Sweeping ... Strenner brings extraordinary depth to the inner lives of her characters ... A richly layered narrative ... With subtle shifts in perspective and a gift for poignant detail, Strenner explores the ache of adoption ... Readers will be captivated by Strenner’s elegant prose and the tender resilience of her characters, making this an unforgettable coming-of-age story.
Poignant ... A beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that is a must-read for those interested in contemporary fiction about cultural exploration and personal growth.
The whirlwind of drama in the last act compensates for the uneven portrait of teen life ... Kit and Sabrina’s searches for identity in the affluent white suburbs are meaningful explorations, but are hampered by the fact that these two Gen Z girls don’t really sound or act like teenagers. When Mimi returns to the U.S. with a list of girls who could be her daughter, though, the novel quickly transforms from a coming-of-age tale to something quite harrowing.
