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Inclusion Matters: Say Yes

A while back, Kandi Steiner reached out and asked if I would be willing to beta read her next release - Say Yes. The main character in the story has an underdeveloped hand and since this is something I suffer from too, I was more than happy to do it. (Plus, I'm a massive fangirl of Kandi's so I'd read anything she put out into the world anyway. #winwin)


Whew. I was so unprepared for this experience.


I've been an avid reader since I was 15 years old and I read about 125-150 books each year. Contemporary romance, fantasy, sci-fi, self-help, biographies, good books, meh books, great books, and everything in between. Stories with a variety of time periods, tropes, and characters designed to give the reader inspiration, information, and often an escape.


Never, NEVER, have I read a story where the character was like me.


NEVER have I seen a movie, painting, or any other form of art or entertainment that looked like me.


Say Yes changed all of that for me. And I as a reader feel included and seen in a way I've never seen before. The feelings and emotions Harley, the main character, shows throughout the book are spot on.


The overwhelming need to hide your hand around strangers so you don't have to deal with the stares. The innocent curiosity of children when they ask about your disability. The desire to be perfect in all things because physically you never can be. The persistence and determination to NEVER let your deformity hold you back. All real. All relatable. And all inspiring and so impactful to me.


Unfortunately, there are still way too many people in our world who don’t see themselves represented and included in entertainment. Try searching stock photo sites for a contemporary romance cover… can you easily find people of color? People who are full-figured? Someone with tattoos who isn’t posing as a criminal? Anyone with a disability?


Inclusion is hard. But it matters. And it’s up to all of us to use our voices to elevate those who aren’t already at the table.


Thank you, Kandi, for such a beautiful story and for tackling inclusion in such an amazing way. For that, Say Yes officially claims the accolade of my all-time favorite book. Not only was the story sweet, sexy, and incredibly written, it addresses inclusion in a way that I've never seen before.


Purchase Say Yes today! → https://kandisteiner.com/books/say-yes/


Follow me on Goodreads to see what I’m reading → https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/55975514-devin-mccain


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