TRIGGER WARNING When Jay's father dies, he leaves her and her mother to pick up the pieces of his failed business. Destitute, they are forced to leave their meagre flat and move in with Jay's aunt and uncle, who demand Jay and her mother adhere to traditional Indian values. At fifteen, Jay finds being a teenager hard enough without the added stress of jumping to her aunt's every command. Her mother has also become something of a house servant rather than a loved family member. Confined to the basement where her room is, Jay's only respite is to text her friends Matt and Chloe and hang out with them whenever she can. When Jay's aunt demands that Jay and her mother prepare the house for Jay's uncle's birthday party, Jay's mother nearly buckles from the stress. Jay pleads with her mum to let them move out, being poor and living in a tiny flat is better than being treated like a dog, but Jay's mum doesn't listen. On the night of the party, Jay's cousin Deven comes home from university. Jay doesn't like the way he looks at her but decides not to worry too much about it. When Jay has too much to drink and finds herself at the mercy of Deven's friends in the basement long after the party has ended, Jay's life takes a plunge that will bring her to the brink of suicide. This is a powerful book, not only does it tackle the stress that young Indian teens feel to behave a certain way and to adhere to traditional Indian values, it also tackles rape in a way that doesn't hammer you over the head. This is because the book is about family and survival, forgiveness and love. It's a book I've chosen as part of the #ReadWokeUK Reading Challenge and one I'd like discuss more in school. It's a book not to be missed, I recommend it for ages 15 and up!
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