Welcome to Litsy!

Not what I thought it was going to be. It was okay but I wouldn‘t recommend it to all of my friends.

I thought this was going to be a workplace drama and it very much wasn‘t. Once I got over that I enjoyed it. #MarvellousMay book 2/6

What a ride! I went into this one pretty blind, so I thought I was being paranoid about the new girl, but apparently not enough! I did not see that coming. I hated the ending at first, but now I'm starting to think that it was the only interesting choice. If you like a little thriller thrown into your contemporary fiction (in the book industry), this one is for you!

I got mine from Libby, but had to snap a pic at the airport bookstore. 📘❤️✨

I loved the setting of this book and would love more books from this author in the publishing world.
For me, the global conspiracy bit didn‘t work. I would rather it had been just Nella competing with Hazel who is potentially malicious.
This is the second book this year that I think is trying to do too much, especially to be thriller-y. I don‘t know if that‘s just me, but I just want more of these characters living their lives not more “plot”.

The pacing and timing of the storyline is really slow moving and the style of writing is to jump backwards in time several times within a chapter so it made it really hard to keep interest in the main timeline.

I am slightly confused, but very invested!!

A little slow paced for what I typically think of as a “thriller”, but really well-written, interesting premise. I enjoyed it.

I wasn't sure whether to choose pick or so-so. I found it interesting premise Nella working as the only Black girl in a publishing company and then comes Hazel another Black girl and Nella is happy. But then things start to happen and Nella doesn't know if Hazel is helping her and trying to get rid of her. I thought the ending was a bit unbelievable but and I found it a bit confusing too. In the end decided it's a so-so for me.

The movie Undercover Brother came to mind a couple times. Instead of delivering mind altering chemicals through food, it‘s hair products. Microagressions, office politics, respectability politics, and more were covered. Had some small issues (uneven pacing in spots for example), but overall a good read. Just enough darkness to provide atmosphere but not enough to lose sleep over. Would certainly try this author again.

I love this sm. Yknow how often times you get all this social and economic critique in the sci-fi and fantasy genres? Now we‘re mainstreamly getting those vibes from horror/thrillers and I am here for it!!! Ps. If you liked this book do yourself a favor and watch “Bad Hair” (on Hulu and other sites maybe). So good.

I don't know ya'll. There was a lot of hype last year. I finally got around to it and it wasn't for me. It was too long or the plot was too slow, I'm not sure which.

Nella is working in publishing. the only Black woman in her office until Hazel arrives. Excited to have an ally in the office to help with racially insensitive opinions of their colleagues. Quickly, Hazel fails to back up Nella. Hazel explains it away as code-switching, but it‘s clear OBG is trying to set herself ahead of Nella.
Cutthroat office culture + respectability politics are central.
Then I got to the Shani chapters +things took a twist.🛸

Consider this the before photo for my yard clean up ? but what a nice dayyyyyy #roséandreading

Not too far into this yet, but the corporate/cubicle culture politics and “diversity” is embarrassingly familiar.

At times this was a confusing read, there were extra characters that seemed out of place and the pacing was weird. Overall a great premise though and I will probably read more in the future from Harris.

Taking on interoffice politics, microaggressions, abject racism, and black hair care within the publishing industry was interesting for sure. I think as topics goes and feel and atmosphere it fits the horror genre. But the story is let down by a confusing narrative structure and stilted dialogue. The ideas are there, but for me the writing doesn't quite match the concept.

A slow-burn social horror that immerses you in the feeling that *something is not right*

I have some seriously mixed feelings about this book… I liked the premise and it grabbed me from the get but something about it was off… I don‘t know if it was the characters or the pacing or what??? I am glad I read it but not sure I would recommend it.

My snow day plans today!! 🤓🤓🤓

I have to work today, and even though I'm only 40 pages in, all I want to do is curl up on the couch and not put this book down until the very last word on the very last page. 😳❤

8/22 I finished this book yesterday and I had to let my feelings about it settle before reviewing. I loved the premise, it is original and definitely for our time. I really liked the MC. Harris did an excellent job of giving white women like me a view into the experience of black women in the work place. But the pacing was very off and it felt as though the plot and extra characters either needed fleshing out or cutting back. Overall a pick ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can‘t decide if I love or hate this book!

I‘m 80% through this book and I have absolutely no idea what‘s going on! Which, as I‘m usually moaning about guessing the ending too early should be a good thing… I just hope I know what‘s happening by the end!

Thanks for the likes. Don‘t like to give away too much of plot because I figure if you are a Litsy lover, you can read a recap for yourself. Been reading voraciously since I was 5 and I like to share my thoughts with book lovers everywhere.

Read this a few months ago. Really liked it. Not what I expected

My plan for Feb- finish a couple of books I started last November and then got sidetracked by Christmas (including this one), read my two #roll100 books, and complete two of my #booked2022 prompts (probably author born in Africa and set in a hotel). That should keep me going!!

Oh wow, I blew through this. I had to force myself to take breaks but only when absolutely necessary. Litsy reviews are all over the place! Several mention pacing issues, which I agree with. I thought 75% had the tension of a thriller but then there‘s a reveal to the reader not shared with the MC, and it slows down. Still, I loved it. It‘s so paranoid and tense and heartbreaking. Looking forward to this w/end when I get to talk abt it w/friends.

