Month: July 2023

By: Alli Frank & Asha Youmans

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

TLDR: Nina Morgan Clarke is a first-gen Jamaican-American, PhD, new Head of private school, divorcee, mom to a strong-willed teen, and all around bad-ass. Her mid-life surprise isn’t necessarily surprising, but what I love about this novel is that it’s about so much more than Nina’s romantic life. She’s dynamic, she’s a force to be reckoned with, and you’ll want to be part of her inner circle too.

The Longer Review: Nina has kicked ass over the last couple of years to achieve her goals and create the life she wants to live. Want the dream leadership role? Get a PhD. CHECK. Want to appease the ex and the teenager? Send her to the prestigious boarding school across the country. CHECK. Make sure your dad is okay following the loss of your mom. CHECK.

When a brief celebratory girls trip leads her to meet Leo, life takes an interesting turn for Nina. Like the boss she is, she tackles everything with poise and grace – but you can only avoid processing the emotions of everything for so long. This new romantic relationship poses challenges for Nina that force her to re-frame her own perspectives and make room for things she hadn’t previously considered. But what was the most fun about this novel was that new love didn’t equal entirely new life. It was so inspiring and empowering to get to see Nina tackle her career and the challenges at work head-on while still juggling the challenges in her romantic and personal lives. A reminder to us all that while sometimes the world may expect us to be everything to everyone – we get to choose the things that matter to us at the end of it all.

This novel made me laugh out loud many times. Marisol and Roan, two of Nina’s friends, are also very dynamic characters and will make you want to join in on the regular salon dates. Fitzroy – Nina’s dad – is a parent to us all. Xandra – Nina’s daughter – is every bit the frustrating teenager and yet the daughter that we’d all be proud to have. Kudos to the authors for creating such relatable, and meaningful characters.

By: Genevieve Wheeler

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

TLDR: At a certain point I could not put this down. I was so enthralled by the story line and the characters. I laughed, I cried, I loved and I loathed. This novel is incredible. Don’t miss it.

The Longer Review: I love a novel that leaves me feeling so connected to the character(s). This one is so beautifully written and offers so many insights into human behavior and decision-making. I want to be Adelaide’s friend; I want to be friends with her friends. So many times I just wanted to offer her a hug, or tell her that of course she’s amazing. Anything that inspires that level of emotional response typically ends up on my must-read list.

Adelaide is a US expat in London, finishing up a Master’s Degree in Communications when she meets and falls in love with Rory. This is so much more than a love story though. It visits and emphasizes the power of female friendships, learning to stop comparing yourself to others, the struggle of overcoming trauma and grief, and the importance of taking care of yourself in order to properly care for others.

The “Aha!” moment in this novel is breath-taking. And it has absolutely nothing to do with a romantic relationship, but rather Adelaide’s relationship with herself. AND I ABSOLUTELY ADORE THAT. Read this. Like yesterday. And then come back here and tell me what you think about it!

Up Next: The Better Half, by Ali Frank & Asha Youmans. A random discovery via the Mindy Kaling Book Studio.

By: Krystle Zara Appiah

Recommend

TLDR: This book follows Efe on her journey through adolescence into adulthood, and Sam her best friend (and eventual husband). Their relationship – like most – brings twists and turns. The age-old question returns: Can a relationship work when people want entirely different things out of life? This gets a “recommend” because I was in literal tears at the ending – even if not entirely surprised by it.

The Longer Review:

The book starts with a jolt; Efe is gone and Sam has no idea where she went. He can’t get a hold of her; he only knows that she’s left him with their 4-year-old daughter, Liv. Each chapter of this novel is part of a countdown, though to what exactly you’re not sure.

Efe’s been through a lot – her childhood was far from picture-perfect. So it comes as no surprise to the reader that she’s not all that interested in becoming a mother. When Efe does eventually find her place in the world as an agent to artists and an employee of an art gallery, she’s not thrilled to learn that she’s pregnant. Sam, however, has dreamt of building the family he never had. Efe knows how much a baby means to Sam – her teenage best friend – so with his promises of support agrees to something she expressly stated she never wanted. The typical challenges of parenthood are combined with each of their personal and professional challenges to create the perfect storm.

It was interesting to read the opposing perspectives, to understand each of them completely, and to still hope that this couple could make it. I really enjoyed the character development, and how real each one of them seemed. Again – I fully sobbed at the end of this story. Give it a read and let me know what you think!