What do you think?
Rate this book
52 Weeks a Party of One
Aisha isn’t known to hold her tongue, but that’s until she finds out her boyfriend and her best friend are having an affair on New Year’s Eve. This sends her packing. She leaves Denver and moves to Dallas to have the time and space to process the betrayal.
Spending time alone also spotlights other issues she has been trying to conceal: her broken relationship with her mother, her growing apart from her brother, and the impact of her late absentee father on her life.
Aisha is overwhelmed by everything, so instead of using her time away to “do the work,” she spends weeks putting it off and indulging in every possible distraction—until she hits a wall.
Aisha will have to either confront the ghosts from her past before the year ends or continue to pretend they aren’t there and let them haunt her until the very end.
Spending time alone also spotlights other issues she has been trying to conceal: her broken relationship with her mother, her growing apart from her brother, and the impact of her late absentee father on her life.
Aisha is overwhelmed by everything, so instead of using her time away to “do the work,” she spends weeks putting it off and indulging in every possible distraction—until she hits a wall.
Aisha will have to either confront the ghosts from her past before the year ends or continue to pretend they aren’t there and let them haunt her until the very end.
Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2025
58 people are currently reading
2318 people want to read
About the author
Bianca Pensy Aba
2 books78 followersBIANCA PENSY ABA was born on May 27, 1993, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. She lived in her native country until she turned eighteen. She graduated from Graceland University in 2017. She was a college athlete who played sports most of her life. Her second love was basketball. Her first was writing. She is the author of ACROSS BOTH SIDES OF THE MIRROR and 52 WEEKS A PARTY OF ONE. She lives in Allen, Texas, where she enjoys picnicking, reading, hiking, watching terrible dating shows, sipping a glass of wine on her balcony, and doing whatever else she is in the mood for.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
November 26, 2024
After being betrayed by her best friend and boyfriend, Aisha decides that taking a break is the best course of action for her. She finds herself in Dallas, Texas, embarking on a 52-week journey of healing and self-discovery.
The healing process for Aisha is slow, not only because she’s trying to mend her broken heart but also because she’s dealing with strained family dynamics. At times, I found myself frustrated with her choices, but I gave her grace because, after all, healing and self-discovery are journeys. There is no quick fix.
Overall, this was an okay read and I was happy with the ending. Thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book before its release April 23, 2025!
The healing process for Aisha is slow, not only because she’s trying to mend her broken heart but also because she’s dealing with strained family dynamics. At times, I found myself frustrated with her choices, but I gave her grace because, after all, healing and self-discovery are journeys. There is no quick fix.
Overall, this was an okay read and I was happy with the ending. Thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book before its release April 23, 2025!
November 27, 2024
How it started: 🎶 One shot to your heart without breaking your skin. No one has the power to hurt you like your kin. Kept it inside, didn't tell no one else. Didn't even wanna admit it to yourself. And now your chest burns and your back aches. From 15 years of holding the pain. And now you only have yourself to blame. If you continue to live this way 🎶
How it ended: 🎶 Get it together. You wanna heal your body. Get it together. You have to heal your heart. Whatsoever you sow you will reap. Get it together. The choice is yours, no matter what it is. To choose life, is to choose to forgive. You don't, have to try and hurt him, or break his pride. Just shake that weight off, and you'll be ready to fly🎶
“Love was volatile, insidious, noncommittal. It lured you in with the promise of forever, took you in an embrace that felt so safe you lowered all your guards, and when you were at its mercy, inside of its arms, it crushed you.”
We know betrayal comes in many forms. It can be at the hands of a lover, a close friend or even a family member. Well Aisha experienced all 3 and after experiencing the ultimate betrayal at the hands of her best friend and lover on New Years Eve, Aisha decides to throw cities into a bowl and take an Eat, Pray ,Love journey away from the people and place where she experienced the deepest hurt of them all.
Aisha ends up in Dallas and is on a 52 Week Eat, Sulk, Pity Party journey. She goes through every possible emotion, from anger, to rage, to hurt and even self sabotage. Each week brings about new people and experiences and each one results in a reason, a season or a lifetime.
One things for certain and two things for sure, your journey to healing will look very different from person to person. And people along the way will help foster that healing or hurt you further. As Aisha navigates through grief, loss betrayal and self discovery her ebbs and flows are ebbing more than flowing but I can appreciate that she continued to flow when she can.
I love when an author allows me to play devils advocate because a lot of what started out as black and white in the beginning became more gray and eventually colorful as the story continued. To me that shows the skill of an author so kudos to Bianca for that. Amir and Dahlia were the highlights of the story for me and I looked forward to their conversations and interactions. Kudos to Carlos for knowing he deserved better.
Where the story lacked for me was in the details. First the pace of the story was lacking and while I don’t expect every moment to be grand, I want a few of them so that the story continues with a good forward momentum. After the prologue, the book started off really slow and I had to really focus in order to continue. The book did eventually pick up and kept a good pace after a while but it took time. I’m not sure why David of all the men she crossed paths with was the one she chose to give most of her time to and perhaps that was the intent… idk. I loved seeing Aisha’s healed full circle moment in the end but overall the story lacked a bit in execution for me.
Thank you Bianca for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of your book ahead of its April 2025 release date in exchange for my honest review!
How it ended: 🎶 Get it together. You wanna heal your body. Get it together. You have to heal your heart. Whatsoever you sow you will reap. Get it together. The choice is yours, no matter what it is. To choose life, is to choose to forgive. You don't, have to try and hurt him, or break his pride. Just shake that weight off, and you'll be ready to fly🎶
“Love was volatile, insidious, noncommittal. It lured you in with the promise of forever, took you in an embrace that felt so safe you lowered all your guards, and when you were at its mercy, inside of its arms, it crushed you.”
We know betrayal comes in many forms. It can be at the hands of a lover, a close friend or even a family member. Well Aisha experienced all 3 and after experiencing the ultimate betrayal at the hands of her best friend and lover on New Years Eve, Aisha decides to throw cities into a bowl and take an Eat, Pray ,Love journey away from the people and place where she experienced the deepest hurt of them all.
