Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I was completely taken off guard by a scene of self harm and though I kept pushing on, it tainted the book for me and I had to quit. I wish there were either a trigger warning or some other indication that the character were headed in that direction. It felt completely out of the blue and left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. It makes me sad to leave it unfinished, as I know many have loved this book, but I think it’s best for me to leave it for now.

OMG, I loved this book! Rootless is one of those books that had me up until 3 a.m. because I had to finish. The main characters, Sam & Efe are two people meant to be together even before they themselves realized it. Once they become married adults, expectations weight on them both.

Rootless is a beautifully written story about motherhood, sacrifice and finding yourself again after losing your personal dreams in the name of family. The characters are real and relatable. And I still thought of Sam and Efe long after I finished the last page.

Finding one’s true love in life can bring about great comfort and pure bliss at times. It can also elicit deep sadness.

Maame is the queen. She wants the best for her daughter, Efe, with a good education, job, husband and children. She is direct and manipulative at times. Paa tells her to find happiness. Her sister, Serwaa, is her best friend. Her husband, Sam, is her sweet soul mate.

The story starts “five months before” and then skips back 19 years to give the reader a glimpse which leads up to the last part. Each is well-paced with a little bit more each time to develop the characters. All along the reader just gets more engaged in what’s happening between the couple.

The beauty of this book is being able to easily picture the places and people. Efe’s family resides in Ghana but she lives with Sam where they went to the university in London. She works at a gallery; he’s a lawyer. They have solid careers and then things change when their daughter, Liv, is born.

I want to tell you that life is perfect for Efe and Sam. But I can’t. There are problems and some are difficult as it relates to the decisions that are made. It’s the part where you wish you could be there to help them.

There are just a handful of characters to keep an eye on with easy-to-remember names. The author tells just enough to make this a page turner with some surprises that I didn’t expect. She has a way of capturing one’s emotions with a dramatic ending.

My thanks to Krystle Zara Appiah, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of March 7, 2023.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC. I am thrilled to review this amazing debut novel by Krystle Zara Appiah. First, the caliber and subject matter of this book does not read like a debut author. It is the riveting (and sometimes painful) story of a woman (Efe) that opens with her walking out of her house one day and flying to Ghana. The rest of the novel take place in past and future, but the author has skillfully and interestingly started with chapter countdowns (20 years before, 19 years before) until the end where we see what happens after. In the countdown, she and her sister are sent to London to stay with an auntie to attend school on the UK. We see the adolescent ups and downs as well as the effect of a colonizing culture on a black girl.

KZA writes of pregnancy, motherhood and relationships in a raw and honest way I have not read before. It was refreshing and painful to travel through postpartum depression with her, but the choices she makes to save herself are so truthful and relatable.

I really look forward to reading the next story by this author!

Moving story of Efe, a young Ghanaian woman who goes to the UK for university. The book explores coming of age, marriage, parenthood, and the cost of following your dreams--as well as the cost of not following your dreams. Well done and felt very real.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

This book was definitely something... I am still shocked, confused and just all of the above.. This was definitely a decent read. I honestly wished that before hand I knew that this book wouldn't be a HEA where the couple lives in harmony. Be it as it may, this book was shocking, I did not expect that ending! At this point, I don't have any adjectives to describe how this book made me feel. Definitely good things in the beginning and now that I have reached the end, there are definitely some bad things too!!!

I am walking away from this book feeling like a hundred elephants just stampeded on my heart, but in the best way possible.

Synopsis: Sam comes home to find his wife Efe is missing. There is a $1,300 withdrawal from their bank account, their daughter Liv is crying, and Efe is dodging his calls. Where is Efe? Where did the money go? Feeling blind sighted, Sam is left scratching his head as to what went wrong. The author then proceeds to tell the story of Sam and Efe’s relationship, starting as a friendship in adolescence, and how their relationship could reach this unimaginable place.

