Thank you to BookishFirst and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review!
Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onome is a lovely YA novel that deals with social issues. The story revolves around Adanna, a Nigerian Canadian teenager dealing with a lot of issues. Not only is she dealing with school and the debate team, she's also having problems with her family. Her cousin is planning a big Nigerian wedding, and Adanna has to help them out. Can Adanna deal with all of these issues from school, family, and even her love life?
Here is an intriguing excerpt from Chapter 1:
"AUNTIE FUNMI PULLS ON THE measuring tape held
tight around my waist. I hold my breath, suck in my stomach a little, because I want the dress to fit, like really fit. But
Auntie Funmi is the best seamstress my mom knows, so she
taps my arm— smacks, more like— and hisses at me in her
strong, Yoruba accent, “Ah- ah! Adanna! So you want to be
doing like this at the wedding the whole time?” And she
holds her breath and shifts side to side like she can’t walk or
bend her knees. “You will just look uncomfortable.”
Chioma snickers from where she’s sitting at the dining
table. She has a swath of bright ankara fabric over one knee
while she flips through a catalog of old-school dress styles.
We lock eyes and she snickers again, none too remorseful
for the situation I’m in. Auntie Funmi is pissed she has to
redo all these bridesmaids’ dresses only two months before
Chioma’s sister’s wedding, and she’s taking it out on me
just because I’m the last girl to be fitted. How is it my fault,
though?"
Overall, Twice as Perfect is a delightful YA novel that will appeal to fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Hate U Give. One highlight of this book is the diverse representation of the characters. I liked reading about a character with Nigerian background. I don't think I've read any books like this before, and I think it's so important for under-represented characters to take the forefront. As a reader of Chinese descent, I also appreciated the scenes on Asian names. I did take off 1 star, because I typically enjoy books in other genres more. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA novels in general, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onome is a lovely YA novel that deals with social issues. The story revolves around Adanna, a Nigerian Canadian teenager dealing with a lot of issues. Not only is she dealing with school and the debate team, she's also having problems with her family. Her cousin is planning a big Nigerian wedding, and Adanna has to help them out. Can Adanna deal with all of these issues from school, family, and even her love life?
Here is an intriguing excerpt from Chapter 1:
"AUNTIE FUNMI PULLS ON THE measuring tape held
tight around my waist. I hold my breath, suck in my stomach a little, because I want the dress to fit, like really fit. But
Auntie Funmi is the best seamstress my mom knows, so she
taps my arm— smacks, more like— and hisses at me in her
strong, Yoruba accent, “Ah- ah! Adanna! So you want to be
doing like this at the wedding the whole time?” And she
holds her breath and shifts side to side like she can’t walk or
bend her knees. “You will just look uncomfortable.”
Chioma snickers from where she’s sitting at the dining
table. She has a swath of bright ankara fabric over one knee
while she flips through a catalog of old-school dress styles.
We lock eyes and she snickers again, none too remorseful
for the situation I’m in. Auntie Funmi is pissed she has to
redo all these bridesmaids’ dresses only two months before
Chioma’s sister’s wedding, and she’s taking it out on me
just because I’m the last girl to be fitted. How is it my fault,
though?"
Overall, Twice as Perfect is a delightful YA novel that will appeal to fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Hate U Give. One highlight of this book is the diverse representation of the characters. I liked reading about a character with Nigerian background. I don't think I've read any books like this before, and I think it's so important for under-represented characters to take the forefront. As a reader of Chinese descent, I also appreciated the scenes on Asian names. I did take off 1 star, because I typically enjoy books in other genres more. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of YA novels in general, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!