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A review by rachelditty
It's Not Like It's a Secret by Misa Sugiura
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The first half of this book had a strong grip on my attention, but the second half fell flat. Following Sana as she navigates her new life in California, learning she is attracted to girls, and having to carry around the weighted expectations of her family and the secret of her father's affair were all such compelling plot points that were really well executed in the first half of the story. It was great to watch Sana make friends at her new school, find solidarity with other Asian students that she never had with her white friends back in the Midwest, and develop a friendship (and eventual relationship) with Jamie.
But as the story went on and Sana continued digging herself into holes, there were never any consequences for her actions. For example, when she's being blatantly and extremely racist toward Jamie and her friends, all that happens is Sana is pulled aside and talked to by Jamie, and the issue is never brought up again. Then the next time we see Sana interact with Jamie's friends at the end of the book, everything is fine between them. The group of friends is never allowed closure with Sana's racist views of Mexicans.
And the entire storyline with Sana cheating on Jamie with [his name is slipping my mind, I think it was Caleb but I'm not sure] made me absolutely furious to the point I was pacing around listening to the audio book wondering how the hell this story was going to wrap up. Sana hurt the feelings of her two best friends, made them both believe she was in a relationship with them, and then by the end of the book they're all fine? I'm not going to lie, I was almost hoping Jamie wouldn't take her back. There was resolution, but it felt too unrealistic - the forgiveness happened so fast and it didn't seem like it should've happened at all.
On a more positive note, it was great to read from the perspective of a young girl of color trying to understand herself more and learn from the mistakes of herself, her peers, and her parents.
Given that this is an own-voices novel, my opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. Overall stellar beginning, but the resolutions fell flat and weren't satisfying.
But as the story went on and Sana continued digging herself into holes, there were never any consequences for her actions. For example, when she's being blatantly and extremely racist toward Jamie and her friends, all that happens is Sana is pulled aside and talked to by Jamie, and the issue is never brought up again. Then the next time we see Sana interact with Jamie's friends at the end of the book, everything is fine between them. The group of friends is never allowed closure with Sana's racist views of Mexicans.
And the entire storyline with Sana cheating on Jamie with [his name is slipping my mind, I think it was Caleb but I'm not sure] made me absolutely furious to the point I was pacing around listening to the audio book wondering how the hell this story was going to wrap up. Sana hurt the feelings of her two best friends, made them both believe she was in a relationship with them, and then by the end of the book they're all fine? I'm not going to lie, I was almost hoping Jamie wouldn't take her back. There was resolution, but it felt too unrealistic - the forgiveness happened so fast and it didn't seem like it should've happened at all.
On a more positive note, it was great to read from the perspective of a young girl of color trying to understand herself more and learn from the mistakes of herself, her peers, and her parents.
Given that this is an own-voices novel, my opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. Overall stellar beginning, but the resolutions fell flat and weren't satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Homophobia
Moderate and graphic depictions of cheating when in committed relationships.