ashliesydel's Reviews (1.54k)

 When I started book one, I wasn't sure what to expect. I'll be honest I didn't LOVE Shaena. As readers we are given a very intimate view of her thoughts and emotions and our girl is messy.

Her struggle with food, her inability to admit her flaws, and the excuses irked me. With that said, I was still empathetic because there were several people in her life that triggered her and pushed her to be on the defensive.

In book 2, we see her continue to slip and make excuses, but we also see the catalyst that brings her clarity. Once she stops making excuses and puts in the work and allows herself to be vulnerable, she becomes unburdened and embraces personal growth. I was rooting for our girl and was ready to throw hands when that fake bish did her dirty.

This story reminded me of Bridget Jones where you have a flawed protagonist, that is simply trying to exist and find happiness and inner peace. 

Shaena is plus size. Mentally she knows that she wants to lose weight and tells herself over and over again that she's going to do it. But finding the motivation, understanding her triggers, and putting in the work keep eluding her. Then you add in her binge eating and it's a losing battle for sure. 

She believes with a sponsor from Overeating Anonymous and her new beau who happens to be a fitness trainer with genuine concern for her health and an active interest in helping her she can overcome her personal demons and stay on the right track. 

This story was incredibly relatable. Every time our girl slipped up and tried to justify her poor food choices it felt like a lived experience. When she told herself she deserved to eat junk for the hard work she had put in, I felt like I was seeing myself. 

This is a two parter and the ending was difficult. I had a feeling she was going to snap and she did but not in the way I had anticipated. 

I'm hooked and plan on finishing up the second half very soon.

 Thriller Novella Book Review 

Sins of Christie by Linette King 
Available on Kindle Unlimited 

Linette King's name has been heavily rotated in my black girl thriller/horror reading group.  Her entire catalog has been devoured and all anyone can say is "She's that girl". 

I decided to start with a novella so that I could get a feel for her writing style and story building. 

In hindsight I should have went with a full-length story because I NEEDED more. 

This quick little novella follows three women Jasmine, Christie, and Rochelle. 

I didn't like Jasmine at all. She's married to a controlling man who is up to no good. Corporate corruption shit at an Elon Musk level. 

Rochelle I respect. She saw an opportunity and went for it. Sadly, she was a bit too impulsive and didn't know how to keep her mouth shut. 

Then there's my girl Christie.  Pretty sure she has Alexithymia (Emotional Blindness). Poor thing just doesn't know how to interact with others or read a room.  She meant well. 

This is a very fast paced story that is exciting and leaves you wanting. 

The way this book kept me in a chokehold from start to finish. Wow just Wow. What an emotional rollercoaster. 

Our girl Mary was convicted for killing an infant when she was just 9 years old. The public and justice system did not take lightly to a little black girl killing a white baby. The investigation and trail were not fair, and public opinion was the driving force pushing for the death penalty. 

 This story followers her after she's been released from the juvenile facility and is now in a group home. Her name and crime are well known. There are books, documentaries, and a movie in the making. Everyone hates her. She's consistently bullied and beaten, and she's simply accepted that this is her life. 

However, once she finds out she's pregnant and that her child, like her is a ward of the state and will be taken, she's ready to be brave and tell the true story of what really happened.

She hopes to gain her freedom so she can attend college and raise her baby with her partner. 

This story was so incredibly thought provoking. So many topics were examined. Race inequality in the justice system, overworked social workers, child abuse/sa, and the adult and juvenile prison system to name a few. 

This was such an incredible read that I would recommend to any and all readers.