Title: Sweetest Oblivion  Author: Danielle Lori Publisher: CreateSpace Published Date: 20th June 2018 Blurb She’s a romantic at heart, living in the most unromantic of worlds… Nicknamed Sweet Abelli for her docile nature, Elena smiles on cue and has a charming response for everything. She’s the favored daughter, the perfect mafia principessa… or was. Now, all she can see in the mirror’s reflection is blood staining her hands like crimson paint. They say first impressions are everything…In the murky waters of New York’s underworld, Elena’s sister is arranged to marry Nicolas Russo. A Made Man, a boss, a cheat–even measured against mafia standards. His reputation stretches far and wide and is darker than his black suits and ties. After his and Elena’s first encounter ends with an accidental glare on her part, she realizes he’s just as rude as he is handsome. She doesn’t like the man or anything he stands for, though that doesn’t stop her heart from pattering like rain against glass when he’s near, nor the shiver that ghosts down her spine at the sound of his voice. And he’s always near. Telling her what to do. Making her feel hotter than any future brother-in-law should. Elena may be the Sweet Abelli on the outside, but she’s beginning to learn she has a taste for the darkness, for rough hands, cigarettes, and whiskey-colored eyes. Having already escaped one scandal, however, she can hardly afford to be swept up in another. Besides, even if he were hers, everyone knows you don’t fall in love with a Made Man… Right? Sweetest Oblivion reminds me again why I love romance books: spicy, steamy and heart felt, Nico and Elena’s story was an absolute delight to read.  Elena- sweet Abeli, has a reputation of being the soft, naive and gentle sister, the direct opposite of her sister who is betrothed to a mafia don.  Ridden by guilt because her sister feels obligated to marry Nico because of her mistakes, Elena tries to tolerate him even if she’s wary of everything he stands for.  The duo are forced into close proximity by chance and choice as the both families plan the most powerful marriage in mafiadom.  Pulled by an invisible magnet towards each other despite being in-laws, Nico and Elena are thrown in a steamy back and forth as they try to deny the growing attraction between them.  Told in a dual pov, this author presents the stories of both characters together, building a well rounded narrative that I completely loved.  No two characters have ever been made to complement each other like Nico and Elena. She’s the sweet Abeli until she’s with him, and Nico practically melts, breaking all his rules for her.  The forbidden nature of their romance was the most intriguing thing for me. I liked how Nico tries but fails to hide that he wants her even though he has been promised to the other Abeli girl. When he is thrown the opportunity to take her for himself, he makes the craziest decision of his life by marrying the sweet girl who wraps him around her fingers.  Engaged and living together, Nico and Elena fall gradually in love, learning to understand and like each other - aside from the intense attraction.  I loved how everything was shown- mafia drama, romance, well written characters and an engaging plot. From top to bottom, this author had me hooked with the steamy love story of Elena and Nico. 

Title: Gaslight  Author:Femi Kayode Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing  Published Date: 09 November 2023     Gaslight by Femi Kayode is an action filled Nigerian suspense thriller about the mysterious disappearance of Mrs Folasade Dawodu; First Lady of Grace Church International.  When an anonymous tipper called the Nigerian police department concerning information that points hands to her husband as suspect, the whole country is thrown into mayhem and confusion until Dr Taiwo is contracted to investigate who’s behind the first lady’s disappearance and why they are bent on framing her husband for it.  Dr Taiwo- psychology investigator extraordinaire and American returnee is surprised to find out that the missing First Lady was no favourite of the church elders, and is prone to taking occasional breaks from church activities, making whatever tip the police was acting on very suspicious.  As Dr Taiwo and his friend Chika dive into investigation, they uncover secrets that threaten their lives and their families and are soon caught in a web of lies, deception and violence.  This book is first of its kind in the Nigerian literary space-this is what makes it a must read for African literature lovers.   As our protagonist throws himself into the narrow pool of investigating crime in a system like Nigeria where bribery, systematic roadblocks and poor funding hinders significant process in policing, he is also plagued by former demons from his encounters with charlatan pastors as well as household drama.  This story was unapologetically Nigeria; through Dr Taiwo’s eyes, we witness the decay in the system and the deceit in church as religious leaders wear the camouflage of Christianity to hide their debauchery and desire for fame and power. Not sparing feelings, this author weaves clearly a story that exposes as well as entertains.  Written clearly from beginning to end, Kayode employed an impressive subtle sarcasm to compare two systems, highlighting the weakness and “strength” in the Nigerian police system while raising serious questions in the audience’s mind.  I completely enjoyed this story every step of the way. I read the whole book in one setting despite realizing halfway that this was a sequel to the author’s first book. The characters’-  primary and secondary, were unravelled slowly and carefully, allowing me to form personal decisions about them without “external” influences.  I liked that this story was a far shift from the regular romance or women’s centered fiction. First of his kind, Femi Kayode writes a story that all lovers of John Grisham and Ian Rankin would enjoy. 

