Review of Kalayla

Sable Pratt · Post by **Sable Pratt** » 12 Mar 2022, 15:15

[Following is a volunteer review of "Kalayla" by Jeannie Nicholas.]

4 out of 4 stars

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We all make mistakes in our lives, and whether we recognize when it happens or not, life always gives us a chance to redeem ourselves. This is the basis for Kalayla, as Jeannie Nicholas narrates the story of three people who have been given another chance to choose differently, and to be better.

Lena Barzetti is a seventy-two-year-old widow who still harbors emotional scars and guilt from her past abusive marriage, as portrayed by her tendency to wear only black clothes, and who decides to give love and family another shot when she befriends Kalayla and Maureen. Maureen Leeroyce is a twenty-nine-year-old waitress who is still adjusting to her new life as a widow and a single mother, even as her painful past threatens to shatter her fragile relationship with her headstrong daughter. Kalayla Leeroyce is a know-it-all eleven-year-old whose mean streak of sarcasm and foul mouth reveals more than she's willing to admit as she adjusts to the new support system she has found herself in.

A natural bond forms among these three, one that surpasses blood and age, as they seek healing for their emotional scars and forgiveness for their past mistakes. Kalayla encompasses both the good and dark sides of family, the endurance and reliability of friendship, and the helplessness and faith associated with parenthood. Topics of domestic abuse, racial discrimination, self-identity, and depression provide this story with a realistic background that makes it more compelling and relatable to the reader.

I found a lot of positive aspects regarding this book, as every scene was a goldmine of valuable lessons and emotional healing. First, the characterization of Lena, Kalayla, Maureen, and all the supporting characters is deep and richly complex. The author takes the time to layer in who the characters are through their dialogue, actions, backstories, inner conflicts, and vulnerabilities. The protagonists' transformations from the beginning to the end bespeak of the inner change that constitutes emotional healing. As she helps Maureen and Kalayla to wade through parenting dilemmas and preteen attitudes, Lena transforms from a guilt-ridden widow still mourning the death of her twin sons and husband by wearing only black clothes, to a brave woman reaching out to her two estranged sons and their families, while reintroducing color into her life by changing her wardrobe and reigniting an old romance.

Second, Jeannie creates the most emotional scenes that can reach deep into the basis of the reader's humanity and arouse feelings of love and empathy for the characters who are deeply flawed and broken inside. I cried along with the characters when big, tough Clarence curled himself into a little ball and cried for his mama after Lena's threat triggered traumatic memories from his past. This is just one example of how the author allows the characters to strip their cool façades and to reveal the vulnerabilities they hide inside. Such an unexpected revelation conflicted with my earlier perception of who Clarence is, effectively twisting the story and adding the mystery of which other characters are as layered and complex.

Kalayla is narrated in the first person voice. The fluid shift from Lena's POV to Kalayla's then to Maureen's underscores the contrast in the thoughts and attitudes among these three individuals. The author also introduces Rico's POV to the mix, and this technique breaks the flow of the normal plot and adds more perspective to the story. Through these POVs, I could see how the characters developed into their full potential without any personal influence from the author. Jeannie allows them to sort through their anguish, heartbreak, and pain so that they can discover forgiveness, healing, and hope for a better future.

I didn't find anything negative about this book. Kalayla Leeroyce captured my attention and my heart with her sassy, shockingly brazen attitude; her hilarious explanation of why she wouldn't be going to her school's mountain trip barely covers the sense of humor her character brings to the story. Lena showed me that finding the courage to heal our inner wounds might take years, and that it's never too late to find love again. Maureen immersed me into a parent's constant worry and concern for her child's welfare and happiness, and opened my eyes to the fact that parents can't always keep their children from getting hurt. This book is also professionally edited, as I didn't come across any errors during my reading. For these reasons, I rate Kalayla four out of four stars.

Due to the presence of vulgar language and mild erotic description in this story, I recommend it to adults and mature teenagers who enjoy inspirational stories about the ups and downs of family and friendship.

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Kalayla
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Hyacinth Bella · Post by **Hyacinth Bella** » 14 Mar 2022, 20:43

I have read and reviewed this book before, and I can say that I did enjoy it, but I am not sure if I enjoyed it as much as you did. The stories of the three main characters spoke to me in a way that I can't express, and I felt them through the author's writing.

Thank you so much for the wonderful review!

Sable Pratt · Post by **Sable Pratt** » 26 Mar 2022, 18:29

Hyacinth Bella wrote: ↑14 Mar 2022, 20:43 I have read and reviewed this book before, and I can say that I did enjoy it, but I am not sure if I enjoyed it as much as you did. The stories of the three main characters spoke to me in a way that I can't express, and I felt them through the author's writing.

Thank you so much for the wonderful review!

I'm glad you enjoyed reading the book and thanks for your comment too.