The December I Turned Pretty

So you want to know if I caught feelings during Detty December and wrote a book all about it.

If you’re reading this, then you’ve probably already seen the stunning cover of my debut novel The Full Picture, which will be released this December!

Set in Accra during the December festive season, The Full Picture follows a young Black woman, as she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her late mother's past—only to find herself torn between two boys who couldn’t be more different.

And for those of you who know me both online and off, you may have read the synopsis, scratched your chin and thought hmm, I wonder if this is her life story?

It would be easy for me to just say yes and leave it at that, but I’m afraid that doesn’t quite give you the full picture. 🤪

You see, to understand me and this story a bit better we have to take it all the way back.

Growing up as one of the few Black girls in most of the spaces I occupied, not fitting the beauty standard was simply a part of my life. Did I look in the mirror every day and hate what I saw? Absolutely not. Was I aware that most of the boys in my predominantly non-Black schools weren’t checking for me? Most definitely.

Did I have crushes? Absolutely. And I’m sure my girls could tell you that when I crushed, I crushed hard (ADHD hyperfixation, anyone?). But I rarely acted on those feelings, because deep down, I didn’t believe that was something girls like me got to do.

While my friends were falling in and out of love and experiencing all kinds of firsts, I never felt like I was missing out on anything because my cup was full in so many other ways. I was too busy excelling in other areas for it to faze me. From student council in elementary school to planning prom in high school, and being a sports journalist in university—people knew me as the girl who got things done, and I loved that. I now know that was definitely a coping mechanism, but we can unpack that another time.

Then came 2019, the year I graduated from university. I’d finally done it all—graduated with honours, landed a full-time corporate role and bought my first car. I’d checked every box I thought signified success at that age and the only thing left was visiting my mother’s homeland for the first time.

Not only did I want to visit Ghana to reconnect with my maternal grandmother, whose health was slowly declining, I also wanted to better understand where my mother—who is sadly no longer with us—came from. But from the moment I stepped off the plane and was welcomed by the sticky heat of Accra, I instantly knew I wouldn’t return to Toronto the same.

That December, I saw myself in a new light. Here I was in a city where everyone looked just like me. I wasn’t just smart, driven, and accomplished—I was turning heads and stopping traffic. I instantly felt comfortable in a way I never had before, and I really let myself lean into that feeling.

In just three weeks, I experienced so many firsts. Every day, I woke up feeling like the main character in the YA novels I used to devour as a pre-teen. But instead of summering at a beach house with my mom’s best friend’s sons, I was with my cousins staying in a high-rise condo in the heart of Accra. Meeting new people, eating delicious food and dancing until sunrise.

That December was also the first time I allowed myself to both want and be wanted. I met him at a music festival and while surrounded by thousands of people, it somehow felt like we were the only two in the world. I fell fast and hard, and it lasted all of two weeks. Looking back, I should’ve seen that coming. But I now know I needed that heartbreak. (The first of many, but again, we will unpack that another time)

After surviving that loss, it was as if something unlocked in me. To paraphrase Queen 🐝 , I just knew I was THAT girl.

A year later, during the height of the pandemic, I rediscovered a long-lost love: reading. At a time when borders were closed and air travel felt like a dream, Peace Adzo Medie’s His Only Wife transported me right back to Accra, and I became utterly obsessed.

Between Afi’s naivety about romance, her journey to independence, and the vivid depiction of the city I’d fallen in love in and with—it was the first time I truly saw myself as the main character in a story I was reading.

That book is what made me begin to wonder, what if those YA novels I used to love had protagonists who walked and talked just like me? Would I have felt emboldened to move through life as that girl a lot sooner? I couldn’t rewrite history but I knew I could write something that made girls that looked like me feel seen a lot earlier than I did.

So yes, this is a long winded way of saying that The Full Picture is inspired by that December I “turned pretty”—but trust me when I say it is not about me. Honestly, my life isn’t even half as entertaining as my girl Robyn’s. Still, those experiences—and all the lessons I’ve learned since—helped shape this coming-of-age story that is about a lot more than two boys.

It is about restoring family, taking risks, and living life on your own terms. It’s just an added bonus that the main character and I share the exact same ethnic background because I’m the writer and I get to take those kinds of creative liberties! 🤪

Every month until my release day, I plan to take you behind the scenes of my entire publishing journey. But right now, I gotta run because today is my birthday and I’m mentally preparing to see Beyoncé tomorrow!!!

Thank you so much for your love and support!

Until we gist again,

Jess 🫶🏿

P.S. Sorry this one was kinda long, but it’s my first time doing this and your girl’s got a lot to get off her chest! Also, don’t forget to add The Full Picture on Goodreads!