Review: Like Home, Louisa Onome

Like Home by Louisa Onomé
Published by HarperCollins on February 23, 2021
Genres: young adult, contemporary
Format: ARC
Source: Penguin Random House INTL, NetGalley
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Fans of Netflix's On My Block, In the Heights, and readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Ibi Zoboi will love this debut novel about a girl whose life is turned upside down after one local act of vandalism throws her relationships and even her neighborhood into turmoil.
Chinelo, or Nelo as her best friend Kate calls her, is all about her neighborhood Ginger East. She loves its chill vibe, ride-or-die sense of community, and her memories of growing up there. Ginger East isn't what it used to be, though. After a deadly incident at the local arcade, all her closest friends moved away, except for Kate. But as long as they have each other, Nelo's good.
Only, Kate's parents' corner store is vandalized, leaving Nelo shaken to her core. The police and the media are quick to point fingers, and soon more of the outside world descends on Ginger East with promises to "fix" it. Suddenly, Nelo finds herself in the middle of a drama unfolding on a national scale.
Worse yet, Kate is acting strange. She's pushing Nelo away at the exact moment they need each other most. Nelo's entire world is morphing into something she hates, and she must figure out how to get things back on track or risk losing everything⁠—and everyone⁠—she loves.

I received this book for free from Penguin Random House INTL, NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

blood, protests, police violence.

☂️ DIVERSITY: Nigerian, Vietnamese, Columbian, Black main characters. Jamaican, Trinidadian side characters.

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• Like Home was such a gem of a contemporary, I fell for so many parts of this book, I’m not sure where to start.
• The main character in this story, Chinelo, is so attached to her neighborhood. Even when her friends, one by one, move away, she’s there with all of her memories and love for the community there. When vandalism happens in her best friend’s parents’ store, the community and the city is shaken and Chinelo is forced to face the changes happening both in her neighborhood and her life.
• The strongest suit in this book is its characters, from the main character to the group of friends, everyone had their own voice, story and personality. It felt like stepping into the neighborhood itself, filled with colors and voices and I don’t know, I just immediately grew fond of everyone.
• Chinelo (or Nelo) was such a great main character. I loved her fierceness and her attachment to the place she’s always called home. She’s so reluctant for things to change, but she grows so much and so wonderfully in this story.
• The cast of characters surrounding her was SO great, as well and I loved their dynamics together. I could really feel their friendship as they grew apart, grew closer together again and so on. Their interactions felt so realistic.
• I especially loved the strong, complex best friendship between Nelo and Kate. They’re two peas in a pod, they’re growing apart… the author perfectly captures how it feels to be so close to someone and to suddenly not be able to understand them anymore.
• No spoilers, but I loved the little romance in this, too. It’s not the main focus at all, which I appreciated, but it’s ADORABLE OKAY.

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…

☂️

• Sometimes, you just can’t quite pinpoint why this book didn’t sweep you away completely. I’m afraid this is one of these times. I really enjoyed this book, but didn’t feel that extra something for me to give it the 5 stars, that’s all!

OVERALL

☂️

If you’re looking for a lovely contemporary read with great friendships, I’m definitely recommending Like Home to you. This heartwarming, beautiful read also talks realistically about gentrification and I really appreciated it.

FINAL RATING : 4 drops!

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Did you read Like Home or do you want to? Do you have any recommendations of books with great friendships? Let me know in comments!

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