Publication Date: August 6, 2024
A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author Danica Nava.
Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. She gets “creative” listing her qualifications and answers the ethnicity question on applications with a lie—a half-lie, technically. No one wanted Native American Ember, but white Ember has just landed her dream accounting job on Park Avenue (Oklahoma City, that is).
Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up too: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. Despite her unease over the no-dating policy at work, they start to see each other’secretly, which somehow makes it even hotter? But when they’re caught in a compromising position on a work trip, a scheming colleague blackmails Ember, threatening to expose their relationship. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything.
Ember Lee Cardinal wants a real job with a salary and benefits, but all she has been getting are rejection letters.
What starts as a minor resumé adjustment to de-emphasize her status as a Native American and emphasize the Caucasian roots from her father’s side soon evolves into a big mess.
In The Truth According to Ember, author Danica Nava serves up a rollicking romantic comedy. Taking an accounting class doesn’t actually mean you can claim to be an accountant or even “accountant adjacent.”
The workplace heats up with a chance for romance, but a jealous colleague’s blackmail threat leads to more embellishments until Ember finally has to make a tough choice that could destroy her happiness.
Ember’s ability to think on her feet allows her to create some believable whoppers, but it doesn’t take long for things to get out of control.
The Truth According to Ember serves up plenty of laughs while highlighting racial challenges for job seekers.
Danica Nava is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and works as an Executive Assistant in the tech industry. She has her MBA from USC Marshall School of Business. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and daughter. The Truth According to Ember is her debut novel.
