Author: Bianca Pensy Aba
Release date: 23 April 2025
First of all, thank you so much to coloredpagesbt on Instagram, for having be on this book tour.
Now, Let’s talk about a book that just smacks you with betrayal right from page one. Aisha, our lead, doesn’t do things by halves, including her New Year’s meltdown. She’s at a party, ringing in the New Year with her boyfriend and best friend—until she catches the two of them together. No warning, no slow build-up—just betrayal, raw and upfront. This is the kind of betrayal that could mess with anyone’s trust, let alone a woman as outspoken as Aisha, who typically isn’t one to hold back. But instead of an explosive reaction, Aisha does something different; she packs her bags and heads off to Dallas, seeking an escape from both Denver and the people who hurt her.
Now, the move doesn’t magically fix anything (because when does it ever?). Aisha has a laundry list of emotional baggage: a tense relationship with her mom, the fact that she and her brother are pretty much strangers at this point, and the shadow of an absentee father who’s passed away but still has an impact on her life. Dallas is supposed to be her getaway to work through all of this, but let’s be real—it’s not easy facing down a storm of emotions, especially when it means accepting that maybe she’s been bottling up way too much for way too long.
What’s so relatable is Aisha’s instinct to procrastinate. Instead of jumping straight into self-improvement or reflection, she’s like any of us would be after a big blow—she distracts herself. She avoids the tough stuff with everything from Netflix marathons to spontaneous shopping sprees. It’s only when she can’t run anymore, when distractions aren’t cutting it, that Aisha is forced to actually confront her past.
This isn’t a story about a woman having one grand revelation and then walking out of her problems all fixed. It’s about messy, frustrating, and sometimes painfully slow growth. The author takes us into Aisha’s world, where anger, grief, and shame mix in with her humor and resilience. You’ll feel for Aisha because her pain is real, her confusion is messy, and her journey is far from perfect. And it doesn’t get wrapped up with a neat little bow at the end—Aisha’s progress feels earned.
For anyone who’s ever faced a rough breakup, had a strained relationship with family, or just needed a breather from life, this book will speak to you. Aisha’s story reminds us that while running away might give temporary relief, the real healing only starts when we face what’s haunting us, no matter how difficult it is.
If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt, real, and sometimes raw look at moving on and finding yourself after betrayal, this book is worth the read. Just be ready to confront some ghosts along the way—Aisha’s, and maybe even a few of your own. Preorder your copy here.
