Get ready for a heartfelt journey full of rich culture, sharp banter, and impossible choices. Gold Coast Dilemma will leave you questioning where love ends and duty begins. You'll feel the tension, the passion, and the pull of a love that refuses to be forgotten.

The FMC (Ofosua) is a Ghanaian heiress, raised on tradition and burdened by expectation. Just as her future seems mapped out, her life is upended, personally and professionally.

The MMC (Cole) is a polished heir to a family business, raised to follow a predetermined path. But behind the ease and privilege lies pressure, secrets, and growing unrest.

When these two first meet, sparks fly fast and burn out just as quickly. But fate isn’t finished with them. A second encounter rekindles something deeper, something neither of them saw coming. As their connection grows, they’ll face obstacles that test not just their love, but everything they thought they stood for.

Do I recommend? Yes!!

🐄🐄🐄🐄/5

This book was not what I expected but it was so much better!

I immediately loved the prologue. And the first chapter made me SO CURIOUS! I just could not put this one down.

Also, if you have an overly “invested in your life” mother, this book will make you feel so seen. And while that would drive me crazy if that was my life, it made for some humorous moments.

Ofosua was lovely. She’s a Ghanian/American heiress who desires to chart her own path in life while keeping up with her familial traditions. And I adored her! She desperately wants to make a mark on the world, while also wanting to please those she loves. So this story was the perfect combination of swoony moments and profound ones.

And Cole was so bad for her and I couldn’t get enough! He perfectly let her fight her own battles and supported her the entire way. And their chemistry was WOWZA! I love a good MMC would is so love sick and down bad for their girl. It’ll never get old.

I loved the blend of culture and the different backgrounds in this book. It was so fun to dive into a culture I didn’t know much about and I really felt like I learned a lot while also connecting to Ofosua at the same time. I highly recommend this read!

You’ll enjoy if you like:
💫Workplace romance
💫Family dynamics
💫Multicultural relationships
💫Down Bad MMC
💫Publishing careers
💫Spice
💫Self discovery

Nana Malone does tension and banter so well! The banter and tension in this one is great! It moved a little slow for me but overall I really enjoyed it. I loved the representation of Ghanaian women and the relationship between mother/daughter. The twist at the end I was so shocked! O recommend this one!

I enjoyed reading my ARC copy of this book. As a Ghanaian woman I felt very seen and I appreciated the perspective even as a native that I recieved from it. Afos comes from a wealthy family and also gained wealth bc because both parents are doctors - PhD and MD respectively. So though I do not have that experience as a first gen as I grew up watching my mom and thus most members of my community struggling to make ends meet - it was refreshing to get this pov and see that it exists lol.

I loved also as someone newly getting into romance that it was one i could deeply relate to. I mean her mom? The food? The microaggressions? The complexity of navigating 2 cultures - yea good job Nana. With an enemies to lovers, boss and employee, workplace, different cultures romance it was layered and I loved that every aspect was explored. Racism, microagrressions, misogyny and all.

One thing I wish was less mentioned or I think once drove the point home was - the whole trust fund thing idk was trying a bit too hard to showcase richness when it already was? I also feel that Cole’s pov could have been written better? It didn’t feel that much more different that Afos.

Overall I enjoyed and would recommend as a cute romance and fun read.

Admittedly, I'm late posting this. The last month and a half have been sort of go, go, go for me.

It took me a little while to get through this book, but that is on me. This is my introduction to Nana Malone, and it was a beautiful one. There were relatable characters and an engaging plotline.

There were strong friendships and strong women, and I loved the relationship between Cole and Ofosua. It was complex and dynamic.

The writing was fantastic with well-developed characters. The Ghanaian representation was absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait to read more from Nana Malone.

Support your local indie bookstore or request this from your local library!

Ofosua first meets Cole during an opulent publishing party, where they share an amazing kiss after hiding out on a balcony. Ghanaian heiress, Ofosua Addo, started as an intern at Drake Publishing. She met Cole Drake for the first time and never forgot him. Especially after she saw him again, when he did not acknowledge that he knew her. Cole and Ofos were working enemies from that point on. Ofos had a lot to work through in her life. . She gave in and was engaged to an acceptable Ghanaian man. Everything is going to plan until she found out her new husband, in the eyes of her Ghanaian family, was cheating on her. Now, her mother’s priority is to find another husband for Ofos. Ghanaian mother and others aren't so quick to abandon this union, daring to blame it on Ofosua. She ends up in the hospital, and who would be there but Cole Drake, witnessing the worst day of her life. He truly was a character who felt intensely and wanted to effect change. He wanted to be better than his parents, and I loved that about him. I like how Ofosua taught Cole about Ghana culture and food, She can't teach him everything.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers storyline, and Gold Coast Dilemma didn’t disappoint.​ Malone gave us a great story of two different people and cultures colliding. Ofosua, Ghana culture and heritage were taught to Cole, allowing him to see what it’s like to be a minority. Mrs. Addo was a scene stealer. Malone gave us the wit and the tension while celebrating her Ghana culture in this good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed the initial setup of the plot…but about 30% in, I lost interest in the characters and storyline. It wasn’t the writing - the writing was clear and easy-to-follow. I believe it was the character traits. I found the FMC annoying and I didn’t have any interest in the MMC either.

Overall, this was a decent story and it might’ve been a case of right book, wrong time.

Firstly, this books is for anyone who has an african parent - whether you’re african or first gen, this book is for you.

Secondly, Ofosua is that girl.

Ya’ll, I ate this book up. I haven’t liked a workplace romance in months and this one just hit all the spots. I liked how Ofosua and Cole’s met, I liked their tension when they were ignoring how they felt, and I liked how Ofosua told Cole exactly how he was being (no miscommunication here), and he owned up to it and fixed it. I loved Ofosua’s mom, as crazy as she was because she reminded me so much of some of my aunts lol. I feel like non africans will read this and think “that’s crazy, no one would say that” and i’m here to tell you - yes they do, Nana nailed this.

A fun, lighthearted romance about a woman who might very well be on the path to marrying the wrong person. Ofosua keeps a low profile on it, be she is actually a Ghanaian heiress -- a princess, really. She's set to marry someone her parents approve of in a very expensive elaborate wedding. In the lead up to that, she meets Cole Drake, and sparks fly. Readers will relate to Ofosua and cheer her on as she tries to create a life of her own while she still honors her family, their responsibilities and their expectations.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! It's not just a book but a life lived that just so happens to be captured in the book. It's that good. The writing style and interchange between main female and male lead - expertly written.

This was my first book by this author (though I have quite a few on my tbr) and I enjoyed it a lot! The romance was a bit slow and kind of took a backseat (imo) to Ofosua's work storyline, but I didn't totally mind that. I loved Ofosua as a character, and we got a look into the realistic struggles a Black Woman would experience in a predominantly white company (and industry). The romance itself also left me wanting a little more, but that could be because I was not completely sold on Cole as a MMC. That could just be personal preference. I just found Ofosua to be so vibrant that she really stole the show (and OMG - I hope we get a book for her cousin because she's one of my favorite side characters ever)

What I think I love most, though, was the way we get to experience Ofosua's Ghanian culture. It was so interesting to me, and I loved how much of that culture was brought into the story. This may be a romance book, but I think it really showed how you can still learn a lot while being immersed in a fictional book.

Thank you ValentinePR and NetGalley for the ARC of Gold Coast Dilemma. This is a slow burn romance that delivers a passionate kiss, workplace rivalry, and a clash of cultures! Ghanaian heiress and powerhouse editor Ofosua Addo is fierce, focused, and not here for distractions, especially not the infuriatingly charming Cole Drake, whom she shared that passionate kiss with. After a failed marriage and the weight of family expectations, Ofosua has sworn off love, dodging pressure from her overbearing mother and navigating microaggressions. When she’s forced to team up with Cole on a major project she’s leading, her defenses start to crack. What unfolds is more than just a second chance, it’s a layered story of identity, culture, and love against all odds. Some chapters felt a bit long and I wish there had been more development between Ofosua and Cole. I enjoyed reading this book, especially the chapter opening quotes, they gave a nice snippet of what was coming. Nana Malone does a beautiful job weaving in Ghanaian traditions and the complexity of familial and societal expectations.

Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone was as amazing as I expected it to be. Nana has a way of drawing me in and having me emotionally invested in the story from the start. This was no exception. I was drawn to the characters and felt like I related well to each in their own way. Ofosua Addo is stronger than she thinks, but struggling to deal with every single pressure you could ever imagine. Cole Drake is dreamy, but needs to learn how to truly be a man…and boy, does he. One scene near the end, when he stands up finally and takes the reins, had me clapping along. I am used to Nana Malone ripping my heart out in her books; this one felt like a fight from the beginning, and then finally exploded in fireworks and gave me an ending I was exceptionally satisfied with. She even has a way of redeeming characters she herself made you hate, like come on, girl! I wholeheartedly recommend this and any of her books!

The story explores the complexities faced by Ofosua, a Ghanaian heiress, as she navigates her heritage and personal desires. The initial encounter between Ofosua and Cole is electric, leaving a lasting impression. The clash between tradition and modern life, especially the challenges of balancing family expectations with her own heart, is both relatable and compelling. The unexpected turn of events at her wedding propels her into a powerful journey, and Cole's reappearance adds another layer of intrigue. It's a story that resonates, particularly with its portrayal of immigrant culture and the delicate balance between heritage and personal identity.

I enjoyed this book. I loved the way the Ghanaian culture was weaved into the story. Two cultures colliding and choosing love despite the differences.

This story hit my harder than expected. I thought I was in for a just a fun fluffy romance and received of a heartfelt message. The way the author weaved in how black women can be received in the workplace was done really well. I found myself so invested in that particular part of the story and also being soo mad because I understood her experience. I do adore the mmc; I found him to be sweet even though seeing him check his privilege came off a bit to try hard at times. I also found it beautiful how much of Ofosua’s culture was presented and a main part of the story.

This intercultural romance is such a refreshing read. It has beautiful insight into Ghanaian culture. Ofosua Addo (pretty name), a headstrong woman just making her mark in the publishing industry, is jilted by her fiance at their wedding, which triggers her mother to find her the perfect Ghanaian husband. But the only man who sets her on fire is the infuriating Cole Drake, nephew to the man she works for.

Ofo's overbearing mother puts my brown mom to shame. 😂 I loved how Ofosua finds her ground to stand up for herself and explore her desires on her own terms. I love how Cole stood by her even when they thought they were enemies. We all love a man who makes an effort to learn the culture she comes from and Cole Drake definitely raises the bar so high that he wins over Mrs. Addo eventually.

It's full of humour, slow burn spice and lots of drama. This is a must read book if you want to drive into novels with multicultural representation.

Gold Coast Dilemma delivers a slow-burn office romance with plenty of sass, simmering tension, and a sharp dose of “will-they-won’t-they.” When Ofosua Addo crosses paths—again—with the man who once kissed and ghosted her, she’s shocked to find out he’s not just a blast from the past but her boss’s nephew. Cole Drake, all ambition and self-control, is determined to stay focused. Too bad his obsession with Ofosua never really faded. What follows is a flirtation fueled by banter, near-misses, and a lot of denial. The emotional stakes stay light, but the final twist adds a jolt of drama that lands just right. This one’s more slow simmer than scorched earth—but it’s a fun ride full of laughs, tension, and charm. Perfect for readers who enjoy angst with a wink and workplace romance with a twist of steam.

I like that this author's work is usually a smooth, easy read that keeps me fully engaged—a one-sitting, start-to-finish read. This particular book had my emotions all over the place.

I enjoyed the view into the publishing world. It was more in-depth than the same theme I have encountered in other books. I liked the banter between Ofosua and Cole. I thought their back-and-forth emails were witty and humorous. I liked the relationship Ofosua had with her cousin Kukua. I enjoyed all of the information about the Ghanaian culture. I respected that there seemed to be some similarities between the Ghanaian culture and Black American culture, which can often feel rootless.

On the other hand, although I appreciated the acknowledgment of the microaggressions Ofosua endured, reading about them gave me no joy as they are something I live with daily. Ofosua's overbearing mother was too much. I have seen it. Her attitude and treatment of people took some of the pleasure away from reading, even while understanding the need for her to be an important part of the story. Overbearing, controlling characters don't work for me in any book unless they and their behavior are firmly shut down at some point in the book. Cole's uncle was another unbearable yet familiar character.

The prologue had me fully engaged. Then, Chapter 1 had me feeling off-kilter. Did I miss something? I went back to re-read, feeling like I overlooked chapters or that they were missing from the book. I felt the flow of the book dragged at many points. I thought this was supposed to be a romance, but felt that the romance between Ofosua and Cole was not allowed to flow. Maybe there was just too much going on in this book.

Despite having mixed feelings, the book had its moments. While it proved to be a challenge for me to complete, I believe it was definitely worth the read. I would recommend it to read and the reader form a personal opinion. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.