Aisha ends up in Dallas and is on a 52 Week Eat, Sulk, Pity Party journey. She goes through every possible emotion, from anger, to rage, to hurt and even self sabotage. Each week brings about new people and experiences and each one results in a reason, a season or a lifetime.
One things for certain and two things for sure, your journey to healing will look very different from person to person. And people along the way will help foster that healing or hurt you further. As Aisha navigates through grief, loss betrayal and self discovery her ebbs and flows are ebbing more than flowing but I can appreciate that she continued to flow when she can.
I love when an author allows me to play devils advocate because a lot of what started out as black and white in the beginning became more gray and eventually colorful as the story continued. To me that shows the skill of an author so kudos to Bianca for that. Amir and Dahlia were the highlights of the story for me and I looked forward to their conversations and interactions. Kudos to Carlos for knowing he deserved better.
Where the story lacked for me was in the details. First the pace of the story was lacking and while I don’t expect every moment to be grand, I want a few of them so that the story continues with a good forward momentum. After the prologue, the book started off really slow and I had to really focus in order to continue. The book did eventually pick up and kept a good pace after a while but it took time. I’m not sure why David of all the men she crossed paths with was the one she chose to give most of her time to and perhaps that was the intent… idk. I loved seeing Aisha’s healed full circle moment in the end but overall the story lacked a bit in execution for me.
Thank you Bianca for giving me the opportunity to read a copy of your book ahead of its April 2025 release date in exchange for my honest review!
April 19, 2025
This is a book where the story matches the slow pacing. Nothing seems to happen at first, the behaviors are repetitive with Aisha, but in the end...it's understood!
At first, I thought the book would be about dating oneself & healing after a relationship. It is, but WAY deeper. Aisha has gone through a lot in her life that she has pushed away & not expressed or talked about. But the last drop to overflow her cup is betrayal from her boyfriend & best friend.
Aisha has so many layers that are peeled back (and covered back up) many times throughout this book. It's repetitive, but is needed to express the deep depression & grief she goes through. She has to dig to the root of her fall.
I appreciated seeing the mindset that one may go through while battling both! It takes time to fully heal and to open up & face your battles.
Yes - this is a bit gloomy, long/slow and can be triggering for some!
Thank you to Bianca Pensy Aba for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! 🩷
At first, I thought the book would be about dating oneself & healing after a relationship. It is, but WAY deeper. Aisha has gone through a lot in her life that she has pushed away & not expressed or talked about. But the last drop to overflow her cup is betrayal from her boyfriend & best friend.
Aisha has so many layers that are peeled back (and covered back up) many times throughout this book. It's repetitive, but is needed to express the deep depression & grief she goes through. She has to dig to the root of her fall.
I appreciated seeing the mindset that one may go through while battling both! It takes time to fully heal and to open up & face your battles.
Yes - this is a bit gloomy, long/slow and can be triggering for some!
Thank you to Bianca Pensy Aba for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! 🩷
March 24, 2025
Aisha finds herself on a 52 week journey after being betrayed by her boyfriend and best friend. Her healing process is slow but relatable because that’s to be expected given the reason she’s on such a journey. However, some of the things she was doing on her journey was very questionable to me. I understand that healing is different for everyone, but some things were a bit too much.
I enjoyed the side characters, I felt like with each one Aisha learned something about herself. Her moments of self pity were real and humanized her character even more. Overall, I found this to be an okay read. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I enjoyed the side characters, I felt like with each one Aisha learned something about herself. Her moments of self pity were real and humanized her character even more. Overall, I found this to be an okay read. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
January 15, 2025
Although there are beautiful bits of advice about how to look at life and life situations they become lost in the ruminations of how terrible Aisha's life is. If only the author had cut out half of Aisha's pages of self-pity. Every trope about breaking up with an unfaithful boyfriend was included.
It took too long for Aisha to let go of the demons of her past. Aisha's sexcapades and explosive interactions with men were too much.
This book also needs an editor to go through it. There were too many issues with spelling, missing words in a sentence or use of a wrong word. With so many errors it was hard to read.
It took too long for Aisha to let go of the demons of her past. Aisha's sexcapades and explosive interactions with men were too much.
This book also needs an editor to go through it. There were too many issues with spelling, missing words in a sentence or use of a wrong word. With so many errors it was hard to read.
December 13, 2024
4.5⭐️ I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a honest review;
At the start of this book with the prologue my heart breaks for Aisha as she is betrayed my two important people in her life 💔
This book goes through issues like abandonment and other parental issues, as well as commitment issues. It deals with topics like therapy and mental health well and talks about self medicating with substances.
I loved the relationship between Aisha and her brother Amir and the growth within that relationship, reading this book I connected with the MFC and her healing journey as someone who has mental health issues I know how bad things can get at times when you are going through things like the MFC did.
Overall I think this book shows the ups and downs of Aisha’s journey of healing and self-discovery well and I like how the book ended
Thank you so much Bianca for giving me this opportunity to read your book before the release date on 23rd April 2025
At the start of this book with the prologue my heart breaks for Aisha as she is betrayed my two important people in her life 💔
This book goes through issues like abandonment and other parental issues, as well as commitment issues. It deals with topics like therapy and mental health well and talks about self medicating with substances.
I loved the relationship between Aisha and her brother Amir and the growth within that relationship, reading this book I connected with the MFC and her healing journey as someone who has mental health issues I know how bad things can get at times when you are going through things like the MFC did.
Overall I think this book shows the ups and downs of Aisha’s journey of healing and self-discovery well and I like how the book ended
Thank you so much Bianca for giving me this opportunity to read your book before the release date on 23rd April 2025
August 27, 2025
New author alert.....
I had to double take the storyline with the pacing, the second, third and fourth guessing by the MFC, and the freestyle situation relationships. The story was well-written and it help my attention most of the time. The free flowing characters kept popping in and out of the story. So, I had to pay closer attention to the story. Overall, the story was interesting.
