Exposure by Ava Dellaira is a character-driven novel exploring grief, ambition, and the complexities of truth. With lyrical writing and themes like racism and #MeToo, it’s powerful but slow-paced, and some plotlines feel unresolved. A thoughtful read, though not without flaws.

Exposure is an enthralling, read that hooked me from start to finish. Featuring complex, well developed characters and addressing topics such as race, sexual assault, and socioeconomic status, it's a thought provoking book that will allow for great discussion making it an excellent selection for book clubs.

I'm getting to this review late, unfortunately, but I loved this book! I am not sure that the title and the cover really match the vibe of the story ; I liked the book much more than I thought I would have based on the cover - in fact, that's why it took so long for me to get to it! But this was a beautifully written, complex, and heart-breaking story. I am so glad I took a chance on it, and I look forward to whatever Dellaira writes next.

This book was enthralling and dramatic from start to finish. A couple in Hollywood navigate the world of fame, money, status, and most importantly race-relationships. Trigger Warning: this deals with Sexual Abuse and the #MeToo movement.

Juliette and Noah meet in their late teens. They bond over their love of writing and their deep grief over the deaths of their mothers. After one drunken date, Noah never sees Juliette again. He thinks he’s been ghosted. He won’t learn until much later that she died.

Fast forward about a decade, and Noah is about to make it big as a filmmaker. After years of crappy restaurant jobs and rejected scripts, his debut film is getting a ton of buzz. That is, until Juliette’s best friend discovers something in Juliette’s diary. Something that might tie Noah to Juliette’s death. His newly stable life is about to explode.

I really enjoyed this book, because the characters and their choices are so complex. None of them are purely good or bad (even the ones who do very bad things), and as they’re thrust into each other’s lives, they alternately hurt and help one another. In the hands of a lesser writer, this story could have been in poor taste, but the author has created characters with such well-crafted inner worlds that I empathized with all of them. This book is so beautifully written, and I definitely recommend it to fellow lit fic lovers.

I went into this book blind and was stunned by the direction that it took.

I appreciated how poignantly and appropriately the author addressed several sensitive topics such as race, sexual preferences and sexual assault.

The book essentially addresses the age old "he said/she said" debate where the reader sees both sides of the story, but we are left with no definitive answer and needing to decide for ourselves who to believe. The book also leans heavily into addressing current social media culture where a video can go viral and ruin someone's life in an instance, regardless of whether the information is true or not.

It was one of those books that was super interesting to read but leaves you sad for everyone involved.

This was so well written and so well paced. I don’t know why it didn’t get the attention it deserved—perhaps release date timing? I thought jt was very smart, and an important read, and I’ll be selling it alongside strong comps. I look forward to what she writes next!

This book starts out when the main characters are in high school, and follows them through early adulthood. It encompasses racial diversion, socioeconomic differences, and family life.

Look out book clubs, riveting discussion awaits!

The power of EXPOSURE lies in the compelling questions it raises surrounding consent, cancel culture, and race. The story follows Noah, a Black high school senior, and Juiety, a white college freshman and the way their conflicting perceptions and stories surrounding the same event.

This character-driven novel by Ava Dellaira skillfully interrogates readers with a fascinating question: what happens when two people have valid yet conflicting stories about a shared experience? Can absolution or true redemption exist if the victim will never see justice? What does justice even look like twenty years later? What happens when “my truth” is conflated with “THE truth”?

READ THIS IF YOU:
-appreciate a provocative and thought-provoking read
-are willing to take a nuanced approach to a sensitive topic
-want a book that will promote a great book club discussion

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: September 10, 2024

WOW! The writing in this book was amazing! I was a little reluctant going in when I saw how long the book was, but it was worth it. This story was deep and complex and really developed the characters. I was debating 4 or 5 stars, then when discussing it with a friend, I realized how passionately I was telling her the story and it hit me, 5 stars! Even with how long the book was I didn’t feel any points where the book was dragging. I was actually holding my breath at the end waiting for Juliette’s last perspective. Perspective is everything! There may be some triggers with heavy topics like sexual assault and race. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

I don’t know what it was about this book, but I could not put it down. The author’s writing was so thought-provoking and had me reflecting on the roles (or lack thereof) of mothers in our lives.

Exposure is told from multiple points of view, each character offering their own perspectives of a fateful night that changes their lives forever. Spanning decades and locations, Ava Dellaira expertly explores themes of grief, motherhood, race and ambition. The characters were well developed, complex and relatable, and I felt compassion for each in their own struggles.

I hope this book will get the exposure it deserves.

Thank you to Ava Dellaira, Zibby Books and NetGalley for an advance e-copy for an honest review.

*EXPOSURE* by Ava Dellaira is a debut you won’t want to miss! The novel’s structure is both unique and captivating, with an encounter between two individuals that ultimately affects the lives of two others twelve years later. The story follows four characters over several years, moving through different cities and stages of life, while delving into heavy topics such as sexual assault and the #MeToo movement. It also touches on themes like race, class, desire, and ambition, making it a richly layered narrative.

At its core, *EXPOSURE* is a multidimensional exploration of race, love, friendship, and the devastating event that binds these characters together. Spanning over three decades, the story shifts between Juliette and Annie—high school best friends who later become lovers—and Noah and Jesse, two aspiring writers trying to find their way in Hollywood. As their lives intertwine, not all their connections are positive.

