I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi Published by HarperCollins on June 21, 2022
Genres: Fiction / African American & Black / Women, Fiction / Coming of Age, Fiction / Cultural Heritage, Fiction / Own Voices, Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 352
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Netgalley
ONE OF TEEN VOGUE'S "25 BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORS THEY CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS YEAR"
ONE OF BETCHES' "22 BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ THIS YEAR"
"As a fan of Grey’s Anatomy (and Chicago Med!), I couldn’t put down On Rotation, and you won’t be able to, either. Shirlene Obuobi makes you feel as if you’re actually right there with the lovable Angie, and I personally couldn’t get enough." —Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author
For fans of Grey’s Anatomy and Seven Days in June, this dazzling debut novel by Shirlene Obuobi explores that time in your life when you must decide what you want, how to get it, & who you are, all while navigating love, friendship, and the realization that the path you’re traveling is going to be a bumpy ride.
Ghanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the “Perfect Immigrant Daughter.”
- Enroll in an elite medical school
- Snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriend
- Surround self with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends
But then it quickly all falls apart: her boyfriend dumps her, she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, and her best friend pulls away. And her parents, whose approval seems to hinge on how closely she follows the path they chose, are a lot less proud of their daughter. It’s a quarter life crisis of epic proportions.
Angie, who has always faced her problems by working “twice as hard to get half as far,” is at a loss. Suddenly, she begins to question everything: her career choice, her friendships, even why she's attracted to men who don't love her as much as she loves them.
And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez— brilliant, thoughtful, sexy, and most importantly, seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent.
Unfortunately, he’s also got “wasteman” practically tattooed across his forehead, and Angie’s done chasing mirages of men. Or so she thinks. For someone who’s always been in control, Angie realizes that there’s one thing she can’t plan on: matters of her heart.
This book is funny and interesting and romantic and I loved all of the vibrant characters. As a chronic overachiever myself, every time Angela gets something fantastic but slightly under expectations, I’m also absolutely gutted. Honestly, I don’t really read straight romances, but this is a great exception. Five stars. Bookshop link.
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