I went into this completely blind. No blurb, no reviews, no idea what genre I was even picking up. I’d just seen it everywhere and figured there must be a reason people kept recommending it. Turns out, going in blind was probably the best way to experience this one.
I really enjoyed the look behind the curtain of being a published author: the pressure to succeed, the constant comparison to friends and acquaintances, the jealousy, the secrets, and the lengths people will go to when they’re desperate to stay relevant. It’s fascinating watching ambition and insecurity turn into something much uglier.
What made it even more interesting was the exploration of race, cultural identity and who gets to tell whose stories. It digs into the publishing industry’s treatment of marginalised voices, the way diversity can become a marketing strategy, and the uncomfortable question of whether someone can claim a story that isn’t theirs to tell. It’s messy, provocative and makes you question where the line between inspiration, appropriation and outright theft actually sits.
A really enjoyable read that had me thinking about the publishing industry, the stories we consume, and the people who get to profit from telling them. I’m glad I knew absolutely nothing going in.