Thank you to partner @bibliolifestyle & Williammorrow Books for the #gifted copy.

Jasmine Yang arrives on a secret mission in New York City from her rural Chinese village. But with her past ghosts on her tail and money running out, Jasmine turns to desperate measures in the hopes of searching for what she's looking for. Meanwhile, publishing executive Rebecca Whitney has the perfect life until a work scandal threatens to ruin her career and upend her marriage. How will Jasmine and Rebecca's lives intertwine?

LEFTOVER WOMAN is a fast-paced thriller that touches upon topics of immigration, adoption, poverty, racism, and misogyny, albeit more superficially. With the narrative unfolding swiftly, I welcomed LEFTOVER WOMAN as an escape at a time when I was sandwiched between extremely heavy reads. The immersive writing and captivating plot compelled me to finish this book within 24 hours.

However, my reading experience was also tinged with discomfort due to the explicit portrayal of racism, where the white characters didn't take accountability. Instead, their actions were merely a plot device to justify the twists. Don't get me wrong, the twists are entertaining and brilliant, but I wonder who the intended audiences are for when a story is blatantly callous about the treatment of women of color.

Most importantly, the abrupt ending somewhat detracted from the overall impact of the LEFTOVER WOMAN. An additional 30 pages might have allowed for more comprehensive character development while tying loose ends.

Ultimately, LEFTOVER WOMAN is a book that caters to those seeking a quick-paced thriller without a deep dive into complex socio-cultural issues. If you can overlook the unresolved racism, and you're not looking for a profound exploration of themes like adoption/white feminism, LEFTOVER WOMAN is an entertaining read.