nhdk 's review for:

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney

5.0

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This book is about race and identity, about facing your fear, falling in love and all the ugly pieces inside us. It is a beautiful story that everyone should read. Quinn obsessively writes out her secrets, fears, truths and darkness into lists. Secrets she kept safe until one day it gets lost and a blackmailer finds it and forces her to confront one of her lists or face public shame. Quinn is a character with huge depth, undergoing a difficult change, having to face truths about herself, her race and the society she's been brought up in. Quinn has to choose whether to confront herself and those she loves, or continue living as a coward. Goffney taps into a universal truth in this book, all humans, no matter their race or identity have darkness inside them and all of them can face it and find the light if they're brave enough. I loved this story, I loved the romance, the side characters, everything. I hope this book finds a home with many, many readers.