A slightly stressful but enjoyable read. I’m not sure what I would have done in Layla’s shoes. But I think her actions and storyline did give me a bit more insight about her situation. The writing was great here, flowed naturally and there were no laggy parts. The ending was satisfying.

DOMINOES is the compelling and thought-provoking debut novel by Phoebe McIntosh. Just a month before her wedding, Layla McKinnon, a mixed-race British woman of Jamaican descent on her Black mother’s side, learns the shocking news that her white fiancé, Andy McKinnon, may be descended from Scottish ancestors that enslaved her own ancestors back in Jamaica. It is also possible that the money past generations of white McKinnons made off slavery and from reparations have contributed to their present-day wealth. Layla’s best friend, Sera, is the one to reveal Andy’s background to Layla, which causes a break in their close friendship that may never heal. Layla is forced to confront the past before she can move forward with her future. The story follows Layla’s difficult journey to understanding her own identity, heritage and values. Family, friendship, morality and racism are all important themes in the book. I found myself engrossed in this eye-opening and timely story and recommend it highly. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

When Layla’s best friend Sera sends her a link to a documentary about slave owners and payments made to them upon emancipation, Layla is left to question if her fiancé’s white family with the same surname might have enslaved members of her family from Jamaica.

Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh demonstrates the importance of being true to your self while examining the histories that affect who we are today. Race, friendship, love, and family all become entangled in Layla’s story.

Constructed in chapters of the month leading up to the wedding date and with memories from the past, Dominoes is told from Layla’s point of view. The reader is left to wonder if Layla will take her friend’s opinion over her own personal desires and if the pair will still marry or separate. The pacing is steady and thoughtful and the language is peppered with patois spoken by her grandfather.

Overall, I really enjoyed this selection from @randomhouse and @netgalley and am thankful for receiving an arc of Dominoes before it published in exchange for my honest opinions. Look for this one the next time you want a relaxing family story.

This one really made me think. Layla is mixed race engaged to a white man. Her best friend, Sera, does not approve of her marrying a white man. She encourages Layla to delve into her heritage. Layla makes a shocking discovery. It is possible that her fiance’s family owned Layla’s family as slaves and those slaves helped build the wealth of her fiancé’s family . So many questions. What would you do?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Grouo. This was soooo good man!! This book was not dual POV which I love or multiple POV which I enjoy even more but this book was worth the read. It starts of in a direction I wasn’t expecting but don’t be bothered by it because the premise is coming. As well, it is about a wedding so I was expecting the beginning too. This was so good. I can not give it away. This book is living rent free in my brain and I love it. I recommend.

Dominoes takes on the topic of inter-racial marriages and searching your ancestry to find if it inter-twines with your partner’s; especially if you both have the same last name. This book will definitely make you think. I had mixed emotions as I read this book, but I always wanted to finish it. The book moves a bit slow at times but I found it to be very thought provoking. This was a debut for the author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random Book Publishing for an ARC, which in no way influenced my review.

#RandomBooks, #PhoebeMcIntosh,

What a thought provoking, challenging, and interesting novel! This book was so layered and fascinating, exploring issues of race, friendship, love, history, family, and more. It took me a few days to get my thoughts together because while I liked this book and will be recommending it to others, I had a hard time getting into it at first because I just found Layla to be such an annoying, shallow character at first. I wanted to quit reading because I just didn't like her. As time went on though, I came to realize that I didn't like her because I didn't like what she represented at first - someone who goes with the status quo, gets angry with others when they challenge her, doesn't always listen, etc. My feelings towards Layla grew more compassionate with time though, as I saw her try to consider the implications of her family history as a black woman vs. her fiance's family history as a white man... especially considering they share the same last name and could have an intertwined history in respect to slavery.

My favorite parts of this book took place in Jamaica, and I also particularly enjoyed the sweet relationship Layla has with her grandfather. I was saddened by the ending, especially regarding Sera. What a shame. I think this book is worth the read, but the reader must be in the right head space for it. This is not a book to read for escape and it's not exactly a beach read, though some parts are fun. It's a novel, sure, but also gets at deep issues in our society. Hope you check it out!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

In “Dominoes”, we meet Layla, a mixed-race British woman on the brink of her wedding. But as the days count down, shocking revelations surface: Her fiancé’s family may have enslaved her ancestors in Jamaica. The chemistry between Layla and Andy is electric, yet their shared last name, McKinnon, hides deeper connections.
Phoebe McIntosh’s writing delves into love, friendship, and identity. Layla’s journey takes her to Jamaica, where family secrets unravel. As the clock ticks, Layla faces a choice: love or truth. This open-hearted novel reminds us that confronting the past is the only way to move forward.

