This was a good book. It was a slow burner to start with but well worth sticking with. I loved the three best friends but the tension really started rising when it became obvious that manipulation going on behind the scenes was seriously affecting their lives and friendship.
The pace starting increasing and by the end this turned into a gripping explosive story. A stunning and original debut I would happily recommend this and rated it 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easy to read thriller but the ‘clues’ to the twists were incredibly obvious. The characters were well developed and I finished it. I just don’t think it’s clever enough though.

This book is a real gem and so well written that it's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I would describe it as a cross between Sex and the City and Big, Little Lies. I loved both those shows.

Each chapter is told from the POV of Ronke, Simi or Boo. I loved all these three women. They are so strong and vivid that I felt like they were old friends. I enjoyed how the dynamic changes when Isobel comes on the scene.

The pace of the book was perfect. It didn't drag at any point and I just wanted to read and read to find out what was going to happen. The ending didn't disappoint and felt satisfying. I'm glad it wasn't rushed as can happen in some thrillers.

One of the other things I enjoyed was learning a little about Nigerian culture, especially the food.

Brilliant read about 3 friends whose lives are all derailed by the arrival of Isobel. Fast paced, funny and dynamic- I read this in three days and absolutely loved it.

I found this book quite hard to get into only because the name dropping of places, items, outfits got rather tedious and quite boring. I felt this was written in a way to impress an audience who don't live in the UK.
The general story was quite engaging even though I really didn't like all of the characters, but this was the aim of the story.
Three friends welcome a fourth member to their group. Ronke takes time to warm up to isobel where as Simi and Boo become fast friends with her. Is isobel trying to buy her way into their hearts. Is she good for them? Or just trouble?

Such a fun read. Great following the friends through the chapters with insights into their lives. Loved the build up of intrigue as Isobel came onto the scene

The book starts in a Nigerian restaurant in London – and from the start I felt like the book was an education in Nigerian culture. The three main characters all have dual heritage, with Nigerian fathers – some present, some not. Each of the characters is very different – and I can totally see where comparisons with ‘Sex and The City’ have come from.

Simi’s friend from her youth in Lagos, Nigeria – Isobel – arrives on the scene, and is a whirlwind throwing her cash about and trying to spice up the lives of the three friends in different ways.

However, cracks soon start to appear in the friendship between the three friends – and also their home lives. The book’s title ‘ Wahala’ means ‘trouble’ in Nigerian Pidgin – and that is definitely what Isobel brings, even if it’s not immediately evident.

Boo’s life as a part time stay at home Mum – who has had to take more menial work to fit around her home life – is very well observed. I did feel sorry for her French husband – or ‘tubby hubby’ as Isobel christened him.

Simi has completely upset her father by not being a doctor and pursuing a career in fashion instead – and their interactions were very well written. The visit from her father and step mother was a comedy in itself.

Ronke’s quest to replace her permanently absent father with a Nigerian boyfriend have not historically gone well – and so the others have doubts over whether the flaky Kayode really is ‘ the one’. I really liked Ronke’s relationship with her dental assistant – he was a very good friend to her.

My one tiny niggle is there are some MASSIVE coincidences as the book concludes – and in a country of 206 million inhabitants, with almost 15 million in Lagos alone – it does feel a bit unlikely. But hey – sometimes you have to suspend disbelief about coincidences when it comes to literature!

The book twists and turns, and the build up to the end is not what I expected at all – which was great.

The writing is excellent, and the book really evokes the feeling of Lagos – and also the shared culture that the girls have in the UK. I can see why it’s already been snapped up to be a TV series.

What I particularly loved is the final chapter – which is set a few months after the traumatic events towards the end of the book – but is back in the restaurant where the story commenced – I do love little touches like that.

Overall a really good, interesting, educational and captivating read. Thank you to the published and NetGalley for my ARC. It’s out at the beginning of January 2022 – so not long to wait if you fancy it!

