13 | June | 2021 | Hit or Miss Books

This is a book unlike any I’ve read before. I have, of course, read books—both fiction and non-fiction—about race relations and racism, but nothing quite like this. As Amber mentions, there is no clear storyline, and many of these stories are quite out-of-this-world. Quite insane, and yet I believe that they have happened. In this collection of personal stories, Amber is sharing many moments in her and her sister Lacey’s lives, but mainly her sister’s. These stories all have a common theme: racism. Some are more predictable than others. Some are short, others longer. Some are sad, others so terribly ridiculous that you have to laugh. You have to.

Lacey shares a little as well, but what I liked the most about these two sisters as writers was their back-and-forth: Amber teasing her sister and Lacey doing the same. It’s definitely one of the things that make this book unique. I could feel their connection through the pages, and although I had never heard any of them speaking before prior to reading this book, I could easily imagine what their voices would sound like. I’m happy to have found a new comedian to listen to and I feel honoured to have had the chance to understand Lacey Lamar’s life better.

I admire her courage, especially when it came to dealing with racism at her work places. At times, she said something. At other times, she would walk away. Mainly though, she spoke up… and got fired. Now, that is scary to me. I sometimes tolerate disrespect because I don’t want to rock the boat and because I don’t always trust how things will come out of my mouth and the reactions those words will engender in others. But Lacey’s bravery is inspiring me to speak up more often and to understand when enough is enough and not feel bad for leaving a place that did not value me as a whole human being.

Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada for the copy in exchange for an honest review!

TRULY MADLY FAMOUSLY is the second book in the FAMOUS IN LOVE series. Is it the final book? I don’t know. I sure hope not. It is not the best YA romance series ever to be published, but it sure has an additive quality to itself that makes you want to turn the pages, even when doing so is a little painful.

Paige has made her choice. She thought she would be at peace with it, since it seemed like the more reasonable choice to make, but her heart certainly is not in agreement. Though she is happy—or perhaps ‘‘content’’ would be a better choice of words—she cannot help but miss someone else in her life, someone who has chosen to keep his distance and even start dating another girl. Paige becomes especially unsure of her love situation when her boyfriend begins to act a little distant at times as well.

In the beginning, it is slower but once the drama really starts, it moves faster. There are also way more emotions involved. More scenes. More reactions. More entertainment, of course. Frankly, Paige is a mess in this book. Yes, she is figuring celebrity out, so she is allowed to have her moments, but her feelings and thoughts all over the place. What I do like is that she does grow confidence, especially in her skills as an actress but also in herself. Love-wise, I’ll admit that at some point I had no idea what she would do or who she would ‘‘definitely’’ pick. I’m not unsatisfied with the ending (heh, it’s typical YA stuff), but to be honest I would not have been displeased if she had made a different decision as well. On the contrary, I would have admired her strength. I do so hope there is a third book, because I would love to follow Paige as she is catapulted even higher in the entertainment industry. I’m now curious to read this author’s adult stories.

Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada for the copy in exchange for an honest review!