Reviews

What's Mine and Yours by Naima Coster

shakeema16's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to like this book a lot more. I didn’t like the ending at all. It feels very unresolved and unfinished. The changing of the name for Gee was confusing and left unanswered. Not many of the characters were likable. Lacy May was under developed just as the other characters were. More time exploring the characters could have been a benefit as opposed to all the time jumps and unnecessary plot lines for some of the sisters.

ndrewfan's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

stonefruitbutch's review against another edition

2.0

a structural mess with a large handful of characters whose plots come together in a sloppy fashion. the ending is significantly less than satisfying. i was really disappointed with this one, i feel like we were barely given the story we were promised.

kjteehan's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-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

2.5

The premise of the book was so interesting but unfortunately was not executed well. 

Also unnecessary use of profound language, it was jarring. 

agrao10's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense 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

camwise1'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? It's complicated

3.0

jcarsrud's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book and found the pattern of switching between characters and years an interesting idea. I would highly recommend this book if you liked Little Fires Everywhere or The Vanishing Half. I listened to this and love the reader Bahni Turpin!

aet_rebecca's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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

3.5

kateyoutka's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

2.5

This was well-written, and a compelling story, but it didn't stand out for me. That said, I did enjoy it while I was reading it.

jamminreads's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I tried reading this a couple years ago, and I couldn’t get into it. Two years later, I read the book in 2 days. It’s so interesting how picking up a book at a different time in your life makes so much of a difference. 

While I was able to get into this story this time around, I ended up not being very happy with it. The novel focuses more on the white family and not enough time was spent with Gee and his mom. Also, a “twist” involving one of the characters, though obvious, was disappointing and validated a bigoted character’s thoughts and beliefs. Read spoiler below for more details.

Spoiler

I found myself really drawn to Gee throughout the novel. I really cared for him and felt for him after the loss of his father. So I was sad that he grew up to be Nelson the philanderer. I also was miffed that Noelle, who is biracial but described as the fairest sister, got a happy ending (a beautiful life on the coast, theater job, baby), and Gee/Nelson, a Black man, was left wanting her back and having meaningless relationships with random women. I know that life is messy, but I felt this ending validated Lacey May’s warnings to Noelle to not get involved with Gee. It made the most bigoted character right in the end. Considering this was a Read with Jenna pick, I do not think this was good messaging.