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wellreadsinger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Love is a powerfully transformative emotion and books like this make me consider the ways in which grief is the same. It has the power of a domino to not only effect you, but those that are trying to bolster you while shouldering their own grief.
Honestly, reading this book became a chore and not necessarily because we are with Eve as she processes her grief—that’s intentional as it makes you feel as if you’re experiencing the stages with her, but because of other things.
Eve and her family have the resources to get her professional help, but because of the harmful notion instilled in her young that black folk don’t talk to outside people about their issues, she practically refuses to consider it when it is (belatedly) presented to her. Her family could have offered to go to therapy WITH her since they were grieving too. Eve’s journey to healing was supported by a group of family and friends that loved her deeply, but no amount of love can save a person that does not want to help themselves.
That being said, a professional may have told Eve that her husband Quentin being close lipped about his demons and even about his traumatic childhood coincides with him not leaving a note before taking his own life. He probably did not want to burden his wife any further since she would have to mourn him.
Throughout the book Eve is harassed by Q’s (racist and grieving) mother. Aspen treated Eve horribly the duration of her marriage to Q and it irks me to no end that he never really checked his mom aside from one time.
Religion and preconceived notions taking priority over doing what was best to help made the healing journey more tedious when it didn’t have to be. This book missed an opportunity to show how family and connections rooted in love can come together even when a possible solution is not their prerogative. I commend the author for this necessary raw depiction of grief because it compels us as people to practice empathy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
nbreezy17's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
hannahglenn's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Pregnancy
elisabethshelby's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Whew.
This is undoubtedly both a beautifully written story about loss and grief and finding your way through the pain of your spouse dying, and a heavy, heartbreaking tale of the main character losing herself and her own life, so to speak, in discovering her spouse dead.
**CW** Suicide
It should be noted that this book is based heavily around Quentin's suicide, and the grief associated with that. The book goes into some details about how he died. I would warn that the reader should probably be a good head space to enjoy this book. I had to push this book back into my TBR pile when I was having my own anxiety issues.
That being said - I'm not sure I've ever read a book that so accurately and beautifully describes the grief a human can feel. The ups and downs that Eve felt as she came to terms with her husband's sudden departure is so painful to read because it is so relatable to the reader - her emotion is palpable on every page, and though I didn't agree with every choice she made throughout the novel, I understood that her decisions were being made when her emotional well being was at its lowest.
This book is a strong recommend read for me, though I'm not sure I'll be able to sit through a rereading of it anytime soon. Add this to your TBR pile this year, you won't regret it.
This is undoubtedly both a beautifully written story about loss and grief and finding your way through the pain of your spouse dying, and a heavy, heartbreaking tale of the main character losing herself and her own life, so to speak, in discovering her spouse dead.
**CW** Suicide
It should be noted that this book is based heavily around Quentin's suicide, and the grief associated with that. The book goes into some details about how he died. I would warn that the reader should probably be a good head space to enjoy this book. I had to push this book back into my TBR pile when I was having my own anxiety issues.
That being said - I'm not sure I've ever read a book that so accurately and beautifully describes the grief a human can feel. The ups and downs that Eve felt as she came to terms with her husband's sudden departure is so painful to read because it is so relatable to the reader - her emotion is palpable on every page, and though I didn't agree with every choice she made throughout the novel, I understood that her decisions were being made when her emotional well being was at its lowest.
This book is a strong recommend read for me, though I'm not sure I'll be able to sit through a rereading of it anytime soon. Add this to your TBR pile this year, you won't regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
jaynekernodle's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
katrod's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Sometimes I really shoot myself in the foot by not reading or remembering book blurbs.
This book is about a woman who just lost her husband to suicide, and having recently lost a friend to suicide, it wasn’t the right choice. Proceed with caution if you’ve lost a loved one or have any difficulty with mentions of suicide.
The grief in this book is overwhelming. It’s like you’re swimming in the ocean and all of a sudden you’re being pummeled by wave after wave with no relief or break to come up for air. It feels like drowning.
There wasn’t much else in this book except the processing of her grief and I just wasn’t ready.
This book is about a woman who just lost her husband to suicide, and having recently lost a friend to suicide, it wasn’t the right choice. Proceed with caution if you’ve lost a loved one or have any difficulty with mentions of suicide.
The grief in this book is overwhelming. It’s like you’re swimming in the ocean and all of a sudden you’re being pummeled by wave after wave with no relief or break to come up for air. It feels like drowning.
There wasn’t much else in this book except the processing of her grief and I just wasn’t ready.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Grief
bethanneguc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
loafyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Suicide, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
soobooksalot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Someday, Maybe is an amazing debut from Onyi Nwabineli.
Eve has lost her beloved husband, Quentin, to suicide. She found him. There was no note.
We are taken through her agony and grief, and get to know her family and friends as they struggle to keep her above water.
Eve goes through all the reactions from missing Q, to feeling abandoned and guilty for not knowing the "why", and reminiscing about their life together. All the while dealing with one of the more contentious inlaw relationships put to page.
"Closure is not promised. It is a gift, and my husband chose to keep it from me."
Despite the subject matter, Someday, Maybe is also darkly wry.
It's also a look into the different cultures that made up Eve and Quentin's relationship, with Eve's close-knit Nigerian family contrasting Quentin's aloof and unsupportive dynamic.
To sum up, Nwabineli's writing feels absolutely effortless and the characters are brilliantly created. So pleased to have made this my first BOTM pick. Recommended!
Eve has lost her beloved husband, Quentin, to suicide. She found him. There was no note.
We are taken through her agony and grief, and get to know her family and friends as they struggle to keep her above water.
Eve goes through all the reactions from missing Q, to feeling abandoned and guilty for not knowing the "why", and reminiscing about their life together. All the while dealing with one of the more contentious inlaw relationships put to page.
"Closure is not promised. It is a gift, and my husband chose to keep it from me."
Despite the subject matter, Someday, Maybe is also darkly wry.
It's also a look into the different cultures that made up Eve and Quentin's relationship, with Eve's close-knit Nigerian family contrasting Quentin's aloof and unsupportive dynamic.
To sum up, Nwabineli's writing feels absolutely effortless and the characters are brilliantly created. So pleased to have made this my first BOTM pick. Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Here are three things you should know about this book:
- It will emotionally eviscerate you
- It is an absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching portrayal of grief
- The love of this family is endless
And one thing you should know about me
- I read this whole thing in less than a week
bonus fact: No, I am not okay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism