It took me a little while to get into this, mainly to get acquainted with our three heroines, but once I did, I could hardly put this down. There are so many layers to Everything is Not Enough, so many different issues that are being discussed, and yet none of it felt forced or exaggerated. - I highly recommend.

This book was wonderful! I noticed 1 or 2 spelling errors but otherwise this book really and hit home at times and made feel so much for the characters.

It was great to read about the life's of the woman and the positive and negative experiences that lead them to where they are. Very relatable characters to me.

I absolutely loved this book and it’s already in my top 5 of the year thus far. Everything is Not Enough follows Kemi, Brittany, and Yasmiin, three Black women living in Stockholm as they navigate prejudice, life, love and social class. All three narratives were equally engaging and interesting and I never felt like I wanted to see more of one story over the other. Akerstrom has produced a book that’s equal parts cutting, moving and funny at times.

I wasn’t aware that there was a first book which features 2 out of the 3 women - but this didn’t really impact my reading experience.

It's a well plotted story and there's a lot of food for thought. The story of the three women is full of grief, regrets, secrets but there's also the strength of the three main characters.
An interesting story, a different view of living in Sweden.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I loved this sequel to "In Every Mirror She's Black" and would highly recommend reading that first. While I wanted to root for each character, as they sought to shine to their fullest potential as Black women in a European country with a questionable relationship with racism, I found myself amazingly frustrated with each of them (except Muna - she couldn't help her situation...). I was glad to see the resolutions for each - none of them were predictable and still left plenty of room to speculate over what happens next.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to more of Akinmade Akerstrom's perspective on the lives of Black women in Sweden!

Who loved, like me, “In Every Mirror She’s Black” by Nigerian author Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström, can joy for this stunning sequel. Even though I preferred the first one, I can tell that “Everything is not enough” is amazing. The same linear (but more polished) writing style, the same perfect characterisation and the same fluid, fluent structure. I’ve loved how each situation has been resolved, the protagonists’ growth and the development of the plots. Sometimes, Kemi and Brittany frustrated me, but I still wanted to hug her both: it’s no easy navigate in a country such Sweden as a Black woman. Muna is my favourite character and I’m happy she’s still here, and I adored Yasmiin as a new protagonist. As an Italian woman, I can confirm that, unfortunately, many female refugees and migrants end up in the web of prostitution or as victims of mafia, especially to the one of Rome (there’s a reportage in The Guardian about this).
Moreover, the author has been able to condense and to express a vastità of topics linked to racism and sexism, although connected to each other, with intelligence, without edulcorating them, with honesty and transparency, with no filters and never balking, showing the truth and the reality of Sweden and Northern Europe, considered as the most open-minded and inclusive (but they are not, I can confirm this as a Mediterranean European). The difference between the Northern and the Southern Europe is that the latter is noisier and more explicit than the former.
Even though I’ve already known the situation in Europe, the novel, like the first, made me reflect on racism in Europe, on how much is radical and subtle. It’s a pity the first book’s not available in the other European countries, it could be an awake for some. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book and for author’s honesty.

In Every Mirror She's Black #2

**TRIGGER WARNING** Sexual assault. Infant loss. Infidelity. Suicide.

Can a career woman truly have it all?

Powerful marketing executive Kemi Adeyemi has finally found the man she needs, but Toibias Wikstrom thinks she's the most selfish woman he has ever met for asking him to give up the life in Sweden and move to the US for her own comfort.

Can having it all be a gilded cage?

Looking into divorce isn't what former model-turned-flight attendant Brittany-Rae von Lumdin anticipated. Only jointly owned assets are split evenly between couples. Brittany gave up her career and came with nothing to Jonny's kingdom. Having a child with him, her greatest fear for Mya includes being cut off from the resources she's become accustomed to.

Can you run from your past to have it all?

After fleeing her home through a client to seek a new life in Sweden, Yasmiin finds love in the arms of Yagiz Celik while carving out her own small corner, But someone from her past forces Yasmiin to become a caretaker before she's ready, she must comfort and move beyond her teenage history.

This is a sequel to In Every Mirror She's Black, and i have not read that book. I think it's best if you have read the first book to understand more about the story. The story is told from three different perspectives of black women in Sweden. The author says this book can be read as a standalone, but I'm not so sure. There are lots of different characters who are part of the women's lives, and some of the details are quite lengthy.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeadOfZeus and the author #LolaAkinmadeAkerstrom for my ARC of #EverythingIsNotEnough in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the advanced e-copy!!!

