I found this book sad, funny, moving, rage-inducing and uplifting.

Candice has explored many critical themes in the book. The one that stood out for me was the mental health issues covered in her writing, and how she addresses women’s low self-esteem, especially Queenie’s as a young, black woman.

Although the book mainly focuses on Queenie’s personal life, it does address the Black Lives Matter movement. It was sad to read when she tried to use her position in journalism as a way to support the movement and is pushed aside as unimportant. ⁣Not only is this theme brought up then, the casual racism and comments like “chocolate skin, big bum, exotic, juicy lips and curves” were dropped in so casually by white male characters, it sent me into a cringe fest!!