Welcome to Litsy!

So so so so so good!

Very well written. Each story is like a novella. It takes me forever to finish a short story collection. I miss a narrative thread to carry me through the book. This is well worth a read. 3.5 🌟

I was so excited for this because I‘ve given two of her other books 5⭐️, but I didn‘t feel as engaged with her short fiction as I did with her novels. She once again tackles immigration and being caught between borders and cultures. A story that spoke from both the man‘s and woman‘s perspectives in a 90 Day Fiancé-style marriage caught my attention, but others I struggle to remember details of. Low pick but a beautiful cover! ?

Patricia Engel‘s “By the Book” answer.

4☆Deftly written, themes of regret, feeling lost, absolution, love and community run through these layered stories. Centrally the ways the American dream is sold to immigrants, it's big promises, letdowns, and fallacies. Each story had similar characters in similar circumstances, yet each felt distinctly unique, and left me curiously engaged as to which direction the story would go, towards hope or dispair. Much enjoyed! #bookreview #arc