She‘d even done a little writing, just to have something to do while drinking. 🍷

I had some issues with the pacing, but was so glad to read something that took risks, and had something to say. The ‘Devil wears Prada‘ meets ‘Get Out‘ comparisons make sense, and the ending definitely planted it it firmly in the #socialhorror category. Nella was super relatable (for most of the novel 😉) and it handled the issues of code-switching and micro-aggressions really well. Not perfect but would definitely read this author again. #pop22

There's something really freaking brilliant about this. It's not being described as satire but I have no other explanation for it.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I got a new stool / table for my reading nook. It is way more fab in person.

Attached is the #audiobook I was listening to while I put it together.

And obviously my naked Pooh bear says hi.

I think I am a nonfiction audiobook gal… I listened to the Betty White book and loved it… tried this one and just wanted to lose my self in the words in a way I couldn‘t by listening… so I stopped and requested the in print book from the library!

Couldn't figure out what direction it was going in as characters and plots were introduced. I did enjoy and appreciate how the various microaggressions were put forward, and I loved the relationship between Nella and Malaika! This aspect kept the book rooted in reality for me. Until the ending started to untold. I wasn't a fan of it at all. It was definitely different, with a twist I didn't see coming. It held my interest until I figured it out.

I enjoyed this book at first and I was invested in Nella and wanted her to be successful but there were nefarious forces working against her. I learned a lot about cultural diversity in this book too. I just thought that the end was so convoluted and unbelievable but it is fiction so anything can happen. Just okay for me.

Starting this for my #irl but currently #zoom bookclub…. Also hoping it might work for #socialhorror for #pop22 ????

You know it‘s good when you get up early to finish it over breakfast.This debut is tightly written, suspenseful and fast moving. Exploring racism and the workplace, it doesn‘t turn away from the ugly bits. The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out was an apt description! Scary and timely, this book was quite unlike anything I‘ve ever read. I look forward to more from Ms. Harris! #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #Pantone2022 #Skydiver @Clwojick

Thank you so much @Ahw06 for this book and all my favorite chocolates! Plus Pocky! And I did not realize that Bones made cocoa; can‘t wait to try it.
Happy Holidays. #jolabokaflodswap

Thank you @sprainedbrain for the goodies! I love the ribbon you used, I think I may use it as a bookmark. I think I‘m going to go have some of the chocolates with my coffee. (I sent the same ones ☺️.) Thanks for setting this up @MaleficentBookDragon

Part mystery, strong character development and a realistic reflection of daily microagressions women of color experience. An excellent woven, well written novel which will give me much to think about for a long time. Also a book I think would be a good re-read due to its complexity.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Smart and original, this social horror novel really made me think. It‘s a bit slow at first, but takes an unexpected and sinister turn. I thought the commentary on workplace politics, microaggressions, white fragility, the weight of racial trauma, and white supremacy was so clever and creative. #botm #botmbacklist #botmbacklog

I wasn‘t sure how I felt about this one when I finished it…it was a slow start, but by the end I couldn‘t put it down. It was not what I expected, and I felt like there were a lot of loose ends, but it was definitely a page turner once I got through the first half!
⭐️: 3/5

This book, tho. It got me from page 1

Although the ending felt really abrupt and it was a slow build up I really enjoyed reading this. It felt sort of thriller-esque in the way a lot of the information was kept until near the end. It was a quick, page turning read in between heavier books. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked the concept but the book was so slow and there were so many details that didn‘t add anything to the story that I didn‘t even care anymore by the time I got to the end - even though it was cool and surprising.

I can understand why this book didn‘t make the #ToB22 shortlist yet I am very happy to have read it. Thank you Cindy for sharing it with me.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

There is so much in this book that I loved, but it took so long for the story to really pick up that it ended up being a so-so for me. There is a very creepy vibe throughout the whole story, but nothing really happens until the very last part of the book.

Maybe my expectations were just too high with this one. 😕

#WeeklyForecast 48/21

Two more books from the #ToBLonglist and one to finish #Booked2021, #ReadingAsia2021 and #FoodAndLit. Let‘s do this!

Loved it!

This had me laughing out loud while my stomach was in knots. A slow burn thriller with a lot of depth, Harris has created something unique here. She doesn‘t pull any punches while delving into office politics, internalized and systemic racism, and tokenism. Black women‘s hair is also an important and creative plot device. I really enjoyed this and find myself thinking about its meaning as much as I would reading a non-fiction anti-racism tome. 4⭐️

This was a page-turner! It was suspenseful, and it made me uncomfortable; gave me Get Out vibes. And as a white woman who knows nothing about Black hair, I learned some things about hair care. Can Jordan Peele go ahead and make this into a movie??

I‘m not sure why there seems to be such…disappointment surrounding this book. I thought it was so well done. It was a slow burn, a creeping discomfort, a surprise, a heartbreak…(no spoilers ;)). Definitely a pick for me. I‘ll note, though, that the 1st 85% I listened to on audio—the readers are so good. Maybe that elevated it for me?🌟🌟🌟🌟

Now, heading to the PO to send #cbbc #coffeebeanbookclub (try 2!) & #allhallowsreadswap packages! 👏🏽👏🏽