Book Smart Kate

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Spice: Just Kisses

by Elise Bryant (July 9, 2024) – Many thanks to @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the gifted print and audio copies of this truly wonderful book. I was so lucky to hear Elise talk about her book during the Berkley Summer Preview event, and it immediately jumped to the top of my TBR. A mystery and a romance set against the backdrop of an over-the-top parent-teacher association that is also important social commentary—SIGN ME UP! Below is my honest review.

As one of the few black parents at Knoll Elementary, Mavis is cornered into leading the DEI committee by overbearing and power-hungry PTA president Trisha. After a disagreement between the new principal and Trisha during a PTA meeting, Mavis sees Trisha exiting the school late at night wearing rubber gloves and dragging multiple over-stuffed trash bags. Then, the principal doesn’t show up for work the next day. As the principal’s absence moves from odd to concerning, Mavis confides in the handsome school psychologist about what she saw, and together, they embark on a quest to investigate what happened to Principal Smith. Along the way, Mavis begins to reassess parenting, school politics, friendships, and romance.

This book is a fun, quick-witted, banter-filled story about a single parent doing her best in the chaos of life and an insightful social commentary on race, class, and navigating complex relationships. I liked how Bryant could deftly mix humor, mystery, and social commentary. I loved this book, from the Lululemon moms and power-hungry volunteers to complex questions about implementing real change vs. paying change lip service and how to differentiate real connections from fake ones. And the mystery kept me guessing until the end – I did not see the conclusion coming.

Aure Nash does a fantastic solo narration of the audiobook – particularly voicing multiple young children and older men – to create a really entertaining listening experience.

Do you like books that cross into multiple genres? OR What’s your current read?