Unfortunately this one didn’t do it for me. I felt a disconnect from the beginning with the authors writing style.

I am looking for a thriller and not an individuals thoughts on how racism. I could care less if authors thought purple people were killers, but don’t mention it to the world.

Keep hate, racism, judgment, stereotypes, politics out of fiction books! We are in 2022! Live in the here and now! I could go on and on about all the injustices of this world that needs a hell of a lot more notoriety than race. We have so many more marginalized people who DO NOT HAVE A VOICE TODAY! ( )

I couldn't decide whether to round this down to a 3 or up to a 4. I ultimately settled for three because while I liked a lot of the novel, it had a lot of the pitfalls of a debut. I will likely read Wanda M Morris' next book though because I think she's got a lot of promise as a writer.

My main issue is that the protagonist, Ellice Littlejohn, is a little too passive as a character. For some things, that makes sense: why she carried on a prolonged affair with her married-with-children boss for years and why doesn't have any close friends, for example. But it also means that a lot of the plot just happens to her without her having any impact on it, which in turn meant a few loose strings are left blowing in the wind. Also, Ellice should have brought her closest friend Grace in way earlier and gotten her to help. Their friendship was fun and sweet and some of my fave parts were between them.

I really liked how unflinchingly Morris covered the reality of a dark-skinned Black woman struggling with the racism and misogyny of the very white and male corporate America, especially with how Ellice remade herself into someone else who didn't have a brother or a poverty-stricken background. The way she felt walking into rooms being the only Black face, or the only woman, was super real and relatable - you can absolutely tell the author is drawing on her own experiences there.

There's a twist about 75% through where Ellice accidentally uncovers a national white-supremacist conspiracy but it didn't feel earned because Ellice was such a passive character. She stumbled upon it by accident looking into the already-perilous world of white-collar crime, so it felt tacked on to sort of 'prove' she was right about the misogynoir at work when it was believable and appalling all by itself. The whole thing was enough for its own thriller novel, it didn't need to added in with so little time to really explore it.

Ultimately, I liked the author's writing quite a lot and I found Ellice an engaging, relatable protagonist that was easy to root for. I hope Wanda Morris writes more thrillers in the same area because I'll totally read them. ( )

This book took awhile to get into. I was half way through and decided (forced myself) to finish it. I was glad I did. The plot FINALLY came together. It brings out good points for discussion (race, equality, women in the work force, bigotry etc.) ( )

A fast paced novel with many twists and turns. ( )

Ellice Littlejohn seemingly has it all: an Ivy League law degree, a well-paying job as a corporate attorney in midtown Atlanta, great friends, and a “for fun” relationship with a rich, charming executive—her white boss, Michael.

But everything changes one cold January morning when Ellice goes to meet Michael… and finds him dead with a gunshot to his head.

And then she walks away like nothing has happened. Why? Ellice has been keeping a cache of dark secrets, including a small-town past and a kid brother who’s spent time on the other side of the law. She can’t be thrust into the spotlight—again.

But instead of grieving this tragedy, people are gossiping, the police are getting suspicious, and Ellice, the company’s lone black attorney, is promoted to replace Michael. While the opportunity is a dream-come-true, Ellice just can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

When she uncovers shady dealings inside the company, Ellice is trapped in an impossible ethical and moral dilemma. Suddenly, Ellice’s past and present lives collide as she launches into a pulse-pounding race to protect the brother she tried to save years ago and stop a conspiracy far more sinister than she could have ever imagined… ( )