4.5 ✨ A Girl Like Me is another heart-tugging masterpiece from Tay Monae. This book was very realistic, but it had a clear message and a triumphant ending that made it worth the read. Zane is “confident, strong, caring, and a protector.” He was a traveling nurse who was going through a divorce. Ne’a was the caregiver for her mother while working as a dietary aide at the hospital. She was an amateur baker and aspiring author. She also had a caring and nurturing personality. Both characters were lovable, and it was easy to root for them to win.
Zane was back in his hometown for a work assignment, and his sister-in-law decided that she was going to play matchmaker. Kaia was on to something; she knew Zane and Ne’a were compatible, and it was a matter of time before they realized it. Their first encounter wasn’t the best impression, but there was a connection between them. Furthermore, Zane was reluctant to entertain a relationship, and Ne’a felt unlovable after battling many heartaches.
What I loved the most about this story was the characters’ backgrounds and the resilience they showed throughout. Both characters dealt with issues that could have made them weak, but they continued to show up for themselves. I found it interesting that Zane was against relationships but quickly realized he needed to protect her despite his brother advising him of her baggage. Every time he poured life into her, I was reminded that he was a real man! He provided the security, love, and support that she needed, and it showed because Ne’a’s confidence continued to grow. I loved witnessing their love happen naturally. Their cute reading sessions were perfect. When Zane was in the hospital, I was fighting the tears as Ne’a continued reading to him! Like, Tay Monae, please!!😭
While this was a romance story, there are many realistic scenarios. I could tell addiction, health issues, and end-of-life topics were researched for the story. I also thought highlighting the relationship between Ne’a and her estranged father and siblings was important because it provided context for how she responded to her mother and men. Zane was so perfect that his ex-wife would not let go of him! If delusional needed a poster child, Zoe was right there. She deserved every bad thing that happened to her because her audacity was beyond belief. 🥴 I think Tay Monae’s sole mission is to make me cry while reading, and I willingly surrender to my tears every time. I was not expecting to fall in love with these characters, but darn, they had me hooked from the very beginning! Another great story!
Arc copy, please note I was gifted an unedited version. All thoughts are my own.