Week 10 Review: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine

From Goodreads:

Co-written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, this exceptional debut novel captures a sparkling new voice and irrepressible heroine in a story sure to thrill fans of Nicola Yoon and Ibi Zoboi!

Alaine Beauparlant has heard about Haiti all her life…

But the stories were always passed down from her dad—and her mom, when she wasn't too busy with her high-profile newscaster gig. But when Alaine's life goes a bit sideways, it’s time to finally visit Haiti herself.

What she learns about Haiti's proud history as the world's first black republic (with its even prouder people) is one thing, but what she learns about her own family is another. Suddenly, the secrets Alaine's mom has been keeping, including a family curse that has spanned generations, can no longer be avoided.

It's a lot to handle, without even mentioning that Alaine is also working for her aunt's nonprofit, which sends underprivileged kids to school and boasts one annoyingly charming intern.

But if anyone can do it all…it's Alaine.

My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book! Alaine was such a character, she was sassy and fun to be around, and I had a great time reading her story, of an alternative history where Marie-Louise made it back to Haiti, and how her descendents were cursed because of it. It was a really great read!

This is a epistolary novel, told from diary entries of Alaine, of text and postcard exchanges, of written school assignments. So while it's around 400 pages, it was really quick and easy to read, and I had a great time with it!

A good portion of the book happens before Alaine gets to Haiti, but it was setting up everything, her divorced parents, her mom's public, on camera slap, and Alaine as a character. I really enjoyed getting to know her and her world, but when she got to Haiti, boy did everything take off!

Almost all of the plot of this book is about what happened in the past-the curse, and of Alaine's parents and their friends trying to release them from the curse. Because of what's going on now, Alaine takes on the task that her parent's tried-and failed to do. It wasn't as easy as it looked, and boy were there setbacks. And that ending, was oh, so bittersweet! But it was such a great read!

This was a really great read, and I can't wait to see what these sisters write next!

Authors: Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite 
Read: March 6th, 2022 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book and a SAC 2022 Book!
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Published: September 3rd 2019

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars