Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was very difficult to read. Not because it was written poorly, but because I feel it conveyed the complexity of Jade’s situation, along with the reality of women being conditioned to take blame for “letting” something bad happen to us AND for also having to comfort others during *our* time of need. To be the supporting, maternal party. Because that’s what we’re good at, right?

I had to set the book aside for weeks, sometimes months, at a time, and it took me a long time to finish the book but I never felt like I should DNF because this book deserves to be read. Is it triggering? Very much, yes. But these types of stories deserve to be told and read. They're not for everyone.

I appreciated how the author described what was going on in Jade’s head, how she was feeling, and her thought processes for her actions. The book gave glimpses of navigating corporate politics as a woman and a minority, and depicted how women, especially minority women, contort ourselves to fit into some pre-determined mold to make others (especially men) feel comfortable. I also appreciated seeing Jade’s experiences with being a child of immigrants and the token minority.

The book was a good depiction of why so many of us would rather take the bear, thank you.

This cover is absolute fire but the story was not, at least to me. The writing style was good and the book was fine. I just wanted to be wowed.

I struggled to focus on this story in the beginning for some reason, but once the plot took off, I was hooked and horrified by how devastatingly realistic this is. This book is painful to read, but it's important for the perspective it portrays of being a survivor and the million little ways a single incident can chip away at you in the aftermath.

I also appreciated the scenes related to power, class, race, and privilege. The web of these elements keeps us all trapped in struggles experienced by multiple characters throughout the novel.

I hope this book finds many more readers. And I hope those readers find comfort in the story, knowing they're not alone and that there are paths to healing and taking our power back. I'm grateful to the author for digging deep to share this tough but necessary story.

WOW - What a powerful Debut novel!

What I loved:
1. The author tackled a very challenging topic (rape) and executed it with finesse.
2. There were so many powerful and relevant themes - Identity, ambition, misogyny, power, wealth and I felt the author understood each one intimately and walked with us on our journey during the book.
3. The protagonist had to overcome so much but the themes of empowerment and resilience were tackled and again we believed and understood as we walked the journey with Jade.

What I wanted more of:
1. I think it suffered from some of the "first book" titles and could have used some sharper editing

I can't wait for Ela Lee's next books - I will definitely be reading them!

Many thanks to Random House, Vintage for an ARC via Netgalley.

Jade is a dutiful daughter of two immigrants, a successful on-the-rise lawyer in London, and a loving girlfriend. When she wakes up the morning after a work event with no recollection of how she got home, she feels unsettled but tries to brush the feeling aside. Jade chalks it up to a night of overindulgence and buries her unease. She doesn’t want to disrupt her well-crafted life but shortly after, she is forced to address what really happened. ⁣
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Jaded explores racism, sexism, assault, and corporate cultures of silence. It felt like a real story, for better or worse, and is a reminder of the difficult, unfair positions women are too often put in. I felt for Jade and the gamut of emotions she experienced as she tried to process 1) what happened and 2) what happens next.
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I flew through this moving, debut novel and look forward to seeing what Ela Lee writes next — 4.5 stars

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for my ARC copy! This review contains my personal thoughts and opinions.

Jaded by Ela Lee is a poignant exploration of a story that resonates deeply with many women. It bravely delves into challenging themes with care, shedding light on various difficult experiences. Jade’s journey is heartbreaking and deeply emotional, and one that I think will stay with me for a while.

The first half of the book felt a bit disjointed to me. The pacing and flow didn’t quite match the intensity of the story, making it harder to stay fully immersed. That said, the second half picks up considerably and delivers a powerful emotional payoff.

Overall, Jaded is a compelling read that tackles a number of sensitive topics. I recommend checking all trigger warnings (there's a ton!) before reading it. I think in the end, it's worth picking up if you’re prepared for the heaviness and complexity it brings.

Rating: 4/5

Ela Lee's debut novel, Jaded, is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of sexual assault, its aftermath, and the complex journey of healing. The story follows Jade, a young woman who is grappling with the devastating consequences of a workplace assault.

Lee's writing is both raw and compassionate, capturing the emotional turmoil and confusion that Jade experiences. The author skillfully delves into the intricacies of trauma, exploring the physical and psychological effects on Jade's life. The novel also sheds light on the societal challenges survivors face, from the disbelief and judgment they often encounter to the difficulties of navigating the legal system.

