This was a well written book but ultimately I was not the audience for it. I have suggested it to friends who like family dramas and very personal feeling stories, and they have enjoyed it immensely.

At its heart, this book is about a marriage, but it’s also about the tension between duty and personal fulfilment and the place of traditional values in society that is increasingly globalized.

It is about about strong, independent women challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations. It was reflective but also hopeful.

A slice-of-life novel beginning with an arranged marriage and ending two years later. The first half or so of the book was often frustrating, between Afi’s timidity and the various controlling/sexist family members and in-laws. I get that these are meant to reflect the actual experiences of young Ghanaian women, but it was still tough to read. Afi’s independence and confidence grow throughout the book, though, and I was proud of her for standing up for herself at the end.

Also: the audiobook narrator was great, but unfortunately didn’t have a Ghanaian accent. I see from her website that she’s half Ghanaian, but no African accents are listed among those she can do. Her accent for this book was American. Not having a narrator with a Ghanaian accent was disappointing for a slice-of-life novel like this one, where the culture and sense of place were so important to the story.

I love a good domestic drama that shares insight into different cultures. His Only Wife is a beautifully woven story about afi discovering herself and path in life while battling with societal expectations and family pressure. For me it was different from what I usually read and I really enjoyed getting lost in Afi’s journey mostly because she is such an amazing character I loved that she was so strong and truly good.

I was not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but from the first few pages, I was hooked. Afi is a young seamstress from Ho, a small town in Ghana. Circumstances lead Afi to marry Eli, a man she doesn't knew, but by all accounts would make a great husband. The problem is clear right away when Eli doesn't even show up to his own wedding, sending someone to stand in his place instead. A hint of what was to come in their marriage. Eli was always gone, and when he came home, he was gone again. Eli is a very successful business woman, so his reasons for being away from home were plausible, though Afi did not like it.

Afi moves to the city in what she thought would be their home after their wedding, but soon realizes that Eli has many residencies, and has another life, one that involves a another woman.

This books explored contemporary cultural issues in Ghana as it relates to marriage, and family relationships. It kept a my attention, and found it to be a compelling read.

This book was kinda a snoozer. It felt incredibly long, in terms of details, details, details- that didn’t necessarily further the story. 🥱 The juicy bits, of love, lust, other woman drama, etc. were great. But everything in between was just kinda a bore. 😬 it’s an okay read, but not the best.

I find this a hard novel to review -- it puts me in a culture that I don't know at all, but with a bunch of touch points that mirror aspects of my society. I don't feel like I can evaluate people's actions in the book the same way I would with the people around me. So I think it is an excellent book viewed through one lens, but on the other hand, parts of it kind of bother me when viewed though my every day expectations. I don't know if that makes sense? But there is sexism and polyamory and family issues and all sorts of things that are viewed one way in the book, but don't necessarily match how I feel about them in real life. And Afi is a very naive character, which leads her to some questionable approaches... I don't think it helps that the summary of the book sort of spoils the end and made it seem (to me, at least) that the plot would have very different pacing.

What a story about how cultures can pin women against each other. How cultures can hinder women from their try selves. And what a story about what happens when women do listen to their hearts and their guts. How one woman dares to put herself first and not do as she is told. It is a lesson we all should follow more often.

I had been putting this one off for awhile, so I decided I was finally time to pick it up as I was in the mood for a feminist, coming of age heroine with both intelligence and humor. Maybe I went in expecting too much? I was disappointed.

I found some of the plot repetitive so a lot could've been cut out to make this even shorter. I also found Afi to be very petulant for a 21 year old. You go into a situation knowing what the situation is, and you'll still complain?

I think I may have enjoyed this a bit more if Afi would've just been a bit more logical and actually thought through things instead of raging.
2.5/3 stars. Rounded up for Goodreads, 2.5 on StoryGraph.

This was such a heart wrenching story full of family drama.. Imagine that a marriage proposal can change your life especially one to a wealthy family, but is it worth it if the man is in love with someone else? I flew through this book.

Thank you to Algonquin Books for the #gifted copy of the book.

