Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. I will admit that I went into this book with little expectation since it is identified as a YA novel. Now that I have finished it, I am happy to have read it.

This story follows Robyn Carter as she tries to find her identity in the midst of discovering the truth about her deceased Mom and reconnecting with her Mom’s family. Robyn has lived her life following the plan laid out for her by her Father but also in the shadow of her Mom’s death and the grief, turmoil and dissension it caused. As she travels to Ghana to reconnect with family, it is in Accra that she finally gives herself permission to live and experience life. She lets loose and allows herself to tap into her passion and embrace who she could become. Essentially, she has to decide who she wants to live her life for, herself or others. Even with the tension in this book, I enjoyed the most the dialogue among the characters. In some YA books, the communication among characters can be full of angst and too much inner monologues but this book got it right. The reference to the movie Behind the Lights and the soundtrack was such a sweet inclusion, you will have to read it to understand. I adored this book and have no complaints.

This book is well written and had me rooting for Robyn all the way through. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a coming of age story that includes a little bit of romance. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

The Full Picture by Jessica Carmicheal

Pub date: 01/12/2025

Robin Carter, a first year university student spending her winter break in Ghana. She goes both for a holiday and to reconnect with her late mother's side of the family, ten years after her passing. While there, Robin finds herself drawn into a love triangle between Osei Mensah and Kelvin Williams. At its heart, this is a story about identity and belonging, the tension between who you think you should be and who you truly are.

I found this a very wholesome, soothing, and healing read. Carmicheal's prose is clear, inviting, and effortlessy readable. I was hooked from begining. The tone felt nostalgic, like coming home. What stood out most for me was Robin's growth and the friendships she builds throught the story. Whether it's her long standing connection with Chelsea or the new bonds she develops in Ghana. Overall, The Full Picture is brilliant in it's simplicity and warm. A short read, but one that lingers.

A heartfelt coming of age YA novel about uncovering family secrets, self discovery and first love. Robyn Carter ventures to Ghana to reconnect with her late mother’s side of the family over winter break to learn more about her maternal side of the family. The last thing on Robyn’s to do list is to fall into a love triangle with two completely different guys. ❤️‍🔥

As she uncovers more about her mother, Robyn learns more about herself and the path she wants for her life over what others want for her. She’s at a crossroad and must decide if she will allow others to determine her life journey or if she will make the decision that is best for her. A heartfelt piece on friendship, family expectations and the innocence & beauty of first love. 💕

S/O to NetGalley & Hibiscus Press for my complimentary ARC copy. 📖

Favorite Quotes:
📸 “I don’t want to live a life I didn’t pick for myself.
📸 “Photographers have the ability to immortalize legacies long after they’re gone.”
📸 “Even when memories fade, pictures don’t.
📸 “Don’t say sorry for things that are not your fault.”
📸 “What we have transcends distance.”

I’ve been wanting to read this book ever since the author spoke about it, and seeing that we’re mutuals, I just had to find that ARC, and this book did not disappoint. Thank you @netgalley and thanks to the author for this Arc. I’m usually weary of reading YA romance because it can be so cringy and, most times, not written well, but I believe this was done really well. I was able to sit through the whole book without losing interest at any point.
I love the whole premise of the story. Ever since Between Friends and Lovers, I’ve been wanting to read a good love triangle, and this one delivered. I fell in love with the writing style, and the plot was honestly so cute. What really stood out for me, though, was the description of those large, extended family relationships we so often experience here in West Africa, it felt warm, familiar, and beautifully captured.
Cute, heartfelt, and beautifully written, this debut was worth the wait.

It’s always an experience being able for wad a book that depicts such intimate parts of your culture.

Jessica Carmichael has a gift, one honed by dedication and care. This book is made for the diaspora, there’s no denying that.

Anyone who reads this will enjoy it.

If I had one gripe (and only one teeny weeny one) it’d be some very tiny tiny tiny moments regarding the film photography lingo and whatnot.


