I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to read this much anticipated debut and absolutely loved it. I was completely immersed in this over the course of a weekend and felt quite bereft when I finished reading. Wahala focuses on Ronke, Simi and Boo, 3 mixed race 30 something women living in London. Their worlds are changed dramatically when Isobel, a childhood friend of Simi's appears in their lives. May writes so insightfully, convincingly and honestly about race, friendship, relationships and careers. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for my free e-copy.

Wahala is the story of 4 women all of Nigerian background living in London. I have always loved finding out about different countries and backgrounds and as I have many friends with families from Nigeria I found this book interesting and relatable in many parts. I also loved the cultural food references and many times my tummy rumbled from the delicious descriptions.

When an old friend of Simi's turns up, is she really who she says she is , normally 3 is a crowd, but in this case could 4 be just as bad?

I really enjoyed this book. I loved some characters more than others which was I believe fully intended.

I will definitely be looking out for more from Nikki May

prior to reading this review, i would like to clarify that i dnfed wahala at 57%. the biggest issue i had while reading wahala is that nothing seemed to happen. it's supposed to be a thriller, but it reads like the housewives of the uk (but they're nigerian).

i tried so hard to enjoy this book, but i really struggled. the plot was uneventful and boring, and the characters were unlikeable and mean. there was a few i liked at first, but the more the book progressed, the less i liked them.

on the upside: the writing was really well done. it was easy to follow and generally well written. i just wish there was more to the plot.

a huge thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy to review.

<b>Wahala</b> has a seemingly simple concept but executes it with perfect pacing and engaging character development. It is all about how one person can wreak havoc in your life - in this case, one long-forgotten friend infiltrates a group of three friends. Those three friends know each other from a university where they initially bonded over common biracial heritage.

I couldn't put down this book! I had to know what will happen next, what will be the next move of each of the characters. It is amazing how well the author presented the inner thoughts, regrets and emotions of each character - I never was in any of the situations they were in, but I could feel and understand why they were acting this way. Especially impressive for me was portray of Boo - she's married and a mother. Her life on the surface seems ideal, but it is very much not. She doesn't feel satisfied and yerns for something different, something more. I felt what she felt when she was battling her doubts about work, love, life.

The characters from the book are British-Nigerian, and each of them treats their Nigerian culture differently. It was great to see different representations of how one may feel about part of their cultural heritage, and just genes don't define your culture, but the environment and people you live with. We are lucky to get some amazing descriptions of delicious sounding Nigerian dishes - and there are even recipes at the end of the book! I really want to try some of the dishes described, and too bad there's no Nigerian restaurant where I live.

Wonderful characters with plenty of rich and vibrant detail of their shared culture from hair to food, belief systems and dreams along with their unique takes on which parts of that heritage are important to them and which they would rather leave alone..
I loved that the three friends were so different but gelled so well and I liked the easy-to-dislike Isobel with her slyness derailing the friends.

I really enjoyed this book if you loved the book queenie your going to love this book
I loved all the characters in this book and have recommend it to all my friends
with thanks to the publisher, & netgalley

I loved this story of three friends who get entangled with a girl that has no intention of letting them get on with their normal lives. So many twists and turns. So excited to watch the series!

This was a really enjoyable read. Loved the characters and the cool plot twist. Kept my gripped throughout. A really awesome cover too. I think this will do well!

Ronke, Simi & Boo are three Anglo-Nigerian friends living in London. Ronke is a dentist with a stalker and a boyfriend who won't commit; Simi works in fashion (alongside people who think that calling her "urban" is a compliment) and is married to Martin, who wants to start a family as soon as possible despite being currently based in New York; and Boo feels trapped at home with her husband Didier and demanding toddler Sofia.

When Simi's glamorous (and recently divorced) friend Isobel joins the group, Ronke and Boo are immediately put out by her self-confidence, attitude, and extravagant displays of wealth. Soon, Isabel and the women become friends - but simultaneously, their lives all begin to unravel in ways none could have seen coming.

