博客來The story follows Kaliyah, who finds herself trapped in a life she never wanted, bound by the routines dictated by a husband who clings on to a lifestyle in which she has no place. She finds herself overwhelmed by her family’s problems: her sister, who had an abortion at 18 and lost the ability to conceive; her aunt, a victim of domestic violence; and her cousin and best friend, Sammy, who struggles to hide his true sexual identity. Kaliyah’s life takes a dramatic turn when she enters a passionate and socially forbidden love affair with pianist Ryan. The book puts an emphasis on Kaliyah’s struggles between her desire for freedom and her fear of the heavy losses she will face if she pursues it. The novel also uses the character Sammy, Kaliyah’s cousin and friend, to address the inner conflict that members of the LGBTQAI+ experience in a society that rejects their sexual identity.
Kaliyah’s story challenges the status quo by exploring the dilemmas of a woman who discovers the meaning of life and love outside the framework of ＂legitimate＂ relationships in a conservative society. The novel also uses the character Sammy, Kaliyah’s cousin and friend, to address the inner conflict that members of the LGBTQAI+ experience in a society that rejects their sexual identity.
