Let Me Liberate You

by Andie Davis

A restless New York artist searching for purpose returns to Barbados and stumbles into the role of activist in this scathingly funny and brilliantly observed satire about privilege, family discord, and performative do-gooding.

Dark, lanky, and bald, New York–raised photographer Sabre Cumberbatch can’t tell if she’s highly talented or just highly Instagrammable. Up to here with art critics and their gaseous praise, Sabre returns to Barbados, her childhood island home, to water her roots. She needs to quell self-doubt by doing something—anything—profoundly important.

Welcoming her with bejeweled open arms is her aunt Aggie, a fearsome high-society attorney eager to show off her famous American niece. When Sabre witnesses Aggie unleash her wrath on the household staff over a minor mistake, Sabre finds her cause. During an interview for a puff piece about art, Sabre goes off-script and takes a righteous stand against the tyranny of the ruling class—starting with Aggie.

Overnight, Sabre throws her family and an entire island into chaos. How many ways can the best intentions go wrong? They’re racking up. But tingling with purpose, Sabre is counting on the ways they just might go right.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2024

Reviews

[BookOfCinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious, eye-raising, and irreverent at times, a solid debut!

Meet Sabre Cumberbatch, originally from Barbados, she’s been living and working in New York as an artist. In the middle of the biggest interview of her career she realizes that she wants more for her work and her art. In a snap decision, she decides to go back to Barbados for inspiration, rest and grounding.

Waiting to welcome her in Barbados is her socialite aunt Aggie. She’s a high power attorney with friends in all the right places. She is all about protecting her image and making sure her curated life does not shatter. That is until she makes one mistake and her housekeeper now has something over her. This will not deter Aggie from making sure she shows off her New York City Artist nice to Bajan high society.

During an interview with the local radio station Sabre goes off on a rant talking about neocolonialism, specially how high society Bajan people treat their housekeeper and staff as less than. She riles the working class up, reminds them that they have a voice and they don’t have to fall to the whimps and fancy of the high powered people who employ them. She wants the power to back to the lower and middle class, this leads to a big uproar and calls for justice. Sabre forgets for a moment that her Aunt Aggie is a part of the ruling class…. Overnight she is thrown out of the family home, sends the island into chaos and is now the leader of a movement she doesn’t want to lead…
Let Me Liberate You offers great social commentary on Bajan society and I can see it making a lot of people uncomfortable. I did love that the author really went there is address things that we still happening to this day and is very present in Bajan society. I just felt like the author went there and left us there.

I felt the book started really strong, singularly the pieces and characters are strong and interesting, but when it comes together it kinda falls apart. For example, I loved hearing about the housekeeper and internal thoughts as it relates to her employer- Aunty Aggie. However I just feel like when they come together in a scene it is not as strong. I loved each character and I felt they were strong but I just don’t think the book had a lot of glue and it felt all over the place. I wish the editor had done a better job of focusing the author. There were so many characters and situations introduced that did nothing to really move the plot along. I think the book could have benefitted from a stronger editor and less side quests .

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the first 150 pages. Justice for all the lower income workers!

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What did I like about this book.

The concept was super interesting and I liked the ending...


The pace was all over the map.... I hate that. The characters were fine but I didn't connect with any of them.

It just seemed a bit erratic. I think that had the tempo and tone of the whole book had been more level, this one would have been an easy 5 stars but honestly I was glad I got to the end.

3 stars

[Paula David · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 1:00 a.m. I have to wake up in 4 hours to start my day, but I couldn't put this book down until I finished reading it. I was fortunate enough to access a review copy, but I've also pre-ordered a hardcover for when it drops in July 2024. Yes, that's how much I like it!

Andie Davis is a breathtakingly accomplished writer. I can't wrap my head around the fact that this is a debut novel. It's funny as hell and just as serious! Think Anthony Winkler at his best, but with more sensitivity. This book deserves a better review, but I'm too excited to wait until my brain settles down from the adrenaline rush.

My friends and I discuss the novel here https://youtu.be/dXI6GJmyRI0?si=4XCOE...

