donnicakelsey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
I usually open my reviews with a few bullet points summarizing the genre and tropes. For “Everything Is Not Enough” I want to share the dedication:
for the strong looking for safe spaces to be weak
Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström crafted a stunning sequel to “In Every Mirror She’s Black”. In the novel, we immediately jump back to where the first book left us -- reeling and needing to know how our characters will navigate the racism and misogyny surrounding them in Sweden.
Let’s pause here: Do you remember the song and video “Girl” by Destiny’s Child?
Take a minute girl, come sit down and tell us what's been happening
In your face I can see the pain, don't you try to convince us that you're happy
I wanted to ambush Brittany-Rae, Kemi, and Yasmiin as they did Kelly Rowland in the video. Yes, I know they are fictional characters, but the way that all of the women in this book needed more community and sisterhood!! So many times I found myself yelling at them, trying to talk them toward healthier decision-making, or wanting to throw my Kindle in frustration.
Let’s start with Kemi. At the end of the previous book, Kemi asked her boyfriend Tobias to give up his life in Sweden and move to the US. Kemi is running from a life being a “diversity hire”, frequently being disrespected and ignored at her job. The issue is Kemi is also fighting to remain faithful to Tobias. As a black woman in predominately white corporate spaces, I identified greatly with Kemi’s career troubles. It’s her relationship mess that left me wanting to talk some sense into her over a boozy brunch.
Next up, Brittany-Rae. Brittany-Rae von Lundin, the model-turned-flight attendant-turned-trophy wife, basically turns into a detective, in this novel - needing to uncover the mystery of her husband’s dead ex that (figuratively) haunts their relationship. The journey Lọlá takes us on with Brittany-Rae was so unexpected and the reveal at the end: 10/10 no notes!!
And finally, Yasmiin (and Muna) - Muna’s story in the first book was captivating and heartbreaking, highlighting the experience of a refugee in Stockholm. I wondered if I would miss her voice in this book, but the answer is no. Lọlá gives Yasmiin such a beautiful arc using her background to share how strong of a person she is and showcases the power of sisterhood.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - the mess, the overdue hair appointments (bless Yasmiin), and ultimately the growth and personal discovery, captured me from dedication to the final line. I can’t wait to read what Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström writes next.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC! "Everything Is Not Enough" will be released on Oct 24, 2023, and is available for pre-order.
for the strong looking for safe spaces to be weak
Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström crafted a stunning sequel to “In Every Mirror She’s Black”. In the novel, we immediately jump back to where the first book left us -- reeling and needing to know how our characters will navigate the racism and misogyny surrounding them in Sweden.
Let’s pause here: Do you remember the song and video “Girl” by Destiny’s Child?
Take a minute girl, come sit down and tell us what's been happening
In your face I can see the pain, don't you try to convince us that you're happy
I wanted to ambush Brittany-Rae, Kemi, and Yasmiin as they did Kelly Rowland in the video. Yes, I know they are fictional characters, but the way that all of the women in this book needed more community and sisterhood!! So many times I found myself yelling at them, trying to talk them toward healthier decision-making, or wanting to throw my Kindle in frustration.
Let’s start with Kemi. At the end of the previous book, Kemi asked her boyfriend Tobias to give up his life in Sweden and move to the US. Kemi is running from a life being a “diversity hire”, frequently being disrespected and ignored at her job. The issue is Kemi is also fighting to remain faithful to Tobias. As a black woman in predominately white corporate spaces, I identified greatly with Kemi’s career troubles. It’s her relationship mess that left me wanting to talk some sense into her over a boozy brunch.
Next up, Brittany-Rae. Brittany-Rae von Lundin, the model-turned-flight attendant-turned-trophy wife, basically turns into a detective, in this novel - needing to uncover the mystery of her husband’s dead ex that (figuratively) haunts their relationship. The journey Lọlá takes us on with Brittany-Rae was so unexpected and the reveal at the end: 10/10 no notes!!
And finally, Yasmiin (and Muna) - Muna’s story in the first book was captivating and heartbreaking, highlighting the experience of a refugee in Stockholm. I wondered if I would miss her voice in this book, but the answer is no. Lọlá gives Yasmiin such a beautiful arc using her background to share how strong of a person she is and showcases the power of sisterhood.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - the mess, the overdue hair appointments (bless Yasmiin), and ultimately the growth and personal discovery, captured me from dedication to the final line. I can’t wait to read what Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström writes next.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC! "Everything Is Not Enough" will be released on Oct 24, 2023, and is available for pre-order.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
macaronoui's review against another edition
challenging
informative
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? N/A
3.25
This book is a sort of sequel but according to the writer can be read separately as well as a standalone book.
So the book has three narrators and follows their lives in a mostly white and pretty racist (not all overt, a lot of micro aggressions) Sweden. The narrators all have very distinct voices and it is lovely to have such a truly diverse group of characters in the book.
Without spoilers, of all the men in this book, only three are nice. The other men are gaslighting meanies. It’s a pity they weren’t more nuanced.
Because of the men in their lives, the three women’s lives basically revolves around their issues. And I feel like the women weren’t fleshed out well. Also a lot of the book does not pass the Bechdel test, which again is such a pity because all three women have incredible stories and strength.
All in all there were some really good highs, but the overly kvetchy/complaining women were not well rounded enough to get behind. Like whole chapters of one of the women just complaining.
I thought Yasmiin was the most interesting narrator and story.
Yasmiin is a refugee from Somalia, married to Turkish Yagiz, her former roommate and friend Muna tried to kill herself.
Brittany-Rae - from Atlanta - parents from Jamaica - mother to Maya, partner is Jonny, a super rich dude - bff Tanesha
Kemi - from Lagos, Nigeria - partner Tobias, wants to move back to the us, works for Jonny, had a steamy make out with colleague Ragnar. Twin with Kehinde who lives in the US.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Misogyny
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