4.0

A very interesting read from three different perspectives of black women in Sweden, ranging from working class to middle class and to high class. This book explores how racism is tackled in a European country, specifically in Sweden, and provides a new perspective to the discussion of race, especially since racism in Europe is not portrayed in the mainstream, this book provides a nuanced take on racism in general. I enjoyed the discussion that the author begins, especially since racism in Scandinavian countries is extreme but more subtle and systematic, and having two of the main characters be American also juxtaposes their experience as black women.

The three point of views converge, because it’s kind of true that in European countries that people of colour from different walks of life and different classes will always come together and they will eventually know of each other or conveniently be within each other’s circles, so that take was very relatable and true. But the way that the plot moves is painstakingly slow, whilst I know this is more a character study, a literary fiction type of novel and I shouldn’t complain, I can’t help but feel like this book was unfinished. This may be a trademark of the publisher, but I was really left with wanting more.

Towards the middle of the book, I could have sworn it was the same chapters over and over again. It was the same struggle for 200 pages, just with different words, and sometimes it didn’t even provide anything new to the story, it felt like filler chapters. I found myself not really rooting for any of the characters, nor immersing myself in their stories because I felt like they relived the same day over and over again, and it wasn’t until the third act of the book where my interest started being piqued. I love literary fiction, but the characters cannot go through the same struggle every chapter, it was boring and just felt repetitive.

That being said, I did enjoy the takes the characters had on their own struggle from trying to divorce a wealthy husband, being a homewrecker, and being the wife of a mafia king who also has a suicidal ‘sister’, I really enjoyed their perspectives mostly because they were so different from my own reality. Like I could never be any of those wonderful, strong women but I loved being able to peek into their minds and how their conscience worked, it was just fascinating to see a completely different reality to mine, and it intrigued me.

I enjoyed it, I will try to read the first one as well.

An absolutely beautifully written book that is even better than the first one. Lola's writing is constantly discriptive and she takes you on a formidable emotional journey that makes you become empathetic to all three of the main characters. A masterful story-teller, whose next book I already can't wait to read

I really wanted to like this one and I did find the refugees' story the most interesting, however having read about half of In Every Mirror She Is Black and some of this one, I realised I wasn't enjoying the other two women's stories, especially that about the Swedish tycoon and his wife; these parts read almost blockbustery to me. I really admire the author's intention to show up the racism inherent in this apparently tolerant and liberal society and it's obviously my problem not the books', given the other reviews here. I'd be interested in read more books like this still.

The follow-up to In Every Mirror She’s Black is here and it is everything. A powerhouse novel about feminine rage and fury full of personality and charm.

Lola continues to masterfully capture the treatment women, especially women of colour, still face for simply existing or dreaming of something different than society’s role for them and the anger directed to them for daring to want something more, to try and have everything. She dissects modern issues with care and grace; and offers a nuanced, thoughtful way that holds a lens to them for all to see.

Our author seamlessly moves from multiple perspectives that are all unique and have clear voices, weaving them together effortlessly while still allowing each character the space to tell their story. Kemi, Brittany and Yasmiin are our main narrators, but we get to hear from a range of characters and perspectives without it feeling confusing, each voice bringing something different and clearly distinct. It moves steadily, giving us time with each woman with quick but hard hitting chapters and it flows in an easily readable way despite the heavy and at times dark content. There is a lot of rage and despair here, but also a kind of release and catharsis that can be found too.

If you haven't read the first story yet, you can definitely jump right in here as it has the storytelling finesse to stand alone - but you are going to want to read it because once you meet our characters, you'll just want to know more about them.

Everything is Not Enough takes up shortly after the events of Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström’s first novel, In Every Mirror She’s Black. We rejoin American expats Kemi and Brittany-Rae in Stockholm and this time get to know Yasmiin, the former housemate of Muna from the first book. This one continues their stories but I think with a deeper psychological examination. There’s one particular scene that had me wincing at the car crash of a situation. We all make mistakes but fortunately we don’t all end up in such an excruciating position as Kemi does here. And the description of her seeing someone’s face or hearing his face wherever she goes is all too real.
I like the way the three main characters’ lives touch each other just enough, rather than there being contrived situations. I also think the secondary characters are really well drawn, particularly Kemi’s friend Malcolm and Yasmiin’s client Amani. I recommend you read this if you want a(nother) look at what it’s like to be a woman of colour in Sweden, or if you just fancy a proper page-turner. Either way, it’s really enjoyable.

Lola Akinmade Åkerström returns to the literary scene with "Everything is Not Enough." Fearlessly addressing themes of personal struggle, cultural displacement, and the immigrant experience, the narrative weaves a captivating, compelling tale - regardless of whether we are familiar with the first novel, "In Every Mirror She’s Black”, I wasn’t.