I loved every page of this book. I sacrificed sleep so I could finish this in one day. Absolutely brilliant and what a way to enter the book world with this fantastic and smart debut.
I wish great things for Nikki May in the future.

The characters in Wahala were well-written and the relationship described between Ronke, Simi, and Boo seems like the friendship we all dream about. Close friends who tell each other everything and support each other through everything.

We then start to see cracks appear in their relationships, all seemingly caused by the appearance of Simi’s school friend, Isobel.

The friendship is tested and there are some emotional moments and revelations.

I loved learning about the Nigerian culture, food, and phrases - it really added to my enjoyment of this story.

This book has been incredibly hyped up. This is on a lot of peoples most anticipated books of 2022, so I jumped at the chance to read an early review copy.

I really enjoyed Nikki May's writing style, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy this book overall.
I always struggle with books that have multiple characters, and this book had an abundance of characters that i really struggled to keep track of, and felt a bit lost at times.
I enjoyed the themes and ideas the book threw up, but there just wasn't enough plot for me - not enough going on. It focussed more on character and relationships than plot.

As I previously said, I enjoyed May's writing, so I look forward to seeing what she writes next - I just hope it has a slightly more dynamic plot.

Wahala by Nikki May

Knowing nothing about Wahala before staring it I expected it to be a fun read about 3 mixed race-friends living in London. And it is, but it is so much more!
Ronke, Boo and Simi are English -Nigerian and best friends. They are all at crossroads in their lives and relationships; Ronke wants to settle down with her unreliable boyfriend and have kids, Boo is working part time and also a stay at home mum who feels invisible, and Simi has a glamorous life and rich husband but is avoiding having a baby.
Isobel, a friend from Simis past, enters their lives and brings chaos and drama with her.
This started off a fun read but quickly became dark and disturbing, I loved it!
This is a fantastic debut novel and one to watch for 2022.

What a great story. Three friends, Simi, Boo and Ronke have been together forever and each see each other through thick and thin, good times and not so good. They met at University in Bristol doing different courses but were inseparable. They are all mixed race and their shared life enhanced their friendship. The girls are different, Ronke is a dentist, single but wants so desperately to marry and have children. Simi is married to Martin the blot on their landscape is that he wants children and she does not but she is not honest enough about that. Boo is also married to Didier and they have a daughter. Boo is unhappy with her lot and does not know really how to explain this to her husband as she is not really sure of the issues herself. They are all carrying on with their insecurities, Simi’s is due to Martin working in New York and she is by herself a lot of the time. Then an old friend of Simi’s arrives on the scene called Isobel. Isobel is wealthy, beautiful, full of life and she manages to change the dynamics of the group with hideous repercussions which take their time to manifest. As Boo is so fed up with her life she clutches onto Isobel’s every word and she begins to totally ruin her life but unfortunately she cannot see the damage she is causing to her husband, child and friends. Simi is also taken in by Isobel and I guess so is Ronke but not so alarmingly. The book is easy to read, each chapter following one of the girls and Isobel is always in the centre of the stories. Eventually you get a sense that all is not well with Isobel and she is way to manipulative and dishonourable. She tested the girls and their allegiance to one another and the invisible chord that joined them for so long was eventually broken but was it broken forever. You will have to wait and see how the story progresses. I don’t usually read in the day but this book had to be read until the end as quickly as possible to find out the outcome. A great book which I really enjoyed. There is a lot of Nigerian “Slang” in the book which I did not know or understand but made the book more authentic. The food sounds fab

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I really enjoyed this. Good characters and writing and the development of the storyline was great. Highly recommended!

Loved every moment reading this. Sped through it. From the first page you can feel the tension and anticipate the falling apart of friendship due to master manipulation and 'jealousy' as Isobel gets into their heads. The pacing is excellent. There's so much more to this book too, the narrative about their dual nationalities, on racial bias in the UK, on feeling foreign and out of place, life split between Lagos and London, the delicious sounding food, (plus always love a recipe in a book!), A great look at friendships, relationships, marriage and children. Only negative would be I wish we could leave character fat shaming behind (too many comments on Ronke's weight movements ).