I had to double take the storyline with the pacing, the second, third and fourth guessing by the MFC, and the freestyle situation relationships. The story was well-written and it help my attention most of the time. The free flowing characters kept popping in and out of the story. So, I had to pay closer attention to the story. Overall, the story was interesting.
December 15, 2024
This is definitely one for the ages. Very relatable on so many levels. Aisha, our protagonist, walks in their apartment on New Year’s Eve to the unthinkable! That sets the tone for the rest of the story. She sets off to Dallas on a random pick, where she ends up staying for 52 weeks. No family, nothing friends, just her; party of one. Hence, the title. Aisha embarks on a healing journey. Going through the “seasons “ of father abandonment, motherly regrets, and a serious violation of the friends code. Along the way, she encounters and experiences different people on her journey. She succumbs to her depression, but manages to find her way through with the help of Dahlia and Kenya. I appreciate each week’s experience as it was told. It provides a background for the climax. Effortlessly, it continues on to understanding, absolve, finding oneself and healing. Descriptive writing puts you in every scene; you feel the emotion… raw, in the flesh. I wanted a little more from the ending. I was hoping Aisha would have a special guy. But, she did come out on top; that NEEDED to happen.
A great read if you are on a healing journey and need some inspiration, or if you enjoy relationships, nature, with some intimate pleasure.
A huge thank you to author @biancapensyaba for allowing me an advanced reader copy! This is my honest review.
A great read if you are on a healing journey and need some inspiration, or if you enjoy relationships, nature, with some intimate pleasure.
A huge thank you to author @biancapensyaba for allowing me an advanced reader copy! This is my honest review.
March 7, 2025
Aisha Jones
I had the pleasure of reading this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book is about a year long healing journey after the FMC experienced the ultimate hurt and betrayal from her boyfriend and best friend. To top that off, she’s also dealing with daddy issues and a strained relationship with her mother and brother. All of this causes her to self sabotage and develop commitment issues.
Her 52 week journey teaches her how to be comfortable with her own company. It forces her to reset and renew her heart, emotions and strength. There were times when I wished I could just shake the FMC to get her to stop the reckless behavior, making poor decisions, self sabotaging. But, I realized these actions were necessary in order for her to find the peace she was searching.
This book had several highs and lows. There were moments where the story line flowed very well and times where it seemed liked it was dragging. However, I understand these were moments when it was just the FMC and she was working through her stuff.
Overall, it was it was enjoyable read. This is my first novel by this author, but I can see myself exploring more of her work in the future
I had the pleasure of reading this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book is about a year long healing journey after the FMC experienced the ultimate hurt and betrayal from her boyfriend and best friend. To top that off, she’s also dealing with daddy issues and a strained relationship with her mother and brother. All of this causes her to self sabotage and develop commitment issues.
Her 52 week journey teaches her how to be comfortable with her own company. It forces her to reset and renew her heart, emotions and strength. There were times when I wished I could just shake the FMC to get her to stop the reckless behavior, making poor decisions, self sabotaging. But, I realized these actions were necessary in order for her to find the peace she was searching.
This book had several highs and lows. There were moments where the story line flowed very well and times where it seemed liked it was dragging. However, I understand these were moments when it was just the FMC and she was working through her stuff.
Overall, it was it was enjoyable read. This is my first novel by this author, but I can see myself exploring more of her work in the future
December 31, 2024
Profound, compelling, and sincere.
We follow Aisha for 52 weeks after two of the people she loves the most betray her. The prologue immediately pulls you in, and what follows is one year of ups and downs as Aisha tries to not completely fall apart.
I was very moved by this story.
Aisha is also trying to grapple with the absence of her father in her life (he passed away in a car accident a couple of years prior). We get some flashbacks of their encounters, and it's clear that their relationship (or lack thereof) has shaped the non-committal way she engages in relationships.
I will say that as much as this story can be heavy at times, there are also many lighthearted and funny moments—especially her interactions with her brother, Amir, and even some of Aisha's internal monologue.
The prose is beautiful. There are so many sentences and paragraphs that I paused to re-read.
I absolutely loved this book, and I'm looking forward to reading what this author writes next.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
We follow Aisha for 52 weeks after two of the people she loves the most betray her. The prologue immediately pulls you in, and what follows is one year of ups and downs as Aisha tries to not completely fall apart.
I was very moved by this story.
Aisha is also trying to grapple with the absence of her father in her life (he passed away in a car accident a couple of years prior). We get some flashbacks of their encounters, and it's clear that their relationship (or lack thereof) has shaped the non-committal way she engages in relationships.
I will say that as much as this story can be heavy at times, there are also many lighthearted and funny moments—especially her interactions with her brother, Amir, and even some of Aisha's internal monologue.
The prose is beautiful. There are so many sentences and paragraphs that I paused to re-read.
I absolutely loved this book, and I'm looking forward to reading what this author writes next.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 1, 2025
*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own *
I'll be honest — I forgot I hadn't written a review for this book, but I'll try to recall what stood out.
First of all, don’t go into it expecting a romance.
This is not a love story.
it’s about a woman on a journey of self-discovery — or maybe rediscovery — as a person and as a woman.
Yes, there are some romantic interests along the way, but that’s not the focus.
It’s a slow-paced book, and if you find the main character annoying, I wouldn’t blame you she’s flawed, she makes questionable choices, she can be frustrating — but I think that’s exactly what makes her feel real.
Even though it’s not a fast or light read, and even though the themes aren’t heavy, it still takes effort to get through.
But in the end, I felt the journey was worth it. I enjoyed following her path.
I’d recommend it if you’re into introspective stories about women finding themselves.
I'll be honest — I forgot I hadn't written a review for this book, but I'll try to recall what stood out.
First of all, don’t go into it expecting a romance.
This is not a love story.
it’s about a woman on a journey of self-discovery — or maybe rediscovery — as a person and as a woman.
Yes, there are some romantic interests along the way, but that’s not the focus.
It’s a slow-paced book, and if you find the main character annoying, I wouldn’t blame you she’s flawed, she makes questionable choices, she can be frustrating — but I think that’s exactly what makes her feel real.
Even though it’s not a fast or light read, and even though the themes aren’t heavy, it still takes effort to get through.
