I listened to the audiobook, which added to my experience as someone who isn't really a poetry person. Hearing the author herself read the novel was wonderful. Who else could do it justice? The passion in her voice sent chills through me. I adored Xiomara and a few of the other characters. I've heard people complain about the lack of complexity in other characters but the novel is fairly short and focuses on Xiomara. I loved her best friend and her brother. They show that different people can have very different ways of showing that they care about you. Scenes with her mother were chilling and made me feel sick in my stomach. Religion turned into a rationale for abuse. It's truly sickening. I cannot imagine what it is like for Xiomara and Xavier to grow up in such a suppressive and conditional home. I connected and empathized with the characters. The book was incredibly character-driven but the plot wasn't slow or uninteresting. The writing was lovely as usual with Elizabeth Acevedo. I enjoyed Clap When You Land, but this novel really knocked it out of the park.