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jenniferforjoy's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
noorabarakat's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookworm_713's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
QOTD: Do you have that group of friends that you used to be close to but no longer are?
This book is a lesson on female friendship, relationships, motherhood, care-giving, love, obedience, growth and acceptance seen through the lens of understanding and cultural appreciation.
On the surface level this book follows three friends, Funmi, Enitan and Zainab who met when they attended a University in Zaria, Kaduna (a state in the Northern part of Nigeria for those who are not Nigerians - also from this point on in the review, I will not further explain any in-depth culture rich references; if you want to know more, please do search it up - I am tired of African writers over explaining things that their readership can understand; begs the question, who are you writing for? - I am glad that I did not have to worry about that in this book - Tomi explained enough to maintain relevance which I absolutely love and appreciated - Anyways back to the review).
Over the years, life have taken them down different paths until they finally reunite for the first time in 30 years for Funmi's daughter 's wedding. Enitan arrives back in Nigeria with her daughter Remi who is still upset with her for getting a divorce. Zainab refusing to accept Funmi's help to cover airfare is robbed at gunpoint on her way from Kaduna for the wedding. With this brief introduction to the characters we get to know about them and their current view on life, with Funmi shifting her dissatisfaction with her own marriage to planning an elaborate wedding for her daughter who does not seem enthusiastic enough about the whole ceremony; we see Enitan struggling to understand her biracial daughter who is struggling to find a place in the world (the world of protests, gun violence, equality and environmental consciousness); and Zainab who is her husband's care-giver after he suffered a stroke that left her to look after their four children.
.
Then Tomi takes us back to when the three of them were young and in love, when growth was not a thing to fear but something to seek and embrace. I don't want to spoil it; so just read it. I would have loved if we alternated between past and present a bit more rather than just have a block of the content; It would have heightened my anticipation, especially when it came to Zainab relationship with her father's friend and Funmi's & Zainab's relationship with Damola.
.
It did end a bit abruptly in my opinion because I would have thoroughly enjoyed the commotion that would have been a result of Destiny's decision but that is just me and my thirst for drama.
.
It is a beautiful story.
Trigger warning
Political strife
Abortion
Death
Self-harm
*Thanks to Hodder Studio for making an ARC of this book available to me.
This book is a lesson on female friendship, relationships, motherhood, care-giving, love, obedience, growth and acceptance seen through the lens of understanding and cultural appreciation.
On the surface level this book follows three friends, Funmi, Enitan and Zainab who met when they attended a University in Zaria, Kaduna (a state in the Northern part of Nigeria for those who are not Nigerians - also from this point on in the review, I will not further explain any in-depth culture rich references; if you want to know more, please do search it up - I am tired of African writers over explaining things that their readership can understand; begs the question, who are you writing for? - I am glad that I did not have to worry about that in this book - Tomi explained enough to maintain relevance which I absolutely love and appreciated - Anyways back to the review).
Over the years, life have taken them down different paths until they finally reunite for the first time in 30 years for Funmi's daughter 's wedding. Enitan arrives back in Nigeria with her daughter Remi who is still upset with her for getting a divorce. Zainab refusing to accept Funmi's help to cover airfare is robbed at gunpoint on her way from Kaduna for the wedding. With this brief introduction to the characters we get to know about them and their current view on life, with Funmi shifting her dissatisfaction with her own marriage to planning an elaborate wedding for her daughter who does not seem enthusiastic enough about the whole ceremony; we see Enitan struggling to understand her biracial daughter who is struggling to find a place in the world (the world of protests, gun violence, equality and environmental consciousness); and Zainab who is her husband's care-giver after he suffered a stroke that left her to look after their four children.
.
Then Tomi takes us back to when the three of them were young and in love, when growth was not a thing to fear but something to seek and embrace. I don't want to spoil it; so just read it. I would have loved if we alternated between past and present a bit more rather than just have a block of the content; It would have heightened my anticipation, especially when it came to Zainab relationship with her father's friend and Funmi's & Zainab's relationship with Damola.
.
It did end a bit abruptly in my opinion because I would have thoroughly enjoyed the commotion that would have been a result of Destiny's decision but that is just me and my thirst for drama.
.
It is a beautiful story.
Trigger warning
Political strife
Abortion
Death
Self-harm
*Thanks to Hodder Studio for making an ARC of this book available to me.
radzologz's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
blackloreuk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
alina2712's review against another edition
5.0
Fesselnd von der ersten Seite weg; eine schöne Erzählung über die Geschichte einer Freundschaft mit stimmiger Kapiteleinteilung, sehr angenehm zu lesen.
armstrongmichelle15's review
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0