Reviews

Yinka, wo bleibt dein Date? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

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fuguballoon's review against another edition

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was getting ready to give this book 4 stars, but the ending ruined it for me. How can this be a story about learning to love yourself and not change yourself for a partner when Yinka's love interest literally changes himself to become more attractive to her?!

That's not to say that there weren't good parts of this book. I enjoyed the first three quarters of it. I was definitely invested in Yinka's story. I liked how differentiated and well-developed the large cast of characters was. Yinka's most immature choices I chalked up to the author saying that she started working on Yinka in her early- to mid-twenties; I think there might have been some bleedthrough there.

Also, I respect the author wanting to show the power of therapy! But a single session is not a cure-all. Ironically, she did such a good job of describing the toxic personalities in Yinka's circle, that

everyone becoming magically chill

was completely unbelievable, even in Yinka's heightened world.

On the whole, I'm frustrated with this book. I think Yinka deserved a more nuanced ending. For being an 11-hour(!) audiobook, I certainly wanted one for her.

Content Warnings

saniya18's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

sbsd05's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

armadillogirl's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

booktok25's review against another edition

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3.0

Possibly contains spoilers**
Overall I liked this book, it fell a bit short of my expectations with the romance aspects of the novel but other parts definitely made up for it. Going in to read this book I thought that the romance aspect would take centre stage though the book was more about was the main character's (Yinka) personal issues and how she in the end overcomes them and starts accepting herself, I would have liked to see more of the romance as who Yinka end's up with makes a bit of sense though it would have been nice to have more of an insight into him. I think I'm used to romantic comedies being more half and half with the love interests rather than focus on one (though the title does make it obvious haha). I liked the author's writing and also the insight into 'Yinka's' culture and the family pressures she was under, since finishing the book I've actually made Jollof rice for the first time (delicious!). What was great about the book was reading Yinka's character development, the way she towards the end feels more comfortable in herself and also the support that she had from her friends and family (shout out to Nana and Aunty Blessing!).
Overall I give this book 3.5 stars and would read other books by the author.