This was a great debut and I’m excited to see more

The Full Picture - Jessica Carmichael

In this moving YA debut, we follow Robyn Carter as she returns to Ghana for the first time since her mother's passing. Unsure of what awaits her, Robyn is quickly swept into the warmth of a large family celebration.

What begins as a hesitant visit soon evolves into a meaningful journey of self-discovery. Robyn hopes the trip will not only reconnect her with her roots but also help her understand her family’s fractured history, especially the strained silence between her father and her late mother’s side of the family.

This novel was an absolute page-turner; I finished it in just a few days. It's the first book I’ve read that captures Detty December, a festive time in Ghana, which I have only seen via social media. The writing brings it vividly to life, making the setting feel rich and immersive even for readers unfamiliar with it.

One of my favorite characters was Osie, who won me over instantly. His charm and sincerity made him stand out, which made it all the more frustrating when Robyn struggled to be honest about her feelings toward him.

Overall, this book is a heartfelt exploration of identity, culture, and family bonds. A highly recommended read for fans of contemporary YA with emotional depth and cultural richness.

I truly loved this book, being able to immerse read; this was top tier.We get to know Roby, who flies to Ghana for Detty December to learn what happened with her alienated family and what happened when her mom passed.  Her grandmother sends her neighbor Osei to pick Roby up.  From here we can tell this coming of age story will show the culture, classim, grief and how family dynamics all play a role in who Roby is and becomes.  We get to see the romance triangle between Roby, Osei and Kelvin; where Roby gets to see how she learns to take up space.I enjoyed the story, the characters.  I will recommend this book and author.

Detty December: A term commonly used to describe the end of year activities across both Ghana + Nigeria, where the diaspora return to their homeland.

Thanks to Netgalley, hibiscus press Jessica Carmichael for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

Reuniting with her family in Ghana and partying in Accra until sunrise? Totally part of the plan. But catching feelings for two very different boys? Yeah… definitely *not* on Robyn’s checklist.

I really loved the energy Robyn brought to the story—her curiosity about her mom’s past and her family had me rooting for her, and the Ghanaian festivity vibes were everything.

But to be honest, I didn’t care much for the romance triangle between Robyn, Kelvin, and Osei. It was clear she gravitated toward Kelvin for obvious reasons, but her eyes were set on the bigger picture 🤭.

Overall, I really liked Robyn’s character, and in some ways, I even saw a little bit of myself in her.

4.5⭐️

I truly loved this book! It stars Robyn, who flies to Ghana for detty december to discover what happened with her enstranged family and how her mother passed.

When she gets there, she is picked up by her Grandma's neighbor Osei🙂‍↔️ And you know the thing, when they first introduced Osei, I was like nooooo we already know the love interest bruhhh but the author positively shocked me cause they didnt like eachother when they first met. As the story kept going, we meet another love interest Kelvin. And i know what you might be thinking.... oh no its a love triangle hahah tsitp coded, i hate love triangles (this is what i thought too lol) but it wasnt!

I loved the portrayal of Detty December in this book, its literally just party party party till christmas day and new year. I am familiar with Detty December in Lagos, Nigeria but seeing it from Accra, Ghana was so much fun! I also loved Robyn as a character, she is messy, she is real and she has so much passion for the things she loves, she is just scared sometimes to reach for them. I RELATE WITH THAT HEAVY.

Once of the best scenes in this book was when Robyn and her dad finally have a conversation about her moms passing and why he doesnt speak to her mothers family anymore. I havent read that many books where a Single Dad and daughter relationship is highlighted so this was so refreshing to read!
Though i was a bit shocked by the ending because it felt a bit cliche, I loved the themes of loss, self discovery, found family and ofc romance in this book🫶🏾

Carmichael’s debut caught me off guard in the best way. I expected a fun holiday romance set against Detty December in Ghana, but what I found was a layered, heartfelt exploration of grief and identity.

We follow Robyn Carter, a Canadian-born third culture kid navigating her first year of college. Raised by her widowed Bajan father after the loss of her Ghanaian mother, Robyn heads to Ghana hoping to find answers her father won’t give her. What she discovers is less about romance and more about learning how people carry loss differently and how silence around grief can fracture relationships.

