"An aching portrayal of a woman whose young life gets waylaid by self-splintering challenges: abusive mother, wrong boy, debilitating addictions, grievous betrayals."--Booklist
"A slow-burning, bittersweet novel of recovery, repair, and familial love."--Boston Globe
"A bold novel...[and] a complex, layered illustration of the effects structural racism, patriarchy, marginalization and violence can have on queer Black women throughout the U.S."--Ms. Magazine
"A raw, beautiful story of reintegration and a mother trying to do and be better for her kids. Oscillating between present-day Ranita and her past self, this story paints a real, painful picture of a woman caught in a cycle of drug use and eventual prison time, and her daily fight for sobriety and wellness when she returns to her family."--Southern Bookseller Review
"Lee writes beautifully about the healing power of Black kin networks, queer love, community support systems, and literature."--Buzzfeed News
"With a light, poetic touch, Lee balances the painful details of Ranita's reality with genuine, persistent hope for new beginnings. It's irresistible."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Like the pomegranate of the title...filled with unexpected treasures. Lee has created a powerful, beautifully written story of a woman who painfully confronts her past to build her future."--Booklist (starred review)
"Lee's handling of trauma is deft, and her portrayal of the carceral system's cruelty is unflinching and empathetic...a cache of jewels."--Kirkus Reviews