But in the end, I felt the journey was worth it. I enjoyed following her path.
I’d recommend it if you’re into introspective stories about women finding themselves.
March 14, 2025
I picked this book for its cover! (the gorgeous lady staring into nothingness is very intriguing)
The book is just as the title says – the journey of healing of Aisha Jones from a bitter betrayal.
The plot is simple, but the story holds interest. It takes a very commonplace experience – betrayal by near-&-dear & its very common consequence – loss of one’s holding on one’s own life & portrays it with sensitivity & nuance.
Aisha is very human, & her “coping techniques” are very “common” & that makes the reading very relateable. What I really like is that the author has chosen to give Aisha a personality that does not have a strong passion. I am not like that… I have causes that I feel deeply about. So, when someone like Aisha is betrayed, she doesn’t have a fallback “important thing” in life, to which to turn her thoughts to. This makes distracting herself all the more difficult, & thus Aisha has to rely on the commonest ways of getting inebriated & casual sex.
The book is very honest about the amount of time & effort that healing takes, how non-linear it is, how it is complicated by other circumstances factoring in, how it is difficult to deal with something that we know for a fact needs to be dealt with, how difficult it is to trust anyone after being betrayed by the nearest kin. Aisha is a very real & flawed person, & she has her moments of being petty. She is also very intelligent & self-aware & she gets it when someone is driven away by her own small cruelties. The books portrays beautifully, how sometimes, we can be unkind even while knowing that we are being so.
The secondary characters as well are very well-developed, with depth & back-stories. The story is non-judgemental & considers the points of view of all concerned. There are multiple hot casual dates in Aisha’s life during this time, & each interaction teaches Aisha something about herself. I enjoyed meeting the male counterpart of the manic pixie dream girl ! Aisha enjoys her “sexcapades” & is eager to discuss with someone. The guys conform (mostly) to the physical “type” of male romance leads, but their lives are much more typical of reality. The sex described is tastefully done & fits into the story & is enjoyable. The least developed character is Sam.
There’s a cute book-café woven into the story, but it is not cliché. The book deals with the ways that Aisha engages to make personal progress. It is shown to be the lonely, tough & laborious way that recovering after a loss takes. It is clearly dependent majorly on the person herself. The role of a therapist is acknowledged, as well as that of fun, friends, family but the stress is upon Aisha’s effort. The writing is paced well & holds the story together. I also like the design of the pages -the chapters start on a cloud-patterned background.
I felt the part IV a bit rushed. The weeks 32 to 45 being clubbed together is absolutely okay, but I would have liked to see some more of the process of the resolution with James & Sam. I also felt that all the apologies all around were just too simple, too easy & non-messy, given the history of the conflicts. The parts about the charity work & therapy were satisfactory, though. I like that the end, though kind of predictable, was not conventional.
Overall, it is a very enjoyable book on the unusual topic of getting over & moving on, & portraying a strong but flawed heroine.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is just as the title says – the journey of healing of Aisha Jones from a bitter betrayal.
The plot is simple, but the story holds interest. It takes a very commonplace experience – betrayal by near-&-dear & its very common consequence – loss of one’s holding on one’s own life & portrays it with sensitivity & nuance.
Aisha is very human, & her “coping techniques” are very “common” & that makes the reading very relateable. What I really like is that the author has chosen to give Aisha a personality that does not have a strong passion. I am not like that… I have causes that I feel deeply about. So, when someone like Aisha is betrayed, she doesn’t have a fallback “important thing” in life, to which to turn her thoughts to. This makes distracting herself all the more difficult, & thus Aisha has to rely on the commonest ways of getting inebriated & casual sex.
The book is very honest about the amount of time & effort that healing takes, how non-linear it is, how it is complicated by other circumstances factoring in, how it is difficult to deal with something that we know for a fact needs to be dealt with, how difficult it is to trust anyone after being betrayed by the nearest kin. Aisha is a very real & flawed person, & she has her moments of being petty. She is also very intelligent & self-aware & she gets it when someone is driven away by her own small cruelties. The books portrays beautifully, how sometimes, we can be unkind even while knowing that we are being so.
The secondary characters as well are very well-developed, with depth & back-stories. The story is non-judgemental & considers the points of view of all concerned. There are multiple hot casual dates in Aisha’s life during this time, & each interaction teaches Aisha something about herself. I enjoyed meeting the male counterpart of the manic pixie dream girl ! Aisha enjoys her “sexcapades” & is eager to discuss with someone. The guys conform (mostly) to the physical “type” of male romance leads, but their lives are much more typical of reality. The sex described is tastefully done & fits into the story & is enjoyable. The least developed character is Sam.
There’s a cute book-café woven into the story, but it is not cliché. The book deals with the ways that Aisha engages to make personal progress. It is shown to be the lonely, tough & laborious way that recovering after a loss takes. It is clearly dependent majorly on the person herself. The role of a therapist is acknowledged, as well as that of fun, friends, family but the stress is upon Aisha’s effort. The writing is paced well & holds the story together. I also like the design of the pages -the chapters start on a cloud-patterned background.
I felt the part IV a bit rushed. The weeks 32 to 45 being clubbed together is absolutely okay, but I would have liked to see some more of the process of the resolution with James & Sam. I also felt that all the apologies all around were just too simple, too easy & non-messy, given the history of the conflicts. The parts about the charity work & therapy were satisfactory, though. I like that the end, though kind of predictable, was not conventional.
Overall, it is a very enjoyable book on the unusual topic of getting over & moving on, & portraying a strong but flawed heroine.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2025
This was my first ever ARC and I am so glad it was this novel!!! I wish life wasn’t lifing as much because I definitely would have completed this book a lot sooner and been on my way to rereading to pick up anything I missed.
Speaking on life lifing… I Stan for Aisha and this journey. Her emotional journey resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect. Her road to self discovery and healing had me a bit worried at times but I understood it. She spent so much time and energy building this wall to not care that when she finally did convince herself to care she kind of got lost in the facade. To me it was more of a thought of: I’ve been dealt crap my whole life and this one good thing happens and I deserve it so it’s going to be good no matter what.
