Elizabeth R. (esjro) - , reviewed on 9/19/2022 + 951 more book reviews

I really wanted to love this book, but alas I did not. I was anticipating a gripping story with social commentary from a media insider. The author was trying to make the point that the media treats crimes against children of color with disinterest relative to the coverage of crimes against white kids. This is true, but the point could have been made through the story alone rather than having Jordan state it over and over. (And over and over). Similarly, the lack of women and people of color in television journalism and producer and managment positions is real and could have been inferred by the lack of such characters, but instead the main character of Jordan explains this to the reader repeatedly.

The book was written with a co-author, but I wonder where the editor was because there were a lot of details about Jordan's friends and what they do for a living (some of whom never appear again after having brunch with her), what she eats (or doesn't eat), and her shoes that bog down the story and get in the way anytime suspense starts to build. Stylistically, it is annoying to have Jordan's thoughts all in italics and the contents of the text messages she receives WRITTEN IN ALL CAPITALS. The book would have held together better had some of the superflous words and content been taken out. For example, in the acknowledgements section the author refers to her "Emmy award winning and Emmy nominated" TV program. The latter is unncessary, as surely the show had to be nominated for an Emmy in order to win one.

Tamron Hall's career and life experiences should be enough to put together an entertaining story with some social messaging, but unfortunately this book falls short.

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