People Person - Candice Carty-Williams

People Person is the second novel by Candice Carty-Williams, following the critically acclaimed Queenie. I did like Queenie, but in all honesty I wasn't blown away by it. I enjoyed this second novel much more!

The novel begins by introducing the Pennington family, centred around Cyril Pennington who has five illegitimate children with four different women. He has not been involved in any of his children's lives, and only contacts them when it is convenient for him.

Dimple, his middle daughter, is in her thirties and is an aspiring social media influencer, only displaying the most aesthetically pleasing - and fake - aspects of her life to her few followers. She is in a toxic on-off relationship with a man who intimidates her, yet keeps her wrapped around his little finger.

When a horrific accident occurs at Dimple's home and she doesn't know what to do, she contacts her four estranged siblings for help. The night that follows will bond the brothers and sisters forever, teaching Dimple about the importance of real relationships and the fleetingness of her online 'friends'.

This modern, witty social commentary will have you laughing, almost crying and clinging to the edge of your seat. Carty-Williams has written such real and believable characters you could almost think they are copied directly from real people. It's also an eye-opening and at times moving portrait of what it means to be Black and potentially in trouble with the law in our society. A brilliant second novel which I highly enjoyed!