I was able to listen to Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry via NetGalley. While I was able to listen to this novel earlier than its publication it was also recorded with a synthetic voice so it left a little to be desired. That being said, I enjoyed the story! I appreciated the premise of Quinn's most personal thoughts coming out in true high school fashion via mean girls and social media. I appreciated the romance -- I'm a sucker for a good romantic connection. I enjoyed Quinn's evolution the most, how she confronts her struggles and how we slowly see what is at the heart of her different struggles. If I had a criticism it would be that there might be too many issues for Quinn to tackle -- parents fighting, relationship with an ailing grandmother, friendship struggles, lying, race, bullying, etc. I think all of these issues are meaningful and important, it just seemed like not enough book to do them all justice.

Since my galley used a synthetic voice I can't speak to the narration of the audiobook but I found the story very easy to listen to. I liked how there were little lists throughout since the lead Quinn loves making lists in her journal.

So the premise of this story is that Quinn accidentally loses her journal after a session for a group project. She keeps lists of everything in her journal from her favorite music to her deepest darkest secrets. The journal falls into the wrong hands and she ends up receiving texts blackmailing her to completing seven of her greatest fears or they will reveal all her secrets. The most important one she's harboring is the fact that she did not get into Columbia University and has been faking acceptance for months to please her parents. Desperate to get her journal back she teams up with Carter Bennet, the last known person to have had it. Carter and Quinn don't exactly get along despite being two of the fee Black people in their school thanks to some preconceived notions. Quinn comes from a wealthy and successful two-parent household and Carter comes from a single-parent household.

I think this will be a very relatable book for Black teen girls navigating predominantly white high schools. Speaking from experience there were times I felt like Quinn. And Black friends are amazing and do help you feel whole. Quinn has to confront dropping racist friends and being the Black but not too Black person. There's the wondering if you should speak up about certain things or just let them slide to keep the peace.

Her father has some self-hating tendencies and they both have to confront the pre-conceived notions he has of Black people outside of their social class. She hasn't really been around Black people outside of her family so it's a new experience.

So if you're interested or you know a teen who is interested in a coming of age story about a Black girl who is navigating college decisions, learning to speak out against racism, conquering her fears, and falling in love; this is one to pick up.