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aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
After her father's death, Enore and her family move from Nigeria to a small town in New York. To prepare herself for her senior year of American high school, she watches her cousin's old teen movies on an ancient DVD player. From these movies, she creates a list of rules to follow, like never attract attention to yourself, avoid the popular kids, don't make any enemies, etc. etc. She becomes a bit of a recluse, until she meets Davi, one of the only other people of color at their school (his parents immigrated from Brazil). Though there is a romance, this book is mainly about Enore's journey to finding herself and creating her own path. She discovers and nurtures a passion for singing and theater, and for the first time, it dawns on her that she could do this for a living; she doesn't have to be a doctor like her mother wants.
This book deals with the grief of suddenly losing a parent and the culture shock of moving from a country where you are in the majority to a country/town where you are the minority, having to now deal with racism and bigotry and microaggressions for the first time. It also contends with the difficulties of multicultural dating. Because they grew up in such different cultures, Enore and Davi sometimes have trouble communicating and understanding each other. Davi doesn't understand why Enore can't just pursue her passion instead of conforming to her mother's demands.
Enore, her sister Esosa, and their mother were such layered and complex characters that other side characters fell a bit flat. I didn't feel the romantic connection between Enore and Davi, though I liked them both as individual characters (Esosa stole the show, though, in my opinion!). I liked that Davi pushed Enore to be her true self and find happiness after loss, but it felt like he was just a plot device or means to an end. His backstory felt a little rushed and incomplete.
The ending felt rushed. I didn't like the time jump, because it completely skipped overthe decision to stay in America.
I'm glad I read this book, and I think Jane Igharo has filled a much needed gap in young adult (and adult!) fiction with the cultural conversations she covers.
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the advanced copy of this book!
This book deals with the grief of suddenly losing a parent and the culture shock of moving from a country where you are in the majority to a country/town where you are the minority, having to now deal with racism and bigotry and microaggressions for the first time. It also contends with the difficulties of multicultural dating. Because they grew up in such different cultures, Enore and Davi sometimes have trouble communicating and understanding each other. Davi doesn't understand why Enore can't just pursue her passion instead of conforming to her mother's demands.
Enore, her sister Esosa, and their mother were such layered and complex characters that other side characters fell a bit flat. I didn't feel the romantic connection between Enore and Davi, though I liked them both as individual characters (Esosa stole the show, though, in my opinion!). I liked that Davi pushed Enore to be her true self and find happiness after loss, but it felt like he was just a plot device or means to an end. His backstory felt a little rushed and incomplete.
The ending felt rushed. I didn't like the time jump, because it completely skipped over
I'm glad I read this book, and I think Jane Igharo has filled a much needed gap in young adult (and adult!) fiction with the cultural conversations she covers.
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for the advanced copy of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness and Racism
booksylibros's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
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