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bootsmom3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
lololovesthings's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
1.5 stars.
"Everything's Fine" by Cecilia Rabess is, first and foremost, not a romance, and it was entirely mismarketed as such. It is an exploration of a toxic relationship between a white, conservative man who has no problem simultaneously flourishing in and ignoring a system that upholds white supremacy, and a progressive black woman who shrinks herself and falls into hypocrisy for the sake of a relationship with an imbalanced power dynamic that she should not be in in the first place, one that offers her comfort and security due to her proximity to the power that system upholds. The story seems to lack the conviction to take a firm stance on the issues it presents, instead, falling into the middle ground fallacy (where the truth falls in the middle of any argument). This book tries to make the audience understand both sides of the issues it presents. There can be no middle ground when someone's personhood and identity are on the line. There can be no "both sides" on issues of white supremacy. For some readers, the ending will come off as ironic, but for others, it will be affirming in the notion that everything *is* and *has been* fine when nothing could be further from the truth. We are meant to empathize with both characters, but I wound up hating them both. Josh does and says microaggression after outward aggression after gaslighty comment after overtly racist statement...and we're supposed to root for him to be with Jess because, why, exactly? Because he's a rich capitalist finance bro and he will keep her spineless and comfortable in a life where she is forced to diminish her thoughts and feelings and wants and needs and blackness and femininity so she can keep her proximity to the systems that oppress her? On top of this, they have virtually no chemistry with one another and seemingly hate (or at the very least, actively dislike) each other, which makes me wonder if Josh was only dating Jess because she's black! I struggled deeply to understand who this book's target audience was. It was very tiresome to read, and if I hadn't checked out the audiobook from Libby, I wouldn't have finished it. I don't think it's fair to the author that people have been rating this book 1 star without reading it first, but having read it, I almost wished I hadn't. I didn't find it to be ironic or sardonic, nor do I think it offers anything other than an excuse for brushing off people's racist tendencies under the guise of love or obligation. I'll say it again: there can be no "both sides" when it comes to racism. I can ascertain no deeper meaning here. I didn't like this book at all.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster, NetGalley, and Cecilia Rabess for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
"Everything's Fine" by Cecilia Rabess is, first and foremost, not a romance, and it was entirely mismarketed as such. It is an exploration of a toxic relationship between a white, conservative man who has no problem simultaneously flourishing in and ignoring a system that upholds white supremacy, and a progressive black woman who shrinks herself and falls into hypocrisy for the sake of a relationship with an imbalanced power dynamic that she should not be in in the first place, one that offers her comfort and security due to her proximity to the power that system upholds. The story seems to lack the conviction to take a firm stance on the issues it presents, instead, falling into the middle ground fallacy (where the truth falls in the middle of any argument). This book tries to make the audience understand both sides of the issues it presents. There can be no middle ground when someone's personhood and identity are on the line. There can be no "both sides" on issues of white supremacy. For some readers, the ending will come off as ironic, but for others, it will be affirming in the notion that everything *is* and *has been* fine when nothing could be further from the truth. We are meant to empathize with both characters, but I wound up hating them both. Josh does and says microaggression after outward aggression after gaslighty comment after overtly racist statement...and we're supposed to root for him to be with Jess because, why, exactly? Because he's a rich capitalist finance bro and he will keep her spineless and comfortable in a life where she is forced to diminish her thoughts and feelings and wants and needs and blackness and femininity so she can keep her proximity to the systems that oppress her? On top of this, they have virtually no chemistry with one another and seemingly hate (or at the very least, actively dislike) each other, which makes me wonder if Josh was only dating Jess because she's black! I struggled deeply to understand who this book's target audience was. It was very tiresome to read, and if I hadn't checked out the audiobook from Libby, I wouldn't have finished it. I don't think it's fair to the author that people have been rating this book 1 star without reading it first, but having read it, I almost wished I hadn't. I didn't find it to be ironic or sardonic, nor do I think it offers anything other than an excuse for brushing off people's racist tendencies under the guise of love or obligation. I'll say it again: there can be no "both sides" when it comes to racism. I can ascertain no deeper meaning here. I didn't like this book at all.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster, NetGalley, and Cecilia Rabess for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
dogbuttsandbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
this book reads as earnestly anti-Black and pro-racism. Spends the entire 323 pages discrediting the Black FMC and excusing the white MAGA hat wearing MMC’s racism and politics. It’s actively harmful, and you should read it under no circumstances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
apmreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.5
I started Everything's Fine not realizing what a divide it had caused on social media, and so for the first third of the book I thought: "This definitely isn't a romance. Nothing about this relationship is romanticized. It feels like it should be a disaster girl novel, but Jess has it together. Josh is an ass who is, like, sooo obviously racist. But a Black girl in a primarily dude's world is kind of bad ass. I dig it." Then, I saw the horrible reviews and watched the hot takes online.
