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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Should have been a much smaller book
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story revolves around three black women living the highlife as black Singapore expats whose lives are disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious man, Lani.
Dara, an overworked lawyer from the UK who is estranged from her mother and up for partnership at her firm. Lani is the newest senior associate at the firm, and she views him as her direct competition.
Dara's best friend, Amaka, a Nigerian banker with family issues who is struggling with a shopping addiction she uses to compensate her insecurities. She is secretly involved with a coworker but is instantly attracted to the handsome Lani.
Lillian, "the American" pianist who's in Singapore because of her husband's work. Lillian never processed losing her parents when she was a child, which is putting a strain on her marriage. When she sees Lani, she becomes fixated on forming a bond with him because he reminds her of her father.
I identified with each woman as she struggles to come to terms with her past. Themes like identity, racism, misogyny, social class, immigration and mental health are explored. I loved that the women are in a book club and enjoyed their heated discussion on Americanah. There is a list of the books mentioned in the back of the novel. I also loved the references to Greek mythology.
The story gives a glimpse of the laws in Singapore and touches on what it's like living and dating in Singapore as an expat and the prejudices blacks, especially Nigerians, face. Still, Dara wanting to visit Vietnam a third time while reading The Bride Test mirrored my desire to return to Singapore 18 years after galvanting through Orchard Road and Sentosa Island with my Navy buddies in 2006 while reading this novel.
I enjoyed this dramatic and fun read. It may not make it to my favorites of 2024 list, but it held my attention.
Dara, an overworked lawyer from the UK who is estranged from her mother and up for partnership at her firm. Lani is the newest senior associate at the firm, and she views him as her direct competition.
Dara's best friend, Amaka, a Nigerian banker with family issues who is struggling with a shopping addiction she uses to compensate her insecurities. She is secretly involved with a coworker but is instantly attracted to the handsome Lani.
Lillian, "the American" pianist who's in Singapore because of her husband's work. Lillian never processed losing her parents when she was a child, which is putting a strain on her marriage. When she sees Lani, she becomes fixated on forming a bond with him because he reminds her of her father.
I identified with each woman as she struggles to come to terms with her past. Themes like identity, racism, misogyny, social class, immigration and mental health are explored. I loved that the women are in a book club and enjoyed their heated discussion on Americanah. There is a list of the books mentioned in the back of the novel. I also loved the references to Greek mythology.
The story gives a glimpse of the laws in Singapore and touches on what it's like living and dating in Singapore as an expat and the prejudices blacks, especially Nigerians, face. Still, Dara wanting to visit Vietnam a third time while reading The Bride Test mirrored my desire to return to Singapore 18 years after galvanting through Orchard Road and Sentosa Island with my Navy buddies in 2006 while reading this novel.
I enjoyed this dramatic and fun read. It may not make it to my favorites of 2024 list, but it held my attention.
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that was as good and messy as this one. Amaka, Dara and Lillian, the main characters of the book, were a trip! All three are incredibly interesting women, each very different from one another. But once Lani, a Nigerian lawyer recruited to push Dara to the side at her law firm, he walks into a storm he unconsciously creates.
Each one of these women has a lot going for them, but their pasts have developed flaws in them that eventually bring everything to a head. By the time I was done with the book, I felt like I had been put through an emotional roller coaster.
I have to admit, I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the characters at first, but they all were written very well. I did roll my eyes about Lillian a couple of times, but when I understood why she reacted the way she did, I felt for her so much.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Each one of these women has a lot going for them, but their pasts have developed flaws in them that eventually bring everything to a head. By the time I was done with the book, I felt like I had been put through an emotional roller coaster.
I have to admit, I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the characters at first, but they all were written very well. I did roll my eyes about Lillian a couple of times, but when I understood why she reacted the way she did, I felt for her so much.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Violence
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The end felt rushed, but I enjoyed reading about the Black and African expat experience.
While the story was inconsistent, the descriptions of Singapore were spot on, and the fact that the book came free with a Singapore Sling in NYC is the best idea ever. We need more bars giving out books in the world!