I was so excited when I heard Katherena Vermette was coming out with another book, and I absolutely loved real ones!

While I tried really hard to figure out if there was a connection between the Strangers family in this book at the family in The Strangers, I'm not too sure if there is a connection as this one has been described as a standalone (so far anyway). Similar to her other trilogy, real ones features female main characters who are siblings and Metis. The two main characters in this story are June, a Metis Studies professor currently in the process of moving from BC to Winnipeg for a new position, and Lyn, an artist who makes pottery in Winnipeg. The women's mother is called out as being a "pretendian" after taking advantage of grants and using her ex-husband's stories of growing up as a Metis person in Winnipeg as her own story. For June, once the truth comes out she worries about her image and role in the community, as well as the respect and credibility she wants to bring to her new job. And for Lyn, difficult memories of her childhood come flooding back as she begins to reflect on the relationship she had with her mother, and the many positive and negative relationships she had with others as she grew up.

As I expected, I loved this book. Of course the Winnipeg references were great, but Vermette's writing is just so unique. I love the interconnected stories, the excellent character development and the strong female characters. The issue of false representation is huge and she covered it clearly and with multiple perspectives. Unfortunately, some people don't get it, but perhaps a story like this one might just help someone understand why misrepresenting your ethnicity is a problem. Read this book, it is fabulous. Thanks so much to @netgalley and the publisher @penguinrandomca for giving me the chance to read this wonderful story. It comes out September 3rd!