Review:The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

 

A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author Danica Nava.

Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is).

Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up too: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they’re caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google | Apple 

Add to Goodreads

 

What I thought about The Truth According to Ember

Ember isn't going to let life push her around anymore.  A few little white lies nets her dream job, but all is good since she's been doing well in her accounting position.  But there are the microaggressions of a big corporate environment and she does get a taste of how cruel and racist the world can be. 

When she meets the hot IT guy, they have to keep their relationship a secret because of the company's non-fraternization policy.  I really liked these two together but I wasn't a big fan of them hiding things. Ember is good at blurring the lines of right and wrong. 

I really liked this #OwnVoices rom com. It took me to a new place and new people that I have not experienced before and I liked that.  I also liked the realism of how Ember justified her actions and learned from them as well. 

Overall, a satisfying rom-com and very nice debut.

 

About the Author

Danica Nava is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and works as an Executive Assistant in the tech industry. She has her MBA from USC Marshall School of Business. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and daughter. The Truth According to Ember is her debut novel. You can find her on Instagram at the handle @danica_nava.