Anyone who has ever watched anything that Amber Ruffin has done will hear her voice while reading this book. Her personality leaps off the page in the best way. The book is a collection of stories from her sister, Lacey, while living as a black woman in Omaha, Nebraska. It's a concept that could be depressing, but Amber and Lacey infuse the stories with humor and insight that makes it easy to laugh while you empathize with the absolute nonsense they live through on a day to day basis.

When I was visiting Cuba several years ago, just about every conversation with a Cuban started with
"It's complicated". That was my feeling about this book. First of all, thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for allowing me to read an ARC. These stories were supposed to be somewhat funny, and once in a while I would smile, but I saw them as much more tragic than comedic. That the setting was Omaha, not that far from where I live, made it much more heart breaking. It did change my mind about micro aggressions. I knew about these and thought they were horrible, but things could be much worse. I now believe that these so called "micro aggressions" are so numerous that over time they are as damaging as just about anything we have seen in the recent pass. Thanks to the authors for opening my eyes to this situation.

"Writer and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers Amber Ruffin writes with her sister Lacey Lamar with humor and heart to share absurd anecdotes about everyday experiences of racism.

Now a writer and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers and host of The Amber Ruffin Show, Amber Ruffin lives in New York, where she is no one's First Black Friend and everyone is, as she puts it, "stark raving normal." But Amber's sister Lacey? She's still living in their home state of Nebraska, and trust us, you'll never believe what happened to Lacey.

From racist donut shops to strangers putting their whole hand in her hair, from being mistaken for a prostitute to being mistaken for Harriet Tubman, Lacey is a lightning rod for hilariously ridiculous yet all-too-real anecdotes. She's the perfect mix of polite, beautiful, petite, and Black that apparently makes people think "I can say whatever I want to this woman." And now, Amber and Lacey share these entertainingly horrifying stories through their laugh-out-loud sisterly banter. Painfully relatable or shockingly eye-opening (depending on how often you have personally been followed by security at department stores), this book tackles modern-day racism with the perfect balance of levity and gravity."

I also adore Amber.

This book is SO GOOD. Amber's voice specifically comes through SO VIVIDLY. And her sister Lacey too. This book was laugh out loud funny while also dealing with such a REAL, CURRENT problem. This is a book about not just outright racism, though it is, but also the more insidious problem of microagressions. The kinds of racism that white people don't even think of as racism because we've been taught that the KKK is the prototype of racism in America. But all the smaller, everyday racist things people say and do take their toll on Black and Brown people. And those things are important too. So, READ THIS BOOK, Y'ALL. And think twice before you say stupid shit.

I've heard so much buzz about this book in the first week of the year that I basically dropped everything and binged this book when I received it. Thank you to Grand Central Pub and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. This book was so good and unlike anything I've ever read before. This book is truly shocking in so many ways and definitely worth picking up.

This book is a collection of stories about racism, experienced by two sisters (Lacey and Amber) in their predominantly white workplaces, their church, their hometown and well, sadly everywhere. It's filled with some truly horrible tales but also many comical moments. The book is super readable because the tone of the book is written such that you want to laugh along with them but you also finish each story with a bad taste in your mouth. Amber and Lacey do a great job of delivering these tales to a wide variety of readers while keep it real. I think anyone who reads this will learn a lot and be forced to take a walk in the shoes of the authors.

Some of the scenes that made me physically laugh out loud were the anecdotes about their mom's coat style being copied by Lacey's stalker, the side by side photo's that were inserted of Lacey, the sisterly banter and the donut shop owner stare down. These women are just so amazing and I would love to listen to an audiobook version of this book.

You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey is written by Late Night with Seth Meyers writer Amber Ruffin and her sister Lacey Lamar. Mostly written by Amber, she describes it this way:

My sister Lacey is a lightening rod for hilarious racist stories.

And also:

When you hear these stories and think, None of these stories are okay, you are right. And when you hear these stories and think, Dang, that's hilarious, you are right. They're both.

You may have seen Amber on the segment Jokes Seth Can't Tell which is flipping hysterical. Or perhaps you've seen her show on the Peacock app, The Amber Ruffin Show. If you haven't then you definitely should. She's really funny. And whether you have seen these or you haven't, I highly recommend pulling up several segments on YouTube and watching them just to get her voice in your head. Her sweet tone of voice and sarcastic delivery will absolutely make the reading experience better for you.

The stories Amber and Lacey tell are unbelievable, by which I mean they are horribly believable. Who are these people that would treat someone this way? What is wrong with some people? How do people who treat others this way sleep at night? I really would like to know. Anyone else telling these stories would be depressing, but somehow Amber makes it hilarious.

I highly recommend this book. I've even added it to my "Required Reading" list. I can't wait to listen to the audio version because it is going to be ah-mazing!

I will be forcing this book onto anyone and everyone I can for the foreseeable future. It is horrifying yet hilarious, poignant yet approachable. I was laughing out loud and had a knot in my chest for the entire duration and I absolutely could not put it down. I hope Lacey & Amber write a dozen books together because I have the feeling that no matter what they put onto paper, I would buy it and read it. 5 stars and an enthusiastic "buy this damn book".

