Audiobook Review: Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

Book: 88/150

Rating: 3.5/5

Summary: Set in the South Side of Chicago, an epic, enthralling story of a young woman determined to protect her best friend while a long-buried secret threatens to unravel both their families. Family, Faith. Secrets. Everything in this world comes full circle. When Ruby King’s mother is found murdered in their home in Chicago’s South Side, the police dismiss it as another act of violence in a black neighborhood. But for Ruby, it means she’ll be living alone with her violent father. The only person who understands the gravity of her situation is Ruby’s best friend, Layla.

Their closeness is tested when Layla’s father, the pastor of their church, demands that Layla stay away. But what are his true motives? And what is the price for turning a blind eye? In a relentless quest to save Ruby, Layla comes to discover the murky loyalties and dark secrets tying their families together for three generations. A crucial pilgrimage through the racially divided landscape of Chicago, Saving Ruby King traces the way trauma is passed down through generations and the ways in which communities can come together and create sanctuary.

Thoughts: I was having serious FOMO with this book so decided to listen to the audio on Libro.fm. I love an audiobook that has multiple narrators for each perspective: it always elevates to the listening experience for me. Unfortunately, this one took me a while to get into, which I think was because of the multiple narration! Also the book jumps around through time a bit which confused me at some points. I’m always a multi-tasker when I listen to audiobooks, either I’m working, doing errands, chores, etc, and this is a book that really commands your attention while listening so you can pay attention to the details.

I love a multi-generational family story. Even though this one is heartbreaking, showing the impacts of multi-generational abuse, one of the shining parts of the book is the unconditional love and friendship between Layla and Ruby. I also really liked the mystery aspect of the book (who killed Alice King?).

This is a very well-written and well told story for a debut. I definitely want to check out what this author writes in the future. But don’t be like me and be too distracted when reading/listening to this book.