I loved this. It has been compared to Sex and the City, which I feel is inaccurate - not every group of four women needs to be compared to the ladies of NYC. The dark humour, the descriptions of Nigerian culture and food, the backstories - all were thoroughly enjoyable. I would take little notice of the "thriller" aspect of this - although the characters do all hold secrets that they really don't want made public.

What stops this becoming a 5* read for me was Isobel - I wish that she had had her own chapters. I didn't really feel like I knew what her endgame was, and the reveal was a little confusing and juvenile to me. Up until the end she came across as a sort of Panto Villain (which I'm absolutely on board with) so I found it a little hard to believe the extent of her malice. My favourite characters were Ronke and Didier, who I could have happily read ten more chapters about.

Wahala will be released in January 2022, and has also inspired a BBC drama adaptation written by BAFTA nominated writer Theresa Ikoko, who has described it as "Big Little Lies meets Girlfriends".

Such a fabulous depiction of female friendship, with a surprisingly dark twist. All of the characters were so well written that I really felt embroiled in the plot. This is a triumph of a book and the author should be very proud of what she’s achieved with it.

Wahala is a strong and interesting insight into modern female friendship and I adored this read with its beautifully drawn main female characters, who all really shine. Having previously enjoyed Queenie and My Sister The Serial Killer, the dynamics between the friends plus Isabelle and then also the emphasis on community made this a standout read for me. It deals heavily with racism, the expectations on women in modern society and how different lifestyle choices impact friendships, which all captivated me. Loved the writing by Nikki May, its engaging and relatable – look forward to reading her future books too.

'Wahala' follows three mixed race friends, living in London in their late 20s. There's Ronke, the cook and dentist who wants to get married and start a family. Boo, who's child has just started school and is trying to re-claim who she used to be before she was a mother. And Simi, who lives a mostly fantastic life but wishes her husband would stop talking about babies. What they all have in common is that they all studied, and met, at The University of Bristol. This is where the similarities end.

Nikki May has provided us with a variety of viewpoints, life stages and wants in her characters that you don't usually find with ensemble female casts. Maybe I just don't read widely enough but I usually find that all the women are mothers, or single and looking for love, or all divorced. The chapters rotate through the perspectives of the different women as a old friend of Simi's, Isobelle, joins the group. Through Isobelle's need to know EVERYTHING about everyone she meets we learn the secrets and vulnerabilities of the women until it all comes crashing out into the open.

I enjoyed every chapter of 'Wahala'. It's a completely wild ride and I will absolutely be watching it when it's adapted for TV. May has all of the little details of London just right. Each women experiences, and deals, with their mixed race heritage and family differently and oh my word the food - I want to eat everything.

Although I really enjoyed 'Wahala' I felt like a couple of things were missing. First, the ending is terribly unsatisfying in how bad deeds remain unpunished, but that's probably very realistic.

Secondly. I really couldn't understand how Ronke was friends with the other two? I really felt as though I needed more scenes with her friends being actual friends. All they do is eat her delicious food and tease her. And then when it seems as though sweet, amazing Ronke has betrayed them her friends don't try and talk to her about it - they just get mad and ignore her while she's obviously going through the toughest time of all of them. Simi and Boo screw up their own relationships and lives while Ronke has someone traumatise her for life for reasons that have nothing to do with her.

So yes - absolutely read 'Walhala' for the fantastic writing, evocative setting and nail-biting suspense. But not if you like to see the big bad getting their just-desserts.

Ronke, Boo and Simi are best friends. All British-Nigerians, they met at university and bonded over their shared mixed heritage. Though they all live in London, they lead very different lives: Ronke is a dentist with her own practice and a habit of picking boyfriends who exploit her; Boo is married to a Frenchman and is struggling with the challenges of parenting her young daughter; Simi is happily married and a fashion marketing exec. whose husband wants to start a family. They have their challenges, but they also have each other.

Then Simi’s old friend from Lagos returns to London. Isobel is beautiful and rich. With her arrival everything changes.

Wahala is a fabulous thriller. It’s one of those gripping reads that has you wincing and worrying well past the time when you should have put the book down to do whatever else you are meant to be doing with your day. The characters have a depth and complexity that draws you in, even as they frustrate you with some of their choices and misunderstandings. It will undoubtedly translate brilliantly to the screen.

