Queen Jenkins returns in Candice Carty-Williams’s much-anticipated sequel, continuing the exploration of her life as a Jamaican-British woman navigating the complexities of identity, relationships, and motherhood. Eight years after her debut novel introduced readers to Queenie’s turbulent struggles with love and mental health, the 33-year-old protagonist now faces a new challenge: fertility concerns.

The sequel opens with Queenie at a fertility clinic undergoing tests, a stark parallel to the clinic visit that began her first story, which involved coping with a miscarriage. This visit propels Queenie into introspection and forces her to reassess her chaotic personal life. The results reveal a lowered chance of conceiving naturally, prompting a spiral of emotional turmoil and a deeper examination of her relationships.

Queenie’s professional life has also evolved; she leaves her demoralizing magazine job to work for a Black-owned social media company. Her work brings her undercover to the fertility clinic, investigating the experiences of Black women undergoing IVF treatment. This plotline foregrounds the racial dimensions of reproductive healthcare and reflects Carty-Williams's continued focus on how race shapes everyday experiences.

Throughout the novel, Carty-Williams balances humor and sharp social commentary. Queenie’s interactions with her various romantic interests, particularly the noncommittal Vin, who works for Transport for London, are portrayed with a mix of comedy and poignancy. Queenie’s tendency to misrepresent contraception use to her partners in hopes of conceiving is met with skeptical yet caring rebuke from her close friend Kyazike, who voices concerns about the challenges of raising a child as a single Black mother. This dialogue underscores the intersection of personal choices and broader racial and social considerations.

One of the novel’s defining traits is its nuanced portrayal of race as a pervasive, yet not all-encompassing, element of Queenie’s life. Queenie explicitly rejects the trope of the “strong Black woman,” signaling a desire for a more multifaceted and relatable depiction of Black womanhood. This stance reflects ongoing conversations within contemporary culture about identity and societal expectations.

Carty-Williams’s sequel retains the qualities that made the original novel a breakout success: well-drawn friendships, candid reflections on romantic and personal struggles, and an insightful look at the lived realities of Black women in London. As Queenie continues to evolve, the sequel sets the stage for further exploration of her journey in future works.