This book is about three thirty-something British-Nigerian friends that struggle with their (love) lives and the new friend who comes to mess up the dynamics of the group. Was this an enjoyable read? Not quite. But it was definitely interesting. I’m not one to turn my nose up at books with unlikeable characters. But I have to admit that it is a lot harder to enjoy a story when you don’t like any of the characters. I guess their flaws, mistakes and behaviour make them human, but I was annoyed which each and everyone of them. 

The build-up to the eventual climax of the story is super slow. The first 300 pages — where we get to know the 3 friends (plus the worst character of them all: the new friend) and basically read about how frustrated they are with their lives — stand in sharp contrast to the last 70 pages, which are quite exciting. When we finally reach said pages and the secrets start unfolding, everything happens so quickly that next thing you know, the book is over. It’s a slow descent into complete madness, which I have to give the writer compliments for because she created such an atmosphere that you, as the reader, are almost as taken aback by the events transpiring as the three friends are. We slowly see small bits unraveling at the edges until then all at once the whole thing comes crashing down. It’s just that the slow bit took a little too long for my taste and I got kinda bored at times. It pays off in the end, but you have to be willing to wait for it and then be satisfied with a very short wrap-up. 

Read this if you like:
- multiple pov’s
- complex friendship dynamics 
- easy to read, flowing, conversational writing style 
- unlikable characters
- contemporary dramatic fiction 

I do have to say that I really enjoyed reading about Nigerian culture, which I knew basically nothing about. I love it if I can actually learn some stuff from a fiction book. And the recipes in the back of the book sound amazing, I definitely wanna try jollof rice.