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A review by bibliozord
No Reservations by Sheryl Lister
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
a heartfelt novel about Black sisterhood, Black joy, and Black love. i was immediately drawn into the bond between joy, diane, and rochelle. their friendship felt authentic and layered, with each woman navigating her own struggles while showing up for one another in meaningful ways. it’s rare to find a story that balances the complexities of individual journeys and the strength of collective support so well, but this book nailed it. joy, diane, and rochelle are fully realized characters with distinct voices, and their dynamic made the story feel alive. honestly, it read like a movie—I was hooked from start to finish and could easily picture every scene playing out on screen.
one aspect of the book that didn’t sit well with me was the recurring mentions of diets and the fatphobic comments directed at rochelle, who is described as being a size 14 and struggling with an ED. the way bigger bodies and diets were discussed felt unnecessary at times and could be especially triggering for readers because of how harsh and dismissive some of the language was. it pulled me out of the story and made certain moments difficult to sit with. that said, i did appreciate that the narrative didn’t leave rochelle to deal with her struggles alone. her loved ones stepped in with genuine care, supporting her as she worked through her challenges with body image, which offered a thoughtful and much-needed counterbalance to the negativity.
overall, this story is a celebration of friendship, resilience, and love, and despite its flaws, it’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the final page.
one aspect of the book that didn’t sit well with me was the recurring mentions of diets and the fatphobic comments directed at rochelle, who is described as being a size 14 and struggling with an ED. the way bigger bodies and diets were discussed felt unnecessary at times and could be especially triggering for readers because of how harsh and dismissive some of the language was. it pulled me out of the story and made certain moments difficult to sit with. that said, i did appreciate that the narrative didn’t leave rochelle to deal with her struggles alone. her loved ones stepped in with genuine care, supporting her as she worked through her challenges with body image, which offered a thoughtful and much-needed counterbalance to the negativity.
overall, this story is a celebration of friendship, resilience, and love, and despite its flaws, it’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the final page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infertility, and Infidelity
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent