This book was such a fun read! I loved seeing two Native characters fall in love. This representation is SO NEEDED. It was a joy to read! The characters were so likable, despite their flaws. Ember dug herself into quite a hole, but I was rooting for her to find her way out of it. I'm so excited to see what Nava does next!!

Thank you NetGalley, Danica Nava and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an exquisitely written and genuinely heartwarming<I> debut</I> rom-com, showcasing Native American representation!! "The Truth According to Ember" intricately weaves a forbidden workplace romance, brimming with witty banter, fiery passion, and undeniable chemistry that will make you swoon and laugh. Amidst the sizzling romance, the narrative delves into themes of poverty, racism, and the repercussions of dishonesty, enriching the storyline with depth and complexity. The author has masterfully crafted characters so authentic and relatable that rooting for them becomes irresistible. It's a compelling blend of heart, humor, and social commentary that will keep you enthralled until the very end. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read more from Danica Nava!!! 💜💜💜💜💜

Ember Lee Cardinal hasn't always been prone to deceit-at least, not for anything significant. But faced with repeated job rejections, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Crafting a creatively embellished resume and bending the truth about her ethnicity, she lands her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (in Oklahoma City, that is). In her new corporate role, Ember flourishes, and her romantic prospects brighten with the attention of Danuwoa Colton, a fellow Native coworker who catches her eye. Despite the office's no-dating policy, they embark on a secret relationship, adding an extra layer of excitement. However, their clandestine affair takes a dangerous turn when they're caught during a work trip, leading to blackmail from a manipulative colleague. As Ember's web of lies grows, she's faced with a tough choice: maintain her silence or risk everything by telling the truth.

Ember, who has a penchant for harmless white lies, was incredibly entertaining and made me cackle. While Danuwoa, is the epitome of charm, earning him the endearing label of "sexiest cinnamon roll." Additionally, the secondary side characters are just as incredible and the family dynamics within the story are real and moving.

In conclusion, the author adeptly pays homage to Native American culture and addresses the social injustices they have faced with remarkable skill. I wholeheartedly recommend this impactful and thought-provoking read!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I fell absolutely head over heels for this book. Ember was so relatable and honestly such a problematic fav. Like everything she did and got herself into really endeared me to her more, even if I could feel the second hand embarrassment (which I don't think I've ever seen done well in a rom-com novel until now). Also, Danuwoa was really hot.

The Truth According to Ember was an adequate debut! The beginning of the book had me laughing out loud. The bowling scene with Danuwoa was hilarious. The plotline kept me invested in the story. The toxic workplace was hard to read at points. I understand why Ember gave in to Kyle's manipulation; however, it was frustrating to see her fall for it. I thought Ember and Danuwoa were fine characters. I didn't care for all of Ember's lying. As for Danuwoa, I wish we got to see and learn more about him. He felt a little underdeveloped. There were some things that didn't gel with me. I thought "orthopedic flats" was mentioned a few too many times. I also didn't think that the dad storyline added much to the story. Overall, this was a decent read! I hope this book paves a path for more Native American rom coms. Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

I am very happy to be reviewing the first traditionally published romance book featuring an Indigenous couple written by an Indigenous woman! I have been searching high and low for something like this and while I have read a romance with an Indigenous FMC it wasn't written by a Native woman. So this is exciting!

I have a lot of complicated feelings about this book, because while I am so ecstatic of its existence and I am excited to get it into readers hands when it comes out in August...It unfortunately did not work for me, but a lot of that comes down to my own preferences.

First, The Good!

I LOVED Ember. Yes, her lies were a bit frustrating at times, but I understood her motive perfectly. I'm from Canada, so our Indigenous-Settler relations are very different here than in the US. As far as any job I have ever applied for, there was never a race question. We, however, do have hiring initiatives in most governmental jobs to encourage Indigenous applicants. That said, private owned jobs, I'm sure have just as much discrimination in them, similar to Ember's experience. So her motive! It made sense.

Ember was witty and funny and I loved her friendship with Joanna and their sisterhood. Ember was very strong even when she was in tough spots. I loved her relationship with her Auntie and the dynamic with her brother was special and to see them come close to healing was very special.

The way Danica included culture in this was *chefs kiss*. Importantly, not all Indigenous peoples are the same. In the US there are hundreds of tribes, in Canada we have nations and bands etc. Not one is the same, but, famously, we did interact and share knowledge, so it was delightful to read about things important to me, and things I like that are specific to being Indigenous.

This, however, leads me not to the bad, but to what didn't work for me.

I don't like workplace romances - maybe? Hard to say, but I can say this workplace setting did not work for me. I found the explanations and routine of accounting and IT very boring. So the setting was hard for me to get into and care about. But I know people who LOVE workplace romances, so obviously a very ME problem.

Crucially, the romance did not work for me which is very subjective. I have read so many romance books with friends where they thought the couple had insane chemistry and I did not, and vice versa. It's all a matter of taste and preferences, and for some reason, I did not feel a spark between Ember and Danuwoa. I feel like Nava kept stressing from Ember's POV that there was this insane tension between them....and I felt nothing. I wasn't particularly excited about their developments at all. I think Danuwoa was just not developed enough. He felt very flat in comparison to Ember.

I am excited for Nava to get her flowers with this, and continue writing romances! With practice and experience, I don't see how she wouldn't write something that works for me in the next one.

This book missed the mark for me. I really appreciated the Indigenous representation, but the storytelling and character development fell short. The pacing was such that the romantic tension didn't build but remained virtually flat for the first half of the book. The character of Danuwoa feels underdeveloped, he just remains uncannily perfect throughout the story and steadfast in his interest in Ember, but we never learn what he likes about her, and the obstacle to their romance (HR says no workplace romances) is unconvincing. What makes Ember and Danuwoa an ideal match is never really explored, beyond him being so great that obviously anyone would want to date him, while he seemingly knows she lies constantly and doesn't mind.
While the lived-in approach to Native culture and traditions as parts of the characters lives and backgrounds is convincing, many of the problems faced by Indigenous communities seem to be mentioned quickly in passing in ways that do not connect meaningfully to the story. The storyline about Ember's work is also poorly developed. While the book description suggests that she deceives her workplace by presenting herself as white, what actually happens is she completely lies about her qualifications, and then is such an accounting savant that she is immediately promoted by a character who supposedly everyone hates, until Ember meets her, and then this conflict is dispensed with immediately. Much of the plot continues this way, where the events that drive the plot forward have a conspicuous deus ex machina vibe, and the side characters, especially the men, remain incredibly one-dimensional with their motives never really being interrogated or explained. All of their behaviors and choices seem clearly engineered specifically to serve the plot instead of following any meaningful internal logic of the world the author has created.

Essentially, while this book has an intriguing premise, setting, and heroine, it feels like an early draft of what could eventually be a much better novel, with a more realistically coherent plot and complex and compelling character motivations.

Oh my god when I tell you I became so obsessed with this book??? You gotta trust my word because "The Truth According To Ember" was such an INCREDIBLE read! It was such a breath of fresh air and had me hooked from the very beginning of this book, making me finish it in one complete sitting.

This book is a groundbreaking novel that provides much-needed representation for Native women in romance. The story follows Ember, a Cherokee woman from Oklahoma, who struggles with lying to herself and others in order to navigate life's challenges. The novel delves into themes of pride, self-reliance, and the flaws of a go-getter mentality.

The love interest, Danuwoa, adds depth to the story as a Cherokee IT guy with a big heart and a strong sense of family. The representation of Native culture is beautifully woven into the narrative, with elements like frybread cooking, Miss Indian Oklahoma, and the use of the Chickasaw/Choctaw heritage. The character development of Ember is realistic and engaging, with a well-crafted character arc that leads to personal growth and self-realization.

Through Ember's journey of self-discovery and growth, readers are able to see the importance of embracing one's heritage and being true to oneself. The novel challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about Native American women, showcasing their strength, resilience, and beauty. Oh how much I absolutely adored these characters!!!

The novel is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that tackles important societal issues while delivering a heartwarming love story. The witty and entertaining narrative, along with the charming characters and family dynamics, make it a must-read for fans of romance. Overall, "The Truth According To Ember" is a significant addition to the genre, offering a fresh perspective and authentic representation of Native American experiences.

Overall, "The Truth According To Ember" is a powerful and empowering novel that celebrates the strength and beauty of Native women in a genre that often lacks diverse representation. It is a must-read for anyone looking for a heartfelt and engaging romance that goes beyond the typical tropes and offers a fresh perspective on love, identity, and cultural heritage.

I loved the representation of this book, both of Native characters and working class folks. So many rom-coms focus on glamorous careers and middle to upper class women, which made Ember's economic situation really refreshing to read. This book felt so grounded and real and lived in. I felt like I knew Ember. But it was hard to watch her lie to everyone in her life, especially Danuwoa, who always an absolute sweetheart to her. I understood Ember's motivation and why her dishonesty was central to the book, it just wasn't for me. I found myself worrying for Ember, rather than rooting for her, because her lies kept building and building. It's one thing to lie in order to get your foot in the door in a discriminatory workplace, it's quite another to repeatedly lie to your partner. I am glad this book was published, and I look forward to more books by the author!

Groundbreaking, fresh, funny, and captivating romance from an important new voice. Looking forward to more from Danica Nava!

📣 I read this super early but don’t regret it! I’m really looking forward to what this author writes next.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 how would you rate your last read using bowling terminology (this features in the book 🤣): a strike, close to a strike, a split with several pins that remain standing, or a total gutter ball?

Get you a fictional hottie who can fix your computer & tow your car.

Or a fictional hottie who takes charge of her life, kicking butts & taking names & sometimes getting herself into little awkward dilemmas as she does it.

Those are both leads of Danica Nava’s The Truth According to Ember, a sexy workplace contemporary that features these two standout Native MCs, their families (& sometimes the complications that come along with them), and the secondary leads—good, bad, & icky—who populate their Oklahoma City workplace.

In moments this book had me swooning hard & in others, getting frustrated with FMC Ember Lee who frequently resorts to lying (see title 😅) when it comes to her job & love interest Danuwoa.

But the book offers motivations behind many of the lies—at least in the beginning, before things start ramping up & Danica’s actions—though still somewhat understandable—had me stressing 😆.

Setting aside the lying, this book delivers on the romance front. Though lying can be iffy for me in terms of romance development, there’s a real connection between Ember & Danuwoa, forged on their attraction, their shared culture & experiences as Native Americans, & just what they want out of life.

Friends, I thought this book was great. There are some stellar scenes in it & lots of moments where I rooted for both of them, especially as Ember celebrates the milestones she’s making happen.

4.5 ⭐️. Out 08/06.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess’s white hand holds the ebook in front of a blue, pink, & green mural with a butterfly on it.]

I have been searching for more Indigenous/Native Romance novels and any titles to add to our library's collection. This book is about two Indigenous individuals fighting against racially discriminatory stereotypes and barriers to have a fair chance when being employed/promoted within the workplace, purchasing cars and homes, gaining access to education, and being treated respectfully in society along with being treated equally in the workplace. The author was able to work several heartbreaking issues into this story such as imprisonment, poverty, and mistreatment to show how the main characters use this as an impetus for self-improvement and self-care without it completely overwhelming the entire story. This book will appeal to readers who may have experienced parental abandonment, needing to provide assistance in raising a younger sibling, and those who have struggled against a corporate system where racial discrimination of the BIPOC community is still taking place leading to a loss in truly talented individuals struggling to find employment at this time.

The only part of this book that I found frustrating was the main character's consistent need to create more and more lies and yet, everyone forgives her at once when realistically this would be much harder for some individuals to do...however, this is a Romance novel with a nice resolution so I won't keep harping on this part of the novel. This didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the title and I look forward to reading more titles from this author!

I really enjoyed this book. It’s funny, heartfelt…and multilayered.

The leading character is Ember, who is a bit rough around the edges, messy (and self-aware about it), and a fundamentally good person. And of course, Danuwoa is the wholesome, sexy, supportive love interest we want and adore.

No doubt, this is a fun romcom story. However, it goes beyond that and is honest and genuine about the lived experiences of its main character, Ember, as a Chickasaw woman. This includes references to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, generational poverty and trauma, and the living legacies of colonialism. I also appreciate that this book leans into exploring the spectrum of how racism and sexism are perpetuated, and then also experienced, in workplaces.

Even towards the end, the book kept surprising me with its layers. In the final chapters, it dropped a subtle, but effective, observation about faux workplace friendships – those people you seek a connection with due to proximity and not perhaps, true compatibility.

All this is going on while the book is filled with humour and a cute blossoming romance between Ember and Danuwoa.

So why isn’t this a full 5 stars for me? The book had a few cringy moments, particularly with Ember’s attempts to cover up her lies. Those scenes may be cute and funny to other readers, but they just didn’t land with me.

4.5 out of 5 stars. This is a great debut from Danica Nava, and I look forward to reading whatever she releases next.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me to read this book.

A delightful rom-com where a woman’s lies spin out of control.

Ember Lee Cardinal needs stability. After her younger brother was put in jail last year and missed his hearing, she lost her money for school. She’s been applying for jobs, but never hears back. One day, she and her friend Joanna decide that maybe she’d get an interview if she stopped checking “Native American” on the identity box and checked “White” instead. Ember finally gets a job interview for an accounting job in Oklahoma City. Who cares if she didn’t finish her associate’s degree? She can learn quickly. Ember gets the job and meets Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy. They immediately hit it off, but Technix does not allow interoffice relationships. Ember struggles to contain her growing attraction to Danuwoa since it could cost her the first stable job she’s ever had. When a work trip forces them to confront their attraction, they realize there’s more than attraction. But someone else at the company has found out about Ember and Danuwoa’s secret romance and blackmails Ember. Ember must balance her growing affection for Danuwoa and her precarious position at the job she fought so hard for.