And speak with the author here https://youtu.be/rL6ttoVCHMs?si=2aLrz...

[Brown Girl Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 Stars I highly recommend as a palate cleanser. It's very funny but I recommend getting it on audiobook.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read Around the World: Montserrat

This just didn't work for me. At all. I got lost in all the over-writing, and the over-abundance of characters [I don't think that I EVER figured all of that out] and trying to figure out just what.the.heck.was.going.on. [I have been finished with the book for 2 hours now and now only do I not remember much of the book, I still really have no idea what was going on with the parts I DO remember. Sigh].
Overall, I can see how this would work for someone and be a really good read for them, but unfortunately, that person just wasn't me.

Ayesha Gibson-Gill narrates this book and unfortunately, her narration of this book absolutely did not work for me at all. Her use of crazy-sounding voices for some of the characters got old very quickly and just added to my general dislike of the book overall. As I like a fairly straightforward narration, her over-the-topness just grated on my last nerve.
I will say that I know a lot of people who absolutely adore this kind of narration and will love this narrator [and to be fair, I would absolutely give this narrator another chance should her name come up for a book I want to read as I DID like some of the narration of this book], so I would 100% recommend this audiobook even though it didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andie Davis, Ayesha Gibson-Gill - Narrator, Little A, and Brilliance Audio for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Cause I know you deserve it. But do you know?” She leaned in and cocked her chin at Isilda like a pistol. “Let me help you claim it. Let me liberate you, Isilda.”
“Liberate me!”

Sabre Cumberbatch feels like a fraud photographer garlanded by the pretentious art scene in New York. She returns to Barbados to feel grounded again, where she and her mother had left under ignominious circumstances when she was young. Her wealthy aunt and uncle initially welcome her with open arms until she goes on a radio show impulsively decrying the treatment of domestic workers. Sabre is a good example of someone who goes into activism work to fill the empty holes in their own lives without considering the real needs and everyday hardships/considerations of those she claims she is speaking on behalf of.

When you stand over people and talk and talk, like you and your crew at those rallies, sometimes a connection can’t form. The connective tissue is love and fun and vibes, not one-way lecturing. If you just sit and breathe air together, I find it’s a better way to fellowship.

The Bajan hive is stirred up, the union and UN representatives get involved (to Sabre's disappointment, UN involves committees, impact studies and grant proposals), Sabre forms the 'Cumberbatch Initiative.' At some point, she is told "... you need to focus, Sabre. What is it that’s driving you? Seriously. Let’s pin it down. Is it migrant workers? Housekeepers? Human traffickers? Gardeners? Rude rich people? You need to pick an issue and stick with it. Otherwise you’ll spend all your time chasing equality through every rum shop in Barbados with that pack of twits.” A satire of well-intentioned hapless people vs government officials in collusion with property developers, it all culminates in a 'truth and reconciliation' event that goes horribly awry.

In Let Me Liberate You, Andie Davis tackles class, colourism, xenophobia within Bajan community with piercing insight and levity. Her description of the internal 'melanometer' at the Grantley Adams International Airport, for instance, is a work of art. A celebration of Bajan culture and people, here is a sampling of Crop Over fever:

At the start of the season, a bodyquake came over you, due south. It moved from the sensible civic buzz in your head to the jiggle around your middle, prompting you to join the seasonal exercisers on the beach shaping up to squeeze into their carnival costumes. Then the quake traveled down to your backside, as sweeter, ruder tunes came along to shake it. From there, it shook down to your knees, the quickening rhythms conspiring with liquor to make you “go down low” with no thought of how to get back up. And finally, with Crop Over fever at a pitch, the quake possessed your feet, making you jump and stomp to the beat.
Yes, Crop Over was a shakedown, a jolt of current feeding into the earth. As the current grew stronger and the spirit overtook you, every care, every constraint loosened and yielded to gravity. Critics complained that the modern-day bacchanal paid too scant an homage to its origins in plantation days, when field workers, having harvested the last of the sugarcane crop, were allowed to celebrate with a jig and a nip of rum. But when those critics shook their heads at the meaninglessness of it all, carnival glitter rained down from their temples.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb of this book is what made me want to read it and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
Delightfully funny and a page turner this book will absolutely entertain you from every page.
I finish this one in one afternoon also.
Aggie was a piece of work that was fir certain!
Her niece was my favorite character laugh out loud.
If love long savory novels then this one is for you! I myself loved it.
Lots going on in this story.
It's also this author's debut novel.
5 stars for this entertaining novel. I recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own

