(Steeplechase + BWF) Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Emira Tucker is 25 years old and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She is content working part-time doing transcription and part-time babysitting for the Chamberlains. Emira is particularly close with Briar Chamberlain, the 3-year-old child most usually in her care. Alix Chamberlain has just given birth to her second daughter and willingly gives over Briar's care to Emira. One night a situation at the Chamberlain home drives Alix to call Emira away from a party to please come take Briar away from the house until the problem is resolved. Emira brings Briar to an upscale grocery store where Emira is confronted by a security guard who accuses Emira, who is black, of kidnapping the little white child. Another customer records the encounter as Emira speaks up for herself but is not believed until Mr. Chamberlain arrives at the store. Although Emira does not want to press charges nor to have the video made public, eventually someone with an agenda makes sure the encounter is posted on social media. Emira must face betrayal from one of two possible people and it will change the course of her life.

I had tried reading this several years ago but did not like it for some reason. Maybe it just wasn't the right time and I gave up. I definitely enjoyed it this time and the storyline kept me involved. There are a few things I still don't particularly care for. Emira seems awfully passive to me considering she is well educated, popular and fun. She has no ambition and just lets life happen. Alix, well, I'm not sure what her motivation is to be so anxious to befriend Emira. At the end of the book it makes sense, but before that I don't understand. Anyway, the novel kept me interested and I did like it after all.