ryebread1998 's review for:

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
3.0
funny hopeful slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I appreciated the message the author was trying to get across. There aren’t many stories of an almost 30 year old black lesbian navigating messy relationships, burnout, and self discovery. However, the book fell flat for me. 

What I didn’t like:  
  • the main character was unlikeable
  • Pacing was slow, drags in beginning and then picks up towards end
  • Underdeveloped supporting characters
  • Came across a bit unrealistic in some parts (the premise of a legit drunk marriage kinda throws logic out the window but I ignored it for the sake of the story)
What I liked:
  • discussion of systemic issues, especially in academia 
  • What we saw of the side characters I did like
  • Discussion of mental health
  • Navigating difficult relationships

Overall it was a decent read. It involves romance, but it’s mostly about the main character, Grace, and her delayed journey into adulthood after completing her PhD. While I really wish it had delved deeper into some of the topics and the relationships and characters, maybe it’s better it didn’t because despite the topics, it didn’t feel heavy or dark. I think the author struck a balance between light and heavy. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short read with a diverse cast.