Wahala

Sex and the City with a killer edge? For fans of Expectation and Queenie? I thought Wahala was sure to be my kind of read and I was right. I absolutely loved every page of it.

Three close friends: Ronke, Boo and Simi. They're all English/Nigerian and embrace both cultures in varying degrees. They're successful and clever but like most people they have their problems and their secrets. The story begins with Isobel, an old friend of Simi's, being introduced to the group and from there the trio's friendship and their individual lives are threatened. Isobel is very much a cuckoo in the nest, although none of them realise it as Isobel is devious and on a mission to divide and conquer.

This is an incredible debut from Nikki May. The writing is show more astute and exciting, the reader a fly on the wall as each woman is played to great effect by Isobel. The chapters are told alternately from each point of view and I found it fascinating to watch Isobel weaving her web and just waiting for Ronke, Boo and Simi to fly right into it and get caught.

Ronke was my favourite character without a doubt, but each of them is brilliantly portrayed. This book is so real and is a perfect portrayal of the ups and downs of friendships. I loved all the Nigerian cultural references and the traditional food. If you read this book and it makes you hungry then there are a few recipes at the end to try out.

Wahala is a dazzling, rich and effervescent read. It's relevant and full of life, and that aforementioned killer edge was unexpectedly shocking. Just fantastic in every way. show less

“If you don’t want to be bored, you need to stop being boring.”
If this book is anything, it’s definitely not boring! Ronke, Boo, and Simi start off the story living seemingly perfect but subtly flawed lives - or at least variations of such - but introduce a long-lost best friend (Isobel) and the trio devolves into absolute chaos. It’s not enough to see the girls go through the trials and tribulations of being in their mid-30s and beginning to question the choices they’ve made (a tried and true Sex and the City-esque storyarc), but by the end of the novel we discover that Isobel isn’t just a slightly bad influence; she’s there to actively destroy their lives in a downright psychotic act of vengeance. Even forewarned as we show more are, the wahala (trouble) that Isobel brings is so subtle in its building that by the time we realise that there’s no way the girls will get out unscathed it’s far too late and we have to keep watching the crash as it unfolds across the pages. Bolstering the high emotional stakes is the lush scene that Nikki May paints behind the girls. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha had New York as their playground, and Ronke, Boo, and Simi tread the streets of London with an equal amount of panache. Substitute delicious-sounding Nigerian food for Cosmopolitans and family dynamics for fashionista showdowns (we all know our London ladies have a touch more substance than their NYC equivalents haha), and we have a stunner of a story on our hands. Can’t wait to see what Nikki May will write next! show less

This delightful rom-com brings in a fourth disparate element to a tight group of Anglo-Nigerian women in London. Ronke, a dentist, is in love with an unreliable Nigerian man. Boo is mildly discontented with her French husband and daughter and is crushing on a manager at work. And then Simi, whose Brit husband wants her to have children despite her doubts, brings her childhood friend, wealthy Isobel, into the group. The three friends each have their unique voices and minor problems, but there's something (actually, a LOT of things) that Isobel uses to squeeze her way into the group. The dual natures and contradictions of both Nigerian and London mixed race women is fascinating on many levels, and the back histories of the women sets this show more way above the usual novels of the genre. The reader will absorb a lot of joy from learning about Nigerian middle class cuisine and culture, and even learn some lovely words - alobam = partner in crime, and the title, Wahala = trouble. show less

A sharp, modern take on friendship, ambition, culture, and betrayal, Wahala (trouble) is an unforgettable novel from a brilliant new voice
Ronke wants happily ever after and 2. kids. She’s dating Kayode and wants him to be “the one” , she saw her father reflection in him. Her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends.

Boo has everything Ronke wants—a kind husband, gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be.

Simi is the British one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and she is innocent and trust people easily. Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. But She’s not.

When the show more high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, it seems at first she’s bringing out the best in each woman. (She gets Simi an interview in Hong Kong! Goes jogging with Boo!) But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack, it was a story of revenge and decived relationship. show less

fiction - a new (old) friend joins a group Anglo-Nigerian besties in London and trouble follows.
Wahala (literally 'trouble' in Nigerian) is an understatement as things quickly escalate from messy to shitstorm, and worse. Starts off like a Sex and the City story with gals sharing (or not sharing) complaints about their boyfriend/husbands/kid, but then makes a hard turn into psychological terror when the twists keep coming.

This novel is very rich in detail of the Nigerian culture, fashion, foods and music. Jollof rice, moin-moin a traditional Nigerian meal made from beans, onions, peppers, spices, and other ingredients, highlife bands with talking drums, steel guitars and accordions, agbada and ankara attire. There is Ghanaian TWI language that I had to look up for meaning, Spanish and French language.

The novel is very entertaining, at times funny, and it has a mystery element as well. The story deals with institutional racism, abortion, family dynamics, multicultural differences, infidelity, unconscious bias, class, deceit, sexism and more.

The chapters alternated between each characters point of view. Food played a major part in the story as they bonded show more over brunches, special occasions and events bringing them together as well as a link to their culture. The storyline kept my interest with the complex and deep characters, brilliant writing for a debut novel. There are recipes at the end of the book as well as a Spotify playlist. show less

Disappointed by this one. I really wanted to like it and I enjoyed the descriptions of the struggles that can happen with being biracial, especially the multiple view points and variety of concerns the individual experience can be. The sticking point was the actual plot. The whole thing happened just because she was a horrible rich woman who was bored and crazy? Well okay I guess? I was way more interested in the main three women and genuinely felt bad for Ronke almost the whole time. She was the only one who didn't deserve any of it.