Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

From New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi comes a funny and emotional story about two estranged sisters and how far they’ll go to save one of their lives—even if it means swapping identities.
Jayne and June Baek are nothing alike. June’s three years older, a classic first-born, know-it-all narc with a problematic finance job and an equally soulless apartment (according to Jayne). Jayne is an emotionally stunted, self-obsessed basket case who lives in squalor, has egregious taste in men, and needs to get to class and stop wasting Mom and Dad’s money (if you ask June). Once thick as thieves, these sisters who moved from Seoul to San Antonio to New York together now don’t want anything to do with each other.
That is, until June gets cancer. And Jayne becomes the only one who can help her.
Flung together by circumstance, housing woes, and family secrets, will the sisters learn more about each other than they’re willing to confront? And what if while helping June, Jayne has to confront the fact that maybe she’s sick, too?

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi really slaps. I had no idea what I was really getting into when I started it, but wow, I am blown away. FYI, this is a really heavy book, so be sure you are in the headspace for that going into it. I was drawn to Yolk by the bright yellow cover – actually, all of Choi’s covers are gorgeous. Also, I am such a fan of stories about sisters.

Set in New York City, Yolk is a New Adult contemporary about Jayne Baek who is a fashion merchandising student. She lives in an illegal sublet with her not-boyfriend Jeremy. Jayne spends her time at school, working, and getting drunk. Her older sister June also lives in New York City. However, Jayne and June are estranged. That is, until one day June walks back into Jayne’s life with some news.

You see, June has uterine cancer. And so, the two sisters are thrown back together with Jayne staying intermittently with June in her fancy high rise apartment. June is successful and has money. However, as Jayne learns not all is as it seems. Also, while June has cancer, Jayne is also suffering with an eating disorder.

I inhaled Yolk. I started this book on Saturday and finished it on Sunday. All 400 pages in less than two days. I’ll admit, this was a hard book to read. Jayne and June do not have a super healthy relationship. At moments both are really toxic people. Also, Jayne has such an unhealthy relationship with her roommate/hook up Jeremy who basically just uses her. And she’s got a horrible relationship with food. We get all the context though on the food issues which was helpful in navigating this story.

Oh and there’s also some definite family issues back in Texas. Still, at the end of the day, what matters is very clear. I loved that although this book is SO heavy, it ends on a hopeful note. Actually, the ending is quite beautiful and so well done. I know that I will now be back to read more by Mary H.K. Choi as the writing and characterization in Yolk was just so solid and full of depth.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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