Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

ARC courtesy NetGalley and G.P. Putnam for an honest review

Book Blurb:

Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living showing other women how to do the same. A mother to two small girls, she started out as a blogger and has quickly built herself into a confidence-driven brand. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains’ toddler one night. Seeing a young black woman out late with a white child, a security guard at their local high-end supermarket accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make it right.
But Emira herself is aimless, broke, and wary of Alix’s desire to help. At twenty-five, she is about to lose her health insurance and has no idea what to do with her life. When the video of Emira unearths someone from Alix’s past, both women find themselves on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know about themselves, and each other.

My Review: 4 stars

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Such a Fun Age appeared on so many lists as a ‘Hot Read’ for winter 2020 and let me assure you, it deserved each accolade. FYI: It was on my list too! The premise is oh, so simple, yet it’s a punch in the gut in regards to racism, affluence and decency.

This starts with a mistaken report that the nanny, dark-skinned Emira, has kidnapped her light-skinned charge, when they show up at an upscale market, late at night. An innocent bystander films the incident, because well, that’s what people do now. Emira has no interest in the video; sadly, she is used to the scrutiny and just wants to move on. This incident shifts Emira’s relationship with her employers, especially with Alix, the mother. Alix was just awful as she broke privacies numerous times in the vain of trying to get to know Emira better. Watching her try to befriend this 25-year-old girl made for stellar reading. Pure dysfunction.

This novel is incredibly thought-provoking. So many nuggets to sit with and think about regarding race and class. Do white people become friends with black people just to say they have black friends? Does the opposite ring true? Can your feelings about race truly change over time? What happens when your past doesn’t just haunt you but appears in your present? These are just a few of the questions brought to mind while reading this book.

The author spoke millennial like nobody’s business. She used pitch perfect dialogue and implemented trending words with precision. I loved the toddler that Emira babysat and could feel the closeness of their relationship. Emira felt noticed and needed while little Briar felt protected and loved. They adored each other equally and most importantly, their connection felt real.

Definitely check this one out. I look forward for what’s next from this author.

Quotes I liked:

I don’t need you to be mad that it happened. I need you to be mad that it just like… happens.”

“I think it best we went our separate ways, and that those paths never crossed again.”