Side Chick Nation : Book Review


Book Review

 

Title: Side Chick Nation

Author: Aya De Leon

Genre: Contemporary fiction


This book is authored by my professor at University of San Francisco. 

 

Side Chick nation tells the story of Dulce Garcia right from the time she was groomed into a sex worker to how she escapes an abusive boyfriend and lands herself amidst a hurricane in Puerto Rico. 

 

When Dulce flees from her boyfriend to her family in the Caribbean, her boredom propels herself to seek an adventure to Puerto Rico where she meets Gerard-her sugar daddy and Zavier-a budding journalist. Life is a party for her until she gets embroiled in the jaws of a hurricane. Will Dulce find a way back to New York? On the other side, we have Marisol- a thief who is determined in protecting her family land in Puerto Rico. 

 

This is the fourth book in the Heist series and a multifaceted tale. In this complex story, the author packs a lot of issues right from natural disasters, capitalism, women exploitation and romance. There is an element of predation that lingers in the entire story-whether its men abusing and exploiting women, nature claiming lives, businessmen taking advantage of the situation for their capitalistic gains or a jealous wife aiming to kill her husband’s former love interest. 


What stands out amidst the deceit and ingenuity is the relationship between Zavier and Dulce. The tender moments between the two characters triggers an emotional reaction in this otherwise fast paced read. There are other characters who make their impact as well. Simultaneously the author also touches upon themes of loneliness, racism and brings to light the nuances of journalism.  

 

Side Chick Nation is an engaging and absorbing tale that explores the plight of sex workers, the importance of rising above this side chick image and finding acceptance in the society.

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