I’ve decided to give this book 3 stars because I did enjoy it, it moved me, it made me think a lot, but there was something about it that didn’t sit right with me.

Then I read some of the one star reviews and it helped cement what didn’t sit well - the book still wrapped up in a nice pretty bow for white folks. Riley got back with her white boyfriend, Kevin served no time, Kevin got to write a note to Tamara and ease his conscious. Sure it ended ended with the acknowledgment that more Black men are being killed, but was that enough? I don’t know….

I also agree with another reviewers note that the burden to educate falls on Riley and Jen takes no responsibility to educate herself. Also just getting to move to Florida and start over? Pathetic. It shows how the system continues to benefit white folks.

I’m not sure what better ending or wrap up would have been…. Maybe nothing. Maybe leaving it not wrapped up. I’m not sure. But it felt like this book was 100% written for white readers and thus didn’t want to get too messy with its white characters so as not offend white readers.

All this being said - I did find it hard to put down and sped through it. It did make me think - as a white reader. The beginning was the saddest prologue I’ve ever read and that made me think. So I’ll stick with 3 stars.