A review by francestal
The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

“Welcome home, daughter.”

A heartfelt letter to mothers, daughters, sisters, and immigrants wrapped in a teleserye/soap opera style book that felt like home. Full disclosure: I am extremely biased being the eldest daughter of immigrants. Despite that, the book felt like a hug from my mom, my grandmas, and all the women who came before me. I laughed, I cursed characters I hated, I cringed with secondhand embarrassment, I cried (the first time I shed tears for a book), but most importantly, I learned. My only regrets about the book were that the ending felt a bit rushed and I wished I could read spin-offs about each of the daughters. Some might say the ending doesn’t feel satisfying enough, that the characters haven’t grown out of each of their unique stubbornness, but I think that is the nature of this story. The story pushes readers to see life through a more empathetic and graceful lens. It encapsulates the non-linear and ever-evolving journey of mending parent-child relationships.