The plot: A mixed-race woman living in London is excited about her upcoming marriage until she finds out that her white fiancé’s family most likely owned some of her family as enslaved people. I read this description and immediately had to read this book. Released in the U.S. in paperback, it’s based on Phoebe’s one-woman show in the UK.

I really enjoyed this book! Not only does it address important topics like generational trauma, family history, and how to address “bad” history in the modern-day, it’s also a great character study of the main character, Layla. We rarely hear about issues like this from people other than historians, pundits, and politicians. It was nice to read, even if fictional, the reactions of people involved in the issue. Layla’s growth through the novel—and her relationship with her activist best friend—is especially compelling.

McIntosh narrates the audiobook (I LOVE when actors narrate), and she’s terrific. Layla’s Grandfather is Jamaican, and McIntosh switches accents effortlessly. I read parts of the gifted eBook (thanks, @NetGalley and @randomhouse!) and listened while I was in the car.

If you like character studies—ones about people of color and some serious themes—give this one a try. It’s paperback too, so it’s not too expensive. But I really liked the audiobook, too!