Soft Spots

by Leila Renee

Raven Leilani’s Luster meets Halle Butler’s The New Me, SOFT SPOTS is a darkly funny and off-kilter coming-of-age novel following recent college graduate Robin Clarke after she runs away from her family, only to be forced to confront whether she should reconcile with her father when his health takes a sudden turn for the worst.

After miraculously securing a teaching job at a dysfunctional high school, loner Robin moves to South Bend, Indiana, where she’s paired with an eerily perfect Naomi. Freshly estranged from her abusive parents, Robin obsesses over two absurd to be the best teacher at the school, despite never having taught, and to become best friends with Naomi, who could not be more her opposite. Meanwhile back home, Robin’s brother must decide between being loyal to his sister or their parents.

Just as Robin grows closer to her students and Naomi, she receives earth-shattering news from her brother. Desperate to cope, Robin redoubles her efforts to befriend Naomi, spiraling even deeper into obsession and self-sabotage. Everything comes to a head when one of Robin’s many bad choices come back to bite her, and she must confront the limits of forgiveness, the weight of memory, and the true cost of estrangement.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, New Adult

352 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: Child abuse, self-harm

There wasn't much I liked about this book--many of the small details felt off. The meat of the story was the strongest part--Robby dealing with her trauma after a lifetime of abuse. So much of the rest, though, did not ring true. Every other character, for the most part, was flat and unbelievable.

SPOILERS AHEAD

One passage I DID like that stopped me in my tracks occurred towards the end of the story:

"The screen flared with light, and I saw notifications that my battery was low, that my storage was nearly full, and that my dad had died."

It was the simple mundanity of finding out a parent has died via text message. As someone who has experienced something similar, this is how it feels--a rip in reality amidst the reality of every day.

[Merisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

This was an incredible debut by Leila Renee. I'm actually floored that this was a debut novel. There is so much emotion in this story that I think it will linger with readers for quite some time. (Please note: This is a character-driven story, much like most literary fiction. It forces you to observe and sit with the character's experiences throughout the story. In most ways, this is a coming-of-age tale that centers the growth of Robin, William, and, to an extent, Naomi.)

I was immediately drawn to the premise of this story from the synopsis, and once I began reading, I couldn't stop. Like Robin, I am also a Black woman with father wounds, except mine come from an absentee and abusive father. I am also an English teacher, so the parallels to this story were quite triggering at times, but definitely worth reading. In Robin, I saw a vulnerable and at times broken young woman who just wanted to be seen, but not as a burden or a bother, but as someone worthy of love, care, and affection. In William, I saw a young man who was stripped of any semblance of himself as he spent most of his life trying to live up to the ideals of his father. I was just as saddened by his story as I was by Robin's. I think this is an incredible take on what happens to the children of emotionally immature parents. This book forces the reader to reconcile with the harm that parents cause their children while also contending with the fact that parents carry their own harm and trauma. I don't condone the parents' negligence and abuse, but I do appreciate the way in which Renee crafts their characters as tragically complex and deeply human.

I applaud Renee for this achingly beautiful story. Note: Check your trigger warnings for child abuse before you read this one.

Some quotes:
“Apparently, my intellect came as a surprise. People always assume that Black women are stupid. We never get the benefit of the doubt; we don’t get to make mistakes or to let our masks slip. Our silence is insolence. Our anger is attitude. Our quiet is personal. People need constant access to us. But I’m not quiet because I’m dumb or have an attitude or think I’m better than anyone. I’m quiet because I’m an introvert who just doesn’t have anything to say.”

“My father taught me how to read and how to cower from the truth.”

“I wanted Naomi to get that not everyone was as lucky as her, that some of us got our parents off the clearance rack, that we’d received the kind of deeply discounted mothers and/or fathers who taught us that ‘okay’ was never a thing that we just got to be, but had to perform.”

“He doesn’t get a medal for not leaving us.”

“I guess I’d just hoped that if I showed him my scars, he could help me heal.”

“And still I wonder what love is, if it’s noble that we can love our parents despite how they deform us, if it’s foolish to keep soft spots for those who bruise us.”

“I didn’t know that I would become a woman, free in the world, and still carry the baggage my parents gave me—the baggage they were meant to carry on their own.”

