Black woman coming to terms with who she is, while also grappling with developments in her romantic relationship, and the insidious racism permeating her professional life. I will definitely read another book by this author. My only real issue was that I found the story a little too drawn out. Recommended for when you are in the mood for a dive into the mind of a relatable but hugely conflicted protagonist. CW for Racism and some homophobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Ableism, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Moderate: Gaslighting, Fatphobia, and Abandonment
stellahadz's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.25
"You feel like your world changed without your permission."
This book perfectly captures the feelings of shame and disappointment that come with adult life not panning out the way you wanted or expected. I loved Mickey's voice and her introspections about her work, her relationships, her family, and the level of control she can exert (or not exert) over her own life. I also thought the book did an amazing job of expressing the complex feeling of being known and seen in different ways by people from different parts of your life. Tembe Denton-Hurst is a very talented writer, and I look forward to reading more from her.
My only complaint is that the book's description felt a little misleading - the "media scandal" that brings Mickey back into the spotlight doesn't happen until very late in the book, and as a result the last 75 pages or so feel quite rushed and the ending wasn't as satisfying as I would have liked. I expected a bit more flashy drama, but the book was overall on the introspective side. I still enjoyed it, but I think the premise of Mickey returning to her hometown to escape her disappointment in herself and her life would have been strong enough to stand on its own.
This book perfectly captures the feelings of shame and disappointment that come with adult life not panning out the way you wanted or expected. I loved Mickey's voice and her introspections about her work, her relationships, her family, and the level of control she can exert (or not exert) over her own life. I also thought the book did an amazing job of expressing the complex feeling of being known and seen in different ways by people from different parts of your life. Tembe Denton-Hurst is a very talented writer, and I look forward to reading more from her.
My only complaint is that the book's description felt a little misleading - the "media scandal" that brings Mickey back into the spotlight doesn't happen until very late in the book, and as a result the last 75 pages or so feel quite rushed and the ending wasn't as satisfying as I would have liked. I expected a bit more flashy drama, but the book was overall on the introspective side. I still enjoyed it, but I think the premise of Mickey returning to her hometown to escape her disappointment in herself and her life would have been strong enough to stand on its own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Fatphobia, Cultural appropriation, and Body shaming
mackenzbee's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I truly believe that this just isn’t the book for me. I do think it’s well written and the author did a good job of channeling the emotions of the characters, I just didn’t enjoy the lack of character development. I also don’t enjoy infidelity in books, and that plot point just fully ruined Mickey for me. Overall, not for me but I would be willing to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Racism
brotestantethic's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really, really raw. There were so many things to be celebrated here, and so many others that fell so completely flat.
Every single character in this book is a walking red flag, including main character Mickey. Mickey victimizes herself in her interpersonal relationships to an overwhelming extent, which contributes to the rawness of it. I really liked the notion that a woman can both stand for Black queerness and be flawed. I do think this would have been effective had she grown in a more obvious way. The homecoming is smart in that it suggests a rebirth, but Mickey falls back into the same patterns when she moves back to New York. At the end, she’s succumbed to capitalistic expectations that she previously criticized.
The plot is poorly spaced. The beginning is arguably the best part of the book, the middle is drawn out, and the ending is severely rushed.
Every single character in this book is a walking red flag, including main character Mickey. Mickey victimizes herself in her interpersonal relationships to an overwhelming extent, which contributes to the rawness of it. I really liked the notion that a woman can both stand for Black queerness and be flawed. I do think this would have been effective had she grown in a more obvious way. The homecoming is smart in that it suggests a rebirth, but Mickey falls back into the same patterns when she moves back to New York. At the end, she’s succumbed to capitalistic expectations that she previously criticized.
The plot is poorly spaced. The beginning is arguably the best part of the book, the middle is drawn out, and the ending is severely rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, and Racism
Moderate: Lesbophobia
peachani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Racial slurs, Abandonment, Alcohol, Fatphobia, and Cultural appropriation
calamitydane's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
I'm in love with this book. I ate it up. The characters were lovable and relatable and flawed in a way that made them so real. The literary voice was very strong. It felt like sitting down with friends and listening to them vent. And it really showed some stuff that people like me don't see but is reality for so many people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Racism, and Body shaming
maceydowns's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Mental illness, Homophobia, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
tbagherlee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book mostly because it reminded me of people I love who have had experiences like this. I liked the queerness being a central focus. (I will think a long time about the quote about being in a woman’s arms was the closest Mickey felt to God). Small detail but I enjoyed the names of characters in this book: I thought they were unique without being too out there. I wish I had more closure with the ending and where things landed for Mickey, and I wish the plot just moved faster. But this is not a book you read for plot. Even with parts of Mickey I didn’t relate to, I still enjoyed reading her story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
preciouslittleingenue's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Chatted with someone in Sapphlit about this, and she said the synopsis wasn't very accurate. I hadn't actually read it before diving in, so I did, to see if she was right. And she was. The synopsis kind of hypes it up to be more than what it really is. It makes it seem like this reclaiming-energy narrative where Mickey gets back at the company and finds herself...and that really wasn't it at all.
