This book was very entertaining! Ofosua is a Ghanaian heiress who is working in book publishing. She is ready to marry a man who has earned the approval of her overbearing mother, but Ofosua’s Ghanaian wedding crashes and burns, leaving her to figure out what she really wants. Cole Drake, of the Drake family who owns the publishing company Ofosua works for, re-enters her life and gives her a lot to think about.

While this is definitely a romance book, it is a slow burn, and I loved how much of Ofosua’s story is told. She has worked hard to climb the ranks of publishing even though she doesn’t really need the money. She has to manage micro-aggressions and stereotypes at work, and her success speaks for itself. Her mother is such a frustrating character, but I enjoyed watching Ofosua gain the confidence and clarity to stand up to her. I learned so much about Ghanaian culture, especially surrounding weddings and food. The cultural differences between Ofosua and Cole led to a complex exploration of their relationship, and I loved it. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a book that is a bit of a mix of romance and women’s fiction.

Thank you to Nana Malone, Gallery Books, NetGalley, and Valentine PR for this e-ARC; opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
💕 Workplace romance
💕 Enemies-to-lovers
💕 Books about the publishing world
💕 Anxiety rep
💕 Dual POV

Nana put Ofosua through it! Not only is she ghosted after a wonderful night with a stranger, cajoled by her mother into marrying a man she's lukewarm warm about, but then he cheats on her at their reception!!!!

This was a hard apace to start, but a beautiful place to build from. Ofosua is a great person to be in the head of. While she's going through rough times, she's smart, she's funny, she's got a good head on her shoulders. She's taking the mountain of lemons, and making lemon meringue pie.

Cole earned his place in this story. I had little hope for him as a worthy MMC after the story of how they met. (No one who doesn't remember a woman like Ofosua deserves her!) We watch his pining for Ofosua at the beginning. He likes her. He wants her. But he doesn't know her. Once they are forced to work together on the new imprint, his admiration builds as they connect. His eyes. open to what life is like for her. His righteous indignation is valid, but it's when he steps back and asks her how she actually needs him to support her that he won my heart too.

Nana Malone shared the Ghanaian culture in a story that shows its beautiful side, and the places where it can hold one back. Ofosua is struggling to find her place between the world her mother wants her to be a part of, and what it means to her. The expectations that have been put on her come into conflict with what she wants for herself. She doesn't know how to clearly express her wants and needs.

Ofosua's anxiety is a powerful part of this story. There's a prejudice against having anxiety. That it's an indulgent feeling. Or that you can just stop. Watching Ofosua reckon with her anxiety over the course of the story, shows others who are living with it that they are not alone. It helps remove the stigma against it.

This was a blast to read! If you're looking for a contemporary rom-com this one checked so many of my boxes!

Have you seen this gorgeous cover? I think it's so beautiful, and it's what drew me to this book.

Gold Coast Dilemma addresses the big and small everyday problems, taunts, and microaggressions that people of color face on a daily basis. It portrays, at least in part, the life of the Ghanaian community abroad. At its core is the dilemma of having to choose between one's own culture and a romantic relationship, or rather, finding a way to reconcile the two. Because one thing must be clear: racism doesn't stop at one's own family—and it goes both ways.

Although the novel didn't particularly captivate me at first, it got better and better toward the end. The characters' personal development and maturation process were portrayed very well.

While Cole's parents are, in my opinion, thoroughly despicable, I have to say that I didn't warm to Ofosua's mother until the very end. Despite her incredibly annoying nature and her tendency to want to control her daughter's life, she is portrayed as a positive character because she "knows what's best for Ofosua." If I were Ofosua, I would have cut off contact with her long ago, or at least kept it to a minimum—tradition or not.

Based on the title, I assumed the story would take place, at least in part, on Ghana's Gold Coast. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Except for one chapter, the setting is in New York.

All in all, it was a solid book that provides interesting insights into a culture that was largely unknown to me.

This book was a perfect spicy blend of rich auntie vibes, Ghanaian culture, and workplace drama. If you're like me and will drool over food descriptions in your books, this is for you! Someone get me a heaping plate of jollof rice ASAP.

This was a fascinating story. Ms. Malone completely immersed me in the world of a Ghanaian heiress, a setting I hadn't visited before (in real life or fiction) and made sure I was completely engaged and along for the ride! I would have liked to have a glossary to help me learn more about the expressions and especially the food, but that is a minor thing. I appreciated the chapter headings of adages and comments from other characters, which helped get my mind working on what might happen next in the story. Ofosua and Cole met and shared a kiss as near strangers, and then didn't cross paths again for years, and then it was in the workplace, in Cole's family publishing business. The story is presented in a dual point of view format, so the reader gets great insight into both sides of the story. There is plenty of workplace conflict, and the back and forth personal chemistry between them leads to some very convincing fireworks! I rarely reread a book, but after reading this in ebook form, I'm looking forward to experiencing this book in audio.

I was given an ARC (Thanks, NetGalley and Valentine PR) and volunteered to write a review.

I loved this!! The format was refreshing. The quotes/sayings at each chapter added the comedic relief to some real life situations. The struggle of blending traditional familial expectations with modern times is extremely relatable. While I wasn’t as familiar with the cultural references, I loved learning about them as it was weaved perfectly into the story.

Rich in romance, tradition, and culture, Nana Malone delivers another hit with Gold Coast Dillemma. There were laughs, heat, and heartfelt emotions. There were wonderful, diverse characters that you'll fall in love with. This is an entertaining read with a good plot. I recommend reading it!