She ignored all signs and in a way abandoned logic. At some point she didn’t care enough about herself and that was her waking point. I loved to see the contrast of how she was getting everything she THOUGHT she wanted but came to the realization that what she actually wanted was everything she had been running away from and what she ultimately could have had with James but… that wall. I’d have love to see a bit more of that epiphany but I kind of enjoyed that being my personal discovery. I’d love to see a continuation of Aisha living her “soft girl” era.
I also loved the book recs however I found they weren’t real… or if they are I can’t find them so help a sister out. Libros and Libations sounds like my kind of spot.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I am so glad to have been chosen to read the ARC and I look forward to reading more.
Speaking on life lifing… I Stan for Aisha and this journey. Her emotional journey resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect. Her road to self discovery and healing had me a bit worried at times but I understood it. She spent so much time and energy building this wall to not care that when she finally did convince herself to care she kind of got lost in the facade. To me it was more of a thought of: I’ve been dealt crap my whole life and this one good thing happens and I deserve it so it’s going to be good no matter what.
She ignored all signs and in a way abandoned logic. At some point she didn’t care enough about herself and that was her waking point. I loved to see the contrast of how she was getting everything she THOUGHT she wanted but came to the realization that what she actually wanted was everything she had been running away from and what she ultimately could have had with James but… that wall. I’d have love to see a bit more of that epiphany but I kind of enjoyed that being my personal discovery. I’d love to see a continuation of Aisha living her “soft girl” era.
I also loved the book recs however I found they weren’t real… or if they are I can’t find them so help a sister out. Libros and Libations sounds like my kind of spot.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I am so glad to have been chosen to read the ARC and I look forward to reading more.
January 15, 2025
This is my second book by Bianca Pensy Aba that I have had the pleasure to read, and all I can say is I cannot wait for the next!
“52 Weeks a Party of One” is intriguing, emotional, and everything that you could possibly want in a book. I loved the realness and how you feel as you are right beside Aisha going through all five stages of grief after her heart is shattered and she moves to Dallas, TX in hopes to find healing.
While attempting to find herself again after heartbreak, Aisha is forced to look at more memories in her life and find a deeper level of healing than she ever wanted to admit she needed. The relatability of her character is ingenious and will keep you turning the page to see what happens next, even if some instances may feel like you are needing to face some things in your life as well! From laughter to depression to gut wrenching moments while she relives her memories and pieces things together, the author has it all wrapped up for a heck of a ride with deeper lessons intertwined.
I highly recommend, 4.5 stars!⭐️
“52 Weeks a Party of One” is intriguing, emotional, and everything that you could possibly want in a book. I loved the realness and how you feel as you are right beside Aisha going through all five stages of grief after her heart is shattered and she moves to Dallas, TX in hopes to find healing.
While attempting to find herself again after heartbreak, Aisha is forced to look at more memories in her life and find a deeper level of healing than she ever wanted to admit she needed. The relatability of her character is ingenious and will keep you turning the page to see what happens next, even if some instances may feel like you are needing to face some things in your life as well! From laughter to depression to gut wrenching moments while she relives her memories and pieces things together, the author has it all wrapped up for a heck of a ride with deeper lessons intertwined.
I highly recommend, 4.5 stars!⭐️
February 10, 2025
I give this book 4⭐️ and if you are a person that looks for spice I would give this book 🌶️ or have a point of spice.
52 weeks a party of one is truly a great read! I love the author writing style as well. I received an ARC of the book and it was also my first read by Bianca.
The FMC Aisha is a character I can relate to in so many ways. This contemporary fiction gives the feels of coming of age, moments of damsel in distress, dealing with mental illness, death in family, substance abuse, and so much more.
This book takes you on the journey of Aisha going through all stages of grief and self discovery after walking in on her boyfriend and best friend having sex New Year’s Eve.
Aisha then goes Waiting to Exhale on us lol and starts her journey in a whole other state. I like the journey and rawness of what Aisha goes through and experience each week. Some weeks are really lows and then other weeks are highs in the sense
The reason I give this book 4 ⭐️ is because of the pace of book. Some weeks seem dragged out and then towards the end it feels rushed. Also I wish I could’ve got a glimpse of Aisha life once she returned home and did Dahlia really open her own studio and pay back the money? lol maybe I’m just a greedy reader lol. Overall a great read that I would recommend
52 weeks a party of one is truly a great read! I love the author writing style as well. I received an ARC of the book and it was also my first read by Bianca.
The FMC Aisha is a character I can relate to in so many ways. This contemporary fiction gives the feels of coming of age, moments of damsel in distress, dealing with mental illness, death in family, substance abuse, and so much more.
This book takes you on the journey of Aisha going through all stages of grief and self discovery after walking in on her boyfriend and best friend having sex New Year’s Eve.
Aisha then goes Waiting to Exhale on us lol and starts her journey in a whole other state. I like the journey and rawness of what Aisha goes through and experience each week. Some weeks are really lows and then other weeks are highs in the sense
The reason I give this book 4 ⭐️ is because of the pace of book. Some weeks seem dragged out and then towards the end it feels rushed. Also I wish I could’ve got a glimpse of Aisha life once she returned home and did Dahlia really open her own studio and pay back the money? lol maybe I’m just a greedy reader lol. Overall a great read that I would recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
I received this book as an ARC copy.
As a strict romance novel reader, I took a chance on this book. Lucky for me, I truly enjoyed it. Aisha is so relatable. She picks herself up after experiencing the worst betrayal a person can experience. So what does she decide to do? Run.
Aisha has many experiences. She let fate decide where she was going to run. Lucky for her she landed in Texas. She meets an artist that leaves an indelible impression on her. She makes a new friend, who eventually helps her by recommending a therapist. And in these 52 weeks she finally addresses her mommy and daddy issues and the betrayal that caused her to leave in the first place .
I truly enjoyed this book . I rated the book so high because my life paralleled a lot of the main character's life . Go into this story with an open mind. I promise you won't regret it.