I waited weeks and weeks to get this audiobook on Libby, missed the book club discussion for JUNE because I didn't get it until AUGUST. So I expected a lot. But it was just kind of a slog to get through. When I really love a book, I'm hitting play whenever I'm doing ANYTHING, and it even makes me WANT to get stuff done while it's playing, because it makes it enjoyable. This was just...not enjoyable. I wasn't necessarily bored, but I was also not at all engaged.
I had really high hopes at the beginning. I really thought Lex and Mickey's established relationship was very sweet and I found myself shipping them right away. But once the cracks began to show I was like ohhhh shit. Yeah this isn't great. I get where they were both coming from, but your SO's mother tearing you down and the SO doing nothing to intervene is really psychologically damaging, so in that way I think Mickey was right for wanting to break up. I don't think Lex really understood the severity of that. At the same time, Mickey went total self-destruct after her termination, which is valid and understandable, but the people you live with can only be understanding for so long. I was so excited to see this dynamic play out and resolve, but it just...didn't.
I don't condone cheating, but I understood why Mickey slept with Ti, and frankly, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same if I was in that exact position. But again, it didn't RESOLVE. It just jumped to the end. The transition to the very zoomed out narration of how the tweet blew up was REALLY jarring, and I had to go all the way back to the previous chapter to make sure I hadn't completely dazed out while a smoother transition was happening. Nope. It really was that abrupt. And then we're at the morning show interview, nothing is resolved with Lex, or really within Mickey herself, and then it just...ends. Without even knowing how the interview goes or what comes of it for her. I just don't really understand what I was supposed to get from this book. It had so much potential that just built and built and then it ended on literally nothing. I haven't watched the author interview from Sapphlit yet so maybe that will illuminate, but also I should be able to figure it out without talking to the author.
So, yeah. I did find the writing gorgeous, near exquisite in some places, so that's why I gave it one star extra than I'd like to.
I waited weeks and weeks to get this audiobook on Libby, missed the book club discussion for JUNE because I didn't get it until AUGUST. So I expected a lot. But it was just kind of a slog to get through. When I really love a book, I'm hitting play whenever I'm doing ANYTHING, and it even makes me WANT to get stuff done while it's playing, because it makes it enjoyable. This was just...not enjoyable. I wasn't necessarily bored, but I was also not at all engaged.
I had really high hopes at the beginning. I really thought Lex and Mickey's established relationship was very sweet and I found myself shipping them right away. But once the cracks began to show I was like ohhhh shit. Yeah this isn't great. I get where they were both coming from, but your SO's mother tearing you down and the SO doing nothing to intervene is really psychologically damaging, so in that way I think Mickey was right for wanting to break up. I don't think Lex really understood the severity of that. At the same time, Mickey went total self-destruct after her termination, which is valid and understandable, but the people you live with can only be understanding for so long. I was so excited to see this dynamic play out and resolve, but it just...didn't.
I don't condone cheating, but I understood why Mickey slept with Ti, and frankly, I can't say I wouldn't have done the same if I was in that exact position. But again, it didn't RESOLVE. It just jumped to the end. The transition to the very zoomed out narration of how the tweet blew up was REALLY jarring, and I had to go all the way back to the previous chapter to make sure I hadn't completely dazed out while a smoother transition was happening. Nope. It really was that abrupt. And then we're at the morning show interview, nothing is resolved with Lex, or really within Mickey herself, and then it just...ends. Without even knowing how the interview goes or what comes of it for her. I just don't really understand what I was supposed to get from this book. It had so much potential that just built and built and then it ended on literally nothing. I haven't watched the author interview from Sapphlit yet so maybe that will illuminate, but also I should be able to figure it out without talking to the author.
So, yeah. I did find the writing gorgeous, near exquisite in some places, so that's why I gave it one star extra than I'd like to.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
citybookspgh's review
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
A young woman confronts racism in the publishing world. Subplot is a Sapphic love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Classism, Racism, and Gaslighting