The Revelation of Dionne Daphne, Mara Brock Akil (Review by Stacey Lorenson)

Trigger Warnings: child abuse, sexual assault Dionne is an ambitious associate beauty director at a renowned magazine with an equally hot and ambitious boyfriend. Her relationship comes to a screeching halt when Darren unceremoniously yanks the rug out from under her, triggering long buried childhood shame and panic to resurface. This is a story about family secrets, trauma resolution, friendship, and fortitude. It is 1991, and Dionne is recovering from a 10-year relationship that abruptly ended when Darren, her ex, drops a bombshell, causing her to reevaluate her entire life. Dionne’s newspaper delivery man, Dominic, witnesses an argument between her and Darren, inadvertently learning the devastating reason for the breakup. Afterwards, he offers support as Dionne confronts long-buried secrets. She believes confronting her troubling childhood memories will aid the transition from an inauthentic existence to a life that embraces joy and honesty. Dionne embarks on a journey to face an uncertain future with Dominic, an emotional support person, she recently met in her apartment hallway to unlock revelations about herself, and a new future. The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is an emotional and hopeful journey that illustrates what is possible when the hard work of self-discovery is realized. Once a victim, now a survivor, Dionne entertains a life beyond the stringent parameters she placed on herself to feel safe and in control by facing her fears, one at a time. Readers simultaneously experience her pain and resilience as she juggles career, toxic family situation, and a life-changing prognosis. Dionne’s story is devastating, but her commitment to walking through her trauma while discovering that vulnerability does not equate weakness, was incredibly inspiring.