Fruit Punch is a young Black girls coming age story that brings forth numerous moments of reflection. There is the dysfunctional dynamics of her parents who are toxic together and yet sexually, they’re like magnets. “How sex is the only thing I know about whatever love they could have possibly shared”. There is her own encounter with sex as her cousin puts his penis in her hand to have intercourse while she’s sleeping or her parents having sex right next to her. There’s the complex of church as a child, the blame being place on the girls as they are “fast” and “boys are just being boys”.

Relationships at 14 showed the dynamics of men and women and the lack of commitment displayed. The need to appear okay but not understanding heartbreak or how to speak out your truth when it is often overshadowed.

Fruit Punch shows a families complex way of loving and acceptance while trying to navigate through it as a child but finding a bit of rebellion with age.

This is a beautiful memoir. Difficult and triggering? Yes. But also funny, nostalgic, and real. A lot of '90s babies in particular will enjoy its references. The first half immediately grabbed me, and I ended up staying up wildly late to finish it. I had to read it in one sitting. The writing was vivid and insightful, the voice clear. In the second half things got heavier, especially in the therapy session chapters (my favorites). I stayed up late again to finish. Kendra Allen's voice is compelling and original, and it's clear that she's a poet. The structure and rhythm of Fruit Punch really heightened the reader experience. I'm excited for whatever comes next and will definitely be buying this for my bookshelf when it comes out.

First, I should mention that there are trigger warnings for this one (see Author’s note).

But, if you can read it, you should. So heartfelt and heartbreaking. The author beautifully presents the push and pull of a family where love and abuse coexist.

Thank you Ecco and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

Available Aug 9th

I've been a huge fan of Kendra Allen ever since her debut poetry collection, the Collection Plate, last year. Fruit Punch follows similar themes of childhood, religion, family and identity. Effortlessly switching between prose and poetry, Allen takes us on a heartbreaking journey as a young Black girl finds her way to womanhood in an often cruel world. This is a tender, truly felt memoir.

This is a tough and honest memoir with a conversational, familiar voice. There are triggering topics, but with biting insight into a child's mind and way of processing it all.