Scan barcode
A review by seawarrior
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
In the acknowledgments of this book, Morgan Rogers describes her work as a "triumph" and I have to say I agree. Honey Girl explores multiple hurdles causing its title character to stumble off the path she had meticulously followed her entire adult life, until she starts to question whether she should even step back onto it at all.
Our protagonist, Grace, is introduced to us newly graduated from a PhD program in astronomy, and just married to a hazy siren of a woman she hardly knows and remembers more like a dream than a real girl. Days prior she had stormed out of the high-level position she was groomed for her by her academic mentor after enduring a tirade of racist microaggressions and accusations from her interviewers. Her future in her field, her family, and in her haphazard marriage weigh on her and soon inspire overwhelming levels of anxiety she has to unravel with help from others. While Grace may feel lonely and like a disappointment to herself and her parents and mentors, she is surrounded by love. She's practically glowing with it, as love flows towards her like sunlight from those devoted to her. They lift her up through their words, their acts of physical reassurance, and their belief that she is brimming with potential as certain as the universe is vast. Each passage of the love expressed between Grace, Yuki, and their friends on either side of the continental United States was uplifting to say the least, and definitely my favorite part of the reading experience. It's easy to imagine how Grace has survived the rigorous studies and racist microaggressions of her astronomy program with these people to support her and remind her of her worth.
The majority of the book winds through Grace's reluctance to accept that she's allowed to want things that aren't practical, that aren't grinding, that aren't her adamant idea of "the best". Witnessing her work through her emotions and grow into a person who is kinder to themselves and no longer aiming to be perfect is rough but rewarding to read. Many will likely relate to Grace's frustrations in forming the future she dreamed of and strived towards, but this book is especially written to validate and encourage Black LGBTQ+ women who find themselves expected to be stronger than everyone else, yet still dismissed when they've met these racist demands. Grace eventually learns that her "best" future is one she wants to enjoy living, and that ending her guilt over seeking it will be an arduous but possible process. Each character in this book was created with thought and love that shines through on the page, even when their imperfections are being highlighted. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciations stories with characters who seem three-dimensional enough to be real people. My only regret in reading this is that it ended, I will sorely miss spending time in Grace's universe.
Our protagonist, Grace, is introduced to us newly graduated from a PhD program in astronomy, and just married to a hazy siren of a woman she hardly knows and remembers more like a dream than a real girl. Days prior she had stormed out of the high-level position she was groomed for her by her academic mentor after enduring a tirade of racist microaggressions and accusations from her interviewers. Her future in her field, her family, and in her haphazard marriage weigh on her and soon inspire overwhelming levels of anxiety she has to unravel with help from others. While Grace may feel lonely and like a disappointment to herself and her parents and mentors, she is surrounded by love. She's practically glowing with it, as love flows towards her like sunlight from those devoted to her. They lift her up through their words, their acts of physical reassurance, and their belief that she is brimming with potential as certain as the universe is vast. Each passage of the love expressed between Grace, Yuki, and their friends on either side of the continental United States was uplifting to say the least, and definitely my favorite part of the reading experience. It's easy to imagine how Grace has survived the rigorous studies and racist microaggressions of her astronomy program with these people to support her and remind her of her worth.
The majority of the book winds through Grace's reluctance to accept that she's allowed to want things that aren't practical, that aren't grinding, that aren't her adamant idea of "the best". Witnessing her work through her emotions and grow into a person who is kinder to themselves and no longer aiming to be perfect is rough but rewarding to read. Many will likely relate to Grace's frustrations in forming the future she dreamed of and strived towards, but this book is especially written to validate and encourage Black LGBTQ+ women who find themselves expected to be stronger than everyone else, yet still dismissed when they've met these racist demands. Grace eventually learns that her "best" future is one she wants to enjoy living, and that ending her guilt over seeking it will be an arduous but possible process. Each character in this book was created with thought and love that shines through on the page, even when their imperfections are being highlighted. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciations stories with characters who seem three-dimensional enough to be real people. My only regret in reading this is that it ended, I will sorely miss spending time in Grace's universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Sexual content, and War