marissalupe's review against another edition
5.0
Jenn shows her heart and soul in this book, Jubilee, it was beautiful and made me exercise my brain in a good way. Not an easy read, but I'm glad for that. It had a sophistication in the writing that isn't as common anymore, with beautiful blends of poetry throughout.. I loved it. I devoured this book in just a few short days, between diaper changes, cooking, cleaning, and staying up too late.. I couldn't put it down. Could definitely become a classic and possibly even required reading.
starrysheep's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
5.0
jocedun's review against another edition
4.0
A sad and honest psychological character study about Bianca (Bee) and the doll that she believes is her daughter. The concept of this book was really intriguing, but I do think the execution could have been better. The plot and character development was slowed down significantly by the literary illusions and constant references/quotes, so portions of this book were a little harder for me to get through. However, the finish was very strong so I ended up giving this 4 stars. I loved that this book focused so heavily on Chicano/Mexican-American culture -- and the toxic, dusty Southern California environment plays heavily into the tone of the story. Bee is a character that is easy to get frustrated by, but she is also so innocent and it is heart-warming to see her grow a lot over the course of the novel. I think this is definitely worth picking up, especially if you are interested in family dramas, parental issues, and maternal love.
Maybe this is a *spoiler* but I feel it is important mention a trigger warning to readers who may be sensitive to infant loss.
Maybe this is a *spoiler* but I feel it is important mention a trigger warning to readers who may be sensitive to infant loss.
dai2daireader's review against another edition
5.0
CW: Infant loss, abuse and sexual assault
I was drawn into this book only 20 pages in as I had to know what happened to Bee. When I finished the book, I really needed to sit with it a bit. This psychological drama was incredibly heartbreaking throughout. It's a story about love, loss, abuse, trauma and mental health. You know how you can read a book and it just stays with you... well this is that type of book.
It was so interesting how the author developed the story and went back and forth between "Before Jubilee" and "With Jubilee" until the complete picture of what happened came into view. Although this book was difficult to read at times (due to the sensitivity of the story) I could not put it down. This emotional and gripping story was so well done! I highly recommend picking up this book!
Thank you to @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for providing me with an ARC e-copy.
I was drawn into this book only 20 pages in as I had to know what happened to Bee. When I finished the book, I really needed to sit with it a bit. This psychological drama was incredibly heartbreaking throughout. It's a story about love, loss, abuse, trauma and mental health. You know how you can read a book and it just stays with you... well this is that type of book.
It was so interesting how the author developed the story and went back and forth between "Before Jubilee" and "With Jubilee" until the complete picture of what happened came into view. Although this book was difficult to read at times (due to the sensitivity of the story) I could not put it down. This emotional and gripping story was so well done! I highly recommend picking up this book!
Thank you to @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for providing me with an ARC e-copy.
bookalong's review against another edition
5.0
A gorgeously told novel about mental illness, trauma, strength, love, loss and hope.
This took me a few chapters to get into but once I got used to the flow I was hooked! This story is about Bianca and baby Jubilee. Bianca cares for her fiercely and devotedly like any mother would. The only thing is Jubilee is a doll and Bianca is convinced without a doubt she is her daughter. One night Bianca shows up at her brothers house bleeding and barely conscious, clutching Jubilee. Obvious that she has been through something traumatic. To help her heal Bianca's family goes along with her delusion of Jubilee. Told in alternating chapters of before Jubilee where we get a perspective of Bianca's past, and her ex boyfriend Gabe and then with Jubilee taking place in the present where she meets single father Joshua and her tragic past is revealed and what led Bianca to Jubilee and what she means to her.
This book is heartbreaking and stunning! Givhan has an enchanting storytelling abilty, with riveting, compelling prose. This is one of thoes books I will not soon forget! Bianca's story is potent and endearing right to the end! Highly reccomend! Thank You so much to @blackstonepublishing for sending me this one opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
This took me a few chapters to get into but once I got used to the flow I was hooked! This story is about Bianca and baby Jubilee. Bianca cares for her fiercely and devotedly like any mother would. The only thing is Jubilee is a doll and Bianca is convinced without a doubt she is her daughter. One night Bianca shows up at her brothers house bleeding and barely conscious, clutching Jubilee. Obvious that she has been through something traumatic. To help her heal Bianca's family goes along with her delusion of Jubilee. Told in alternating chapters of before Jubilee where we get a perspective of Bianca's past, and her ex boyfriend Gabe and then with Jubilee taking place in the present where she meets single father Joshua and her tragic past is revealed and what led Bianca to Jubilee and what she means to her.
This book is heartbreaking and stunning! Givhan has an enchanting storytelling abilty, with riveting, compelling prose. This is one of thoes books I will not soon forget! Bianca's story is potent and endearing right to the end! Highly reccomend! Thank You so much to @blackstonepublishing for sending me this one opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
syddsmiles1024's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Grief, Death of parent, Car accident, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Vomit
goldenfenris's review against another edition
3.0
This is going to be one of those books that sticks with me for awhile. The story while interesting in premise and promise dragged in certain parts for me because there was a lot of tell and not show segments, but also because I found myself drawn more to the interactions between certain characters and less so between others. However, even in the segments that didn't draw me in as readily there were moments of beautiful prose. Bianca has a unique and poetic outlook on the world that helps to bolster an almost dreamlike quality to the text. However, I doubt that is what is going to stick with me. What is going to stick with me is a discussion surrounding mental health that could be had with this book. People with mental health aren't any less deserving of love, but it does take a specific person with a whole lot of patience to give them what they need. They need support, space, and time to heal, but then also it's important to remember that you can never 100% know what another person has gone through or is going through. This book is depressing on the surface level, has interesting psychological aspects in the middle, and at its very base is about hope and healing. It's complex and wavers back and forth between being beautiful and being ugly, but ultimately that's life isn't it?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this novel. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Side note: I bounce a little between 3 and 4 stars on this one so, it is probably a 3.5.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this novel. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Side note: I bounce a little between 3 and 4 stars on this one so, it is probably a 3.5.
eveningstar_reader's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book. It was fascinating, sad, happy, and beautiful. I was apprehensive at first since it sounded so sad - a young woman comes home, bleeding and traumatized, believing that a doll is her newborn child? Ooph.
However, the moment I started the book I felt the recognition of something special falling into place. This book is special and if it doesn't win awards I will be throwing a huge fuss.
The author is a poet and it comes through in this novel.
Bianca is so real, as is her childhood home and neighborhood.
I was amazed how the author wrote on this thin line between delusion, trauma, and mental health, without messing it up or making one more important than the other. I was nervous that Bianca's state of mind could be trivialized or made into a stereotype of "the crazy girl" and decisions being made for her without her input. The treatment of her mental health in the novel was so well done, I loved it.
The book is definitely a heartbreaker but so worth it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC!
However, the moment I started the book I felt the recognition of something special falling into place. This book is special and if it doesn't win awards I will be throwing a huge fuss.
The author is a poet and it comes through in this novel.
Bianca is so real, as is her childhood home and neighborhood.
I was amazed how the author wrote on this thin line between delusion, trauma, and mental health, without messing it up or making one more important than the other. I was nervous that Bianca's state of mind could be trivialized or made into a stereotype of "the crazy girl" and decisions being made for her without her input. The treatment of her mental health in the novel was so well done, I loved it.
The book is definitely a heartbreaker but so worth it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC!
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