This story collection was dark and heavy. It reminded me of the indie movie Thirteen but included the aftermath into adulthood.

These were stories that followed a young girl who immigrated from Africa to a Canada and struggled to fit in and feel accepted by both her family and society.

At first, we see how she is influenced by a friend who comes from a broken home to use her body to gain favor and money. The two girls see nothing wrong with showing skin and putting on a show to get what they want. This escalates into their teens when her friend breaks away from the safety of the two and starts to entertain adult men.

Another story involves a horrible incident in school where our girl's rose-colored glasses are broken after witnessing and being pulled into disgusting treatment of another black classmate. From there we have the death of a father who was emotionally absent and the dismissal of her mother.

We then jump to adulthood where our girl is using her body as a tool to survive, and it is like watching an interview on the Soft White Underbelly.

The final stories end with our girl in her twenties. She's no longer engaging in sex work, but she doesn't value herself either, allowing predatory men to take advantage of her co-dependency and need for validation.

This is a beautifully written book that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It's provocative, dark, and introspective.

The path that our FMC went down is one that many young girls have experienced in one way or another. Environment and influence in your formative years can make all the difference.

Hate to use it as an example but go watch the music video for How to Love by Lil Wayne. It would be on the soundtrack for this book.

Highly Recommend but will stress it's an uncomfortable read and likely for those who got all the references I used above, those who have lived that life or been down the path of devaluing yourself or growing up being made