Reviews

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.

jamun's review

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

reneereads's review

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emotional sad tense 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

3.0

zkhh's review

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3.0

I have no idea why this book’s summary is what it is because it is false advertising. I spent the first half of the book very mad that the book didn’t match the summary at all. The school part doesn’t even happen until 30% in. I was over this book and almost DNF.

But. It did recover and I ended up appreciating the multigenerational stories, woven together, and tackling a lot of issues. I just wish it would’ve been advertised as such.

findyourgoldenhour's review

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4.0

3.75 (Dear Goodreads, when will you allow fractional stars??) I liked this one a lot. Characters with depth and flaws that felt true to life; the way their stories intertwined kept me turning the pages. I read there's been talk of a tv miniseries, which I would totally watch.

The only thing that took away from the novel was the number of characters and the disjointed timeline. The author did an excellent job making the characters feel real, giving them all compelling storylines, but for me, there were too many to follow and care about. Add to that a timeline that jumps back and forth and I often found myself getting pulled out of the story to think, "Wait, what was going on with these people a few chapters back? Wait, what year is this?"

Despite this, I still really liked it, which is a testament to how talented the author is. I want to read her backlist and will likely read what she writes next.

kellyhook_readsbooks's review

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4.0

What’s Mine and Yours tells the story of two fractured families and the tangled ways their lives intersect over the course of 20 years. A North Carolina community is at odds when students from a largely Black school from the east side of town are integrated with a predominantly white high school on the west side in 2002. Told through the lens of multiple family members at different points in time, this beautifully written character-driven novel slowly unfolds.

Naima Coster has given readers a LOT to unpack. Hot button issues? You name it, this one’s got it: racial tension, addiction, abortion, gun violence, infidelity, sexuality, the list goes on. Despite the controversial topics, the story is contemplative and rather understated. The school integration plotline takes a backseat to the true heart of the novel: the search for identity in light of one’s family and upbringing.

Various aspects of this story will resonate differently with each reader, which would make for a fascinating book club discussion

vaniagarwal's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

bookishkathrine's review against another edition

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3.0

A moving saga. There’s a lot going on.

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