I do not want to say that a book about racism is GREAT but... maybe I'll just say that it's essential reading (really a "what not to do") for white people in the United States (and probably elsewhere). Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, Lacey has a lot of stories about racism. Subtle, overt, humourous, hurtful, scary, this book covers it all with stories about Lacey's actual life interspersed with a few stories or comments from Amber. I had to stop a few times because some of the stories are pretty intense, but that just goes to show that I have the privilege to read this, step away, and not live it every day. I cannot say enough good things about this, and hope to buy a few copies for family and friends.

5/5 Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Read this book..
Read this book..
Listen to me! Read this book!
I am white. I do not understand what it is like being anything other than white. But this book really opened my eyes to the sharp little (and big) racist digs that are perpetrated on a daily basis.
I wish I could say I laughed at times. Maybe a smile or two - Amber and Lacey are funny. But for the most part it made me realize how oblivious and unaware I am.
This book has made me be more self-reflective as well as opened my eyes to bigotry.
Amber & Lacey did a great job getting the message across using humor and kindness. .
Now it's our turn.
And it starts with
Read this book!

This is a must-read for all of us to understand how casual comments and micro-aggressions affect Black people. It’s written in a light, informal style, but the stores being told are deadly serious. Extremely important book.

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t stop talking about to everyone who came I contact with me on the day I finished it. Racism is serious issue but Amber presented it a way that was educational, humorous, and honest. I am a black woman who on many occasions is mistaken for other black women who look nothing like me. I did not realize how big of an issue this is and it’s so bad it’s comical. I loved how palette cleansers were placed throughout the book. Please read this book. It is a wonderful read.

First of all, Amber Ruffin is a national treasure. Full stop.

I know racism isn’t “fun”, but I did think this book would be more fun? Then again, I read this while recovering from oral surgery so maybe don’t listen to me.

I loved the back and forth between Amber and Lacey throughout this book. They are both clearly natural comedians. The photos also added a lot of laughs to the book, too. That being said, the topic of racism in the US, and especially the daily microaggressions that Black people face, is so important to discuss. I don't see how someone could read this book and still even attempt to deny that there is white supremacy running rampant here. This makes me want to do better.

I might be an Amber Ruffin fangirl. I watch her show every week and follow her and Tarik on instagram. Baasically, I just want to be Amber's best friend. I have read quite a few books about the United States' history of racial tension, but Amber and Lacey's book tackles these issues in a unique, humorous way. I often did NOT believe what happened to Lacey! I hope Amber continues to release books, and I hope this book gets traction- these ladies deserve it! Thank you netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

I love racists getting told on, and I love it when pain and fear, disrespect and ignorance, are played for fun.

This book is crazy bananas. It should be called "crazy shit white people say". If you don't think racism is alive and well in the US today, read this book. If you think cultural appropriation is ok, read this book. Lacey and Amber tell their stories with a sense of humor while not skirting around the seriousness of the issue. I definitely recommend everyone read this.

I love Amber Ruffin, so I was really happy to get an early copy of You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey. The stories in this book are both funny and infuriating, and Amber and Lacey do a great job of talking about a serious subject in an entertaining, relatable way. We all hear about the acts of racism that end in violence or death, but we rarely hear about the racist behavior that Black people have to deal with in their everyday lives, and this was an eye-opening read. You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey should be required reading for every white person, and everyone else should read it just because it's great. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! : )

I LOVE AMBER RUFFIN SO MUCH! This was an incredibly funny and real read about serious topics that we people who are not people of color may not know exist. Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar are really gifted writers, and I urge anyone who reads to read this book!

I know I’m supposed to laugh at this book because it’s funny. And I did laugh, a lot, because it IS funny.

By honestly I also felt incredibly guilty for laughing. And that’s because this book is unbelievable. And that’s not to say I don’t believe the stories, because I do. I believe every freaking word. But it is unbelievable that things like this are still legitimately happening to Black people. I mean there are moments that made my mouth drip open in shock. I found myself frequently paraphrasing and retelling the stories to my husband who was equally shocked (and who also laughed, because truly, this book is so funny).

Excuse me for being basic, but, I can’t. The number of stories that revolve around the fact that people can’t tell Black people apart is mind blowing. Really? I mean, I know it’s a thing. I know it happens. I just don’t understand it. There is one example, right at the beginning of the book. And I won’t give it away because it is just a perfect (*chef’s kiss*) example of this insanity, but man. Really?

And listen, for what it’s worth, I know amber is the professional comedian, and don’t get me wrong, she’s funny. Laugh out loud funny. I may have mentioned that a few times. But Lacey's “interjections” throughout are frankly a highlight for me. I specially as an older sister myself I really identify with that type of sisterly interaction.

This really is a must read for any white person, but unfortunately the people who need to read it won't. But for people who are interested in gaining a better understanding of the Black experience, this book is an entertaining and eye-opening read to add to your list.

This was fantastic! I think it is an important addition to antiracist literature; we all know the risks of police brutality to Black Americans, but do we really know all the stupid, horrible and dumb little things they have to put up with every day? This book is the answer to that, and exposes the everyday racism so many have to put up with on a daily basis. I laughed, but I also got really, really angry, and I think that this is good. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this excellent book, I'm so grateful I got to read and evaluate it!