The prose is accessible and the cultural details are immersive. As an American reader, it was refreshing to read a Canadian voice in Ghanaian settings, though I had to check my own biases (yes, 18/19-year-olds partying and drinking in YA threw me for a loop at first).

I do wish we got a deeper dive into Osei’s perspective. His story feels rich enough for a companion novel. But as a standalone, The Full Picture is beautifully wrapped and emotionally resonant.

Highly recommend for fans of coming-of-age stories, TCK narratives, and novels that balance joy with grief.

"I don’t want to live a life I didn’t pick for myself just because I was scared to take a risk."

Detty December: A term commonly used to describe the end of year activities across both Ghana + Nigeria, where the diaspora return to their homeland.

It has been 10 years since the tragic passing of Robyn's mother. In that time, she has not revisited her mothers home in Ghana, nor has she had much contact with her maternal family. This year, Robyn plans to reunite with her family in Ghana. This trip away is a welcome break away from her obsessively academic & emotionally avoidant father. But will an unexpected love triangle & heartbreaking family secrets ruin Robyn's trip?

This coming of age story explores toxic family dynamics, culture, classism & grief. I liked the idea of Robyn returning to Ghana to find out more about her mother, her mothers career & how her mothers choices would continue to irrevocably impact Robyns own choices or lack thereof in life.

The best element of this story, in my opinion, was the portrayal of Robyn's flawed mother. I won't say much on this, but the wreckless choices made her mother feel more real & added more depth to this story, albeit it taking a long time to get there.

But, as always, I'll be honest. This book didn't wow me. While I was instantly drawn in by the cover, the synopsis & the relatively short page count, there were 3 issues that I believe impacted my reading experience for this book:

The audiobook.
I think it is crucial to find the right audiobook narrator for your story, and this narrator really impacted my ability to remain interested in the story as it began to unfold. I found it grating & whiny. Not to mention, the Bajan accent that was attempted was diabolical 😭

Robyn.
I really disliked her character throughout this story. She was so superficial & judgmental. At times, my opinion on her did change, but that was more so when she treated Osei nicely.

The Love triangle.
It just didn't work for me & neither did the "chemistry" between Robyn & her men.

If you are after a quick read this Christmas season, then it may be one for you!

For lovers of love triangles & coming of age stories.

⭐️⭐️.75

The Full Picture had all the right ingredients—a fresh setting in Accra, layered family dynamics, and a heartfelt search for identity and connection.

The exploration of Robyn’s family history was the most compelling part, but the love triangle felt more like a distraction than a draw. With plenty of angst and a distinctly YA/NA vibe, it leans heavier on emotional turbulence than grounded romance.

Still, if you’re looking for a coming-of-age story that blends family, culture, and self-discovery, this one has its moments.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5


#thefullpicture
#NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

The full picture notes

1. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out since the author started marketing it like 2 or so years ago, so when she send me the arc I was sat!
2. Robynn is a lot like me-she has that “overachiever to what the heck am I doing” arc and I love that because that’s super realistic for someone that’s entering college
3. She’s a first gen Ghanaian Bajan Canadian who’s learning about her Ghanaian culture now that her mom is gone
4. I love what her cousin Ama said about how our parents try to introduce us to its extended family but at some point in time you have to take ownership and keep investing in that relationship if you want to
5. I feel like I’ve been transported to Ghana
6. It’s about finding yourself and your own path, not listening to others and forging your own way
7. Osei was always the one, but the premise of the book touched me more. It was about finding yourself and getting out of your safe environment to uncover more about yourself. She came alive in Ghana more than she did in the same environment she was in, she learned more about her connection to her mom which made her figure out who she was as a person.

I needed this bad! The way this book got me out of the worse reading slump! The way I ate this up!!! Ms.Carmichael you did your big one with this! I was engaged through and through! A detty december romance and drama whewww sign me up! Reading Robyn find herself and come into her own was beautiful! I was team Osei through and through because come on it was too obvious but ngl you had me in the last half thinking my boy Kelvin got it! I said huhhh but Robyn came to her senses TG! This one is for the West African babes!! A detty december book was needed and Ms.Carmichael delivered! For a debut, this was everything! I hope we get a sequel!! Highly recommend and will absolutely be getting a physical copy! cant wait to see what else Ms.Carmichael has for us in the future!