[evie sellers · Rating 2 out of 5]

the pacing and perspective switching in this book just did not work for me, and the messaging felt a bit on the nose. most of the characters didnt get much development, and even those who did weren't particularly interesting to me. this book just wasn't my cup of tea, which is a shame because it sounded great. on a positive note, the setting and details of barbados did paint a vivid picture of a place i personally know little about.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sabre returns to her homeland Barbados to reconnect with her roots after shooting to fame as a photographer in New York. She is welcomed back in luxury by her prominent and wealthy aunt but feels restless in the high society world inhabited by her family. Feeling the need to do do something meaningful, she decides to take up the cause of worker's rights, specifically those of household staff employed by the island's elite. The aftermath of her crusade is more than she bargained for as she becomes the polarising leader of a cause she doesn't truly understand.
Told from multiple viewpoints, some more compelling than others, the story unfolds a bit slowly but remains engaging.

[Karen Barrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

En Garde

I really enjoyed this novel. The wit and satire had me laughing out loud on multiple occasions. The Bajan/Caribbean vernacular was used with the precision of a veteren fencer, complete with thrusts, feints, and parry.

While the main theme was activisim around classism, there were many side servings, including touch points on human trafficking, women's rights, community empowerment, unionisation, homosexuality, family relations, and even alopecia, with the use of humour to soften the punches. 

Some might argue that there were too many issues, that the novel lacked focus. But the author handles this by having her protagonist get berated for this lack of focus, not once but at least twice.

While the use of multiple points of view may have been a distraction for some, it speaks to the complexity of the themes being tackled. Instead of presenting a story as being black or white, or black and white, its was instead several shades of grey, allowing the author to shine a spotlight on the touchy subject of equality in a region steeped in colonial classism.

The main issue I had with the novel, was an absence of timelines, whether it be time of year or how much time had passed between scenes, which made it difficult to ground the reader as to the pace of events. Along with the multiple PoVs, this may have contributed to a sense of skirting the issues instead of tackling them head-on, with Sabre appearing as slippery as an eel, as she jumps from one pot to the next.

All in all, this novel was a pleasure to read, especially as it gave voice to any number of stakeholders on the sensitive issue of the class divide.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and stunning with excellent tbemes. A.bit if a slow work but perfect to be savored. Thanks for the arc

[Jen R. Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to get a review copy thanks to #NetGalley.
This book is one I won't forget. So many themes and commentary mixed with satire and witty sharp prose. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Bethany A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a great book in concept, and it had so much going for it at first. The storyline was so promising. But honestly, the constant perspective changes, the abrupt shifts in location, it was just too much. I couldn’t keep up. There were so many character shifts as well. One minute we are going from the perspective of Sabre then the next it’s Ian. Very random perspective shifts. These shifts become more and more frequent and more random with different characters. Also there were scenes in the book that dragged on way too long, and other scenes were cut abruptly short. Some of the longer scenes were awkward and left the reader thinking, what’s the point of elaborating on this much longer scene?

