A review by nclcaitlin
Jaded by Ela Lee

3.75

If you want to cry, scream, rage, and laugh on occasion, read (or listen as I recommend) this! 

Jade has shaped herself to be someone she thought was her happy ever after. Successful lawyer. Dutiful daughter. Beloved girlfriend. Loyal friend.
Then one night, a work event leads to fuzzy memories and inexplainable feelings. It is not long before Jade can’t hide behind ‘I’m Fine’ and must question her position as an employee, woman, daughter, girlfriend, friend. 

I think we have all had those situations where we laugh when we feel like crying, when we brush off concerns to just make it through the day.  Speaking as a woman, I know how to make myself invisible. As someone who is also British-Korean-Turkish, Jade has also learnt to change her identity to please whoever she's spending time with.

I played Twister with my personality, to see what fit best.

As someone who studied law in London, I completely appreciate the environment and competitive community Lee describes. 

I would say both myself and my buddy reader agreed that there were some parts that made us question Jade’s own ethics, moral standpoint, and values. It would be hard to discuss this without spoiling certain aspects of book, however it did make us ponder certain provoking questions such as what constitutes as racism, who can be racist, does skin colour grant you different privileges when it comes to making your own assumptions and observations. 

I actually thought this was a memoir whereas my buddy reader thought it was completely fictionalised and this made us view Jade’s actions in very different lights. 

In reality, it turns out this is a fictionalised account based on true events in Dallas.

For more information, or to find out how to help, visit Invisaid.com

I would definitely recommend this if you want something as eye opening as the memoir Know my Name.