[Bobbieshiann · Rating 3 out of 5]

“And I still wonder what love is, if it’s noble that we can love our parents despite how they deform us, if it’s foolish to keep soft spots for those who bruise us. All I know is that love for parents is something that can’t be fully erased, and what that permanence means remains up for debate. Naomi was right: We can’t help but love our parents. Who knows, maybe love is this kind of helplessness. Maybe it’s an offshoot of mercy.”

Soft Spots is at a pace of its own. Slow, but do not seek an explosive climax or a happy ending. It is filled with abuse, trauma, depression, hurt, and no real direction for the protagonist as we are introduced to Robin, a girl who grew up in an abusive home with her parents and older brother. The abuse was hands-on, while her mother watched her be a punching bag for years and her brother believed it to not be real. But the anger toward her brother Will may lessen as we learn that he, too, has suffered and still is suffering. With a college degree and her brother Will having a failed basketball career, they work together at Burgertopia until Robin decides to up and leave without telling anyone. In a new city and with a new job, Robin thinks she is starting anew, but that is far from the truth. She picks up terrible habits like smoking and binge eating and becomes dependent on her roommate, Naomi. Robin lives in filth and, with limited social interactions, has determined she will be the best teacher there is, but you can never run from your trauma. While life is already low, Robin does more things that make you contemplate understanding her versus being frustrated with her. To top it off, her abuser is dying. Her decision-making continues to get worse as she battles all these obstacles and a strained relationship with her brother, whose POV we also experience. Hurt people hurt people, and sometimes crawling out of that hole while dirt is still being piled on top of you is exhausting. Soft Spots is a coming-of-age story. It is drenched in pain, and its outcome is so simple that it is realistic because one must learn to navigate life and feelings when you never received parenting or love.

[cursedb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was such a sweet and emotionally intense read. it can be quite overwhelming, and I can see how some of the themes might be triggering for certain readers. The book deals with a lot of trauma and difficult experiences, and some of these themes become repetitive throughout the story. I can imagine that making the book feel heavy or difficult to keep up with at times. Surprisingly, though, it didn’t bother me. I was completely invested in the story and found myself unable to put it down. It’s definitely not a light or easy read. There is a lot of dysfunction, family trauma, abuse, friendship, identity, and emotional baggage packed into the story. It can feel depressing at times, but I think that emotional intensity is also what makes it so immersive. If you can relate to even one part of what the characters are going through, I think there’s a good chance you’ll connect with this book. For me, despite how overwhelming it could be, it was a surprisingly compelling and heartfelt read.

[Salvatore Pane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family relationships here really resonated with me. It's still so rare to see books push back against the dominant narrative that blood relatives are somehow more important than found family. SOFT SPOTS very carefully steers into generational trauma and going no contact, and it expertly embodies what that feels like in the body.

Also: it's really funny! A great debut.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Leila Renee’s debut novel was amazing. There was so much heart and raw emotion shown through this whole story. At one place I found myself even crying without realizing it (when Will let himself acknowledge his past). When Naomi said you can’t miss what you don’t have, I truly felt that in my soul - I have said that so many times myself, coming from a single parent home. Robin is such a strong lead that sometimes comes off apathetic, vulnerable, and looking for love from wherever she can find it. She grows so much throughout the year timeline of the novel. I wanted to read this since I have taught children coming from poverty and thought I could relate, but didn’t realize how much I’d really have to sit with after reading (in a good way). This can be very overwhelming for some due to the context (child abuse, physical abuse, child sexual abuse, parental death), but it’s definitely worth the read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Amistad for this gifted ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Haly Hoards Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆
At times funny, witty and full of cringe worthy moments Robin Clarke's life is also filled with anger, depression and fear. For her entire life Robin has been starved of acknowledgement and positive attention from her parents, while her older brother was treated as the golden child. Robin's father would rather beat her than hug her and her mother is quick to point out Robin's flaws instead of recognizing her achievements.

When Robin runs away from her family she lands a volunteer job through United Corps to teach school. Robin is paired with Naomi Tillman, who is her roommate and fellow Union Corps volunteer. Naomi is privileged, self-absorbed, passive-aggressive and runs hot and cool toward Robin. Despite how Naomi treats Robin, Robin pours her attention into Naomi wanting Naomi to be her best friend.

