Oyinda Loves Books

Title: The Voting Booth
Author: Brandy Colbert
Narrators: Robin Eller, Cary Hite
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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I listened to the audiobook, and it was a good experience. The only problem is that the voices of the narrators didn’t really reflect teenagers. The male narrator sounded like an adult man in a thriller novel sometimes.
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This was a quick and fun book to listen to. It was lighthearted with a lot of serious issues as undertones. The story that takes place all in one day follows Marva and Duke, total strangers, on their journey to get Duke to vote. I really enjoyed the story. Mirva and Duke meet each other for the first time at the voting center – Marva just finished voting, and Duke isn’t allowed to vote because he wasn’t registered. After a couple of awkward conversations and an even more awkward drive, Marva (who’s super passionate about politics and policies) makes it her mission to see that Duke casts his vote.
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There were a number of serious themes in this book, such as racism, classism, voter suppression, unfair and sexist government policies, sexism, and dealing with the death of a long one. The author did a great job of dealing with some of themes, while others weren’t really explored in depth.
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Marva and Duke both had their individual issues to deal with before voting day, and issues that came up on voting day. It was really exciting to read about all of them and see how they were sorted out.
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I highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a fun YA romance with interesting black protagonists.

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Blurb/Synopsis:

From Stonewall Award-winning author Brandy Colbert comes an all-in-one-day love story perfect for fans of The Sun is Also A Star.

Marva Sheridan was born ready for this day. She’s always been driven to make a difference in the world, and what better way than to vote in her first election?

Duke Crenshaw is so done with this election. He just wants to get voting over with so he can prepare for his band’s first paying gig tonight.

Only problem? Duke can’t vote.

When Marva sees Duke turned away from their polling place, she takes it upon herself to make sure his vote is counted. She hasn’t spent months doorbelling and registering voters just to see someone denied their right.
And that’s how their whirlwind day begins, rushing from precinct to precinct, cutting school, waiting in endless lines, turned away time and again, trying to do one simple thing: vote. They may have started out as strangers, but as Duke and Marva team up to beat a rigged system (and find Marva’s missing cat), it’s clear that there’s more to their connection than a shared mission for democracy.

Romantic and triumphant, The Voting Booth is proof that you can’t sit around waiting for the world to change?but some things are just meant to be.