As a strict romance novel reader, I took a chance on this book. Lucky for me, I truly enjoyed it. Aisha is so relatable. She picks herself up after experiencing the worst betrayal a person can experience. So what does she decide to do? Run.
Aisha has many experiences. She let fate decide where she was going to run. Lucky for her she landed in Texas. She meets an artist that leaves an indelible impression on her. She makes a new friend, who eventually helps her by recommending a therapist. And in these 52 weeks she finally addresses her mommy and daddy issues and the betrayal that caused her to leave in the first place .
I truly enjoyed this book . I rated the book so high because my life paralleled a lot of the main character's life . Go into this story with an open mind. I promise you won't regret it.
April 3, 2025
** ARC REVIEW **
I absolutely loved this book. As we follow Aisha along her journey, she is incredibly relatable. I love how we follow her present day and get glimpses / full scenes of what led her to be where she is today. I love that her journey was messy and not perfect. It explored all of her relationships. I feel as if this a wonderful story that uncovers true reflection.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While it isn’t super explicit, I will say there is some suicidal ideation present along with drug use.
Overall beautifully written story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Bianca is one of my new favorite authors! Highly recommend reading this story when it releases!
I absolutely loved this book. As we follow Aisha along her journey, she is incredibly relatable. I love how we follow her present day and get glimpses / full scenes of what led her to be where she is today. I love that her journey was messy and not perfect. It explored all of her relationships. I feel as if this a wonderful story that uncovers true reflection.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While it isn’t super explicit, I will say there is some suicidal ideation present along with drug use.
Overall beautifully written story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Bianca is one of my new favorite authors! Highly recommend reading this story when it releases!
April 23, 2025
Happy Release Day to 52 Weeks A Party of One by @biancapensyabawrites!! I had the honor of receiving an advanced reader copy and it did not disappoint! It had me in my feelings for real!! You won’t want to put this one down!
💫Synopsis
Aisha isn’t known to hold her tongue, but that’s until she finds out her boyfriend and her best friend are having an affair on New Year’s Eve. This sends her packing. She leaves Denver and moves to Dallas to have the time and space to process the betrayal. Spending time alone also spotlights other issues she has been trying to conceal: her broken relationship with her mother, her growing apart from her brother, and the impact of her late absentee father on her life. Aisha is overwhelmed by everything, so instead of using her time away to “do the work,” she spends weeks putting it off and indulging in every possible distraction-until she hits a wall. Aisha will have to either confront the ghosts from her past before the year ends or continue to pretend they aren’t there and let them haunt her until the very end.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💫Synopsis
Aisha isn’t known to hold her tongue, but that’s until she finds out her boyfriend and her best friend are having an affair on New Year’s Eve. This sends her packing. She leaves Denver and moves to Dallas to have the time and space to process the betrayal. Spending time alone also spotlights other issues she has been trying to conceal: her broken relationship with her mother, her growing apart from her brother, and the impact of her late absentee father on her life. Aisha is overwhelmed by everything, so instead of using her time away to “do the work,” she spends weeks putting it off and indulging in every possible distraction-until she hits a wall. Aisha will have to either confront the ghosts from her past before the year ends or continue to pretend they aren’t there and let them haunt her until the very end.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 12, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC copy of this book and when I say buckle up, I mean just that! April can’t come fast enough! 🗓️
The lovely Bianca Pensy Aba definitely wrote the hell out of this story! I mean just that…had me pulling out my journal! 💐👏🏾👏🏾
My girl Aisha…my gosh! I truly wanted to sit with her and just hold and pour into her so she understood how worthy of love she truly was! To let her know she’s seen, heard and it would be okay. 🫂❤️
After finding two very important people in her life doing her wrong she basically places her life hold and moves from Denver, Colorado to Dallas, Texas to give herself time to heal. However, Dallas has other plans for miss mamas. Aisha is taken on a ride she desperately wants to get off of!💔🚛🎢😔🌪️
Amir…omg! I can only imagine how hearing that conversation wounded him.😭🥺😣
Where her traumas actually started! 😭😞
This is a story of how truth & healing can become ugly before it actually gets better. How parents can traumatize their children with their actions and words.😮💨❤️🩹
I have so much I want to say but I don’t want to give away the story. I will say this though…this book is real af! The lashing out, trauma bonding, acts of recklessness, the self medicating, the searching for fulfillment in places and people! The seeking of relief and struggle to forgive, so real, so relatable. 💯📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The lovely Bianca Pensy Aba definitely wrote the hell out of this story! I mean just that…had me pulling out my journal! 💐👏🏾👏🏾
My girl Aisha…my gosh! I truly wanted to sit with her and just hold and pour into her so she understood how worthy of love she truly was! To let her know she’s seen, heard and it would be okay. 🫂❤️
After finding two very important people in her life doing her wrong she basically places her life hold and moves from Denver, Colorado to Dallas, Texas to give herself time to heal. However, Dallas has other plans for miss mamas. Aisha is taken on a ride she desperately wants to get off of!💔🚛🎢😔🌪️
Amir…omg! I can only imagine how hearing that conversation wounded him.😭🥺😣
Where her traumas actually started! 😭😞
This is a story of how truth & healing can become ugly before it actually gets better. How parents can traumatize their children with their actions and words.😮💨❤️🩹
I have so much I want to say but I don’t want to give away the story. I will say this though…this book is real af! The lashing out, trauma bonding, acts of recklessness, the self medicating, the searching for fulfillment in places and people! The seeking of relief and struggle to forgive, so real, so relatable. 💯📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 31, 2025
Arc review 3.5 stars
Friend betryal
Spouse betrayl
Family abandonment
Imagine catching your best friend of six years and boyfriend of two years together on New Year’s Eve , on top of already dealing with daddy issues . Well that was the case with Aisha Jones. The story follows Aisha on a 52 week journey of finding herself. This story touched on mental health and also self medicating. Overall this was an ok read, it was a slow start, but I do understand that you cannot rush healing. Thank you to Bianca Pensy Aba for giving me a chance to read and review this story.