There was a major lack of character development. I feel like if you’re going to have as many character POV shifts as you do, it’s important to provide some substantial character development. I barely know anything about Sabre outside of her artistry and influence in New York and now Barbados. Also, her work here in Barbados seems a bit performative and not well planned out. Almost self seeking honestly. Idk if that was what the author was going for with Sabre’s intentions, but that’s what I took from it. Also, I don’t think there was a character in this book that I liked. None seemed likable, and once again I’m not sure if that was intended but that’s how I felt after reading it.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Let Me Liberate You” is a satire telling the story of Sabre Cumberbatch, a star photographer from New York, who is trying to lead a worker’s revolution in Barbados, the country she grew up in but hasn’t even visited since moving away as a child. Sabre finds herself thrust into the forefront of a revolution almost accidentally –Her journey began with the simple desire to deflect attention away from herself and her art, leading her to speak out about the unjust treatment of workers on live radio– but she finds a sense of purpose in it and hopes to become a *famous* activist. Her tenuous grasp on reality, coupled with a habit of viewing herself as the epicenter of unfolding events, makes her a flawed yet compelling figure. To me, it hardly seemed unwarranted when a character within the narrative labeled her a narcissist. Despite this, from the moment of her introduction I found myself rooting for her. The resolution of Sabre’s storyline was one of the most satisfying ones to me (Another one I liked was Isilda’s son’s).

Upon reading the blurb, I initially assumed the humorous criticism would be a bit more … ‘on the nose’? As is, I’m not entirely confident I even ‘got’ all of it, if I’m being completely honest. I did feel like the book loses some momentum in its middle section due to the multitude of conflicting perspectives and agendas, though the multitude of point of views is generally something I appreciated about this book. It’s composed of short chapters presenting one of approximately ten point of views in alternating sequence. This way, you read diverse perspectives on recent occurrences, stemming from individuals of different backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, ages, political and ideological leanings. Rather than moralizing, the book presents a mosaic of viewpoints, occasionally laced with humor, enabling readers to take a step back from the characters’ perspectives and to form their own conclusions. I find it worth noting that despite the big amount of point of views, the narration for different characters often had their own stylistic quirks. Sabre, the artist, for instance, has these strange, funny dreams of her father speaking to her in the form of inanimate objects.

I’m not sure how I would rate this in stars because I explored a new genre here and don’t really know what other books to compare it with. It really was a nice breath of fresh air and I enjoyed reading it, but since the characters were all at least a bit silly, I couldn’t really connect deeply with them, which is typically one of my favorite things about reading. Maybe 4/5 stars?

Let Me Liberate You releases publicly on July 9th. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC :)

[Lulu]

Andie Davis’s “Let Me Liberate You” takes readers on a captivating journey to Barbados, where Sabre Cumberbatch, a talented photographer, seeks to reconnect with her roots. Skillfully weaving together themes of race, class, and personal discovery, this novel features a thought-provoking narrative that resonates long after the final page.

With a radio interview serving as a catalyst for the ensuing story, Sabre is propelled into a whirlwind of controversy that challenges her perceptions and forces her to take a stand. The plot draws readers into Sabre’s world from the very beginning, with her decision to leave New York and return to Barbados setting the stage for a series of unexpected events. As Sabre grapples with her identity and confronts the complexities of fame, the pacing keeps readers engaged with every new revelation.

Sabre - a richly-developed, multifaceted protagonist - is conflicted, passionate, and unafraid to question societal norms. Her interactions with Aunt Aggie, a formidable local figure, provide a fascinating exploration of power dynamics and family secrets. Aggie’s flaws and vulnerabilities make her a compelling character, and her housekeeper’s revelation adds depth to the narrative. The infusion of Bajan culture and customs enriches the story, immersing readers in the vibrant island setting.

Davis’s prose is both evocative and accessible. She effortlessly shifts between Sabre’s internal reflections and the external world, allowing us to experience Barbados through her eyes. While the satire occasionally juggles multiple concerns, it remains an enjoyable read. Sabre’s struggle with fame, her family history, and her cultural dissonance resonates with authenticity, making her journey relatable and compelling.

“Let Me Liberate You” is a bold exploration of identity, privilege, and activism. While the narrative occasionally loses focus, the wit and emotional depth make it an ultimately rewarding experience, inviting readers to question assumptions and embrace the complexities of our shared humanity.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

For such a relatively short book, I am shocked by the amount of time and effort it took me to get through this. This took me close to double the time to read than it would typically take me to read a book 200+ pages longer, which is even more surprising considering that even though this is a satire, it isn't really inherently a dense read.

The writing is obviously good, and honestly very funny in a lot of places. That being said, the book also felt VERY overwritten. I found it really tough to track events and characters as things jumped from chapter to chapter, and there were many places where I got so lost in long, meandering descriptions of different things that I had to re-read previous pages just to try to remind myself of the plot.