Title: Walk Of Shame Author: Avery Flynn Publisher: Entangled Publishing  Published Date: 9th February 2024   Blurb.  Five years ago, Astrid O’Malley experienced the ultimate in public humiliation. Being dumped at the altar by her childhood sweetheart was horrifying enough. That fact that he was a professional hockey goalie and her dad was his coach? It was all anyone in sports could talk about. Eff hockey. Eff goalies. These days, Astrid lives a life (mostly) free of hockey and free to pursue whoever she wants with exactly zero shame in her game. Like tonight’s hook-up. This guy nailed the lumberjack aesthetic perfectly. Especially when he has the stamina and creativity to back it up. Because the rule is: it’s one night only. Which is gonna be a problem because she’s just discovered he lives in the apartment upstairs. And he’s joined her dad’s team. As the goalie coach. To train her ex.  Now Astrid is in some kind of hockey hell–filled with her ex, her family, and the best sex of her life. And somehow she’s been roped back onto the team.  Puck my life.    Angst ✅ Hot Romance✅ Sport Romance✅ Hot headed Characters✅ Happily Ever After✅✅✅✅ When Astrid found out the charming guy from the bar was a hockey player who lives on the same block as her, she vowed to stay very far away from him. When she couldn't  resist the magnetic pull that draws her to the one person she shouldn’t be attracted to, Astrid found herself sneaking around with him and doing walks of shame back to her flat.  What started as occasional bumping of uglies soon trancedes into a heartfelt romance that leaves you smiling and wholly satisfied.  Reading this book was a complete delight, it was fun, fast paced with characters that you’d absolutely love. Avery Flynn writes a romance comedy that thrills you from start to finish.  I really liked how intentional this author was with writing a story that addresses pain and healing, creating characters who despite their strength were so vulnerable, completely draws your empathy and also need each other to heal.  Astrid and Cal were sweet characters but together, they were magical. Their chemistry, the angst, sexual tension and banter were completely electrifying.  Walk of Shame by Avery Flynn was a good way to start this year and tick off my new year book challenge of reading only books that suits my mood.   Did I giggle and blush shamelessly as I went through this comedy romance? Yes. Did I also check out this author and all of her 63 books? Also yes.   Overall, this book is a must read for fans of Tessa Bailey and Elsie Silver or persons who fancy hot comedy romance, angst and simple story telling. 

