Reese

A coming-of-age story about four diverse young women who find friendship in college.

Four young women meet during their freshman year at college, Naomi, Arnya, Stephanie, and Jasmine. Brought together to complete a group assignment, the women develop a friendship that spans many years. Naomi is the only child in a well-to-do family of overachievers and her family have high expectations of her. She has lived a privileged and protected life but suffers from anxiety in social situations. Arnya is an only child, with a large extended family. She is grieving the loss of her mother, who died during high school. Arnya is determined to fulfil her dreams to make her mother proud. Stephanie was brought up by her church fairing grandmother, after her mother abandoned her when she was six years old. Her grandmother ruled with tough love and taught her how to be strong and resilient. Jasmine grew up in the foster care system and literally talked her way into college with a debating scholarship. She has relied on no-one and has had to hustle for everything in life. Despite their different personalities and upbringings, the women share many things in common and develop a close bond. The novel follows their journey through college, but as college comes to an end, each woman must find their own path in life.

Trapped by author Reese is a heartfelt and relatable coming-of-age novel, about four diverse young women who find friendship in college. With romance, heartache, and lots (and lots!) of drama, this book captures the true essence of friendship. The novel is written from the point of view of each of the four characters, which helps the reader develop a deep understanding of, and empathy with, each character. The book took me back to my own college experiences, and the many wonderful friendships I developed along the way.

Beautifully written, with rich and authentic dialogue, full of wonderful New Orleans sayings and slang, this novel was an absolute joy to read. Readers who enjoy character-led fiction and women’s fiction will enjoy this book.

Star rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A heartfelt and relatable exploration of the friendships that blossom during college.