"Everything is Not Enough" portrays the complex lives of Yasmiin, Kemi, and Brittany, three women set against the backdrop of liberal yet quietly demanding Scandinavian society (this is a side of Sweden that I wasn’t aware of). Each character faces diverse, deeply personal challenges, forming the navigation of their unavoidable, often harsh realities.

Yasmiin, a Somalian refugee, grapples with the weight of her hidden past, which threatens her peaceful existence. Kemi, living in the shadow of a thriving career left behind in the US, wrestles with regret and self-destructive tendencies. In contrast, Brittany unravels secrets within her seemingly perfect marriage, prompting her to question her future.

Åkerström's writing style exudes fluidity and precision, delicately illustrating the struggles immigrants encounter while endeavouring to align themselves with their new circumstances. While it had the potential to morph into a taut thriller, Åkerström chooses a more gradual, character-driven narrative that underscores the stark, unyielding spectrum of human emotions. The narrative subtly echoes a contemporary Charlotte Bronte, as each character's trajectory, though peppered with trials, errors, and poor decisions, beautifully epitomises their resilience.

"Everything is Not Enough" is a thought-provoking introspection into the hallmark experiences shared by these three resilient women. Åkerström's storytelling allowed me to walk beside them. Her heartfelt narrative offers a mindful observation of not just surviving, but thriving amidst life's turbulent seas.

A heartfelt thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus, and Lola Akinmade Åkerström for the advance readers copy. "Everything is Not Enough" gets published 23 October, and #pudseyrecommends

I loved this sequel. Like the first book, I immediately felt closely involved in the lives of Kemi, Brittany and Muna. I highly recommend reading the first book before starting this one, as everything becomes clearer. I found Yasmiin's story the most interesting, I loved getting to know her. We got to see a new side of Brittany-Rae, which was also great. And as much as Kemi frustrated me, I also rooted for her.

This was a hard read. It was beautiful and colourful but also very deep and disturbing. The mirror was held up to racism in all its ugliness and the impact it has. The protection the colour of skin gives someone, the pain and the glory that the characters went through was everywhere.
The promise of the first book is followed through in Everything is not Enough. My stomach clenched for the women fighting against all the odds to be heard and seen. There is more hope in this book, although it takes its time to bloom and once more children start to fill the holes left by loss and abuse and cruelty.
Not a relaxing read, but pretty much an essential one.

I loved In Every Mirror She’s Black so I was so excited to read this. Sadly though, I really struggled to engage with it and it was a bit of a chore to get to the end. I didn’t feel like any of the characters were particularly engaging so it was difficult to believe in or care about their individual stories.

Having said that though, I thought Yagiz and Yasmiin’s relationship was incredibly well written and really showed off the author’s ability to depict complex relationships.

Apologies for the largely negative review. I appreciate being given access to this ARC.

This is the story of the lives of Yasmiin, Kemi and Brittany, black women living in Stockholm. They are all in different circumstances, but their lives overlap through Salima's a hairdresser, and her sister Amani, a divorce lawyer. They all have hard lives and different challenges. The female characters listed all seem real, and are likeable.
I enjoyed this book, the writing is fresh, and it was interesting to explore the differences and similarities of immigrant lives in Sweden compared to the UK.
Recommended.

Everything Is Not Enough is a follow-up to brilliant In Every Mirror She's Black. Lola Akinmade Åkerström has a way with words; she pulls the reader straight into the book.

I'm so glad that this book made up for what irked me in the previous installment - camaraderie amongst the three main characters; Kemi, Britanny and Yasmine; Yasmine being Muna's friend. Each chapter alternates between the three.

I much preferred Britanny in this book to how she was in the previous one. However, I found Kemi's actions to be quite frustrating, considering how empowered she once was. Yasmine's story was interesting to read.

These women still face challenges in their relationships and careers in Sweden. They still face discrimination with regard to their skin colour - yet, they still stand tall.

Everything Is Not Enough is a compelling read and will not disappoint.

I haven't read the novel to which this is a sequel and I certainly will now as I love the main characters, Brittany Rae, Kemi and Yasmin. The book is cleverly structured so that there is no need to have read the first book about Brittany and Kemi. I loved the setting in Sweden and the insights into the immigrant life and the exploration of the various ways in which racism manifests itself in various strata of society from those on the lowest rung to those in the incredibly wealthy bracket.. I found the thriller/murder sub plot involving Brittany Rae's in laws and her husband a little far fetched when his abusive behaviour was enough to take on board. However, this was a minor niggle in a good and thought provoking read.