The Full Picture
by Jessica Carmichael
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Pub Date Dec 01 2025 | Archive Date Feb 15 2026
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Description
Perfect for fans of Bolu Babalola and Jenny Han, this heartfelt debut is a modern coming-of-age story about restoring family, taking risks, and living life on your own terms.
Reuniting with her family and partying in Accra until sunrise? Part of the plan. Catching feelings for two very different boys? Definitely not!
When first-year university student Robyn Carter travels to Ghana for winter break, it's the first time she's been back since her mother's passing ten years prior. Not only is the trip the perfect escape from her father's academic expectations, but it's also an opportunity to finally learn more about her mother-the one subject he refuses to discuss.
The last person Robyn expects to meet is Osei Mensah, her grandmother's beloved neighbour and a budding photographer. The young creative is a big dreamer who wears his heart on his sleeve and is everything pragmatic Robyn shouldn't want.
Especially not when Osei's childhood friend, Kelvin Williams, is a charming pre-med student also visiting from her hometown-her exact type on paper.
As Robyn uncovers the truth about her late mother's past, logic and emotion begin to clash and she can't help but wonder if following her heart instead of her father's carefully laid-out plan, might be a shot worth taking after all.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"Jessica Carmichael bursts onto the romance scene with The Full Picture. A sparkling, addictive debut that’s impossible to put down—with characters you’ll wish were your best friends and prose that shimmers with tenderness, Carmichael is a fresh new voice you’ll want to follow from the very start. Once she captures your heart, she’ll never let go."
- Busayo Matuluko ('Til Death)
The Full Picture is a joyful coming of age novel that perfectly captures the complex journey of finding yourself and falling in love against the vibrant backdrop of a holiday of self discovery. Carmichael brings together a delightful cast of characters and an irresistible holiday romance (or two) to create a funny, moving and deeply relatable story about love, grief and ambition."
- Rufaro Faith Mazarura (Let The Games Begin)
"You read The Full Picture and you remember what it's like to be young, figuring things out, and in love. The story is tender and as a reader you can't help but become invested in Robyn, who comes fully alive on the page. A heartwarming debut." - Kehinde Winful (Flooding the River)
“I immediately wanted to fly to Accra to party, hug, laugh, and sometimes even cry with Robyn and her fun group of friends while reading The Full Picture. It is the perfect snapshot of Ghanaian-Canadian girlhood, self-discovery, acceptance, and young love.”
- Jasmine Bell (You've Got a Place Here Too)
"As one of the only books centered around the African diaspora phenomenon—Detty December, Carmichael crafts a entertaining novel that is both nostalgic for those who have experienced detty December and fomo-inducing for those who haven’t. Carmichael’s stunning protagonist contains a duality hallmark of the best YA characters: someone you root for but also want to strangle at times. I laughed, cried, and most importantly, felt at home when reading The Full Picture."
- Mowa Badmos (Love from the Cosmos)
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781069335425 |
| PRICE | CA$19.99 (CAD) |
| PAGES | 264 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 84 members
Featured Reviews
Caterina G, Reviewer
and THAT'S how you debut!
this was such a wonderful, heartfelt read. i love my mom more than anything in the world and can't fathom ever losing her, so reading about someone who has lost her mom tugged at my heartstrings. but it's a beautiful portrayal of grief and having the courage to move forward with your life.
although there's romance involved, robyn is the true main character, and she was an absolute joy to follow. her inner dialogue is compelling and witty, and you WANT to root for this girl. you want to see her heal and experience everything life has to offer.
Trish C, Reviewer
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.
Majoreen D, Reviewer
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.
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