Dominoes is one of the most thought provoking books I've read so far this year.

Layla, a mixed-race woman of British-Jamaican decent, and Andy, a white man, were immediately drawn to one another when they first met in London and ironically they share the same last name, McKinnon. As they grew closer, questions were raised by Layla's best friend, Sera, about Andy's ancestors and their history of being enslavers in Jamaica. Could they have enslaved Layla's ancestors and could this have led to some of their vast wealth?

Uncovering the truth leads Layla on a quest to understand the depth of their families shared history and will help her decide if she can move forward with their relationship. This book touches upon race, history, privilege, and the importance of understanding the past and where you come from.

I found this book to be very thought provoking and it is one that will stay with me for some time. I feel this would be a good book for a book club. I think there could be a lot of really good and fruitful discussions around themes in the book. It is one I would recommend.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Layla McKinnon is a month away from her wedding to Andy McKinnon. Yup! They have the same last name. But Layla's family is black and from Jamaica and Andy's white wealthy family is from the Highlands. As her wedding day approaches, Layla's best friend, Sera, shares her doubts about Andy and encourages Layla to investigate her heritage in the chance that maybe it's not a coincidence that they have the same last name. Is it possible that Andy's ancestors had once enslaved Layla's? As Layla begins to dig deeper she questions whether she can marry the man of her dreams knowing what she might uncover about both of their ancestries.

This was such an interesting storyline and one that I would never have thought of. I loved Layla's family. Her mother and grandfather were so lovable. Andy, her fiance, did seem to be good to be true. I liked the way the past was interwoven with the present. I did not know that the British government has offered monetary compensation to slaveholders after slavery was abolished there. This little novel will make you think hard, just as Layla faced her own hard questions and decisions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an early copy of this novel. It will be available on 3/12/2024

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This author’s debut book is well-written and beautiful.
An eye-opening story that delves into historic injustices and how the past is never really the past and will always matter. It provides a great way of exploring and thinking about contemporary questions about a sensitive subject.
It’s deeply moving and will take you on a journey through the young couples ancestral histories.
Definitely a thought-provoking and very enjoyable novel.

Thoughtful and thought provoking. Layla tells this tale of how she was swept into love with Andy and then began to question their future when her friend Sera tells her that Andy's ancestors could have be enslavers of hers. It's an interesting and distressing conundrum that sends Layla to Jamaica for answers. No spoilers as to what she finds and what she does. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

"Dominoes" by Phoebe Mcintosh is a thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of race, identity, and history. The story follows Layla and Andy, who are drawn to each other and discover they share the last name McKinnon. However, as their relationship deepens and they prepare for marriage, Layla learns that Andy's ancestors likely enslaved hers in Jamaica, leading to his family's wealth.

Confronted with this difficult truth, Layla embarks on a journey to Jamaica to uncover the full extent of their shared history and decide if she can move forward with Andy. Set in London and Jamaica, "Dominoes" delves into themes of race, privilege, and the importance of understanding the past.

This novel is a compelling read that doesn't shy away from asking challenging questions. It would be an excellent choice for book clubs, as it is sure to spark meaningful conversations. Overall, "Dominoes" is a poignant and thought-provoking story that stays with you long after you've finished reading.

Dominoes follows Layla, a mixed-race woman, who is on the verge of marrying Andy, less than a month away. Curiously, Layla and Andy share the same last name, McKinnon. While this coincidence didn't raise any concerns for Layla or Andy, Layla's friend Sera found it significant. Upon discovering that Andy's ancestors were slave owners, Sera speculates that Layla's family might have been among those enslaved.

The narrative primarily unfolds through Layla's perspective, yet delving into Andy's viewpoint could have added depth, particularly regarding his feelings about his family's history of slave ownership. Additionally, Layla's Jamaican grandfather plays a significant role, speaking with a Jamaican accent that may pose challenges for readers to fully grasp his dialogue.

Dominoes by Phoebe Mcintosh is a story about a marriage and a history that may prevent it from happening. Layla and Andy have the same last name, something they connect over despite not being related. However, when Layla's friend reveals that Andy's family may have owned Layla's ancestors, it sends her on a journey of discovery.

I really liked this story's premise and I didn't hate how it ended. I liked where our plot led us and how everything concluded. i wish a few things were tied up more in the end, but overall not upset.

However, the rest of the book dragged a lot. I believe this was adapated from a play, so perhaps there was something that got missed in translation? Due to this however, I found myself not really invested in the characters because there was a lot of jumping of timelines and following the plot was meandering and a little confusing.

