I really wanted to love this novel and appreciate the diverse array of pointed themes it could have introduced. The main character, a queer Latina, grapples with complex issues of imbalanced relationships, gender identity, celebrity, memory, Latinx heritage, and power dynamics. Our main character, Tatum – the embodiment of these conflicts – is contacted by a US reporter seeking an interview at the onset of the novel. This contact potentially breaks down the carefully constructed barriers between Tatum’s past and present. However, as I read on, I found myself still waiting for that moment to unfold. Unfortunately, the novel fell short of my expectations, with zero resolution and little care for our main character. There was also no resolution for the one character I cared for most, Vera.

Instead of exploring these rich themes, we were left with a character who complains and yearns for understanding but actively pushes others away. I will champion all the Tatums of our world and stand by their truths. However, this is one novel I was waiting to dig deeper into, but it was just left on the surface.