A review by lit_vibrations
You're Breaking My Heart by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich

emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A story of siblinghood, grief, guilt, and the supernatural. The author takes us on a powerful journey with Harriet Adu as she experiences grief following the death of her brother. Harriet knows it’s her fault even though it’s really not but in her mind it is. 

Soon she’ll learn the tongue is a powerful thing and you should be careful what you wish for. The morning she had an argument with her brother Tunde and wished he was dead was also the same day she lost him. The situation was a tragic coincidence yet Harriet can’t let go of the fact she feels she’s to blame. 

This book had a great premise and I loved the direction it was headed with the magical realism spin. But I think that’s where the book began to veer off from its original point. I would’ve liked more backstory on the underground city Harriet, Luke, and Nikka ventured into. Was it a real place or something they imagined. This was the only part of the book that didn’t make complete sense to me. 

The pool seemed to be a symbolic place for Harriet since it’s where she usually felt free. When she had a supernatural encounter in the pool and sees a glimpse of Tunde’s ghost Harriet questions the impossible. That part made me wonder if maybe certain things began to manifest around her because she spoke them into existence. 

Overall, this was a great speculative novel certain elements gave off a Don’t Look Under the Bed meets Us theme. The author did well providing vivid depictions of the scenes and characters. Special thanks to the author, @levinequerido, & @hearourvoicestours for my gifted copy‼️