Publisher: Custom House / Harper Audio
Published: January 11, 2022
Source: Print – ARC E-copy via Netgalley / Audio – ALC via Libro.fm
Summary:
An incisive and exhilarating debut novel of female friendship following three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group—the most unforgettable girls since Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda.
Ronke wants happily ever after and 2.2. kids. She’s dating Kayode and wants him to be “the one” (perfect, like her dead father). Her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends.
Boo has everything Ronke wants—a kind husband, gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be.
Simi is the golden one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and tempted to pack it all in each time her boss mentions her “urban vibe.” Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. She’s not.
When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, it seems at first she’s bringing out the best in each woman. (She gets Simi an interview in Hong Kong! Goes jogging with Boo!) But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack.
A sharp, modern take on friendship, ambition, culture, and betrayal, Wahala (trouble) is an unforgettable novel from a brilliant new voice.
My thoughts:
I have to admit that what originally drew me to this book was the cover. Isn’t it just gorgeous? Well, I’m happy to report that this book has so much more going for it than just it’s pretty cover!
Give me all the books with toxic friendships…I just cannot get enough of them! This one totally grabbed me and while it does start off a little slow – just be patient because it’s all worth it in the end. It is so necessary to set the stage for what is to come, and I thought the author did it brilliantly.
The word “Wahala” mean trouble in Nigerian and that is just what a group of three close friends get when a new friend shows up. She infiltrates their group, stirs the pot and begins manipulating the friends like no one’s business leading down a path that has disastrous consequences.
I could not have loved this book more. I loved each of the women for different reasons and found myself getting emotionally attached to them, especially towards the end when I was screaming for them to wake up and see what was really going on. But more importantly, I felt that the friendships between the women, especially Ronke, Boo and Simi, was so real and relatable. I also loved all the references to the Nigerian food and culture within the book – and because I listened to the book, I didn’t have to struggle with any of the pronunciations.
This book is definitely one I will be recommending to everyone. I also think it would make a great bookclub pick as there is a lot to unpack here. It’s engaging and fun and I loved it! I cannot wait to see what comes next from this author…I’ll definitely be reading it!
Audio thoughts:
I’m so glad I listened to this one, especially for all those Nigerian words. The narrator, Natalie Simpson, did a fantastic job bringing this story to life and it really helped to hear the Nigerian words spoken correctly. Natalie gave each character their own unique voice and infused just the right emotion and tension into her voice as needed. I really enjoyed listening to this one.
