A result of a white mother (whose family subjected her to microaggressions) and a Black father (whose family disapproved of the union), Mae clings to the hope of bonding with her paternal side after the passing of their matriarch and leading up to her own union to a white man (Connor). I had secondhand embarrassment from how hard Mae was trying (especially with her cousin, Sierra) until 50% into the book. I actually gasped at the plot twist. The racial aspect of the plot didn’t come off as contrived nor did the themes of food, family and forgiveness. This book had an open-minded vibe, and I was pleased with the ending. Even though it was slow-paced, it was an easy read.