Robyn decides to embark on a journey & reconnect with her roots, and she visits her family in Accra, Ghana 🇬🇭

Coming into this book, I wanted to learn more about the culture of Ghana, and things of that nature… Like the food of ghanaian, more vivid descriptions maybe. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance subplot between Robyn & Osei. 😕

Her grandmother ended up becoming my favorite character in this story.

Firstly, thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

This story felt magical—it made me giggle and kick my feet over the smallest moments, had me swooning over the characters, and even made me reflect on my own dreams and hopes. Honestly, I went in with modest expectations, but this book completely exceeded them. I can’t believe more people aren’t already talking about its upcoming release!

The characters are absolutely wonderful. Robyn is such a relatable and compelling main character—everything about her feels genuine and easy to connect with. Osei, on the other hand, is the perfect gentleman: the kind of partner every girl dreams of, and written in a way that makes it impossible not to swoon. Every character feels thoughtfully developed, and I found myself wanting to know more about each of them as the story unfolded.

The plot itself, especially the family dynamics and hidden secrets, is gripping and layered in a way that keeps you turning pages. The web of connections and intertwining storylines truly make this book stand out.

I wholeheartedly wish the best for this book, and I hope others find it just as enchanting and unforgettable as I did!

the story immediately pulled me in— in the full picture, robyn returns to ghana to uncover her mother’s past and finds herself torn between family duty, hidden truths, and her own heart. i enjoyed the love triangle between osei, robyn + kelvin but i have to say my fave thing about this story was the journey robyn took to get some answers on who her mom really was and going after the truth no matter how complicated it got.

the audiobook was good, i think the narrator did a pretty solid job setting the stage and bringing the beautiful ghana settings to life. overall, this was a layered, emotional story that balanced romance, family drama, and self-discovery really well. i’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories about identity and family secrets.

⭐️ 4 stars!!

Hi! Author here!

Set in the streets of Toronto, Accra, and Bridgetown, my stories are for the readers who balance two worlds: the one our parents brought with them and the one we’ve built for ourselves.

I write for the readers who are still learning to love every part of who they are, even when it feels like the world is trying to box them in. They are not too much, and they are never too little. They are a beautiful combination of every part of their identity, and they deserve to take up space!
So with that being said, I am excited to finally share the book of my heart. My debut YA novel, The Full Picture, which will be published by hibiscus press on December 1 2025.

Set during Ghana's December festive season, eighteen-year-old Robyn Carter embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her late mother's past—only to find herself torn between two boys who couldn’t be more different.

I’ve been rocking with my girl Robyn for a while now, and I think it’s about time y’all met her. Don’t forget to pre-order your copy, and I hope you enjoy her story.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Robyn’s story and her journey to understanding her past. This novel shows that the future is difficult to shape without understanding the past, and the present is confusing at best. Centred on grief and loss, Robyn searches for a deeper truth about the woman her mother was and what happened. From Canada to Ghana, Robyn finds herself in the land where it all began for her mother and in her search for the truth, ripples spread across her life, with life-altering consequences. Carmichael’s writing is strong and consistent. The descriptive language immerses the reader into the characters’ feelings and environment. If anything, I am motivated to have a December in Ghana!

It was important to see the growth of the father-daughter relationship between Robyn and her dad, a journey that wasn’t easy but demanded honesty, vulnerability and trust. I loved cheeky grandmother Lilly because her character captured the everyday African matriarch in all her essence. I love all the women around Robyn - the good girlfriends are a steady base in the mix, fun vibes, but also bringing home the necessity of sisterhood. The love triangle between Robyn, Osei and Kelvin is convincing; at the end of the day, accountability and love win! This is a strong debut from Carmichael. I have also read Bolu Babalola, and Carmichael holds her own in the African romance genre. This will be a great holiday read in December! The timing for its release is just perfect. I highly recommend.