In The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava, Ember is determined to better her circumstances. However, after dozens of rejections and not a single new job interview, she’s getting desperate. She doesn’t understand how she can’t even get an entry-level position. So she decides that a tiny white lie can’t hurt, right? So instead of marking both White and Native on the ethnicity question, she only selects White. It’s half-true, after all. And so she lands a job as an accountant at a tech startup, which feels like a dream come true. Best of all, there’s Danuwoa Colson, the handsome IT guy, who seems to be interested in her. Unfortunately, there’s a no-dating policy at work, but how can Ember deny their attraction? But Ember’s omissions and white lies are starting to pile up, and she might not be able to maintain this dream for too long unless she finally comes clean.

Firstly, though there are some aspects of this story that are rather idealized as all romcoms do, this story feels somehow more grounded and realistic than others in the genre. Maybe it’s because it has more of a focus on office life, but something about it feels truer. Which is ironic, considering how Ember gets her job.

Speaking of Ember, she’s a good protagonist, even if sometimes you just want to shake her. Some of her choices are frustrating and not at all the ones I personally would make, but I also understand her position a lot of the time. She grew up poor, so of course she would want financial security. She’s never worked a corporate job, so of course she would be uncertain in navigating the bad behavior of a coworker. She’s never had an office love affair, so of course she’d get swept up in the moment and make out with her secret boyfriend in a supply closet.

Wait, no. Not that last one, actually. Don’t do that. No one should do that, please.

But Ember’s often bad decisions aside, I was rooting for her. Her circumstances and backstory make her sympathetic, and I really liked her bond with her friends. Plus, her relationship with Danuwoa is pretty fun (supply closets aside). He makes her want to be a better person, to strive for what she deserves, and she brings out a playful side in him. The sex scenes were fine, I guess, though I was mostly here for the drama and watching Ember self-destruct and self-improve (not at the same time, obviously).

I will say—on a slightly tangential note—that I found it bizarre that one plot point that’s mentioned in the book’s description doesn’t occur until about three-quarters of the way through the book. Why put something that happens so late in the game in the summary? It feels a little like spoilers to do so. (I didn’t include it in my summary above, so no worries there.)

Anyway, in the end, The Truth According to Ember is a good story, especially as a debut. It brings a lot to the table, an engaging setting and personable characters and some much-needed indigenous representation in the romcom space. The characters are well-rounded, and while some of Ember’s journey was so frustrating, I also loved seeing her grow and change. If you want a spicy and entertaining romance, try this! The audiobook, narrated by Siena East, is a good production and a great option for us audiobook fans.

The Truth According to Ember is available now!