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bootrat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Infertility, Mental illness, Sexual content, Vomit, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I listened to the audiobook via Libby and really enjoyed listening to Bahni Turpin prove why she’s the baddest in the game once again. Every time her voice graces my ears, I am so delighted!
There were some questionable moments from characters, like calling the Vietnamese shop the “Chinese shop” (but I recognize they were kids when they made this reference! I’m just saying!) The mom who was losing her memory alluded to some transphobia, but it was challenged by the main character!
Besides this, I did enjoy this contemporary fictional story based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about an almost-39-year-old woman, Skye (who defines herself as “mostly lesbian”) who suddenly finds out she has a 12-year-old daughter, Vicky! Wild premise. She begins to fall for her daughter’s adoptive aunt Faye, and while denying any feelings to her bestie V, she generally struggles with allowing anyone to get too close to her anyway, because she’s sure they’ll leave anyway and they never care as much as they claim to. In this world? Fair. I can’t blame her too much.
Anyway, I loved the relationships that inevitably grew and evolved with her biological daughter Vicky, Faye, her mom, her brother & her bestie! I thought they all provided mirrors to Skye to show different parts of her, but all of them were worthy of being loved. I also thought her friendship with the reverend was tender, and so authentic. The queer community historically does not have the best relationship with any kind of religious entity, and I appreciated how genuinely open and compassionate the reverend was. It’s hard to not project our own familial trauma onto the next generation, and I was really proud of Skye for her journey!
steam rating: 2 out of 5
I listened to the audiobook via Libby and really enjoyed listening to Bahni Turpin prove why she’s the baddest in the game once again. Every time her voice graces my ears, I am so delighted!
There were some questionable moments from characters, like calling the Vietnamese shop the “Chinese shop” (but I recognize they were kids when they made this reference! I’m just saying!) The mom who was losing her memory alluded to some transphobia, but it was challenged by the main character!
Besides this, I did enjoy this contemporary fictional story based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about an almost-39-year-old woman, Skye (who defines herself as “mostly lesbian”) who suddenly finds out she has a 12-year-old daughter, Vicky! Wild premise. She begins to fall for her daughter’s adoptive aunt Faye, and while denying any feelings to her bestie V, she generally struggles with allowing anyone to get too close to her anyway, because she’s sure they’ll leave anyway and they never care as much as they claim to. In this world? Fair. I can’t blame her too much.
Anyway, I loved the relationships that inevitably grew and evolved with her biological daughter Vicky, Faye, her mom, her brother & her bestie! I thought they all provided mirrors to Skye to show different parts of her, but all of them were worthy of being loved. I also thought her friendship with the reverend was tender, and so authentic. The queer community historically does not have the best relationship with any kind of religious entity, and I appreciated how genuinely open and compassionate the reverend was. It’s hard to not project our own familial trauma onto the next generation, and I was really proud of Skye for her journey!
steam rating: 2 out of 5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Medical content, Dementia, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.0
A witty, humorous and heartfelt story about a woman who finally settles down and learns to appreciate the meaning of home. I loved Vicky’s and Faye’s characters, but Skye was grating at times. She was very funny, though. The book is fast-paced and kept me hooked from chapter one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, and Abortion
jet's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Skye is funny and real and flawed. Laughed out loud several times at her awkwardness and commentary. A great story about community and connectedness. Characters with depth and backstories that don't feel forced. Also I love Philly and I love lesbians.
And this beautiful quote "People let us down. We let them down. Letdown is inevitable, Sister Skye. But, you know what else is inevitable? If you allow yourself to close that distance? Connection. Joy."
And this beautiful quote
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, Police brutality, and Abortion
elliez's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It took me a minute to get used to the main character, Skye, with her attitude and potty mouth, but I ended up loving her and cracking up at her thoughts and actions, especially when she meets Vicky, "her egg" for the first time (she sold her eggs to a friend to help her out years ago). A scene where Skye trying to escape by climbing out a bathroom window and Vicky catching her doing it is hilarious! Her blundering and awkwardness in certain situations made her relatable. The author did an amazing job of bringing all the characters to life. They felt so real to me. Also, the characters love for the city of Philadelphia was palpable. It gave me a longing to be able to live in a place where I could just chill out on the front porch and enjoy the sights and sounds of neighborhood.
Skye's redemption arc is drawn out, but that was realistic for her nature and with her background. And it was also very much worth it.
Last but not least, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Bahni Turpin, was AMAZING!
Highly recommend!
Skye's redemption arc is drawn out, but that was realistic for her nature and with her background. And it was also very much worth it.
Last but not least, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Bahni Turpin, was AMAZING!
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Police brutality
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
annastasia_will's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the best books I’ve read all year!
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Abortion
tinytrashqueen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Abortion and Sexual harassment
hyac1nthgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mckenzie is so freakin funny, i loved this book. though my frustration with skye was constant, im sure that that allowed for me to appreciate her growth even more. very emotional at times, but nicely wrapped with a few laughs. my only complaint is that the last 30ish pages felt rushed? not complete? out of place? but still a satisfying ending with the epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Infertility, Mental illness, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
stacy837's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infertility, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
suzyreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thx @randomhouse for the free e-copy 💖
This is a funny, fast-paced, heartfelt book that centers Black queer women & reads like a love letter to West Philly. Skye, a Black lesbian in her late 30s, is hesitantly forging a relationship with a 12 y old girl who was conceived w her donor egg. As she tentatively settles back into her hometown for the first time in years, she’s forced to confront all that she’s been avoiding.
—
Things I loved:
-The engaging first person POV: lots of sarcastic quips, occasionally breaking the fourth wall, and quickly oscillating between cheesy humor & candid realizations. Similar to Sam Irby’s style.
-This book handled a lot of subjects in a nuanced and sensitive way. I loved the way two medical situations were discussed throughout:
➡️The impact of Faye and Cynthia’s family history of cancer: grieving the loss of loved ones, fearing their own diagnoses, making life decisions based on that risk. As a cancer genetic counselor, I’d consider sharing this w patients. I think it would be really validating, esp since media representations of familial cancer often stop at white celebrities.
➡️Skye’s challenging relationship with her newly disabled mother: far from a straightfwd disability narrative, this highlighted the messy nuances of having somebody in your life who really hurt you, but is now in need of your help. A situation where you’ll never get an apology for the irreparable harm they did to you, & and you have to decide if you can still move forward together.
-There’s a sweet sapphic subplot, & I loved the inclusion of sex scenes that aren’t just magically perfect from beginning to end.
-casual lesbian, bi, & trans rep! untranslated Spanish dialogue!
—
I did find the commentary on gentrification to be somewhat lacking—while it spoke a lot about the changing demographics of Philly, there were a few lines that implied that new businesses being Black-owned made up for gentrification. Gentrification is an issue of race and class, and I personally wanted more exploration about class and the issues with Black capitalism. But also 1 contemporary fiction book can’t do it all lol.
Content warnings: police brutality, parental abuse, sexual assault, gentrification, grief, cancer, death of a parent, traumatic brain injury, memory loss, transphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Ableism and Abortion
Gentrification