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The happily-ever-after Anais imagines when she follows her husband, Aristide, to Italy becomes a path toward independence. Anais leaves a large and loving family in Cameroon to join Aristide in Europe, but after they have a daughter, Esmeralda, Aristide spends increasing time with new friends, excluding Anais. He finally chooses another woman over her. Anais moves, makes new friends, and gains an Italian boyfriend—Ricky. A trip to America proves to Anais that Ricky doesn’t intend to marry her. She decides to start over in America.
Fixated on central relationships during a period of Anais’ early and middle adulthood, the narrative is focused and driven by emotion. Scenes are heavy with either loneliness, when Aristide is distant, or affection with Esmeralda, friends, and family. Like the vibrant clothes that Anais describes herself in, adjectives adorn the prose in lusciousness. She comes across as colorful and fragrant, like the flowers Ricky gives her, and full of life. Many exclamations of love for Esmeralda and others show an infectious spirit who compels people into her life, as well as her story. Her appeal, however, has consequences for Aristide. With empathy, she also tells of Aristide’s downfall after their separation. As she finds a new path, he spirals into anger, from which she protects herself.
Pivotal moments, like moves, and in particular the climactic move to America, show Anais acting out of largess and integrity. While the narration is composed mostly of feelings, stern letters between her, Aristide, and Ricky show Anais as a woman of decisiveness and action. Turbulent flights and stressful customs are highlights, microcosms of colossal shifts in Anais’ life, to which she responds with gratitude for those around her. The resultant tone is inspiring, in fulfillment of the book’s dedication to single moms everywhere. The successes she reports from America model moves readers can emulate.