e-Audio, 09:08:18
Narrated by: Siena East
Release Date: August 6, 2024
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: July 26-28, 2024
Stand-Alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a copy of this e-audio from the publisher and their influencer/librarian program in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Racism, Sexism, Cultural Appropriation, Racial Slurs, Misogyny, Bullying, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of a Parent, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief
For Readers Interested In: Romance, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Indigenous- Chickasaw), Realistic Fiction, AdultA Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author Danica Nava.
Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is). Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they’re caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I have been waiting on this book since I saw what it was about. To be honest it didn’t really matter what it was about, the fact that it was an Indigenous romcom was enough for me. And although it had its issues, I did enjoy it.
So what I did like was the romance. I thought it was cute enough, but it was structured weird. Like they had some weird like flirting stage that was really tame. And from that to the work room? Yeah that was weird af lol I definitely didn’t think it was going there. It wasn’t bad, it was just weird the way it escalated.
I did struggle with the writing style a bit. She was very childish. All her jokes were weird and Idk why I was so annoyed with “shit ass” lol And yes I know its a thing, but I don’t care for it. I just didn’t exactly find it funny. Most of it was cringey to me. (Besides the meet cute because I laughed out loud for that part lmao) And I was disappointed by that. I think I would have liked to see more of the serious things she had going on with her family versus the cringey parts of the romance.
I did like the characters as a group tho. Like I liked seeing Ember and Danuwoa, and I liked Ember and her aunt, and I appreciated that they gave the look at Ember and her brother too. As someone that has a weird relationship with one of my siblings, I very much understood where she was coming from. But this was actually what I didn’t like about Ember as well. Her by herself? I wasn’t a fan. But her and her different personalities that she had with the other characters made me like her. And that was unfortunate because it felt like just another lie because I couldn’t like her by herself. if that makes sense. I did like the things we learn about her, but I wish there was more of that.
This was so good! I can’t wait to see what else Danica comes up with! I hope there’s more set in this world, because Lordt knows I want to know who her bestie ends up with. Because her bestie was a VIBE! If she gets a book, its going to be as much fun as this one!
Overall, I give this