I think there will absolutely be an audience for this book that enjoys a slower pace and the more detailed writing that serves the larger satire here, but sadly, that audience was just not me. I also personally found there to be a pretty significant disconnect between how this book is being marketed/described - implied (at least to me!) to be a lighter read about the absurdity of savior complexes and the complications that result from them - and the experience of actually reading this, which required an enormous amount of effort and attention. I think it's entirely possible that this disconnect was part of why I struggled so much with the book - it just wasn't at all the experience I was anticipating.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Princess Fiona Applebees · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I really enjoyed the characters’ voices and the way a group of people whose culture I’m not overly familiar with came alive for me. The author gave me glimpses into a life I wouldn’t have known, and painted a rich picture of Barbados and the characters - which is exactly what an author is supposed to do.

So why the average rating? Pacing. I almost gave up about 40% in, and ended up skimming until I found some dialogue until about 65%. Occasionally, even towards the end where a bunch was happening, I had to skip through some bits. The end itself felt jumbled and cut short, and really left me unsatisfied. I wish I would have had some time with the characters before the airport scene to help bridge the gap. It would have helped me connect with some pretty incredible personality shifts from several characters.

Sabre wasn’t particularly likable, but that was kind of the point. Her bumbling attempts to save the people of Barbados -really mostly an excuse to save herself and escape from a life she doesn’t love - is a strong piece of satire I really enjoyed. That being said, it’s not exactly subtle. Post climax, a character passionately explains to Sabre why (at least some) of her actions are harmful. While Sabre absolutely needed it spelled out to her, it felt a little heavy handed from the reader’s perspective.


Overall, a fun and thoughtful read that I feel would have been better if some pacing issues were addressed and the ending didn’t feel so rushed. I would love to read more from the author.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[kayt · Rating 2 out of 5]

(ARC)
I had a hard time getting through this novel and I really wanted to enjoy it more than I did.
It was both very slow and very fast at the same time - highly verbose descriptions and plot points that jump from here to there that becomes hard to follow, to sudden almost superficial moments that drag on and are awkward to read. The main character’s personality was hard to make out at times and there were parts throughout the narrative where I truly couldn’t follow the intentions or actions of not only the main character, but the supporting ones as well.
I did enjoy the obvious care and love for Bajan culture and customs that went into the writing of this book and into the written dialogue and descriptions. The premise was intriguing and the topics important, but it just missed the mark.

[Rol-J Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update: Page Turners + Discussion enlightened me. I will update to 3/5.

A hodgepodge of discursions and too many undeveloped characters, this novel simply does not stick the landing for me. The satire made it a light Caribbean read (for once!) but then the reader is constantly reminded that the author is covering some serious historical and contemporary socio-economic issues in Barbados and the wider Caribbean, which certainly made me question the appropriateness of the use of satire as a literary device in certain sections of the book. Interesting choice by the author but that was the whole point; to use satire to make the reader question the nature and intentions of the characters.
I am also not sure the audiobook helped to make this novel more palatable, but I liked the Caribbeanness, and the Bajan accent after listening to fake Caribbean accents recently.

[Imajin Consulting · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect balance of finding your place ‘home’ amongst conflicts of the heart, family, class & politics

A perfect balance of the conflicting, entertaining dynamics of island life & finding one’s true purpose & roots conveyed thru familiar Caribbean sayings and patois that make it all so realistic …Life seems to shift as soon as Sabre lands & immerses herself into the lives & issues, from her foreign pov, of Barbados, thus upsetting the rhythm of an entire island…opening issues many had overlooked while maintaining the lifestyles & fate they had grown accustomed to… Vivid scenes painted as the story moves through the island with all the personalities intertwined to reveal hidden purposes or destiny to the characters whether gaining or losing love, finding their purpose or coming to the end of their rope in one way or another… Thoroughly enjoyed Andie Davis’ writing❤️

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel provided a demanding reading journey due to its erratic tempo and character evolution. The storytelling veered between excessively intricate depictions and sudden plot twists, creating a barrier to engaging with the narrative. Grasping the protagonist's motives and deeds, as well as those of the supporting cast, posed a formidable challenge throughout the text.