Friend betryal
Spouse betrayl
Family abandonment
Imagine catching your best friend of six years and boyfriend of two years together on New Year’s Eve , on top of already dealing with daddy issues . Well that was the case with Aisha Jones. The story follows Aisha on a 52 week journey of finding herself. This story touched on mental health and also self medicating. Overall this was an ok read, it was a slow start, but I do understand that you cannot rush healing. Thank you to Bianca Pensy Aba for giving me a chance to read and review this story.
April 15, 2025
Wow! This book was everywhere, but what healing process isn’t. Our MFC is healing in many ways in this book for, yep you guessed it, 52 weeks. She gets some serious bad news and it destroys her inside and out. So how does she deal, by healing. Some extremes but that’s how the grieving process is. You have to do what makes you feel better and question things. The MFC definitely does that in her own way. Some processes are quick, buried, and most times longer, but that’s 1 year allowed her to know herself better!!! This was great!
December 25, 2024
4.5⭐️ Thought provoking and devastating.
Watching Aisha spiral for the better part of a year was hard to endure but definitely worthwhile. She made horrible decisions and was utterly unlikable for big chunks of time, but I never stopped cheering her on and hoping for her to find her way.
I enjoyed the voices of each character (except the few lines of dialogue from a child character that seemed out of place) and the distinct personalities of everyone. I really enjoyed watching Aisha make some supremely dumb assumptions about someone, demand something outrageous after they’d made their boundaries clear, and get angry, only to eventually figure it out. Normally that kind of spiral would get on my nerves but I was fascinated by her small victories and setbacks. Her ebb and flow was raw and challenging to watch but I felt good about the payoff in the end.
Speaking of the end - I see some people didn’t like her wrap up. I thought it was messy and full of grace - a perfect ending for her. There were a few points after the midpoint of the book that I felt things dragged a little, but again it felt like a deliberate reflection of the way Aisha was dealing with her life and it made sense to me within the story.
This author is incredible and made a huge impression. I’ll definitely keep her at the top of my must read list!
I won an e-arc in a StoryGraph giveaway and my opinions are my own.
Watching Aisha spiral for the better part of a year was hard to endure but definitely worthwhile. She made horrible decisions and was utterly unlikable for big chunks of time, but I never stopped cheering her on and hoping for her to find her way.
I enjoyed the voices of each character (except the few lines of dialogue from a child character that seemed out of place) and the distinct personalities of everyone. I really enjoyed watching Aisha make some supremely dumb assumptions about someone, demand something outrageous after they’d made their boundaries clear, and get angry, only to eventually figure it out. Normally that kind of spiral would get on my nerves but I was fascinated by her small victories and setbacks. Her ebb and flow was raw and challenging to watch but I felt good about the payoff in the end.
Speaking of the end - I see some people didn’t like her wrap up. I thought it was messy and full of grace - a perfect ending for her. There were a few points after the midpoint of the book that I felt things dragged a little, but again it felt like a deliberate reflection of the way Aisha was dealing with her life and it made sense to me within the story.
This author is incredible and made a huge impression. I’ll definitely keep her at the top of my must read list!
I won an e-arc in a StoryGraph giveaway and my opinions are my own.
April 3, 2025
ARC review: This book has given me all the feels. It was such a relatable story. I throughly enjoyed reading about Aisha's journey to self-discovery. It is the perfect book for any young woman just going through life and hit with obstacles she doesn't know how to navigate. I have been happy sad mad and like girl you stupid for that lol. Highly recommend.
March 22, 2025
Review to come
January 20, 2025
I absolutely love this book. The pace was perfect and the story was great. I felt like I was going through the healing journey with Aisha. I definitely recommend this read for 2025!!!!
January 15, 2025
This book kicks off in high gear, grabbing your attention with the betrayal of Aisha’s man and bestie. However, as the story unfolds, it slows down, leaning into her journey of healing. This includes almost everyone in her life and at times I found myself emotionally attached to her pain.
It truly is a realistic picture of personal growth and self discovery. It was not predictable and some of Aisha’s choices were a little unbelievable to me, but the rawness and relatability keeps you invested as each of the 52 weeks progress.
If you’re looking for a story that balances heartache with hope add this to your TBR. The book releases on April 23, 2025.
Thank you Bianca Pensy Aba for an advanced copy of this book.
It truly is a realistic picture of personal growth and self discovery. It was not predictable and some of Aisha’s choices were a little unbelievable to me, but the rawness and relatability keeps you invested as each of the 52 weeks progress.
If you’re looking for a story that balances heartache with hope add this to your TBR. The book releases on April 23, 2025.
Thank you Bianca Pensy Aba for an advanced copy of this book.
April 13, 2025
Aisha’s 52 weeks of healing is messy but raw, real, and relatable. I love the author’s choice of pace because healing takes time. There’s no quick fix or one size fits all solution. Aisha’s move might’ve been dramatic but you can’t heal in the same environment that made you sick, right?✌🏾Aisha was flawed, she made bad decisions, (the internal conflict was real!) but this further humanized Aisha and made me want to root for her even more.
It’s interesting how a new traumatic event can bring unresolved past traumas to the surface. Relationships are a big theme in this story. Aisha was forced to confront other issues she’d been trying to avoid like her fractured relationship with her mother, the distance growing between her brother, and the impact her father’s absence had on her life. I love that despite the betrayal, Aisha didn’t give up on friendship. Dahlia played a crucial role in Aisha’s healing journey and I loved that for her. Each week brought new challenges but Aisha remained committed to her journey of healing and rediscovering herself, showing the courage it takes to face emotional wounds and the strength required to keep going, even when the path feels impossible. Highly recommend!
It’s interesting how a new traumatic event can bring unresolved past traumas to the surface. Relationships are a big theme in this story. Aisha was forced to confront other issues she’d been trying to avoid like her fractured relationship with her mother, the distance growing between her brother, and the impact her father’s absence had on her life. I love that despite the betrayal, Aisha didn’t give up on friendship. Dahlia played a crucial role in Aisha’s healing journey and I loved that for her. Each week brought new challenges but Aisha remained committed to her journey of healing and rediscovering herself, showing the courage it takes to face emotional wounds and the strength required to keep going, even when the path feels impossible. Highly recommend!
