Easy fun read with a lot of unexpected character/dynamic nuances. However, I could sorta feel the author smirking at her cleverness during these nuances- they were definitely not invisible lol.

I'm not totally sure what genre this fits into--I suppose the closest is contemporary fiction?
I listened to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator did a great job!


This was told in two perspectives, despite having almost three main characters? I kept expecting to get a Kelly POV, and I think that the point of not getting his POV was to leave his character ambiguous. Alix is convinced that Kelly is a man who fetishizes Black culture and women, while Emira is less certain this is so. Plus, Kelly is saying that Alix comes from a racist background/family and her relationship with Emira isn't what it seems like. I think by not having his POV, the reader is forced to draw their own conclusions as to his thoughts about both women.

I was frustrated with some of the 'most important' key points of the book--a young Alix probably shouldn't have called the cops when guys she sorta knew showed up at her house. Why not talk to them first? Why did Kelly do nothing? So she jumped the gun, but also that main kid who got in trouble WAS there knowing he'd not been invited and knowing the adults weren't there, PLUS he did have cocaine...? Like he def was responsible for his own choices too.
Then for Alix to be still hung up on this event, it's haunted her for 14+ years? Also, Alix asks Emira to take the toddler out of the house late at night--why not have her play with her upstairs? Or in the backyard? Another reviewer points out that this is sort of the point, Alix was flawed and selfish.

While not exactly brimming with exciting plot, I was pulled along with the audiobook. Especially as Alix got weirder and weirder. I found myself early in the book being somewhat sympathetic to Alix, but as we learned more and more of her thoughts on Emira, on having a relationship with her, and on her feelings toward Kelly... ultimately I was surprised by her character! Just that I felt like Alix sort of went off the deep end. We know she releases the video and that's awful, of course. Then we learn about her true high school experience that she's been covering up/lying to herself for years??? and how she was just sorta nuts.

As many reviewers point out, this book is exploring the 'white savior' in both Kelly and Alix. And ultimately how these two ostensibly well-meaning liberal people try to "help" Emira without actually talking to her, or even ignoring her. And then make things worse/harder for Emira.

While bringing up the topic of race and doing it well, imho this book lacked a real emotional bang to resonate with me m0re strongly/lastingly.