katiez624's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderfully written book about timely topics having to do with race, law enforcement, friendship, and family. Certain topics can come across as heavy-handed, but the two authors convey the two sides of the situation in a very balanced and cohesive manner. It's not an easy situation to navigate for people of any race, but mutual understanding is the first crucial step in finding common ground.
The unique manner in which both characters (and authors) are able to tell the story from their specific point of view creates a scintillating story that is relatable and unflinchingly honest.
The unique manner in which both characters (and authors) are able to tell the story from their specific point of view creates a scintillating story that is relatable and unflinchingly honest.
shelby_crane's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Powerful and emotional. Dual POV - half of which is narrated by Marin Ireland so it's top tier of course. The ending was a bit too simple/easy for what the rest of the book was, but looking forward to dissecting this one in book club. Would absolutely recommend!
originalreader's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
alykat_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
"It kills me how some people want so badly to believe racism is buried beneath layers and layers of history, “ancient history,” they say. But it’s not. It’s like an umpire brushing the thinnest layer of dirt off home plate: it’s right there."
Published in 2021 and there are still more Tamaras. When will it end? This is another powerful book like The Hate U Give.
The only reason it's 4.5 stars instead of 5 for me, is that it felt like it was catering to white fragility. When Riley and Jen have their car talk and Riley finally opens up about all the microaggressions she's faced over her entire life, there wasn't really much acknowledgment/understanding from Jen about why that would have been difficult for Riley to open up about when they were kids. When Jen unloaded her frustrations onto Riley, Riley acknowledged the hurts and took responsibility; meanwhile it felt like Jen didn't take responsibility when Riley unloaded her frustrations. It just felt that Jen, even being a new mom and having talked to Tamara in the bathroom, still didn't get it and was still more concerned with "I don't want people to think my husband is a racist" than actually being anti-racist. Idk, I just feel there could have been much more development with Jen in that regard and I would have loved to see her character grow more.
Still an excellent book and highly recommend it.
Published in 2021 and there are still more Tamaras. When will it end? This is another powerful book like The Hate U Give.
The only reason it's 4.5 stars instead of 5 for me, is that it felt like it was catering to white fragility. When Riley and Jen have their car talk and Riley finally opens up about all the microaggressions she's faced over her entire life, there wasn't really much acknowledgment/understanding from Jen about why that would have been difficult for Riley to open up about when they were kids. When Jen unloaded her frustrations onto Riley, Riley acknowledged the hurts and took responsibility; meanwhile it felt like Jen didn't take responsibility when Riley unloaded her frustrations. It just felt that Jen, even being a new mom and having talked to Tamara in the bathroom, still didn't get it and was still more concerned with "I don't want people to think my husband is a racist" than actually being anti-racist. Idk, I just feel there could have been much more development with Jen in that regard and I would have loved to see her character grow more.
Still an excellent book and highly recommend it.
taubenfrau's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
inni91's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
jaded618's review against another edition
5.0
I have no words other than to say this book was amazing!!
I usually am reading 3-5 books at a time. I take breaks and alternate depending on my mood. This book had me drop my 3 other books because it was so good I had to finish it!
I usually am reading 3-5 books at a time. I take breaks and alternate depending on my mood. This book had me drop my 3 other books because it was so good I had to finish it!
kenzieburns's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.0
Required reading for White people. This book caused so many emotions in me: uncomfortable, angry, sad, annoyed, and so many others. I gave this 4 stars because while the message and emotion was there, the writing fell a bit flat at times. Like, I fully expected to bawl, but the prose just didn't move me like I expected it to, despite the tragic subject matter. For all the pros (if you can call them that) of this book, though: I thought the authors did a great job of showing "both sides" and the internal/external conflicts around race in the horrible situation Riley and Jen were in. When the tension came to a front in their friendship with the conversation in the car, I think the authors did well to make it not a complete resolution to the tension, and I also think they did well to "give credit" to both sides, both in that convo and throughout the book. I was equally frustrated with Jen's naïveté and Riley's refusal to call Jen out, and then in that convo I could really sympathize with both Riley's frustration and anger and Jen feeling like Riley didn't give her a chance by always hiding the "hard" parts from her.
Above all else, I appreciated that this book made me wrestle with my biases. I think the authors did something important in making it so that Kevin wasn't the "main officer at fault" in the shooting, because it made me more sympathetic to Kevin/Jen, even though the whole point is that the system is broken and Kevin and all cops are as much at fault in being complicit in the system. It was hard to care for Jen as a character while knowing that truthfully she and Kevin are racist in their biases and complacency in the system. I also really appreciated Riley's perspective, especially for how it showed the intricacies of being a successful Black woman in a predominantly White world. I feel like, though I'll never fully and truly understand what it's like to be Black, I could gain more insight and understanding for the uphill battle that exists for Black people, especially Black women, in America.
Above all else, I appreciated that this book made me wrestle with my biases. I think the authors did something important in
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gun violence, and Child death
selilabude's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
aubtonn'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? Yes
3.5