Thank you so much to Penguin Books South Africa for a review copy of Wahala! My interest was piqued when I saw that it was about biracial friends and how they navigate life and friendship. The cover is also absolutely stunning! 😍 I am always very grateful for the books Penguin sends me.
Published: January 2022
Pages: 367
Pace: Medium
Genre: Domestic Fiction
Despite reading the synopsis and the blurbs about this book, I don’t think I could have anticipated what I found in the pages of this book. We meet 3 Anglo-Nigerian friends living in London who met at university. The thing is that each of these girls has issues going on in their lives, as we all do. There’s Simi, who is married and her husband thinks they are trying to have a baby but Simi is not ready for that and doesn’t know how to tell him. Then there’s Boo who has a “boring” life with a doting husband and a daughter who she can’t stand most of the time. She just wishes she could have a different, more exciting life. She’s also all but shunned the Nigerian side of her heritage. And lastly, there’s Ronke who is a dentist by day and is still looking for that perfect Nigerian husband. She’s dating Kayode – a Nigerian rugby player – who she loves.
And then Isobel arrives on the scene. Rich, glamourous and with a serious agenda!! She was best friends with Simi when they were young girls and their dads worked together.
In the beginning of this book, it was all so interesting. We were getting a glimpse into the lives of each of these ladies and their problems seem pretty normal and relatable even. But the longer Isobel spends in this circle of friends, the more drama and chaos unfolds. Isobel does her best to ruin the friendship circle and each person’s happiness as well.
As the drama got worse and worse, I enjoyed the book less and less. I think it’s because of the way I am wired and the things that matter to me. I hated the fact that there was no reprieve or comeback from the downward spiral that Isobel triggered in each life. And the situations seriously got so bad. I was irritated with every single character for being blinded and not standing up for themselves or their relationships or situations but rather letting Isobel dictate how they should behave and what they should value etc. Isobel really seemed to charm Simi and Boo in particular. Ronke did have her reservations about Isobel all along.
As I was reading, I also found myself asking what genre I was reading. It wasn’t super obvious because there was only drama and drama and more drama and then the worst part was that the ending brought no resolution, it didn’t tie up the loose ends at all. I was really hoping for more from the ending. When I had about 50 pages left, I couldn’t imagine how it would all come to an end. And then the end came and I was like “WHAT?!”
The writing was excellent, the cover is spectacular and well, we were introduced to a variety of characters (Aunty K and Rafa in particular were my favourite). So that’s my reasoning for giving the book 3 stars. And I see many people thoroughly enjoyed the book. I felt like there was no character growth and no real story except for when we find out why Isobel did what she did (and even worse after that revelation). It would have been nice to have at least one of the characters fighting for what they wanted and believed in.
I did not really enjoy the book but please don’t ever let that be a reason for you not to try a book. Every book will never be for every reader and that’s ok. I prefer more happy endings, that’s all 😊 The book does however live up to it’s name. Wahala means trouble and there sure is a lot of that in these pages.
If you would like to add it to your Goodreads TBR, please click here.
Until next time 😊
Chevonn
All The Books and I 
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