Overall though, this is a good book, and if you like romances and contemporary stories that revolve around love and friendships, this may be the book for you.

Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh is a wonderful debut.
I enjoyed this thought-provoking read. With the amazing and well written characters this story was moving and had me hooked to Layla’s story.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

It took me several chapters to really get into Dominoes. The writing style and lack of page breaks when the storyline moved along was a bit confusing at first. The story telling is non-linear which contributed to my inability to get with the flow in the beginning. However, the characterization was on point and I felt a pull towards the main character and her friend Sera. I didn't reread the synopsis after being gifted the advanced copy months beforehand so I wasn't really sure where the book was headed. Dominoes is heavy. Whew! I cannot imagine being in her shoes and wrestling with the information she had been given. I wished for her to open up more to those she was closest too instead of trying to carry the burden alone while she was figuring things out. I loved that she got to know her extended family and I loved the advice that Queenie gifted her with. The ending was heartwarming if not a bit bittersweet. While the subject matter is deep, I loved the family aspects of the book. Roy was one of my favorite characters. Dominoes takes place in a modern day covid timeline and I wasn't prepared for that. It still feels surreal when you read books that feature the lockdowns and the days immediately after.

This was a beautifully written book on a very difficult but timely topic. Layla is a biracial woman that lives in London. She has a very good friend, Sera, who is black and deals with more race issues than Layla, who is light skinned. Layla meets Andy, a white man with the same last name as her. They hit it off and then the pandemic hits. This seems to ramp up the intensity of their relationship and they end up moving in together about 6 months after meeting. Sera has always seemed to have issue with Andy being white and questions Layla on why she doesn't date black men. Layla doesn't see anything wrong with the situation until Sera sends her a documentary about slavery in England from Jamaica (where Layla's people are from) to watch and asks what if Andy's family owned someone from Layla's. This opens up a lot of questions and Layla seeks answers trying to figure out what it all means and how to deal with it. This is an enjoyable and eye-opening story about how or past history may affect us now and in the future. Highly recommend reading this one.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Dominoes is a forever timely and beautiful debut. Phoebe McIntosh peels back the layers of doubt that Layla McKinnon only now brings to the surface as she is weeks away from her wedding to Andrew McKinnon. McIntosh pieces together both the past and present of Layla's life as a fair-skinned black woman enduring the prejudice she has faced with her head always held up high and how now it starts to become more than just hateful words thrown her way. How her ancestors may have the worst kind of ties to her fiancee and the vast differences in their current lives that could change the future they had planned for themselves.

The book is a thoughtful and eye-opening look, especially for me as a caucasian reader, into how the sins of the past should never be left behind but that we can always learn from them and only we can decide how they will affect our very being. McIntosh portrays Layla as someone who is caring and hopeful for her new life going from Ms. McKinnon to Mrs. McKinnon. The coincidence of the same last name with Andy, a man who is white, brings forth a slew of indecisiveness brought on by Layla's closest friend and supposed ally in Sera. As she starts to question everything and if going through with her marriage is the right thing and more importantly, the respectful thing to do, we are taken on a journey of self-discovery that lands us in Jamaica with Layla's mom and Granddad in tow.

I loved that part of the book the most as it brought Layla the comfort she didn't even know she needed together with as many answers to her lineage as she could find. Her Jamaican relatives were laid-back and wonderfully loving providing Layla with the perspective she craved and a new understanding of how slavery shaped her mother's family line.

The use of Granddad's favorite game of dominoes clearly gave meaning to all that Layla gleaned about herself, her family, Andy and even the painful separation from Sera. That perhaps our lives are at times merely tiles on a board that have to be placed just so in order to make sense out of everything we observe, say and/or do. There were moments of heartache and I fretted a bit that maybe things might not work out in Layla and Andy's favor. But then I was quite satisfied at how Layla took all she had learned and realized the power of love from a man worth being with may very well be the only answer she needed to know.

I certainly hope we hear more from this talented storyteller since I'm sure she has more wisdom to impart to us. Dominoes was a very pleasant surprise and I happily give it a big 4 stars!

A month before her wedding, Layla, a mixed race British woman is confronted with the fact that her white fiance's family might have enslaved her ancestors. As her wedding date approaches, her BFF prompts her to research her heritage further before saying "I do".

This was a pretty quick read about a very though provoking topic. There don't seem to be any easy answers, but it does speak to the fact that confronting the past can sometimes help you move forward. I don't think I was the particular audience for this book, but I thought it did a good job with making you think about how the past impacts present day.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House for this e-galley.
Publication Date: March 12, 2024
3.5 stars