I received an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley. I have read previous fiction books by Natalie Baszile so was excited to get to know the characters in this book. This story is about friendship but not the easy feel good kind. It shows how situations will show you what a friendship is made of when it involves family, race, and the complex choices people make for their children. It covers many difficult but necessary themes, including racism, bias, and transracial adoption. This book shed light on the terrifying reality that raising a Black son in today’s world means simple encounters can be life-threatening, in a way that felt honest and real. It’s a very thought-provoking book that left me with plenty to reflect on long after reading.
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You will be taken on quite an emotional ride with these characters. Baszile didn’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations, and I really appreciated that. It made the characters feel complicated and frustrating but also very real. The only issue I had was the pacing of the story leaned more on the reflective side and the beginning felt exceptionally slow. The ending also felt a little abrupt and I found myself wanting just a bit more closure, like an epilogue to help the ending feel more complete. Overall this was a powerful read about important, real-life issues. If you enjoy thought-provoking stories about how race impacts day-to-day interactions, this is a book that stays with you. Thanks to the publisher, Viking Penguin/Pamela Dorman Books.
