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bookishevy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Whew! This sequel to In Every Mirror She's Black was added to my list of messiest reads, because I was scandalized. Again, we experience Sweden through the eyes of Black women.
Kemi, a Nigerian-American marketing executive goes to Sweden for an amazing opportunity working for Jonny von Lundin with hopes of invigorating her lovelife, but she's looking for love in all the wrong places, putting her relationship and career in jeopardy. Let's just say mistakes are made. Or rather the same mistake over and over again. I just wanted to shake her violently.
Brittany, a Jamaican-American flight attendant is swept off her feet by Jonny's obsession with her and the privilege that comes with his money, but marrying into a rich family with a racist, controlling matriarch is a challenge. She must dig into Jonny's past to gain some leverage and her freedom. It's some real The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo type of shit. It's amazing the lengths racists will go to to keep people of color out of their family.
Vasmiin, a Somali refugee who used to be Muna's - one of the mains from the first book - roommate, but their stories become entwined again following a harrowing event. Add this to Yasmiin trying to figure out her shady husband while keeping her past at bay as she pursues her dream of becoming a markup artist.
These women's lives are loosely intertwined and different in many ways, but they all have to put up with the same racism and sexism that comes with patriarchy.
I appreciate Akerstrom, who is Nigerian-American and based in Sweden, for giving us a glimpse into the lives of Black women trying to thrive in Sweden. Before I read this book I didn't know there was a Swedish word for n*****. This was an education.
Kemi, a Nigerian-American marketing executive goes to Sweden for an amazing opportunity working for Jonny von Lundin with hopes of invigorating her lovelife, but she's looking for love in all the wrong places, putting her relationship and career in jeopardy. Let's just say mistakes are made. Or rather the same mistake over and over again. I just wanted to shake her violently.
Brittany, a Jamaican-American flight attendant is swept off her feet by Jonny's obsession with her and the privilege that comes with his money, but marrying into a rich family with a racist, controlling matriarch is a challenge. She must dig into Jonny's past to gain some leverage and her freedom. It's some real The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo type of shit. It's amazing the lengths racists will go to to keep people of color out of their family.
Vasmiin, a Somali refugee who used to be Muna's - one of the mains from the first book - roommate, but their stories become entwined again following a harrowing event. Add this to Yasmiin trying to figure out her shady husband while keeping her past at bay as she pursues her dream of becoming a markup artist.
These women's lives are loosely intertwined and different in many ways, but they all have to put up with the same racism and sexism that comes with patriarchy.
I appreciate Akerstrom, who is Nigerian-American and based in Sweden, for giving us a glimpse into the lives of Black women trying to thrive in Sweden. Before I read this book I didn't know there was a Swedish word for n*****. This was an education.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Trafficking
zarrazine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Miscarriage and Suicide attempt
sierradescence's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy
donnicakelsey's review
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: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
More...