While Robin is struggling with life, smoking weed and binging on junk food her father is dying. It is because of Mr. Clarke's demise that Robin and her brother, Will, have to face how they were abused as children. Robin wrangles with guilt for not wanting to see her father before he dies. Will begins to face his own abuse through long buried memories.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to Leila Renee, the publisher and Goodreads for this opportunity.

Renee's novel addresses how abuse and neglect impact an entire family. She does a masterful job at highlighting the emotional struggle between loving and not caring about an abusive parent.

Favorite Quote:
"Meanwhile I was told that my hurt did not matter; that I must swallow it and learn to love the bitterness. It was easier to blame the victim. After all, it is easier to punch down than up. And victim-blamers are people who want to feel safe; they want to believe that evil is not random, that bad things could never happen to them. But only cowards blame victims; cowards who want you to be just as cowering as them. I am not a coward, I decided, rinsing the final plate."
Robin Clarke

[Kate Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy discussion of child abuse. I felt like Naomi and Robin's friendship was very underdeveloped, especially since it's the glue of the book. Just felt like a lot of back and forth on how close they were. Felt like there wasn't much driving Robin after she ran away, like her motivation was gone, her characterization was odd, she wants to be the best teacher but then puts no effort into this job she supposedly really wants.

Robin lives a sad and lonely existence, despite living with her parents and brother, as her father is abusive and the other two do nothing to stop it. She recently graduated college and spends her days working at a fast-food joint with her brother, going home to clean up after her parents and then hide out in her room. She wasn't allowed to have friends as a child and isn't quite sure how to make them as an adult. With the help of a professor, she 'runs away' and gets a position as a temporary teaching aide in South Bend Indiana. She's paired with a roommate, Naomi, whom she sees as perfect, and the perfect best friend.

As Robin teaches at the school, breaks some rules (buying weed from one student, giving another her phone number and going to their home), and tries to befriend Naomi, she must also deal with what she left behind. When Robin's brother Will reaches out to let her know their father is ill and begs her to come home, Robin leans even further into her destructive side and wonders what the 'right thing to do' may be.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow burn kind of book so it may not be for everyone. This book may also be triggering for those who have suffered from abuse, so tread carefully. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. Robin runs away from her abusive parents and stays at one of her professors houses until her new job starts. She's been paired with a roommate named Naomi and to Robin, Naomi and her life are perfect. Robin is a loner and never had friends growing up, thanks to her parents so she's not sure how to navigate a new friendship. She is very awkward and doesn't think very highly of herself which causes her to do self destructive things. The story bounces from Robin perspective, to her brothers and back, so you get both of their perspectives on how things are going. Eventually, the choices that Robin makes catch up to her and she has to suffer the consequences.
I think this book is a really good example of how trauma effects people especially when it's not talked about or worked on. The self esteem issues that Robin has are pretty typical of someone who thought everything she did was a mistake.
This book was a hard read but it was good. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

[J Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft Spots by Leila Renee is a novel that can be a quick read but will also reward a slower more thoughtful read.

Simply as a read, the reader is made to laugh and cry and, of course, have plenty of those "no, don't do that" moments. But these characters are all too human and, like the rest of us, don't always make the best decisions. I think by reading a tad slower (I'm not talking about a crawl or anything, maybe spread it out over three days) you can think about why a person would feel or act as some of these do. I think you will be able to relate to some of those reasons even if you've never been in these exact circumstances. You'll also be better equipped to deal with the revelations as they come since you've already thought about various scenarios.

The writing was wonderful and there were several passages I want to go back and find to share. Fortunately, one such passage was shared in another review so I can just find the location and share it. One of the things I took away was how events, especially among family (or close friends), can have a negative affect on everybody, even if not the target. In a dysfunctional family, no one remains unscathed.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darkly comedic coming-of-age story about two siblings attempting to make sense of their lives as well as exploring themes of trauma and forgiveness.

Robin Clarke is running away from abusive parents to take a teaching job in South Bend, Indiana.Her new roommate, Naomi, is confident and posed - everything Robin wants to be but because her parents never allowed her to have friends, Robin is afraid of intimacy. Meanwhile her brother, Will, attempts to be the dutiful son but when his father falls ill, he must reexamine their relationship and the meaning of loyalty. When Robin learns of her father’s illness she too must face her past.