Thoughts: This marriage in crisis story is one of the rawest portrayals of motherhood and the trials and tribulations of a partnership. I am truly in awe that this is Appiah’s debut novel— it really reads like the work of a seasoned author. The brilliance in which she tackles themes of motherhood, cultural pressures, marriage, regret, and family is nothing short of perfection. I worry that some readers will not be satisfied with the ending, but I think it was really the only way to end such a story. I cannot applaud Appiah enough for this stellar debut, and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

Thank you Ballantine for my advanced reader's copy!

A heart aching story of losing and finding. Breaking and coming together. Beautifully written. I enjoyed the pace and emotionality of this book. It was a joy to read. I enjoyed the characters growth.

The beginning of Rootless is a flash forward, a glimpse into where Sam and Efe are headed. But the story truly begins when Efe and her sister arrive from Ghana to study in London. The story follows their paths, surrounded and overwhelmed by the helicopter of helicopter parents in Ghana. There are the predictable teenage friendships and romances. Efe wants to follow her own path in life, in school, in marriage, in motherhood. How she meets Sam and how their relationship goes through more than their fair share of ups and downs is the central plot line. The ending will come out suddenly and unexpected. You won't be able to put down Rootless!

Ms. Appiah, my sincere compliments!

I struggled with parts of this book: Efe was a hard character to like but as you keep reading, you figure out a little more of why she is the way she is. Sometimes Sam, painted as the nice guy, was also difficult to like. I feel like the book is a good example of how important it is to communicate & really listen to your partner. Postpartum depression is a very real & hard thing that left untreated can lead down dark paths, as witnessed in this story. Overall this is a compelling read but can be difficult with some topics that might spark past traumas.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

From the description:

Rootless is a heartrending love story about motherhood and sacrifice, providing an intimate look at what happens after a marriage collapses, leading two people to rediscover what they ultimately want--and if it's still each other.

Yes yes and yes. I was blown away by how good this was. This was a real and engaging journey. I am shocked that this is a first time author. It was so well written.

So many novels romanticize and glamorize marriage and motherhood and it was refreshing to read the authentic and vulnerable depiction of Sam and Efe’s story. The countdown for each chapter was creative and just when I thought I knew what the culmination of the countdown was for, the author delivered a shockingly beautifully written twist! This is a must read to not only delve into Ghanaian culture but to also learn and grown from love, loss, and sacrifice.

Rootless follows the life of Ghanian immigrant, Efe, as she navigates her childhood and adult life living in the UK but is also beholden to the ideals of her culture. As an adolescent, Efe is sent to the UK to attend school with her sister Serwaa and live with her Aunty Dora. As the girls grew up, Efe found herself at odds with what was expected of her versus what her desires were. She was expected to attend university and get a good job, get married and pop out a few babies, just as Serwaa did. But Efe wants something different and feels stifled as her life choices frustrate her mother and wreak havoc in her personal life.

I loved this novel! Growing up, my immigrant parents had a set of ideals that I was expected to adhere to and I was able to relate to Efe's struggles with that. Efe knew exactly what she wanted but her desires for her career and not wanting motherhood were misunderstood by everyone around her, especially those who loved her the most. The story is a tragic reminder of the societal and familial pressures that many women feel in today's modern society.

Thank you so much to Random House, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this early review copy. This one hits the shelves on 3/7/23.

3.25 stars

A glimmering debut; a story of secrets, insecurities, and growing into oneself, Rootless is a touching novel centering on the romance and family life of Sam and Efe, a couple of Ghanaian-Brits. Narrating their pasts and the culminating events leading up to the finale, this novel colorfully illustrates a myriad cast of interweaving characters and plot lines.

Though beautiful and complex, I found it difficult to fall into this story. I couldn't come to love Efe or connect with her character. Even likable Sam was at times frustrating to read. The writing, though "good" in that it is readable and at times even poetic, was nothing special, at times a little lacking, focusing on telling rather than showing. I did enjoy the use of omniscient narration.

I struggle to review Rootless because while it is a good book, it does not affect me personally. Sorry to say, before even finishing, I was getting a sense of "forgettable" from this story.