There’s so much to love in this story, however, much of it simply was not to my personal taste. I appreciate that Ember has her heart in the right place and is trying so hard to always do the right thing, but her lying about everything from having a boyfriend to not being allergic to cats stressed me out to the point where I was getting anxious. I really prefer having dual POV’s in romance because I think it helps us get an understanding of both characters. Ember has a really fun narrative voice, but I feel like I missed out on knowing Danuwoa. I felt like much of this book was more of Ember’s personal journey rather than a romance, especially the first 60% of the book.

I was greatly moved by the author’s Dear Reader not at the end of the book where she says: “I wanted to read a story where there were characters who identify as I do, and that inadvertently is a political statement. To write us in the pages of a love story, where we have never been allowed to be - except as caricatures or stereotypes to help non-Natives along their journeys - is powerful.” This book is a powerful political statement because it centers on Natives and their love story. In a genre and ultimately a world that often ignores Natives, a story that focuses on them and a love story is important reading.

While parts of this weren’t to my personal taste, I believe it’s a powerful work that’s worth reading.

I want to re-read this book again. OMG..it was so good. An Indigenous rom-com! Please give me more. I cannot wait for what Danica has next. I kinda can guess who is going to get a book 2 but I dont want to jump the gun.

Not only is The Truth According to Ember is the first Native American rom-com to be published by a major publisher, but it sets the bar high for rom-coms as a whole genre! Ember is one of the most relatable, honest, and authentic FMCs I've read in so long and she truly feels like someone I'd want to be friends with. This book captures what it's like to be young and trying to find your footing in the world so damn well. Ember and Danuowoa have fantastic chemistry and banter together that makes them pop off the page. I am so excited for readers to get this in their hands in August and devour it like I did! Danica Nava is a new author to absolutely have your eyes on.

I was giggling and kicking my feet this entire book! it was also laugh out loud funny I can't wait to read more books by Danica!

A true laugh out loud forbidden-coworkers romance with Native American representation!!!!
This not only had me giggling but grinning from ear to ear!
Ember our fmc who loves her white little lies was just so entertaining to read about and her personality was just so charismatic, I adored her even if she fibbed a little too much.The story was funny and witty but also touched on really important societal issues and experiences that indigenous people go through.
The romance within had me blushing and Danuwoa had me swooning, he is such a sweetheart! The side characters were all so lovable and the family aspect within this was tender and real.
The very first Native American rom com being published by a large publishing house that should absolutely make its way onto your TBR!!! As a native woman, this was such an incredibly special read to me, to be able to see glimpses of myself and my upbringing reflected on page and I’m just so proud of Danica and absolutely can’t wait to see more from her!!

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the advance review copy--all opinions are my own!

Fresh, funny, and full of heart, THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO EMBER delivers a romantic comedy delight. Ember is lovable and laugh-out-loud hilarious, and her journey as she learns to lean into the support of her community, discovers unconditional love, and embraces the power of telling her truth, is wonderfully touching. This is a romance I won’t soon forget.

How to describe this book…it’s like when you’re playing a game of Jenga—one wrong move and the whole thing collapses. The Truth According to Ember is a whole steamy, swoony, bantery disaster with Ember barely holding it all together. She sells a few lies about her identity and experience to land a job so she can have the life she wants but they just keep piling on. The last thing she expected was to meet her super hot coworker Danuwoa only to find out there is a strict no-dating policy at her new fancy job. Danica Nava also tackles topics of racism, cultural appropriation and sexism head on. This romance is at once designed to make you fall in love with Ember and Danuwoa while also digging through and confronting deeply rooted issues of oppression. I truly hope this opens the door to more Indigenous voices in the romance genre and I’m already looking forward to Danica’s next story!

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ember Lee Cardinal, a Native aspiring accountant facing constant rejection, resorts to embellishing her qualifications and fabricating her ethnicity to secure a coveted accounting position in Oklahoma City. Thriving in her new corporate role, Ember also finds romance with Danuwoa Colson, a fellow Native coworker. Despite their workplace's no-dating policy, they engage in a clandestine relationship, which intensifies under the secrecy. Their affair is soon jeopardized when caught by a colleague during a work trip. Ember faces increasing pressure as she becomes entangled in a web of lies to protect her job and relationship. Ultimately, she must confront the choice between maintaining her silence or risking everything by revealing the truth.

ROMANCE IS THE MOST INCLUSIVE LITERARY GENRE and that is one of the many hills that I will die on. I was so excited to see a romance novel featuring Native characters and this book did not disappoint. A sweet story peppered with some darker elements, The Truth According to Ember is surprisingly relatable. Ember’s relationship with her brother, the loss of her parents, and the discrimination that she faces due to her ethnicity, are all obstacles that many readers will identify with. A lovely debut for Danica Nava!