After spending the last few days trying to get a better picture of this book and its wide array of opinions, I think it's important to note what Black women, in particular (since that's who our main character is and, really, who the story is about), are saying about this book. It doesn't really matter what I think, as a white left-leaning reader, but I found mostly two camps: (1) It was very triggering and this book shouldn't exist, and (2) it was very triggering but I have never felt more seen. I think, no matter your feelings on this book, they're valid. But I do think writing a one-star review before reading is doing this book a disservice.
For those of us walking in the world with white privilege and fragility, this book holds up a very clear mirror to the ways in which we make BIPOC walk on eggshells in every possible way. I felt so uncomfortable for Jess, who was trying her best and was still making two steps backward for every one step forward. There were cyclical arguments between Jess and her love interest, Josh that highlighted his white privilege and lack of perspective. He infantilizes her and her very real anger and sadness. Yes, there were cringe conversations, but those cringe conversations I've heard my actual family members say those kinds of things. I felt like, as a white reader, the nuances in this book that made me stop and think would be nothing new to Black people who inherently know and live the racism, misogyny, sexism, identity struggles, and social and economic conversations that were introduced here.
I think, if you go into this book expecting it to be an escape or a romance, your expectation should be changed into one of expecting discussion. This isn't a romanticized love story about people from two sides of the political spectrum. I think it's a story about the very real struggles BIPOC go through daily, but especially how Black women have to navigate this world and how much the Trump years and leading up to it really did a lot of social, emotional, and mental damage. How white privilege and fragility are harming and hateful, and how we as a society really need to work on how we treat each other and how we listen to each other.
I'm glad I read this book. I thought it was worth the read, and it's been worth listening to and engaging in the discussions that are happening because of it. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. This title publishes June 6, 2023 in the US.
After spending the last few days trying to get a better picture of this book and its wide array of opinions, I think it's important to note what Black women, in particular (since that's who our main character is and, really, who the story is about), are saying about this book. It doesn't really matter what I think, as a white left-leaning reader, but I found mostly two camps: (1) It was very triggering and this book shouldn't exist, and (2) it was very triggering but I have never felt more seen. I think, no matter your feelings on this book, they're valid. But I do think writing a one-star review before reading is doing this book a disservice.
For those of us walking in the world with white privilege and fragility, this book holds up a very clear mirror to the ways in which we make BIPOC walk on eggshells in every possible way. I felt so uncomfortable for Jess, who was trying her best and was still making two steps backward for every one step forward. There were cyclical arguments between Jess and her love interest, Josh that highlighted his white privilege and lack of perspective. He infantilizes her and her very real anger and sadness. Yes, there were cringe conversations, but those cringe conversations I've heard my actual family members say those kinds of things. I felt like, as a white reader, the nuances in this book that made me stop and think would be nothing new to Black people who inherently know and live the racism, misogyny, sexism, identity struggles, and social and economic conversations that were introduced here.
I think, if you go into this book expecting it to be an escape or a romance, your expectation should be changed into one of expecting discussion. This isn't a romanticized love story about people from two sides of the political spectrum. I think it's a story about the very real struggles BIPOC go through daily, but especially how Black women have to navigate this world and how much the Trump years and leading up to it really did a lot of social, emotional, and mental damage. How white privilege and fragility are harming and hateful, and how we as a society really need to work on how we treat each other and how we listen to each other.
I'm glad I read this book. I thought it was worth the read, and it's been worth listening to and engaging in the discussions that are happening because of it. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. This title publishes June 6, 2023 in the US.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Death of parent
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Out June 6, 2023 [Thank you so much the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Jess is a Black liberal woman who takes a job at Goldman Sachs after graduation, working alongside her college nemesis, a white conservative man named Josh. But when sparks fly between the two, what might otherwise be a “will they-won’t they” becomes a “should they-shouldn’t they” romance.
This is an extremely difficult book to review—I read it a few days ago and I’m honestly still not entirely sure how I felt about it. On the positive side: the writing itself was excellent and the book was engaging and flowed quickly (I read it in a few hours spaced over 1.5 days). There were a lot of thought provoking moments and themes, including a really great section on being a POC growing up in a predominantly white community and the unique challenges that can result.
That said, I had a lot of difficulties with the “romance” side of this book—I hated the MMC, and didn’t feel like he ever redeemed himself or demonstrated anything that would justify her love for him. The ending of the book also made me viscerally angry—I think I see what the author was going for (a kind of political satire reminiscent of a Jordan Peele film), but it did not land for me in the slightest and just made the entire “point” of the novel feel all the more confusing. My reaction can definitely be seen as a kind of positive (a book that can inspire emotion is usually a good thing!) but overall the ending dampened my reading experience.