January 28, 2025
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book. This coming-of-age story had me engaged from start to finish. The author skillfully crafted a compelling plot with strong writing that authentically portrayed the main character's evolution. Rather than falling into the trap of melodrama, the story struck a perfect balance between humor and heart. I found myself laughing out loud, mentally high-fiving the female main character (FMC), and having imaginary conversations with her throughout the journey.
While I wish the healing process had begun earlier in the narrative to allow for a more gradual progression, this minor pacing issue didn't diminish my overall enjoyment. What truly stood out was how the author portrayed the FMC's strength and self-acceptance, showing her gradually embracing different aspects of her identity. Her journey to empowerment felt both genuine and inspiring.
While I wish the healing process had begun earlier in the narrative to allow for a more gradual progression, this minor pacing issue didn't diminish my overall enjoyment. What truly stood out was how the author portrayed the FMC's strength and self-acceptance, showing her gradually embracing different aspects of her identity. Her journey to empowerment felt both genuine and inspiring.
February 4, 2025
This was a true to life story about grief, pain, and healing. The complicated ups and downs of grieving friendships, relationships, and a future (or past) we wished we had. I’ve experienced a lot of grief, and this story tells all the messy and happy parts of it all. It gave me a chance to reflect and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thank you Bianca for a chance to read the advance copy before its release on April 23rd, 2025!
Thank you Bianca for a chance to read the advance copy before its release on April 23rd, 2025!
March 7, 2025
52 Weeks, Party of One is one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant books I’ve read in a long time. From the very first sentence, I was hooked, and my heart broke for Aisha in the prologue as she navigated the depth of her pain. While her experiences are heartbreaking, the way the story unfolds and the journey she takes is something truly special. What makes this book stand out is that it’s not just another typical love story: its not a love story at all actually instead, it delves into self-discovery, healing, and the quiet strength that comes with finding peace in being alone.
At the start of the book, Aisha is clearly avoiding her problems, even contemplating running away from it all. She’s deeply hurt, and at times, it seems like she’s trying to escape the pain entirely. But as the story progresses, Aisha begins to rebuild her life, gradually repairing the relationships that have been broken—most importantly, her relationship with herself. By the end of the book, she is not only confident in her ability to be alone but embraces it fully. And I believe that’s one of the most beautiful and powerful takeaways from this story: there is immense beauty in simply living, in embracing solitude, and in finding strength in your own company—a lesson we could all stand to learn.
Betrayal comes in many forms: by a lover, a close friend, or even family. Aisha faces all three when her best friend and lover betray her on New Year’s Eve, leading her to embark on a journey of self-discovery. She leaves behind the people and places that represent her deepest wounds, hoping to heal in new surroundings so she goes to austin. Her path to healing is anything but straightforward, and at times, I found myself worried for her. But her journey is raw, relatable, and deeply human. It’s a testament to the painful but necessary process of picking yourself up after experiencing betrayal in its worst form.
Aisha spends much of the book building walls around herself to shield from further hurt. But when she finally starts to care again, she finds herself lost within the very facade she created. This emotional journey hit me harder than I expected. The book so beautifully explores how healing and self-rediscovery are deeply personal and unique processes, often messy and full of missteps. The metaphor of “If you don’t sink, you’ll drown” is what i thought of as Aisha faces her demons and begins to tear down the walls she spent so long building.
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this beautiful and thought-provoking story. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of healing, facing your pain, and ultimately, finding peace within yourself. 52 Weeks, Party of One will stay with me for a long time, not just because of Aisha’s journey, but because of the universal truths it reveals about healing, self-empowerment, and the strength it takes to face the darkest parts of yourself.here’s a raw honesty in her emotional journey, and it’s a beautiful testament to the idea that, even when life feels broken, we have the capacity to rebuild and emerge stronger. This book will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to pick themselves up after experiencing pain or betrayal, and it serves as a poignant reminder that we all have the power to heal and find peace, even in our solitude.
At the start of the book, Aisha is clearly avoiding her problems, even contemplating running away from it all. She’s deeply hurt, and at times, it seems like she’s trying to escape the pain entirely. But as the story progresses, Aisha begins to rebuild her life, gradually repairing the relationships that have been broken—most importantly, her relationship with herself. By the end of the book, she is not only confident in her ability to be alone but embraces it fully. And I believe that’s one of the most beautiful and powerful takeaways from this story: there is immense beauty in simply living, in embracing solitude, and in finding strength in your own company—a lesson we could all stand to learn.
Betrayal comes in many forms: by a lover, a close friend, or even family. Aisha faces all three when her best friend and lover betray her on New Year’s Eve, leading her to embark on a journey of self-discovery. She leaves behind the people and places that represent her deepest wounds, hoping to heal in new surroundings so she goes to austin. Her path to healing is anything but straightforward, and at times, I found myself worried for her. But her journey is raw, relatable, and deeply human. It’s a testament to the painful but necessary process of picking yourself up after experiencing betrayal in its worst form.
Aisha spends much of the book building walls around herself to shield from further hurt. But when she finally starts to care again, she finds herself lost within the very facade she created. This emotional journey hit me harder than I expected. The book so beautifully explores how healing and self-rediscovery are deeply personal and unique processes, often messy and full of missteps. The metaphor of “If you don’t sink, you’ll drown” is what i thought of as Aisha faces her demons and begins to tear down the walls she spent so long building.
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this beautiful and thought-provoking story. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of healing, facing your pain, and ultimately, finding peace within yourself. 52 Weeks, Party of One will stay with me for a long time, not just because of Aisha’s journey, but because of the universal truths it reveals about healing, self-empowerment, and the strength it takes to face the darkest parts of yourself.here’s a raw honesty in her emotional journey, and it’s a beautiful testament to the idea that, even when life feels broken, we have the capacity to rebuild and emerge stronger. This book will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to pick themselves up after experiencing pain or betrayal, and it serves as a poignant reminder that we all have the power to heal and find peace, even in our solitude.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews