A review by queerreadss
Getting His Game Back by Gia de Cadenet

hopeful sad 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

4.5

This is a really successful debut novel by Cadenet. "Getting His Game Back" is a romance novel that deals with mental health issues, the dynamics of interracial relationships that can be problematic and objectifying, and the building of a relationship between two successful adults. This book deals with a lot of complex situations in a very successful and natural way. I loved the challenge this narrative posed to baggage you carry from past relationships, expectations of masculinity and emotions, and an accurate depiction of what having anxiety and depression is like. This novel is mainly a character driven plot with some glimpses at great side characters like Darius. Please note this book has some serious subject matter near the end, please look up trigger warnings before starting.

The connection between the main characters barber franchise co-owner Khalil and App Goddess Vanessa was really good, the author was phenomenal at capturing that initial attraction, sexual tension, and excitement of first meeting someone. While you can definitely tell main character Khalil is a man written by a women, how great of a guy he was did come across as unrealistic sometimes which took me a bit out of the story. None the less, I feel the author did an excellent job at balancing his and Vanessa's relationship. In the beginning of the book Khalil was doing the most and providing the most effort toward the relationship and that role switches to Vanessa near the end when Khalil is no longer able to do so. I feel this really symbolized the positives of a healthy relationship where sometimes one person needs more help than the other and vice versa. 

Vanessa is an amazing character that is the epitome of a successful Black woman who strives for the best in her professional career. Her perspective on interracial dating and the extremely gross comments and behavior she has had to deal with in her personal and professional life is a lived experience of many Black woman professionals and was a well fleshed out point of reservation within her story arc. Vanessa and Khalil's experiences of objectification really bonded the pair while the author made it clear that Khalil not being Black or a woman would never fully understand exactly what Vanessa has been through.

Their connection was often strengthened by open communication which was refreshing as most romances often have miscommunication at the core of their conflict. Instead this book had the very real reality of mental illness and self doubt at the core of its major conflict. Mental illness affects so many people and for this book to have a successful man with a mental illness and all the unpleasant things that come along with that is so important.
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