I consumed this book in a day. What a book. This opened up your brain and blew those cobwebs away, making the cogs turn... 'What would you do?'

I felt for Jade. This was so relatable and not because of lived personal experience, but because it is so many peoples truth in one way or another. We are thrust into what I can only describe as the quiet prejudices that weave their nasty tendrils into every one of our daily lives, noticed or not.

I cried, I was angry and I urged her on, Jade never looses herself, even if she feels like she is and its such a powerful book - read it with your friends, a book club or gift it to a friend. Its a hard-hitting one and I'll remember how I felt while reading it.

'Jade isn’t even my real name. Jade began as my Starbucks name, because all children of immigrants have a Starbucks name.'

Jade's life is everything her parents - immigrants from Turkey and Korea - would have wished for when they came to England, dreaming of a bigger, better life. She graduated with a law degree from a top university before flying up the ranks of a prestigious corporate law firm. She has a nice boyfriend and a nice flat. Her parents are proud of her. So what if she feels like she has to work almost constantly to prove her worth in a male-dominated field? And what if her wealthy, white boyfriend just doesn't really understand how differently she experiences the world? It's all worth it, right?

Everything changes when Jade wakes up naked and sore after a night of drinking and being charming at a work gala, with fractured memories of the night before and no idea how she got home. Feeling ashamed and unsettled, she tries to put it behind her, throwing herself into a big case at work, until fragments of the night begin to come back to her and her perfectly constructed world starts to crumble.

British-Korean-Turkish writer Ela Lee draws heavily on her own experiences for this powerhouse of a debut. Like Jade, Lee graduated from Oxford University and worked at a City law firm before turning her attention to writing during the Covid-19 pandemic. If fiction can be wonderfully escapist, pulling us out of our mundane everyday existence and taking us to far-off, fantastical kingdoms, it can also expose us to the perspectives of ordinary people we may not otherwise have considered, and force us to confront a society which does not treat everyone the way it treats us. Jaded does exactly this, as Jade's story shines on a light on systemic sexism and racism that still pervades much of contemporary British society.

Lee's own background lends a richness and cultural specificity to the narrative which just couldn't be replacated by a white British writer. The text is peppered with Turkish and Korean phrases, festivals and traditions, and Lee clearly draws on the cultural norms of the two different backgrounds when characterising both of Jade's parents. Jade's sensitive, self-contained mother is a particularly fascinating, affecting character, and her relationship with Jade is both touching and heart-wrenching.

As we spend more time with Jade, we come to understand just how much she has been forced to supress certain aspects of her identity and assimilate in order to progress - not just at work but also socially. The title is a nod to how the protagonist has cultivated the character of 'Jade Kiya' to avoid the inevitable butchering of her given name, Ceyda, contorting herself to fit the roles available to her: obedient, grateful Korean daughter; dedicated, thick-skinned lawyer; exotic, demure girlfriend.

Jade's whole relationship with her boyfriend, Kit, is based on a power imbalance. When they meet, he is an older, white man who is established academically and socially at Oxford, and whose family is of a demonstrably higher class than hers. He has the luxury of vaunting liberal beliefs when it suits him, safe in the knowledge that he will emerge unscathed from any political machinations disproportionately affecting the working class.

While Jade's story is very specific in many ways, there is a lot here which will resonate with any reader with immigrant parents, or of dual (or more) heritage - readers who know what is is like to walk in multiple worlds without feeling like you fit into any of them. So too will Jade's experiences be familiar to most - if not all - female readers, used as women are to smiling sweetly while silently simmering with suppressed rage, and to being expected to take responsibility for men's feelings and actions.

As Jade remembers more and more of what happened that night, she becomes palpably angry, frightened and frustrated, and Lee's prose reflects Jade's deteriorating mental state. Much of this is painful to read, partly because the obstacles she encounters are so horribly realistic, but it is heartening to see how - in the midst of the hardest time of her life - Jade is able to forge a new sense of self and self-worth.

All in all, an impressive, well-crafted debut which indicates that Ela Lee will go on to do big things. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jade has become everything she ever wanted to be. Until Jade wakes up the morning after a work event, naked and alone, with no idea how she got home. Caught between her parents who can’t understand, her boyfriend who feels betrayed, and her job that expects silence, the world Jade has constructed starts to crumble. Now she feels like nothing at all.

A very thought provoking read and incredible debut that I will be thinking about for a long time. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Ela publishes in the future.

I do feel like it's a book where you have to be in the right headspace to read it because of the heavy subject matters but if you are able to read it (obviously check trigger warnings first!), then I would strongly recommend as I think a lot of people will see themselves represented in this book with the struggles that the characters encounter because I know for one, I certainly did.

I absolutely loved Ceyda's character and the pure rawness, emotion and vulnerability that she possesses, that left me completely absorbed into this book. I love how her story was told and how we got to see her on the road to recovery and how her recovery wasn't linear. This book sparks a lot of important conversations about sexual assault (and the emotional, mental and physical toll in the aftermath), identity, multicultural relationships, racism, consent, oppression, misogyny and privilege but to break up these heavier themes, there are beautiful friendships, humour and family dynamics that provided a nice balance to the more serious moments. I loved how it included Korean and Turkish cultures as it was so interesting to read and learn about.

Thank you Harvill Secker and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early, in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️ CWs: rape, sexual assault, racism, panic attacks, xenophobia, racial slurs, sexual harassment, misogyny, sexism, classism, alcohol use, medical trauma, grief, cultural appropriation, eating disorder, sexual content; mentions vomit, violence, religious bigotry, cheating, physical and emotional abuse ⚠️

I put off reading this book for so long and I really don't know why. This was 1 of my favourite reads of the year. This book was so much more than a chick lit type of book. In some parts absolutely beautiful and I just felt so sad for main character throughout the story. Highly recommend.

