A review by sallyreb
Harmless Like You by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan

3.0

I feel conflicted about this novel. I was really drawn to Yuki’s story but found the other part of the book, Jay’s story, less than compelling. I’m not sure that I'll remember much of this book in a few months time.

Yuki is a shy a teenager in late-60s NYC, an aspiring artist, who convinces her parents to allow her to stay in the city, living with a friend, to finish high school when her parents return to Japan. Yuki soon finds herself in a relationship with an older man, drops out of high school and tries to make a life and pursue art. Her son, Jay, left by Yuki as a child and raised by his father, is struggling with fatherhood and family responsibility. Jay to track his mother down after his father passes and leaves his childhood home to her.