I would like to thank Netgalley and jacaranda books for letting me have early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is an immersive journey into the life of a young A woman returns to her childhood home. A family meet to discuss their mother’s future. The author journeys between her past and her present. The reader follows. The book explores the author’s relationships; with her family, with her body, and with the society that surrounds her. The book flips between the past and present, taking the reader into the life and thoughts of the author. It is an immersive read.

A very beautiful and affecting exploration of race, identity, and class following the author's childhood in Leeds, carrying the secret that her single mother turned to sex work to support her and her brothers. The timeline is a bit scattershot so it takes some getting used to, but I really enjoyed Massey's well-crafted voice.

Jacaranda have published this as a part of their 20 in 2020 initiative which is where they publish 20 books by black authors in...yes! In 2020 😊Are We Home Yet? is a memoir by Katy Massey, and focuses on her experiences as a mixed race girl in Leeds in the 80s/ 90s. At a very young age, Massey finds out her mum’s a prostitute. How this affects her and her mum’s relationship, amongst many other factors is really interesting to read about, particularly as their relationship can be very tumultuous but also endearing. It’s clear they love each other but it’s difficult for them to express this sometimes. I felt like a lot of the people in Massey’s life were very selfish people (I don’t want to judge at all but just a personal opinion from what I read!) and I did find it quite inspiring, as well as relatable to see how she dealt and reacted to various circumstances. ⠀
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My only criticism is that I don’t think that the book really offers anything new in terms of different perspectives on issues such as weight struggles, depression and race however I also don’t think it’s meant to? I mean it is a memoir so she’s just speaking off of her own personal experiences, but if you are looking for something more enlightening on these topics, I personally wouldn’t say my eyes have been particularly opened. However, I do think it’s a very relatable story and a lot of people will be able to find themselves in Massey.

I actually selected this book by judging the cover, something we’re all guilty on, but know we shouldn’t do. I didn’t read the description, I was just intrigued by the illustrations.

This memoir is the life of Katy, a mixed-race girl being born into a white family being brought up in Leeds by her single Mother with two older brothers in the 70’s.

The book addresses many challenges in Katy’s life from race, relationships, boarding school, mental health and tragedy.

Katy’s life changed when she come home from school to find her mother ‘entertaining’ a client. As time goes on, Katy seems to accept her mothers job as a sex worker as she gets older, she appreciates that she does what she can to provide for her family.

Katy learns to tolerate her Mother as she grows up, she wants to learn more of her heritage to find where she belongs, in Leeds or Jamaica?

Thank you to NetGalley and Jacaranda Books for the ARC