e-Audio, 09:57:27
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
Release Date: May 24, 2022
Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio
Read from: June 19-21, 2022
Stand-alone
Source: Library’s Libby
TW: Slut Shaming, Death (by way of car accident), Panic Attack/Disorders
For Readers Interested In: Romance, Age Gap (Zaddy), Recovery, Adult, LOLNew York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist Akwaeke Emezi (they/them) reimagines the love story in this fresh and seductive novel about a young woman seeking joy while healing from loss.
Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again.
It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio, and sharing a brownstone apartment with her ride-or-die best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career.
She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the dangerous thrill Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits. This new life she asked for just got a lot more complicated, and Feyi must begin her search for real answers. Who is she ready to become? Can she release her past and honor her grief while still embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?
Akwaeke Emezi’s vivid and passionate writing takes us deep into a world of possibility and healing, and the constant bravery of choosing love against all odds.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Y’all know I’m not always going to pick up an adult book. I read mostly YA because I’m a selector of YA books for a living. But when this book started making it’s rounds, I was like “Hell yeah, I need it.” Y’all know how I am about age gaps. I’ve been looking for a Black age gap with a Zaddy since I found out I was into that. So when I heard that was in the book, I NEEDED it. And I was so right that I needed it.
The number one thing I wanted to talk about was the friendships in this book. This book holds all different types. There’s the best friends of Feyi and Joy. And then there’s the terrible relationship between Nasir and his boys. I don’t care what you say, that friendship was toxic. Idc idc. And no it didn’t have anything to do with her. Nasir knew what he was doing when he tried talking to her when she was already with his boy. I don’t blame her for anything. All she did was accept. I loved that they showed all these different ways in the book. They all are vaild and they all helped move the story along.
As for the other relationships, I think that was my favorite part. I saw so many reviews and hell even she (she being Feyi) spent a lot of time talking down on her. And I hated it. Stop with the slut shaming. It’s very strange how everyone liked the Dad trope when it was in Birthday Girl, but not in YMAFODWYB. Meanwhile, I was more thinking, “Why didn’t they get more time?” They are basically only at the end and I just thought for that short of time was it worth it? But then the epilogue came and all the promises that were made and yeah.
Lastly I wanted to talk about the anxiety rep. It was almost palpable. As someone with anxiety, I can say for me it was so real. I felt every time she was spiraling about what the “homies” would say. And then there’s the whole thing where she was trying to figure out what his son would say. I have never been in this exact situation, but I definitely know the type of spirals she went through. The questioning, the wondering if I deserve the things happening, etc. Those feelings of spiraling are universal. I’m not sure if Emezi is also anxious, but I really think they captured it really well.
This book was something else. It was a lot, but in such a good way. It was so messy but so good. Kind of how I thought Birthday Girl was. It solidified my suspicion that I do in fact like the drama and mess that this trope brings and that I need more lol
Overall, I give this