Despite its flaws, the novel highlighted a sincere admiration for Bajan culture and customs. The writer's painstaking precision in illustrating cultural aspects through conversations and narrations was praiseworthy. While the book's concept was captivating and its thematic substance pertinent, the execution failed to deliver a coherent and gripping storyline.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess the kids are calling this sort of book a "propulsive" read!! It was too long to read in one or two sittings (thankfully) so I got a week of fantastic good times out of LET ME LIBERATE YOU. Loved everything about it, actually. Loved the characters, loved the scene-building, ADORED the humor (of which there was an abundance), relished the dialect which leapt off the pages into my ears, savored the twists. Also, the writing is that really hard-to-find blend of smart + lyrical. The author takes her subject *apart*, but in the fondest way possible. Is it a cut? Is it a love letter? For me it was both. 5 stars and highly recommend.

[Tipping Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. Having been to Barbados in the not too distant past I found this novel transported me with a real island vibe. Sabre is a naive do-gooder wannabe. Your household staff should eat dinner with the family? Where does that happen? Some of the injustices Sabre was fighting were real
Really at 29 she was a little too old for it. Her campaign could have been carried out anywhere in the USA. Basically just creating a mess and then moving on. It all ends predictably I was happy to see, nothing contrived.

[JCM · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give Let Me Liberate You more than 5 stars, I would. Outstanding work by debut novelist, Andie Davis. The author writes with such colorful, meaningful language, you find yourself lost in the story in the most delightful way. It’s a tale of liberation on so many levels. Liberation of self doubt and fear but also what it truly means to be inspired and inspire others. You’ll laugh a lot, you’ll learn a lot and move quickly through the book through its rich, excited characters and story line! I give Let Me Liberate You⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+++

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don’t have many thoughts for this book because I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. It was a little all over the place and I don’t see how Sabre’s actions helped liberate anyone in Barbados. When she was asked the question during the rally on how she could help them she didn’t give any real answers. This definitely had potential but fell short and I found the audio but I didn’t really enjoy it either because Sabre’s voice sounded so childish. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you really want to read it for yourself.

[David Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original biting satire with erudite writing juice the ribs of thought and laughter. Get it. Read it. You won't be able to put this story down until you reach the last period. A few choice quotes from LMLY demonstrate my point:
- Flattery leads to flatulence.
- The word thinned to a wisp.
- The corners of his mouth, drooping like a mule, dragging the weight of the world uphill.
- Y’all ain’t speaking the same language. We’re absolutely not.
- What did she know about never knowing.
- When were the meek supposed to inherit the earth?
- Their leader was a show pig.
- Marsh of ambivalence.

[Marietere T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this was a very interesting book. I did like the way this book talked about how sometimes the diaspora wants to help and it can be a miss, but at the same time it talks about how people treat the diaspora too. Like I really thought it was an interesting book. I liked how it touched on the politics. I liked this so much. The pacing was great.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book is about the main character Sabre returning back to the Barbados. She is an artist that has lived in New York for several years. In her journey back she brings her ambition and wants to bring genuine change for herself and Barbados

I listened to this book 50% audiobook and 50% via E-Book. I would recommend listening to the audiobook. The banter and humor is this book will want to keep you reading.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the storytelling in this book by Andie Davis. The dialect, the wit, and the satire all led to a wonderful depiction of Barbadian culture. Overnight, an entire family and country are turned into chaos with a momentum that pulls you along. I smiled and laughed a lot throughout this book because many of the issues were from real-life situations in Barbados 🇧🇧 and the ways in which we as a country deal with those real-life situations.
Well done 👏🏾.

[Kasshy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book and even had the library special order for me since it was not available in our library network. That should have been a sign!

So much potential in the first half of the book. Second half moved very slow and the main character completely disappears!! I'm not entirely sure what the point of the book was, just the start of stories that didn't really lead anywhere. Really bummed.