Gritty, moving, and beautifully written, *EXPOSURE* stands out as one of this year’s literary gems. Dellaira masterfully navigates complex relationships and deep emotions, making this a must-read for anyone who enjoys intricate storytelling.

**READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY**:
- Multiple POVs and timelines
- Stories about writers
- Reflections on loss and grief
- Complex, layered relationships
- Dark, gritty narratives
- California and Chicago settings

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Exposure by Ava Dellaira is a powerful, thought-provoking read that spans decades & delves into the far-reaching effects of one fateful night on Noah, Jess, Anna, & Juliette. It brilliantly explores how desire, ambition, & upbringing can ripple through multiple lives, changing them forever.

Dellaira masterfully addresses sensitive topics like racism, sexual assault, & the MeToo movement with empathy & depth. Though heartbreaking at times, I was hooked from the very first chapter, needing to know how the story would unfold. The writing style pulled me in, & I loved the use of multiple POVs & timelines, which added layers to the story & kept me guessing to the very end!

This was my first time reading Ava Dellaira & I’m already looking forward to diving into more of her work. Exposure is a must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven drama. Highly recommend!

Thanks to #NetGalley, #ZibbyBooks, and #Exposure for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I did not like this book. Nothing about it was good in my opinion. It was slow. Did not hold my attention. It did not make me feel any emotion except boredom. This doesn’t happen to me often but this time it did.

I read some very good reviews of others who lived the story. I just didn’t. I never connected with any of the characters. The storylines to me were just slow and kind of like the same thing over and over. Two girls fall in love with each other. They also have sex with boys. Then there is Noah who wants to be a screenwriter but no one will give him a chance. While I didn’t believe it was because he was black as very few people are successful screenwriters no matter they color, this author I think tried to make it a race issue. Noah came across as very racists in my opinion. Then he started watching violent porn while his girlfriend was away promoting her book. Good grief.

The story is told about four people. Noah and his girlfriend. I liked Jessie but not Noah. Also Anne and Juliette. Juliette and Noah met and had a short fling. Years go by and secrets come out that might ruin one’s life. This book was just over the top for me. I just didn’t like it.

Also the audio was horrible. The narrator sounded like she was reading a list instead of a story. Her voice was awful. She did not do a good job at all. I put the audio away and just read it but still hated this story.

I’m sorry but I really have to be honest. Awful book.

Thank you #netgalley for this ARC. This is my own thoughts about this book.

2 stars.

Exposure, by Ava Dellaira, is the type of book that leaves you with more questions than answers. Dellaira deftly offers the multiple perspectives of Annie, Juliette, Noah, and Jesse, all of whose lives turn out to be intertwined after one significant night in Chicago. She explores tricky issues - race, gender, and the "Me Too" movement - with nuance and grace. How can multiple and conflicting truths all be true at the same time? Dellaira provides readers with the space to ask this question through a gripping narrative. As a bonus, she explores the mother-daughter relationship and has some truly tender descriptions of what it feels like to be a new mother. A must-read for those who seek to live thoughtfully in our current climate!

Thanks to Zibby Books and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

"Exposure" by Ava Dellaira is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships and societal issues. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including Annie, Juliette, Noah, and Jesse, each offering a unique viewpoint on a fateful night that changes their lives forever.

The novel spans decades and locations, from Los Angeles to Chicago, exploring themes of race, artistic ambition, and grief. Dellaira masterfully weaves these elements together, creating a narrative that forces readers to confront conflicting truths and the gray areas of morality.

One of the standout aspects of "Exposure" is its ability to present two sides of a story with empathy and humanity. Dellaira’s writing is gripping and breathtaking, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and emotions.

I feel "Exposure" is a must-read for anyone interested in a nuanced and powerful exploration of life’s complexities. It’s a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, prompting deep reflection and discussion.

Unfortunately not for me. In a world with SO many books being published, I just don't see this as a must in our collection.

Thank you to Zibby Books and Libro.FM for the review copy of Exposure. This novel offers a nuanced exploration of relationships, college and post-college life, grief, and race. I appreciated the themes and felt that the audiobook's voice acting perfectly captured the moody, slow-burn style that Dellaira evokes throughout.

Exposure is a deft examination of the complexities that define present-day life and memories as grief and time intersect. The book is dark and contemplative, tackling challenging themes around consent, consensual relationships, and the fallout of loss and grief. Dellaira’s approach is thoughtful and restrained, never dictating what readers should think but instead allowing the story and character study to evolve as more is revealed.

I had a hard time getting into this. I appreciated the different perspectives and how it all lined up. It was a heartbreaking read.

Noah's life- and that of his wife Jesse- takes. a turn when Annie discovers what really happened to her best friend Juliette all those years ago. Juliette died two days after an ill thought out tryst with Noah, then a high school student. Now, he's happily married and on the cusp of totally making it but Annie, Annie who was Juliette's best friend and lover, has Juliette's diary. This is not the obvious me-too novel you might think it will be but rather a thoughtful examination of what can happen, And grief, So much grief and anger. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's dark it's thoughtful, it's a good read.