Title: Stay With Me Author: Ayobami Adebayo  Publisher: Canongate Published Date: 2017 Blurb Yejide is hoping for a miracle, for a child. It is all her husband wants, all her mother-in-law wants, and she has tried everything -arduous pilgrimages, medical consultations, dances with prophets, appeals to God. But when her in-laws insist upon a new wife, it is too much for Yejide to bear. It will lead to jealousy, betrayal and despair. Unravelling against the social and political turbulence of the 80s Nigeria, Stay with Me sings with the voices, colours, joys and fears of the time. This is a devastating story of the fragility of married love, the undoing of family, the wretchedness of grief, and all-consuming bonds of motherhood. Stay with me is a tale about our desperate attempts to save ourselves and those we love from heartbreak.  Whew. This book brings out emotions I didn’t know exist every time I read it.  Ayobami carefully narrates grief, loss and childlessness in this mind blowing literature that shocks as well as entertains.  There are characters that this author writes so well that you’d feel their pain, anger, bitterness and joy.  Following Yejide life- snippets of loneliness and abandonment at childhood, resilience at university and the bliss of a young marriage. This story dwells heavily on her life years after marriage without a child.  Typically, the blame is on the woman. Yejide spends time moving from praying mountains to herbalist homes seeking answers to her barrenness, and is humiliated, pitied and thrown on the hues of a bringing mental illness.  Her husband - who unfortunately is the fault - is silent as she suffers the humiliation that a childless woman in Africa suffers.  Akin- Yejide’s husband is who I’d refer to as a secondary character because whilst he had POVs, this book largely revolves around Yejide and her inability to have a child. To me, Akin was a horrible husband and son. He pretends to love her while lying to her face for years, recruiting his brother to succeed her and allowing her to carry the blame of their infertility.  This book dabbles also in the blessings that are female communities, and this author manages to connect women to the general theme. From Yejide’s stepmothers who united in hating her, to having a mother figure in Moomi- Akin’s mother, until she couldn’t. Her saloon provided refuge to her and countless women who learn and relearn from tidbits that spreads from older unabashed women to younger shy ones.  Reading this book and experiencing the Yedije dilemma; betrayal from two brothers, loss of two children and a surviving child was heartbreaking. Ayobami writes pain so intently, weaving themes that collide and connect while making for an incredible read.  While I loved this book, I found the constant bits about democracy and military very exhausting and confusing- didn’t see how this connects to the general story. I think there should be more there.  Overall however, this story drew me in and hooked me. It was typically Nigerian with its exposure of the Yoruba culture and lifestyle, military coups and presidential elections, in failed government systems and in superstitious beliefs. Ayobami’s writing is simple, mature and creative, veiling sadness and grief and unravelling a tale that has been told time and time again but still shocks you regardless. 

Title: Frequent Fliers Author: Noue Kirwan  Publisher: Canary Street Press Published Date:  2024   Catch Flight Not Feelings.  As Lanie boards another flight to London to plan her cousin’s wedding- to a man who she has loved all her life, she is unprepared for another entanglement until she meets Ridley. While their meet cute was completely out of your cards of meet cute, Lanie and Ridley slowly and casually left a print in each other's minds. Ridley is unprepared to pursue anyone two years after his wife’s death. He is concerned with the crazy schedule of his work, fighting for his daughter’s custody and definitely not about the almond shaped eyes girl who sat close to him on the flight to London and who he mustn’t think about.  When the duo find themselves again in Hearthrob, they are unable to deny the magnet that pulls them towards each -despite trying. Starting as friends and gradually creating a chemistry that burns, these characters give you a reason to love slowburns again. I loved seeing Ridley and Laine slowly move from strangers sitting across each other on a flight to friends and then to lovers. This author focused greatly on character development. Gradually and carefully, she showed how Ridley and Laine grew everywhere - in their relationship and with family. This novel by Noue Karwin is a wonderfully crafted contemporary women’s fiction that captivates you immediately. The plot was nicely structured- allowing both main story and sub plots to flourish.  While I loved this book and enjoyed being in Ridley and Laine’s world, this story dragged in some parts and almost put me off. The characters went back and forth without a destination in sight, annoying me in the process. I disliked how Laine was trumped by everyone including her entitled cousin, and I hated their “reconciliation” even more.  Also, the ending wasn’t exactly satisfactory. The author didn’t clarify why Laine had to leave her PHD in the first place- even though this seems to be an important part of her story.  Overall, Frequent Fliers is an enjoyable cute and fun story that leaves you cheesy and smiling.