This novel is the story of Jade (her Starbucks name) who is a rising star attorney at a prestigious firm in London. She experiences a life changing encounter with a colleague that sets her on a path that completely changes her and upsets her ‘normal’ life. As the child of a Turkish dad and Korean mom, Jade has had to navigate subtle (and not so subtle racism) and sexism. The story takes us through Jade’s navigation of the morning after, the days that follow and ultimately the decisions that lead her to the ‘what can I live with’ conclusions regarding her future. I struggled with some of the overall narrative; but would recommend this book.

3.75/5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 4)

After Jade is wakes up naked and alone after a work party, she isn't quite sure what happened. However, as she starts to piece things together, she realizes that she was raped by someone she thought was a friend. As she struggles to deal with this, she is also struggling with her boyfriend and work. Even her parents don't seem to understand. This novel dives into Jade's struggle with her trauma, especially as the world does not seem to want to help her.

This one was really hard to read. I wouldn't pick it up if you're not in a good headspace. Do I regret reading it? Not really, but I also didn't enjoy reading it. I've read heavy books before that at the end I'm glad I read because the message is so powerful. Here, though I just felt so down because Jade has such little good happen. Even in the epilogue when we get hints of things, it just let me feeling unresolved. I don't think a happy ever after would've worked here, but I honestly would've been fine if it had just ended at the last chapter when she calls someone for help. That would've been a poignant ending for me.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 11%

It wasn't the book for me. It seemed well written but I didn't like the storyline so didn't continue.

*Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

JADED By Ela Lee

Heavy topic but so well done. I couldn’t stop reading about Jade and what happened to her - so much to pack in this novel - the narrative and writing was engaging and skillfully done. Impressive!

Ouch, this book was a gut punch.

It's hard for me to separate my feelings about this book from my feelings about my own experiences, but in that vein, it's clear to me that the author was either exorcising some of her own pain or had done excellent research on the topic. The feelings of loss and betrayal, the tangle of guilt and uncertainty and fury, all felt so raw. The way she made her assault a centerpiece of the story without losing all other plot was also handled quite well.

I hope that readers approach this book with care, but I also know that it will offer a mirror for those who are ready to look. Thank you to Ela Lee for this beautiful and complex novel, and to Simon & Schuster for offering the opportunity to read and review.

This was a tough read. Jaded is about a woman who is raped and how she navigates the complicated aftermath in her professional and personal lives. Her relationships with her partner, her colleagues, her friends, her parents...all changed. It's a well-written account of the process of coming to terms with what happened--including devastating self doubt--avoiding her attacker at work and trying to bring consequences.

Unfortunately, as we are all too familiar with, men who commit sexual violence, at best, face minimal repercussions and, at worst, end up benefiting or failing up. I will always remember Dr. Blasey-Ford in the Senate hearings for Brett Kavanaugh's SCOTUS confirmation. I've never been more disillusioned and infuriated with the gross level of misogyny both in government and the country at large. While I imagine victims of rape are affected in many different ways, this story is important, because it shows examples of a range of reactions to the news that are both supportive and utterly inappropriate, some even dismissive.

It really should be required reading for young adults to learn about the devastation caused by sexual violence as well as helping define what sexual violence actually is. It also depicts the types of behavior that contribute to the kind of environment that supports predators over victims.

Note for anyone concerned: The attack is not explicitly described.

I loved this book! I do admit it took me a little while to get into it. I put it down then picked it back up a few times. I liked that it was a bit dark. I like complicated characters that are flawed and Jade is definitely one of them.

This was a DNF for me, I tried getting into the story and just couldn’t. Sometimes it’s the right book just not the right mood.

Okay, this wasn’t bad but I expected more. I think it needed more of a punch with the intended purpose. Plus my copy was strange with the formatting. I do thank you for the EArc

This is a heartbreaking read but a very important story. After a work party, the protagonist is raped by a coworker. She only has a hazy memory of what happened but the ripple effect on her life (boyfriend, co-workers, management, friends, family) ultimately has a huge impact. Questions of doubt about consent vs. not creep into conversations while her experience with the trauma and PTSD becomes tiresome for her circle. In the end, she is still healing and she reckons with being forever changed by the assault. I can't say it is a hopeful ending but it an important story to tell/read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

This was a very well written book. The main character Jade is struggling between two worlds. During a company party there is a sexual assault that happens where her life is thrown into a tizzy. She starts to recognize she is torn between who she is and who she presents to the world and figuring where she will go next.

Highly recommend, but please check content warnings. The author manages to tell a cohesive, nuanced, and authentic story while hitting on a lot of difficult topics.

It was hard for me to stick with this one because my netgalley copy was all over the place. Would the experience have been different if my copy had proper formatting? I’m not sure. It felt very disjointed and jumped around a lot.