mollyrook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I also really loved the characters and relationships, and I thought the backdrop of the politics at their university was great.
If I had two small complaints, they would be that 1) these characters didn't feel like they were 19/20—they felt too eloquent and mature. Certainly moreso than I was at their age. And 2) I wasn't convinced by the third-act breakup in this one. The resolution at the end was fantastic, but I think the break-up part could have been toned down to just a fight, since neither of them actually had that much individual growth to do that they couldn't do together.
On the whole, loved this book, and I can't wait to see what Babalola writes next.
Graphic: Emotional abuse
gabyhat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
viwilliams's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Racial slurs
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Racism, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Cursing, and Sexual assault
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Outing, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
ashleycmms's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault and Cancer
readingwithcoffee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Racism
sarahrose_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer
kayladaila's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Infidelity, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Kiki Banjo is a college student and the host of a radio show where she discusses relationships and how to avoid heartbreak. But when she is unexpectedly thrust into a fake relationship with Malakai Korede, who she has just dubbed the “Wasteman of Whitewell,” Kiki is about to learn that opening your heart and overcoming your past may just be worth the effort it takes.
I went into this one off the recommendation of a friend but with no specific expectations, and I absolutely adored it.
The audiobook is a masterclass in audiobooks—well acted, well paced, and with brilliant audio touches to add realism (i.e. making phone calls sound like phone calls), so I would absolutely recommend audio as the best format for this one.
As to the book itself, this is a classic college rom-com in all the best ways—it’s witty, charming, and utterly adorable, and I am head over heels for the leading man, Malakai, while also wanting to be best friends with Kiki and her girl group. The plot was moderately predictable, but was also refreshingly deep. Rather than feeling childish or overblown, the issues the main characters had to work through were real and painful and I loved watching them find healing and come into their own.
Finally, I will always love a book that is unapologetically feminist, which this one is, and a book that features Black joy and Black culture (in this case British-Nigerian culture specifically) is even better.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: diverse feminist rom-coms; well-acted audiobooks; sunshine-y male leads who will melt your heart.
CW: Cancer/illness of a parent; discussions of sexual assault/harassment; racism; misogyny/sexism; discussion of off-page incident of police brutality.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Infidelity