I can’t say much more about the plot, for that would spoil what keeps you turning pages, but I will add that everything ties together almost too perfectly… There is plenty of thought-provoking social commentary and lashings of drama. It is being billed as a bestseller and it certainly will be. Out in January 2022, put it on your New Year’s wish list.

An interesting, intriquing read. I thoroughly enjoyed Wahala. I loved learning about the three main characters, their past and present and being enlightened about Nigerian tradition.

An engrossing read that takes you through a myriad of emotions. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Engaging characters and enjoyable to read, friendships are tested when a girl from the past resurfaces and tries to impress a close group of friends. As loyalties are tested, you'll be guessing motives and next-steps as you follow what some will do to create their sense of order.

I really enjoyed this book- I love that it shows the different sides of London and gives you an insight into Nigerian culture too. The main characters are all well drawn and I desperately wanted the best for them, it was painful to see them making mistakes! I also like that they are all real women- in their mid 30s all with their own things going on- no body is perfect. A must for fans of Queenie and Luster.

This was such a great read. Ronke, Simi, and Boo are friends; a happy trio living different lives. Along comes Isobel and the three friends become four. Or do they? Isobel has links to all three women, although not all of them realise this. These links become the driving force of Isobel's desire to invigilate herself into each of their lives and with this, the trio's original friendships are challenged and rocked. This book reminded me very much of Single White Female, except in full and vivid colour. While it beautifully embraces aspects of Nigerian culture and racial issues, it is above all about the fragility of friendship when trust is broken. I highly recommend this debut novel and am delighted and honoured to have been granted an early read. Beautifully written, Nikki May, I look forward to your next book!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely devoured this book. The three main characters of Ronke, Simi and Boo are feel so incredibly real and well-developed, which makes the cracks in their friendship once Isobel is introduced even more heartbreaking. All three women are flawed and make mistakes, which makes it all the more interesting to read from each of their perspective’s.

I wasn’t able to predict where the plot was going which is a gripe I often have with thrillers, and the book touches on dark topics without making me want to put it down. On the contrary, I was enthralled the entire time, and I can totally see why it’s going to be made into a TV serial.

I adored the way that this book dealt with dual nationality, race, class, and identity. It felt like especially through the character of Ronke, May was writing a love-letter to British-Nigerian culture, which was incredible for me to read as a total outsider to that culture.

I loved Wahala. I loved the three main characters and finding out about their lives, past and present. I loved learning more about Nigerian traditions and food. An entertaining and absorbing read that makes you laugh, cry and shout out loud. I’m really hoping that we will hear more about Simi, Ronke and Boo!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a free Advanced Review Copy of this book.

Wahala is certainly a great title for this story, as is the book cover with eyes covered. Wahala ... Trouble ... is here.

'The woman is huddled in the corner of her bedroom. Her dress is ruined--the button missing, the belt ripped. One seam has come apart, exposing her bare shoulder.' From this intriguing opening line, we then visit three friends in a Nigerian themed cafe, and all seems calm and normal. We know something is coming, but not when or what.

The plot and tension built slowly, but the characterisation and world building had me hooked right from the off. I knew a certain person was trouble, and waiting for it all to unfold and fall apart made the read enjoyable (not sure what that says about this reader, lols). Also, the explanation in the denouement was well worth the wait. 

Here a some lines that stood out for me ...

'... you can't legislate your thoughts, they have a mind of their own.'

And ...

' 'Should a dentist be pushing rock-hard, deep-fried pastry?' | 'It's good for business,' said Ronke. 'My mortgage relies on broken teeth.' '

And ...

'Dad disapproved of alcohol except when he was drinking it.'




Excellently written, the characters come alive, and in a few scenes, we get to see realistic racism against the British from Nigerians who've lived in England for years but retained their own culture. The author shows us the many tensions and misunderstandings that real life brings, especially in a multi-cultural society that doesn't always make room for 'different', however that may manifest. 

Wahala gets a resounding 5 stars from me, and I would highly recommend both this read and this author.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.