I tried my damndest with this book. I really did. Jodi Picoult's writing is on a whole other level than her co author, which makes the story feel like it stumbles with every other chapter (even though I really like the idea of the structure they were going for). Many have mentioned that the book felt "too politcal" or "pushed an agenda" and maybe those folks have life experiences that align them against the steps taken by characters in this book. It is not my place to judge their judgements. However, I am in a place to say that, even as a person who accepts and wants to protect the marginalized community featured, this felt overly political and agenda pushing. It felt insincere, judgmental, and absolutely played to the sensibilities of the "white liberal woman". There was no nuance, no joy in the character that we needed to love the most, that desperately needed to be the most humanized and connected to the reader. She was simply unlikable. Horribly disappointing.