I devoured this book it in under 24 hours; I just couldn't put it down! Already with the first line, I was hooked. Eli was in absentia the whole marriage. Even though all they had to do was accept Eli's decision to follow his own path, the family wrapped Afi up in their web. Read this; you won't be sorry. Afi's courage and resolve have inspired me and given me great pride. Don't put off reading it; doing so will be a wise decision.

This book was so freaking frustrating. I am not with breadcrumb relationships! Save that ish for the birds! Needless to say I absolutely disliked the events of this book, but the writing was good. I suppose if it makes me feel anything, that’s worth something. Perhaps I need to let my emotions settle down and revisit this whole rating situation.

I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. It didn't seem fair for me to review a book that I didn't finish.

Interesting book set in Ghana. A young woman has an arranged marriage with a wealthy man who doesn't even attend their wedding, a brother represents him. The marriage is arranged to prevent the man from marrying another woman who is considered less desirable by the man's family. The young woman lives with her mother who has fallen on hard times after the death of her husband. A good portrayal of modern life in Ghana where there is still a huge divide between rich and poor and where men can still have multiple wives.

This story is more than just being about a young woman in Gianna and is really about a naive girl coming into her own. Afi marries Eli only to find out he didn’t marry her for love but rather pressure from his dysfunctional family and he had a mistress on the side. Without going into the storyline and giving away the details, it is a good read and one that is enjoyable while also educational.

Afi Tekple is a young seamstress in Ghana. She is smart; she is pretty; and she has been convinced by her mother to marry a man she does not know…⁠
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Elikem is a wealthy businessman whose mother has chosen Afi in the hopes that she will distract him from his relationship with a woman his family claims is inappropriate. ⁠
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But Afi is not prepared for the shift her life takes when she is moved from her small hometown of Ho to live in Ghana’s gleaming capital…⁠
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She has agreed to this marriage in order to give her mother the financial security she desperately needs, and so she must see it through. Or maybe not?” ⁠
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This book is for you if you like:⁠
🪴 Reese’s Book Club Books⁠
🪴 NYT Notable Books⁠
🪴 Début authors ⁠
🪴 Women’s Literature⁠
🪴 Multicultural Literature

Afi is a young woman in Ghana who has had few prospects in life after the sudden death of her father. Her family survived on the charity of the Ganyo family. Now, the Ganyo family is asking for Afi's help, marry Elikam Ganyo and wrest him away from the evil woman that has him in their clutches. Afi agrees to the advantageous match without knowing all that means for her future and before she falls hopelessly in love with Elikam.
Peace Adzo Medie has offered western readers a glimpse into the life and culture of modern day Ghana. The characters all have their flaws which presents them as realistic and relatable. I enjoyed not only for the insight into another world culture, but mainly for Afi's growth from an obedient mild mannered girl to the woman she becomes. I recommend this book for lively book club discussion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#HisOnlyWife #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed how feisty and independent the main character was. Even though there is so much tradition and misogyny, she knows her worth.

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie is a fascinating look into a complicated arranged marriage in Ghana. This book starts with a wow, as the bride is getting married to a groom in absentia. Yes, apparently that’s a thing, not necessarily common, but it happens.

Although her groom Eli, is living with and in love with another woman, his family is certain, that he’ll give up his baby mama and relationship to be with our protagonist, Afi. Afi is not okay with this but is being continually coerced to live with a part-time husband in a rented flat, rather than live in his mansion and what should be her true home.

Much of this story is about a woman learning to speak her voice, and even more importantly it’s about being heard. As the story progresses, we see her get stronger as she realizes what is most important to her. A man, a family? Maybe, but not if the man is not 100% in. I was not surprised by the ending as it felt predictable based on the type of man Eli is.

I am surprised that the meet ups with Abraham didn’t lead to something. I’m not sure why those scenes were in the book as they felt purposeful. Maybe for a sequel? Who knows? Either way, I really enjoyed this Ghanaian tale and look forward to reading something else from this author.

I enjoyed this book. Was a nice read.
I liked the fact that the main character was a strong woman and she got what she wanted in the end.