Jane Igharo

4.5

Hannah Bailey has never known her father. After a brief relationship with her mother years ago, and only one meeting in her childhood, he pretty much disappeared. So when she's given the news that he has died and one of his final wishes is to have Hannah travel to the familial home in Nigeria, Hannah is obviously conflicted about it. Because her father was a well-regarded entrepreneur, he has a searchable presence online and Hannah is aware that she has four siblings. And she's also aware show more of the possibility that they know nothing about her whatsoever.

Hannah can't deny that reconciling a part of herself that she's felt has been missing in her life is something she's secretly yearned for, but she isn't prepared for the exposure of longheld secrets that threaten her newfound sense of self.

I think this is one of the best meditations on the ideas of family that I've read in a long while. Along with that, of course, is how our family, or our culture, defines our identity. Hannah was raised in America by a white mother. They were comfortable in their lives, Hannah didn't want for anything, but they certainly knew what it was to live/spend thoughtfully. Her father, however, is from a very affluent area in Nigeria. We're talking chauffeurs, mansions, designer clothing. But there's also this strong sense of culture, tradition, and family.

I loved seeing Hannah connect with each of her siblings - some easier than others - because Hannah is not the only one who has to reconcile herself with something new, her siblings never knew Hannah existed until she showed up for the funeral. So we see both parties kind of reevaluating everything they thought they understood about their father. Heartbreaking on Hannah's side is that almost everything she learns about him is second-hand and she'll not get a chance to really connect with him. But he's still alive within herself and her siblings. It's very bittersweet.

Overall, I was really drawn into Hannah's story. It was full of such heart and I loved how much it spoke to figuring out who you are for yourself, being true to yourself, and not how other people would define you. show less

Before I dive into my thoughts on this book, can we just pause a second to take in the cover? I mean, WOW!

The good news is that Ties That Tether totally lives up to the cover art - this is a beautiful, complicated, funny and heartwarming rom-com that I was so invested in, I couldn't put it down. Literally. I read the whole book in one sitting (my hungry children were not amused).

Jane Igharo's debut centers on Azere, a Nigerian woman who immigrated to Canada as a young girl with her mother show more and sister after her father's death. Before her dad passed, Azere promised him she would marry a Nigerian man to preserve her culture and she's been determined to keep that vow ever since. But when a one-night stand with sexy Spaniard Rafael turns Azere's life upside down, she has to decide whether to follow her head or her heart.

While all romantic comedies have a trope that the central couple has to resolve, the conflict between love and personal identity Azere faces is really unique. That she's a huge fan of rom com movies (she regularly references them throughout the book, which I loved) makes it even more challenging - there isn't one out there that reflects her own situation. What happens when you're a prostitute who falls in love with your john? Hollywood has that covered but how to handle your mother threatening to disown you if you don't marry someone Nigerian like you? Notsomuch.

The characters in this book are wonderful and I enjoyed learning more about the Nigerian culture. I rooted for Azere to find love, not only with Rafael but also with the woman she's become, even if her happily ever after doesn't look like she always thought it might.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy to review. show less

3.5 stars

The strength in this book lies in its deft balance of detailing an immigrant's assimilation into a different society while trying not to lose their original identity. The book honestly truly shone in those moments. I loved the Nigerian culture bits sprinkled in. It was done in such a way as to not feel pandering or inauthentic.

I enjoyed our main protagonists a lot. The 2 of them had chemistry right from the onset and liked seeing their journey. I also really like Efe! I do not know show more if I am being too greedy but I would really love to read her book sometime in the future. Her last 1-on-1 conversation with Azere was so good.

I disliked 2 things so much however. There were about 10 references to "taking virginity" and by the 2nd/3rd reference I was done. It just went on and I feel that could have been edited out. I also immensely disliked the Mom. She was terrible. TBH she dragged down my enjoyment of the book up to the 75% mark! The last quarter however was so super strong that I ended up enjoying it. show less

Ties That Tether is Jane Igharo's debut novel that shares the story of a 25-year-old woman named Azere. While on the surface level it is a smart and engaging contemporary interracial romance novel, it really goes much deeper than that.

Igharo captured the struggles Azere faced balancing living in two different cultures while also navigating life in her mid-20s. She immigrated to Canada from Nigeria and Igharo beautifully explores the intricate balance of traversing a new culture while show more contending with the expectations and roots of her own family.

I love a coming of age novel and so the focus on Azere finding her own sense of self was a highlight of this storyline for me. The path to finding out who we are in relation to those around us often feels like a long and winding road.

Igharo captured the emotions and internal conflicts Azere navigated along the way so perfectly and this just felt like such a satisfying and enjoyable read. I look forward to reading whatever Jane Igharo writes next!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. show less