e-Audio, 05:11:43
Narrated by: Kacie Rogers
Release Date: January 24, 2023
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: January 19-20, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio (I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Stealing, Death, Jail, Custody battle, poverty, addiction/relapse, Gentrefication
For fans of: Realistic Fiction, Socioeconomic issues, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, YAWhen rent increases put a teen mom at risk of losing her home, she resorts to a dangerous game to keep her family afloat. But all games have consequences, and this isn’t one she can afford to lose. A gripping story about race, income instability, and the strength it takes to survive from a critically acclaimed author.
B’onca always knew how to get by. And then her daughter is born. She wouldn’t trade Mia for anything, but there is never enough cash to go around. When their gentrifying Memphis neighborhood results in higher prices and then an eviction notice, B’onca’s already fragile world spirals. Desperate to make things right, B’onca forges a risky plan to help pay the bills. But one wrong move could cost B’onca–and her family–everything.
From the celebrated author of Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman comes a compelling story about a teen mom navigating income disparity and racial inequality, and defying challenges to protect those she loves.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I remember seeing this cover for the first time and immediately pre-ordering it. I didn’t need to know what it was about, I knew I was going to love it. And I was right. Although there was a trigger for me in there, I was right. This book was amazing.
I guess I should start with the reason I canceled my pre-order. As older blog followers may know, I too have a family member who suffers from addiction. He went through a long fight with it but eventually came out on top. But till this day, he lives in a halfway house and has sponsors. He’s in his 60’s, so you can see the type of hold it has on him. This is why I couldn’t really say I loved this. I was able to read it without spiraling, but it still hurt unbelievably bad to see a family going through the same thing. And I could hardly take it. I did however have to take a break for a little. I think this hurts so much because I was also a tween when I realized what was happening and knowing that they don’t really understand what’s going on, always hurts. This is the third book I just plowed through, but I can’t see myself re-reading it. I’ll recommend it and purchase it for the library, but it’s just not my thing.
With that being said, the rest of this book was hella good. Everything was believable. Because trust me, the lengths you would go through to get what you needed for your child…. The limits do not exist. When I say this book is realistic fiction, I mean it. I am not a single or teen mom, but I AM someone who just had a kid 2 years ago and I know fa sho they are expensive lol So I hate to say it, but I really don’t blame her for what she did. Not entirely anyway. And then having the threat of gentrification breathing down her back, and what happens to her baby daddy….. Well, there you have it. But I do feel like she was pushing it. Because it’s not just about you anymore. You have to know better. But like I said, I do understand.
The characters in this book tho? I hated every one of them. Except the baby. Everyone was terrible and acted like things wouldn’t happen to them or that what they were dealing with was something that might go away. I just…. I just didn’t like the obliviousness from the adults. Or the ones that tried to act like they were ok and leave her in the dark. Yes I know it’s true (Black people are PRIDEFUL) lol but that didn’t mean she couldn’t know. She had a baby already for goodness sakes. Her sister wouldn’t even let her do hair, and it was hurting their pockets. I just don’t understand that. When it comes to that or eating, you better know which one I’m gonna pick.
The way this was written was like watching a movie. It made it even better because I was listening to it. I have never listened to anything else by this narrator, so I immediately went to go look at what else they did. This is me trying to tell y’all that even Own Voices narrators can make a difference. She knew how to put so much feeling into it. Like she lived it. I loved it.
If this trigger doesn’t bother you, please read this! Yes I was angry at literally everyone except the baby, I did like how relatable B’onca was. This book gives a realistic look at poverty, being a mom, and so much more. All through the eyes of a teen.
Overall I give this
