“Come here, u rebel, come here.” 
This novel has a powerful voice, it uses first person shared perspective, I was really drawn into the lives of the characters. Even the side characters are given such absolute love and attention, the world really felt fleshed out. Mabel’s illness is devastating but it is not depicted as graphic. I loved the relationship between her and Audre, it’s deep and meaningful, but even knowing that love that can heal, nothing can heal someone from dying. 

I think that Queenie is my favorite character, I would have loved to have more from her, she stole my heart in each scene she was in. The adults in general were all really well written, but Queenie just has something that they all don’t. 

I highly enjoyed this read, a unique perspective on generational trauma and growing up black and queer. Mabel forever!