This is a character-driven novel. It’s a compelling sibling story. Robin and Will are very close but there is trauma and resentment underneath it. This is also an emotionally intense novel which is balanced by humor and snark. Forgiveness is huge in this book. Robin’s trauma is deep so she struggles with that and her sense of family.

This is a book for readers who enjoy exploring intense family estrangements and their consequences.

My thanks to NetGalley and Amistad for granting me access to this ARC.

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft Spots was a strong debut novel. We see Robin and Naomi, new “Union Corps” volunteers in South Bend who couldn’t come from more different backgrounds. Naomi spends every night speaking to her mum, is appalled by the state of their apartment, and is the epitome of a mood board and then we have Robin, who ran away from an abusive home and this is more than she’s ever hoped for. Robin may have separated herself from her childhood home but as her father is dying and her brother continues to reach out, she can’t fully escape and honestly doesn’t have the tools to process any of it.

Throughout the book (told from Robins point of view), I know we are supposed to see Naomi as uptight and pretentious but I could see early on that she was showing up the best way she knows how.

There are significant trigger warnings for child abuse, drug usage, and self harm- please be gentle with yourself while reading.

Soft Spots will be published August 4, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

[kadence chan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not make it all the way through this book. I think the Robin’s story touches on some very important themes. At points, it’s reflective, poignant, and relatable. However, the writing style was difficult to read for me. It is heavily influenced by modern slang and phrases that, in my opinion, wouldn’t be understandable if I wasn’t part of a younger generation. While the story itself is worth experiencing, the diction felt a little inaccessible and distracting from the story. As I mentioned previously, I think younger readers could enjoy this book and appreciate its nuances, but older readers may find it a little bit too colloquially written.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the eArc!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I crave complex stories about millennial black women. When I read the comparison to Luster, my heart leaped. I am pleased to tell you it lives up to that comparison. I even think people who had issues with Luster will like this novel. I became invested in the character and her story because the characterization was fantastic. The writing is great, and can be funny. What a joy when a book is marketed as having humor, and the writing does actually give you a few little laughs. I can't wait for this book to come out. Required reading for lovers of black women's stories in literature.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Chanika R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this novel more than I did, but all of the relationships left me wondering about the frequent missteps and failed attachments. There were moments where Robin’s silence was bewildering, and it felt counterproductive to have access to her inner thoughts because it didn’t make her actions any more understandable. The shifting POVs didn’t always work for me either, but I understand the depth it added to the narrative to have access to a viewpoint other than Robin’s. While this wasn’t my fave, I appreciated the care taken to express a less-than-ideal familial relationship. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kas Marek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Amistad and NetGalley for eARC

3.75 stars

I love coming to age stories, specifically about apathetic women. Robin's backstory was quite dark, but somehow the writing is what provided some levity to the story.

I felt so bad for Robin, even through her terrible decisions. Because even when she was doing some dumb shit, I kind of got it. Robin, in ways, was relatable, even though I haven't been through any of the same as her. I think it's more of how trauma influences her decisions that I found relatable.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a bit to get into but I loved the coming of age aspect. Robin is a unique character and the way she struggles with her past and tries to make her way in the world. I did enjoy the friendship between her and Naomi and the relatable family drama. There are a few real good takeaways throughout this book and some relatable troubles she endures. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Keri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find anything enjoyable about this book. There was nothing to gain or take away from reading this. I had hopes that the main character Robin would make some positive changes and really try to help herself once she moved out of her parent's home, but nope. It was a downer for me and a waste of time.

[Erin Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and at times it made me cringe, think and also laugh. I love the way Leila writes. I think this is a good book for people who like reading about complex but quirky characters, as well as complicated family relationships.

[Patty Ramirez]

Read 54% of this book and just couldn't get where this was going. I felt like I was constantly reading about the same thing.

Thank you to Amistad and the author for providing a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

[Beth Mowbray · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Thanks to Amistad for the advance copy. Click below to read my review for The Nerd Daily!

https://thenerddaily.com/review-soft-...