It’s a funny one to write a review on, this one. I really enjoyed reading it, it was DEFINITELY a fun read- but I was confused about the motive of the novel – why it was the way it is.
Certainly dark but shiny, this is a novel for one sitting -I read a lot of those lately, I know, I know, I love them!- a dialogue heavy, fast paced story set in Lagos, Nigeria. Told from the view of Korode; it’s about the bond of family, the male dominated culture of Nigeria, a little bit of social media and I think also about how physical beauty of women effects their lives.
Warning: Despite the name, this is not a crime novel, or thriller, not a serial killer – whodunit.
Korede gets a phone call from her sister one night: Ayoola, the beautiful young sister has killed another boyfriend. She claims they hurt her, and asks her sister to help: Korede, the older, the loyal, the less pretty sister, will clean up her Damsel-in-distress sister’s mess.
Then one day, Ayoola sets her eyes on Korede’s crush. Korede is torn in between her feelings for Tade, the attractive doctor and her loyalty to her sister. In the background, the loud and sharp features of Nigerian culture and Lagos makes Mexican waves through out this short novel.
I liked the ending. I liked Korede. I liked- YES- I even liked Ayoola. She had her reasons, I guess. I think the only problem I had with this novel was Ayoola’s reasons not being opened up. I would have loved to learn a bit more about what has been going on in her head.
It was a quick, and short read. A book difficult to dislike. Long listed for Women’s prize for fiction 2019.
4 stars.
Excuse My Reading 
Hearing so much about this book! Thanks for sharing your thoughts..
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Thank you! It was a good read..
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Great review! I tried this a while ago but it didn’t grab me, but that’s probably because I was expecting it to be a crime novel.
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That makes sense Nicki! All the “not likey” ratings have seem to be on that end!
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Can’t wait to read this. Also, the face on the cover looks a bit like Beyonce, don’t you think?
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I guess so! A littlebit 🙂
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Great review! I just read this the other night. It pulled me in with those short chapters.
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Agreed! It’s difficult to not to be attached to the book, the way it’s written is really easygoing
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Great review! I was so pleasantly surprised by this little book.
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Glad you enjoyed it!
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I always love your titles! I really need to read this, wonderful review!
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Thanks Berit!! As it’s short and fun, I recommend :)) definitely, hope you enjoy!
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I just picked this for my book club! Gotta wait to April to read so it’s fresh in my mind for May.
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I very much felt the same about this one. I was absolutely gripped reading it but, in the end, I didn’t really feel that much had changed so I wasn’t sure what the point was.
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hehe at least we spent good time reading it! And also it’s definitely for a change as most African reads are so filled with pain and sadness lately, so it felt refreshing
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Yes, it was definitely a different experience! It was great to read some African genre writing – has made me want to go and find some more!
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I’m really excited to read this one! Everything I’ve heard about it – including this review – just gets me more and more excited for it. I love how it takes a kind of rom-com premise beyond its logical extreme, and it sounds really fun and funny! Thank you for sharing!
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I think it’s a gritty and unhappy rom com if that makes sense 😀
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