Honestly I had no idea what to expact when I startet this bookl. Basically it follows three friends who met in grade school and became friends due to their shared nigerian roots. Ronke, Simi and Boo have grown up like sisters - sharing everyrhing. Until Isobel turns up. Things starts to get well let's say dufficult.
I particularly enjoyed the story of these strong women as well as the setting!
Thanks a lot #NetGalley #Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for the ARC of this book

Wahala (trouble in Nigerian) is a fantastic debut by Nikki May. Set in London, Anglo-Nigerian friends Simi, Boo and Ronke muddle along through the various challenges life throws at them until Isobel makes their trio a group of 4. Lies, deceit and betrayal follow overlaid with details of Nigerian culture and cooking. I found it a quick, engrossing read that deals with some quite dark themes in a sensitive way.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

See me, see trouble.

A fantastic debut novel- thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and all the talk of food (and inclusion of some of the recipes at the end) has made me want to go and learn how to make delicious Nigerian food!

Wahala is a story of friendship, trust, loyalty and how relationships can turn sour with backstabbing, gossiping and misunderstanding, leading to fractures in what had been solid friendships. How can such close friends reconcile after truly hurtful secrets are exposed?

Loved each of the characters in this book- very authentic, realistic figures and the way their relationships are brought to life on the pages is intriguing. Ronke, Simi ans Boo all have moments where you want to tear your hair out when you see what they are doing/thinking but their experiences are so relatable to the female audience in some capacity or another. And wait until you meet Isobel- she’s something else altogether! Trouble with a capital “T”!! The old expression of how you never know what’s going on behind closed doors is so fitting here! An unhappy mother, secrets within marriages, cheating, is he the “one”-you name it; this novel has it all.

Lots of twists and turns throughout to keep the reader glued to the pages. Wahala explores racism from different angles as well as stereotypical ideas of what Nigerian people should look like, act like- it was truly fascinating. Other big topics tackled here was the idea of motherhood and those who struggle to fit within the expected role of women. I love how the author isn’t afraid to delve into some dark moments with her characters which adds to the realistic aspect of the story.

A true page-turner and so much better than the Sex and the City comparison- I’m really looking forward to seeing how the author translates her characters and story to the screen- it’s a programme we all need to watch!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC. Wahala will be available to purchase from January 6th 2022- get it for your friends (and a copy for yourself!)- you won’t be disappointed!

Wahala opens with what appears to be the scene of a crime, before jumping back in time to get us acquainted with the all-important characters in this novel. This mystery hangs over the story until the very end and definitely had me speculating throughout as to what had happened.

Ronke, Simi, and Boo each have their own feelings about and experiences of Nigeria. They met at University in Bristol and remain the closest of friends now that they all live in London .Out of the blue a girl from Simi's past turns up in London. She's been going through a bad divorce and needs some friends to help her build her new life. Suddenly, the whole dynamic of the trio's friendships change.

I really enjoyed Wahala. Each of the characters felt so well formed and real - which isn't always the case with so many characters involved! I particularly liked the way May explored the differing opinions the friends have of Nigerian. From the girl with the AWOL Nigerian father who's never been to the country, to those who grew up there. I found that quite interesting.

This is a novel that kept me guessing, throwing surprises the reader's way until the very end. I can absolutely see why it's being adapted for a BBC series, but I urge you to read the book first,

With great writing, interesting characters and relationships, and an overarching mystery, Wahala is sure to be a hit for 2022.

I flew through this book - completely deserving of the hype!. Sex in the City comparison doesn't do it justice. Nikki has created much more authentic, relatable and diverse characters that you can't help but find yourself routing for. I can't wait to see the TV adaptation.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was a thoroughly engaging read - I almost couldn't put it down! The friendship between Simi,. Boo and Ronke was realistic and, though I could see where the plot was heading from quite early on, I still really enjoyed the narrative. I also loved the touch of having Ronke's recipes at the back - I can't wait to try them!