Sam and Efe are Ghanaians living in London and become friends while in high school. They eventually acknowledge that they want their relationship to be more than a friendship and find happiness in their marriage. But both are struggling with career choices and it soon becomes apparent that they have very different opinions about starting a family. Efe has never wanted children but Sam is thrilled when Efe gets pregnant in spite being diligent with her birth control. Once their daughter, Olivia is born, Efe begins to fall apart, most likely suffering from postpartum depression. Efe’s life returns to an even keel as Olivia grows out of babyhood and the family finds happiness. Unfortunately, when Efe discovers that she is pregnant again, the divide between her and Sam may be too much to overcome a second time around.
This story was well developed over the span of Sam and Efe’s relationship and the author did a great job making the reader feel the emotions of the ups and downs that they experienced. I thought that the portrayal of Efe’s struggles with postpartum depression was spot on and I applaud the author’s willingness to address how debilitating this disorder can be. A great book that I highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the Advanced Reader Copy.

A look at how childhood trauma can change future relationships. Efe and Sam meet at university, become friends, eventually fall in love and get married. Although they have every intention of living happily ever after, life happens. Efe's mother doesn't help the situation by being overbearing and controlling. Sam's mother left when he was young and he doesn't face the pain that has caused him. This book flowed well and kept my interest all the way through. There is a plot twist at the end that still has me reeling. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Efe and Sam met as teenagers when she moved to London from Ghana. They become fast friends who after years of friendship discover they can be more. Sam is steady and calm. Efe feels safe with him. Her life slowly starts to make sense again after years of struggling to find her place in the world outside of her parents expectations.

Sam and Efe settle into life as a married couple. He is working for a large law firm and she is working with artists in a local gallery. Sam is sure of the life he wants for himself. He envisions himself and Efe starting a family. He cannot wait to be a father. His enthusiasm is suffocating Efe. She has mentioned indirectly and directly she's not sure she wants to be a mother ever, but Sam persists. Despite taking every precaution Efe becomes pregnant and gives birth to their daughter Olivia. Soon Efe is working fewer hours at the job she loves to take care of their daughter almost full-time. Sam is constantly working and Efe feels as if she is drowning.

Years later the couple has found their rhythm and parenthood is a bit easier for Efe. Just when she thinks she has a handle on life again another pregnancy throws Efe into a tailspin. Efe disappears and Sam is frantic.
What follows is a tale told in a series of flashbacks leading up to one life altering event.

As a reader I was able to feel the walls closing in around me as if I was Efe. Her sadness and desperation is palpable. I thought I knew what we were racing towards only to realize it was so very different. This novel was so unexpected and emotional. Challenging and thought-provoking.

A heartbreaking and emotional novel about the toll that PPD can take on a woman’s life and the difficulties and demands of motherhood.

Feeling as if her dreams are constantly being pushed aside as her husband’s dreams keep coming true, Efe disappears, leaving no note and essentially abandoning her family in order to find herself.

I found myself intrigued by the premise and the Ghanaian culture, yet I had a hard time figuring out if I liked the book or not. The beginning was hard to get through for me, and the ending was a bit disappointing.

Overall a good read. This book picks up after a few chapters and delves into their lives before her disappearance, which is essential to the story.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Now that I’ve stopped crying and have cleaned my glasses, I can type up a quick review of Rootless. I really liked this book, especially its structure. The story begins with a man (Sam) discovering his wife (Efe) had suddenly left him their daughter. We as the reader know nothing about the circumstances.

Then we go back in time where each chapter retraces Efe and Sam’s life as we move towards the present when she leaves him. Dropping in on characters once a year or so is a wonderful device to allow us to get to know the characters over time without getting bogged down. Whose “side” I took changed over time and I often got mad a characters for their choices which is a sure sign I’m invested in them!

I am not a parent, but this story does a very good job of conveying what I imagine are the joys and challenges of motherhood, especially if you were not a woman who wanted to be a mother. And it shows how easily men might think they can “fix” something they don’t fully comprehend.

This book had a some challenging subject matter as all handled beautifully. I fully expect this to be a big buzzy book or celebrity book club pick.

I didn't like it at first, then I really liked it, and then I didn't like it again at the end. The book's exploration of both motherhood and not wanting to be a mother is well-done and infuriating to read. Rounding down because of the ending; I can't find any meaning in it. 3.5 stars.