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A review by bookishhill
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
5.0
5/5 ⭐️s
There was so much I loved about this book. The found family, the chance to better understand racial injustices, the inclusivity, the open discussion of mental health... I went into this read expecting a cute little romcom, but I'm so happy it was more than that.
I related to Grace Porter so much that there were times I had to put the book down and just cry. I think most millennials can relate to her as well - no matter color or sexual orientation. Having parents that were taught to just work, happiness be damned. Growing up with constantly mounting pressure to meet these requirements previous generations considered the pinnacle of success...a college degree, a 40-year career path, a house with a family. We were expected to have these, but somewhere along the past decade, we became disillusioned to this American dream. We were in debt and couldn't afford houses of our own without moms and dads cosigning the loans. We weren't happy in a 9 to 5 workplace and continuously hopped from job to job searching for that peace Gen X and Baby Boomers seemed to grasp so easily. Eventually, I think most of us lost the steam of our youth and were just clinging to survival.
I felt that in Grace.
I felt this connection to a fictional girl who had put her nose to the grindstone (am I mixing metaphors here?) and continuously strived for perfection because then she'd finally feel like her life was worth it. Only to come to a screeching halt one day with a crisis of self. Who wants to continue slaving away for the rest of their life? What's so wrong with wanting to strike a balance between success and happiness or contentment? Why are only those in the 0.01% shown to be truly successful while the rest of us are told, "See? This is what you should've been."
Even Grace's relationship with her mentor was relatable. Don't we all have that professor or coworker we want to strive to be? I have mine, and while I can't claim racial prejudices as a reason for why I'll never measure up to them, I have asked if it was because of my weight. I've wondered if it's because I'm just too introverted while others less talented but more socially adept are recognized in my place.
This turned less into a book review and more into a stream of consciousness, but isn't that the mark of an amazing book? An amazing author? One that can tell a wonderful story while simultaneously forcing the reader to think? Maybe not always, but for me, this book earned every word of praise I'm sure it will receive.
There was so much I loved about this book. The found family, the chance to better understand racial injustices, the inclusivity, the open discussion of mental health... I went into this read expecting a cute little romcom, but I'm so happy it was more than that.
I related to Grace Porter so much that there were times I had to put the book down and just cry. I think most millennials can relate to her as well - no matter color or sexual orientation. Having parents that were taught to just work, happiness be damned. Growing up with constantly mounting pressure to meet these requirements previous generations considered the pinnacle of success...a college degree, a 40-year career path, a house with a family. We were expected to have these, but somewhere along the past decade, we became disillusioned to this American dream. We were in debt and couldn't afford houses of our own without moms and dads cosigning the loans. We weren't happy in a 9 to 5 workplace and continuously hopped from job to job searching for that peace Gen X and Baby Boomers seemed to grasp so easily. Eventually, I think most of us lost the steam of our youth and were just clinging to survival.
I felt that in Grace.
I felt this connection to a fictional girl who had put her nose to the grindstone (am I mixing metaphors here?) and continuously strived for perfection because then she'd finally feel like her life was worth it. Only to come to a screeching halt one day with a crisis of self. Who wants to continue slaving away for the rest of their life? What's so wrong with wanting to strike a balance between success and happiness or contentment? Why are only those in the 0.01% shown to be truly successful while the rest of us are told, "See? This is what you should've been."
Even Grace's relationship with her mentor was relatable. Don't we all have that professor or coworker we want to strive to be? I have mine, and while I can't claim racial prejudices as a reason for why I'll never measure up to them, I have asked if it was because of my weight. I've wondered if it's because I'm just too introverted while others less talented but more socially adept are recognized in my place.
This turned less into a book review and more into a stream of consciousness, but isn't that the mark of an amazing book? An amazing author? One that can tell a wonderful story while simultaneously forcing the reader to think? Maybe not always, but for me, this book earned every word of praise I'm sure it will receive.