One bad apple spoils the bunch. 
When it comes to trauma, just how much of it is spread around a family unit? How many rotting secrets can be held? 

"Underneath, the clementines are white and furred, the bananas are black. Why haven't Mama and Daddy noticed? Not thrown out bad fruit?"

When Mama suspects Daddy is having an affair, only one thing will calm her down - a glass of perfectly spoiled orange juice served by her daughter, Lily, who has to taste it first to make sure it's just right.

This book explores the relationship of generational trauma and toxic mother/daughter relationships. It is not a plot-twist or who-dunnit thriller.

Please check the warnings before reading - this book goes through rape, self-harm, child abuse, etc. If you have a strained parental relationship I would not recommend reading this.

The author understands the layers of trauma and domestic abuse - the guilt, the bargaining, the Stockholm Syndrome of it all - and lays it out in a fully textured family.

I literally read through half of this book in an evening, I couldn't put it down. I love that there is a lighter ending, that there were people who could help heal.

I LOVED the cultural aspects spread throughout - and the author is Asian. The dishes sound delicious, I need to find some Peranakan places. 

Ironically, my therapist recommended this book to me so guess what my Wednesday therapy session is going to be about 🤪

🌟🌟🌟🌟