Jaded by Ela Lee is easy to devour in one sitting, great characters, interesting plot.
A fun and easy read. 4 stars.

Fantastic, witty and sharp. Loved it so much. I devoured this in less than two days. I can't wait to see what Ela Lee writes next.

This is a beautifully written book about sexual assault and the aftermath. It was raw and honest and emotionally painful at times. I would only recommend if you're in the right headspace to read this.

I couldn't read this as an ebook for some reason so will get it when it comes out! Sorry! (Leaving a 4 star review to be fair.)

This was a very honest and brutal story that sheds light on so many women's experiences with sexual assault, racism, multiracial relationships and identity. It's well written and has a very strong narrative that pulls a reader in, though I wasn't entirely engrossed as I have been with other novels exploring similar themes. The content of Jaded is heavy, but there's also moments of humour and lovely kindnesses shared between the characters that keep the overall tone a little more balanced. I wouldn't reread this one personally, but I'd definitely pick up Ela Lee's next work.

Jade is our main character. Her actual name is Ceyda but she finds that people prefer Jade as it's easier, her 'starbucks' name if you will. She is a high flying lawyer with a great boyfriend and a nice family until one night she gets really drunk at a work party and sleeps with her colleague, but is it consensual? Jade can't even remember it happening at all. There are many themes throughout of racism, sexism, consent. I loved Jades inner monologue that was sarcastic when she couldn't be as well.

Firstly, let me start this review of Jaded by saying - how is this a debut? 

Author Ela Lee has crafted a story that could be relatable to so many women. Whether that be because of sexual trauma, problems with identity or the power struggles within the corporate world, there will be times when the reader will nod their head in acknowledgment and cry in frustration. 

Jade is a character who is crafted to grab your heart and tear it in two. The writing is so visceral that as Jade recounts her traumatic experience you feel you could be living it yourself. The way her story is told in terms of her mixed heritage identity was truly eye-opening. As a British white woman, I do not share this lived experience and can’t begin to imagine how awful it must be trying to negate who you are. 

Jade’s story is extremely thought-provoking and written with a powerful rawness. Although Jade is fictional, so many women cannot say the same thing.

I look forward to more from this debut author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This is a gut-punch of a novel, exploring issues around workplace sexual assault, race, privilege and power. Jade is a completely realistic and identifiable character, and reading her journey often brought me to tears. This is a must-read for everyone but I would say men would particularly benefit from reading this to understand the impact of rape and sexual assault and how difficult it can be to come to terms with, let alone pursue justice for.

What a fantastic book this was that drew out every emotion.
Jaded explores the very difficult and all to common topic of sexual assault but the author handles this topic is a very sensitive and realistic way.
This is a raw and moving book that is difficult at times but also powerful and compelling.

This book !!
I honestly don't feel I can do this book justice in my review , I didn't expect a book with such a dark subject matter to be such an enjoyable read (it feels so wrong saying you enjoyed a book about sexual assault) . But what the writer does is use a contemporary sort of style in her approach which makes the novel so readable and current.
The book gets you to feel such a range of emotions but I did find that i was getting more and more angry throughout as you just know that what happened is such a common occurrence in top firms in the city. It will make your blood boil!
I adored Jade as a character from the onset. She is dealing with casual racism at work and from her friends, she is torn between cultures , she wants to please everyone , but she isn't annoying .
It's a book about identity, class privilege and trauma . You will love it yet hate it . It's a great debut and i can see this working great as a screen adaptation .

I loved this book so much! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, it made my eyes water, my blood boil and smile at the strength of female friendships. Unfortunately the topic of the book is something too many women can identify with, and Ela Lee described all the emotions and intense fear and pain in such a real manner. I’m sure many of us felt seen reading this book and I hope the author and anyone reading heals with love in their heart.
Loved it so so much.

Jaded is a clever and captivating debut novel. This book tackles the difficult topic of sexual assault in a realistic and meaningful way. I felt this was handled really well and whilst this was a difficult read at times it also felt like an important and worthwhile one.
This book is beautifully written and does an excellent job of carefully examining complex topics such as SA, race, identity and relationships in an impactful and meaningful way.
There were times I had to take breaks from this book just because it felt so realistic but it is worth persevering.

"Jaded" is a captivating, introspective narrative that goes beyond mere entertainment and had me questioning everything.

Throughout the story, I found myself reevaluating my beliefs, allegiances, and cultural background and contemplating their implications for my future.

The characters' diverse struggles highlight various facets of resilience, evoking a range of emotions from empathy to frustration.
Additionally, the exploration of Turkish and Korean cultures offers a rich immersive experience, from culinary traditions to intricate family dynamics. The depth of these cultural insights left me craving more, especially as I pondered the backstory of Jade's parents.

With its intricate themes and compelling storytelling, "Jaded" is not just a page-turner but I think can also be a catalyst for positive change.

"Jaded" by Ela Lee is a captivating story; I can't believe it is a debut novel. Lee skillfully intertwines complex characters and intricate plotlines, keeping readers engaged throughout. The vivid descriptions and raw emotions create an immersive reading experience. Although the pacing may feel uneven at times, Lee's compelling storytelling more than makes up for it. The exploration of themes such as ambition, misogyny and identity adds depth to the narrative. Overall, "Jaded" is a commendable work that makes a lasting impression. I look forward to reading more of her work.

An intelligent and well written debut. There is a lot packed into this clever and original novel. It is not a light beach read, or one to read on the tube, but if you like a bit of emotional intelligence, complex themes and great storytelling this book will fill the gap. I found it a hard read emotionally, but afterwards I wanted to recommend it to others.

This was so well-written and I really tried to persevere with it but unfortunately I just found it a bit too triggering.