Let me Liberate You was a great atmospheric read. I liked the character exploration and the writing was propulsive. I would read more from this author.

What did I like about this book.

The concept was super interesting and I liked the ending...


The pace was all over the map.... I hate that. The characters were fine but I didn't connect with any of them.

It just seemed a bit erratic. I think that had the tempo and tone of the whole book had been more level, this one would have been an easy 5 stars but honestly I was glad I got to the end.

3 stars

Read Around the World: <b>Montserrat</b>

This just didn't work for me. At all. I got lost in all the over-writing, and the over-abundance of characters [I don't think that I EVER figured all of that out] and trying to figure out just what.the.heck.was.going.on. [I have been finished with the book for 2 hours now and now only do I not remember much of the book, I still really have no idea what was going on with the parts I DO remember. Sigh].
Overall, I can see how this would work for someone and be a really good read for them, but unfortunately, that person just wasn't me.

Ayesha Gibson-Gill narrates this book and unfortunately, her narration of this book absolutely did not work for me at all. Her use of crazy-sounding voices for some of the characters got old very quickly and just added to my general dislike of the book overall. As I like a fairly straightforward narration, her over-the-topness just grated on my last nerve.
I will say that I know a lot of people who absolutely adore this kind of narration and will love this narrator [and to be fair, I would absolutely give this narrator another chance should her name come up for a book I want to read as I DID like some of the narration of this book], so I would 100% recommend this audiobook even though it didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andie Davis, Ayesha Gibson-Gill - Narrator, Little A, and Brilliance Audio for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Barbados, the story follows Sabre who is returning home after 20 years away. She's been living in New York and is a successful photographer. She observes a power imbalance in her aunt's home during her welcome home party and decides to speak up about it. Getting into social issues on the island is outside of Sabre's wheelhouse and hilarity ensures.
+ Depiction of Bajan culture
+ Narration! It is SO SO good here. Best I've heard this year.

The novel provided a demanding reading journey due to its erratic tempo and character evolution. The storytelling veered between excessively intricate depictions and sudden plot twists, creating a barrier to engaging with the narrative. Grasping the protagonist's motives and deeds, as well as those of the supporting cast, posed a formidable challenge throughout the text.

Despite its flaws, the novel highlighted a sincere admiration for Bajan culture and customs. The writer's painstaking precision in illustrating cultural aspects through conversations and narrations was praiseworthy. While the book's concept was captivating and its thematic substance pertinent, the execution failed to deliver a coherent and gripping storyline.