Recommended if you like: literary romance; political novels; Jordan Peele
CW: Racism/misogyny/misogynoir; death of parent; grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Physical abuse
rootedreader's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy to review. I'm unsure how to summarize my experience reading this. My overall emotion reading this was confusion as to why she continued to interact with him much less be romantically involved. This is advertised as enemies to lovers but much of their conflict surrounds his beliefs and actions related what's important to her. He is obviously hurtful and ignorant...I got the impression this was supposed to be a "can love be enough?" story. And the ending left me thinking "what??"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
thevioletfoxbookshop's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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
5.0
This book absolutely floored me! I devoured the entire thing in one weekend. It's a fast read, but don't let that fool you - it's jam packed with heavy emotion, big issues, and uncomfortable truths.
Everything's Fine is the debut novel by Cecilia Rabess that will leave you unsettled, eyes wide, knowing one thing for certain - everything is definitely not fine. It's the story of a young Black woman, her career in New York City finance, and her relationship with Josh, a white conservative man. So it is about a relationship, but it's more of an enemies to questionable friends to toxic relationship lovers, but still kind of enemies all along kind of story. It's about racism, politics, class, sexism, capitalism, identity, and so much more. There's so much to unpack and consider in this book and it is incredibly difficult to read on an emotional level because it can be very triggering.
I'll be honest - I've typed and deleted paragraphs of this review over and over. It's difficult to find the words. I think it's going to make a big splash when it hits shelves - people are either going to rave or rage about it. I'm not going to pretend that I understood all of it (because I can never fully understand what it's like to be a Black woman in the US), but I will say that this book has made me THINK. And that more than anything - the thinking and consideration - is important.
This book is such a mix of opposites. A black liberal woman in a relationship with a white conservative man. So simply put yet so complex and layered. an absolute page-turner somehow dealing with numerous divisive issues. It's about what unites us and what divides us. It is simultaneously vulnerable and scathing. It's both analytical and deeply personal. You'll get it, but you won't. You'll keep turning the pages wanting more, but it will also make you sick. You'll feel a lot like Jess - you know you shouldn't and it's not good for you, but you can't help yourself.
I know this book has been very controversial. But here's the thing - in my opinion - just because the book deal with difficult, uncomfortable, ugly stuff, does not mean it was a bad book. The controversy means conversation is happening about this stuff and I think that matters.
I know this book has been very controversial. But here's the thing - in my opinion - just because the book deal with difficult, uncomfortable, ugly stuff, does not mean it was a bad book. The controversy means conversation is happening about this stuff and I think that matters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexism and Classism
Minor: Police brutality
literaryintersections's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I finished this a month ago. And I have no words for this book. Honestly. It is not only extremely offensive, it’s harmful. It’s underwritten. It’s underdeveloped. It’s fast paced at times but with unclear timelines. It is EXTREMELY triggering for Black people to read. And yet. And yet…..
Is the point of the book to show the fallacy of youth? To highlight that when we are young it’s easy to be taken by lust and good looks and gloss over the gas lighting, violence, and racism? Is it to show that everyone’s internal understanding of “fine” is different? Or that white mens belief that Trump’s racism and white supremacist rhetoric is not actually “that bad” and “everything will be fine” is harmful and scary and makes Black people question their every move? Is it about what actually makes someone Black, and what it means to “find” or “understand” your Blackness?
If it’s any of those things then this book completely misses the mark. Because none of that depth discussed above is actually in the book. Jess doesn’t change. She’s still a Black woman struggling to make it in a white world, while continually trying to separate herself from other Black people, including her family. Jess is part of the problem, but I don’t think she ever actually see it that way.
If it was about any of those topics or questions above, this book would’ve been a 5 star. But it never got there far. Never took a chance. Hides behind this “enemies to lovers” bullshit that’s actually harmful.
I wanted to enjoy this. I actually devoured it and read it so quickly. But it rarely goes deeper than the surface and ultimately could be a book where white folks can read it, feel good about themselves and say, “well Atleast I’m not Josh”. And that is going to be so harmful to Black folks.
Is the point of the book to show the fallacy of youth? To highlight that when we are young it’s easy to be taken by lust and good looks and gloss over the gas lighting, violence, and racism? Is it to show that everyone’s internal understanding of “fine” is different? Or that white mens belief that Trump’s racism and white supremacist rhetoric is not actually “that bad” and “everything will be fine” is harmful and scary and makes Black people question their every move? Is it about what actually makes someone Black, and what it means to “find” or “understand” your Blackness?
If it’s any of those things then this book completely misses the mark. Because none of that depth discussed above is actually in the book. Jess doesn’t change. She’s still a Black woman struggling to make it in a white world, while continually trying to separate herself from other Black people, including her family. Jess is part of the problem, but I don’t think she ever actually see it that way.
If it was about any of those topics or questions above, this book would’ve been a 5 star. But it never got there far. Never took a chance. Hides behind this “enemies to lovers” bullshit that’s actually harmful.
I wanted to enjoy this. I actually devoured it and read it so quickly. But it rarely goes deeper than the surface and ultimately could be a book where white folks can read it, feel good about themselves and say, “well Atleast I’m not Josh”. And that is going to be so harmful to Black folks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Grief
bookishmikay's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Antisemitism