- Date Read: May 14, 2022
- Publication Date: May 31, 2022
- Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
- Format: Audio Book
- Page Count: 304
- Listening Time: 8 hours 1 minute
- Print Publisher: Flatiron Books
- Audio Publisher: MacMillan Audio
I was not prepared for how this book would impact me emotionally which is the risk I always take, as someone who loves literary fiction. When characters are well developed and the author leans into grief and loss, well, I tend to lose myself in the novel completely. That’s exactly what happened with Yerba Buena.
The story centers on the love story between two women, Sara and Emilie, who have an instant and deep connection even though their presence in each other’s lives ebbs and flows throughout the book. The beauty in this story, for me, is the way the author gave depth to each woman’s whole life and how their experiences shape their lives (and love lives) today.
There’s more time spent on developing the two characters than on their time together, and as a reader it felt almost heartbreaking to see the on and off again connection. Yet, I knew that they were doing the best they could for themselves while trying to unpack and heal from their childhoods. Without giving away the ending, I’ll simply say that it felt wistfully accurate to life, and I appreciated the author for it.
This was the author’s first adult fiction novel, and she has five previously published young adult books that I am looking forward to checking out. She also recently published her first children’s picture book called Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, which I’m looking forward to reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. This book is available on May 31, 2022 and for pre-order now.
Content warnings: Death, Addiction, Drug abuse, Estranged siblings