SYNOPSIS

Right before a life-changing vocal performance, the subject of Tina’s hit song shows up to confront her, creating a snowball effect on her and her family’s lives.

What could happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC.

Pick up this book ASAP!

This is a historical, contemporary fiction book told in the third person from Nancy and Tina’s perspective, who are mother (Nancy) and daughter (Tina). It’s set in Sweden, though Nancy is from Gambia.

This book is a dual timeline, flipping between the past with Nancy’s perspective and the present with Tina’s perspective, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the characters.

It stressed me the f**k out. If you’ve followed my stories on Instagram, you know that within the first 10% of the book, my jaw already dropped because of how messy it was. I was hooked and so much is revealed that changes how Tina experiences the world. From there, things only get more emotional, more serious, and a little heavy.

I find this book to be tragic in some ways but explaining that would contain spoilers. This book depicts different life lessons. For me, it shows how generational trauma can manifest, how one person and/or decision can change your entire life, how some people can bring you down, and how holding onto hurt can cause more hurt to those around you, intentionally or not. There are also themes related to identity- who you are, who you were, who you could’ve been, and who you can be.

Both characters make hard choices and end up in difficult situations. I don’t know if I have a favorite character. This story made me empathetic and understanding both of the leads, who I wholeheartedly appreciate, even though I question some of their choices.

Lars though is the worst and if he ever has zero haters, I’m dead.

Read for:

🎤 Historical fiction

🎤Dual Timeline

🎤 Family drama

🎤 Secrets revealed

🎤 Set in Sweden, from Gambia

🎤 Emotional read

OVERALL

Overall, I give this a 5 out of 5 stars. This is in my top 3 books that I’ve read this year. It delivered for me on different levels from being layered, to incorporating history, and being a vulnerable story with lessons that can be relevant in any woman’s life.