Sometimes it is not a guarantee that the blog will cover a new book that was written by an author previously featured. That was certainly the case with today's selection, People Person by Candice Carty-Williams, the author of 2019's Queenie. I went back and forth about whether or not I would read the book, much less review it, but here we are. Hopefully, at the very least, I can help out those that may be similarly on the fence.
The Situation: Cyril Pennington, a Jamaica-born British man, has five children by four different women. There is Nikisha, the oldest, a driven and determined mother of two. Second is Danny, a somewhat happy-go-lucky man who has had some missteps in his past, but now does everything in his power to be the father to his kid that he wished Cyril had been for him. Children three and four, Dimple and Lizzie, are only a week apart in age, and could not be more different. Dimple is sensitive and a bit lost, while Lizzie is cold, guarded, and knows exactly what she wants. And finally, there is Prynce, the youngest, and also Nikisha's full brother. They all may have Cyril in common as their dad, but they also share the fact that he was never there for any of them.
The Problem: When Dimple is 30 years old, she finds herself in a terrifying situation that leads her to calling Nikisha. Last time she saw her eldest half-sister, she insisted that her siblings call her if they needed absolutely anything. Dimple did not really expect her big sister to help her, and she certainly did not expect the other three to come by as well. But as the five of them attempt to handle the situation, which quickly goes from bad, to weird and impossible, to downright stressful and potentially life changing, they bond as only five related and often resentful strangers can. And when Cryil makes a reappearance, things get even more chaotic and strange, and poor Dimple may be too sensitive to handle everything that is happening.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in and around present-day London. For the most part, the book centers around the five children of Cyril Pennington, but the focus is mostly on Dimple. Cyril's middle child is currently an aspiring influencer with a mediocre following, with no plans to ever leave the home she shares with her overbearing and codependent mother. Through mostly her perspective, the reader gets to know all of Dimple's siblings, as well as many of the extended family, including the four different mothers, Cyril's own mother, and his sisters. While a few of his children are ready to write him off, and understandably so, Dimple remains the one with a soft spot for the father who is a constant disappointment. The five strangers who happen to be related are thrown into a tense situation where they must work together quickly, even though they do not really know or like each other, and Dimple needs to figure out if she even likes herself.
My Verdict: My hesitation to cover this book was somewhat merited, though I am glad I read it. I expected the messy family dynamics, hard conversations, and the feelings of pity and resentment. What I did not expect was a plot that was all over the place, and to be forced to follow the perspective of the sibling I liked the least. Well, Lizzie may actually be my least favorite, but Dimple really did try my patience. Given how Cyril treated his children and their mothers, it is not surprising that they all have their separate issues and have a hard time interacting with each other, Dimple maybe most of all. But there are only so many times I can witness a character knowingly make a terrible decision, and then cry about the consequences later. However, I do appreciate that the book is ultimately not about Cyril and what he has done, but about the family who has had to make it work without him.
Favorite Moment: Nikisha can be a lot to take, which is exactly what makes her so effective in dealing with someone who keeps giving Dimple trouble.
Favorite Character: Danny may seem clueless and unbothered, but he is a responsible man who shows up for people and is doing what he can for his son.
Recommended Reading: I certainly prefer Queenie to this book. But I will also recommend This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith.
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