Review: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Rating: 2.5 / 5
Tropes: Deception Trope, Friends to Lovers, hidden identity, close proximity, forbidden romance, secret identity, workplace romance
third act breakup- yes
I was very excited to dive into The Truth According to Ember, a rom-com by Danica Nava. It’s refreshing and important to see a contemporary romcom featuring two Native main characters written by a Native author in traditional publishing—something I haven’t come across before.
Ember, our protagonist, is working a less-than-glamorous job at a bowling alley, cleaning toilets and serving nachos, all while desperately trying to land a job as an accountant. When her job applications keep getting rejected, she makes a few “creative” adjustments to her resume, which leads to a career built on a series of lies. Things get complicated when she meets Danuwoa, the charming IT guy at her new office. Though there’s an immediate attraction, their company’s no-dating policy keeps them as friends at first, but soon enough, their relationship grows into something more. Of course, Ember has to keep the web of lies intact, not just with her boss, but also with Danuwoa.
One of the standout aspects of this book for me was the depiction of Native joy, which felt fresh and heartwarming. I also appreciated how the book navigated the microaggressions Native people face in a predominantly white workplace—an uncomfortable but necessary topic to bring forward in a romcom setting. It added depth to the otherwise lighthearted tone.
However, I’m not always a fan of plots centered around deception. Throughout the story, I found myself wishing Ember would just come clean. Many of her lies felt unnecessary and, at times, even implausible. Yet, I could empathize with the desperation that led to her initial lie and how things spiraled out of control. That said, it did keep me on edge, waiting for the inevitable moment when all her lies would come crashing down.
Overall, The Truth According to Ember is a cute romcom from a fresh and unique voice in romance. While the story didn’t feel as dynamic as I had hoped, it was still an enjoyable read, especially as a debut novel. I look forward to seeing what Nava writes next!