⭐️4.25 stars for this slow-burn romance that had more than just sparks — it had substance.
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loved this strong fmc ofosua— i loved watching her hold her ground in the workplace and i especially appreciated cole’s journey to slowly learning what it means to truly see someone. the cultural tension, family pressure, and office microaggressions made this story feel so real. and that line? “i can’t unsee you.” whew. i melted.
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✌🏾 things:
1st— it took me quite some time to get into this story.. i started over quite a bit until i was able to grasp what was happening. so this one def took a few chapters to really start to hit for me.
2nd— there were some content that didn’t fully align with my christian values, so just a heads up if that matters to you— happy to chat in my dms!
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read this if you like:
🇬🇭 ghanaian traditions
💼 workplace romance
🤍🤎 interracial love stories

When I read books, I enjoy seeing the representation of other cultures throughout the story. The representation of women, and the expectations put upon them in the Ghanaian culture was vivid. Ofosua Addo was a woman that independent woman who loved/ respected her culture but wanted to be herself, not the woman others expected her to be.
Those in her family would have preferred she became a doctor, yet she chose to work in publishing. Although she was married, their is.
Cole, the nephew of the CEO of the publishing company, Ofosua works for; their relationship makes a nice enemies to lovers romance.

"Gold Coast Dilemma" touched my heart with its powerful friendships, incredible women at the center, and a love story that had to fight through so much. I laughed, I rooted for them, and I felt every moment of the struggle between love and tradition.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Gold Coast Dilemma had me hooked from the very first page! Nana Malone blends rich Ghanaian cultural nuances, humor, and heart into this delightful romance.

Ofosua Addo, an ambitious editor with a no-boyfriend upbringing, finds herself navigating life, love, and family expectations while working at Drake Publishing. Her journey from a forbidden hallway kiss with Cole Drake to a full-blown office romance was a joy to follow. I especially loved the dual POVs, the classic African mom humor (Ofosua’s mom was hilarious and problematic in the best way), and the heartfelt Adinkra sayings that opened each chapter.

The story offers my favorite tropes — enemies to lovers, office romance, forced proximity — plus a beautiful look at the challenges and joys of an interracial relationship. Ofosua’s strength, her trust fund baby background (yes, girl!), her love for plantain (relatable!), and her resilience after betrayal made her such a relatable and refreshing heroine.

Cole's growth, his support for Ofosua at work, and their love story made me root for them the entire way. I appreciated the way the book handled serious topics like racism, anxiety, and cultural expectations, all while maintaining a hopeful, romantic tone.

If you love a good HEA (happily ever after), classic African family drama, and strong heroines, Gold Coast Dilemma should be your next read.

2.5 stars

I’m going to start off by saying I don’t think I’m the target audience for this book. I was born and raised in Ghana so I think I looked at certain details with a more critical eye than someone unfamiliar with the country and traditions would and from the beginning certain inaccuracies/ portrayals marred my reading experience. And I also may have set my expectations to high, which I don’t tend to do. I usually like to go into books blind and just see what happens.

I’ve enjoyed two other books by this author and I was really looking forward to this book because it has a Ghanaian FMC in an interracial romance, which I’ve never come across.

Before I get into all the things I didn’t like, I will say that there were some cute moments between Cole and Ofosua, and I liked the grovelling after the third act break up and I particularly enjoyed how the storyline with Cole’s uncle and the imprint ended.

When it comes to the things I didn’t like, the biggest thing, was that the story we got didn’t meet my expectations set by the blurb/book description. I was expecting a story when Cole and Ofosua fall for each other, but they maybe have to date in secret because her parents what her to marry a Ghanaian and then the story is about her fighting her family so she can be with him. But what we got was a sort of enemies-to-lovers workplace romance where they didn’t even become friends until almost 50% into the book. This line in the blurb, “Their flirtatiously witty exchange culminates in a kiss that etches a permanent mark on both their hearts.” is misleading. (I’m not going to elaborate on this because it’s a spoiler).

The second big thing that didn’t meet my expectations Ofosua’s label as an heiress. I was expecting her to be the heir to some big corporation. So her father would be looking to her to take over after him or at least marry someone suitable to take over. That wasn’t the case. Her mum is a doctor who was a hospital administrator, and is now retired. And her dad is “in tech, got his PhD in computer science. He gives lots of talks about bridging the digital divide around the world. He’s built quite a name for himself” So it was just the typical thing of Ghanaian parents wanting her daughter to marry a Ghanaian who is in one of the few careers that are deemed respectable/successful (lawyer/ doctor/ engineer/ banker). It’s really not something I want to read about. Neither were all the microaggressions and toxic parenting disguised as “culture” and “tradition” that I’m all too familiar with.

What I would have liked to see is a change in some of these negative aspects of Ghanaian culture, like our dismissal of mental health issues. I would have liked to see the issue Ofosua’s panic attacks addressed better.

But like I said, I don’t think I'm the target audience for this. I was expecting a fantasy type billionaire/ millionaire romance and this book was too close to reality for my liking. Non-Ghanaians who’d like to learn about Ghanian culture in the context of a romance would probably like this.

Loved the witty banter that got my attention right off the bat. Enjoyed the display and explanation of the Ghanian culture and traditions. Loved that the book centered around an interracial relationship between Ofos and Cole. Loved the forced proximity! The side characters were great too, loved her mom!

I liked The Gold Coast Dilemma — didn’t quite love it, but it had so many strong moments that made it worth the read.

One thing I truly appreciated was how Nana Malone wove Ghanaian culture throughout the story — it made the backdrop rich, vibrant, and refreshing. I loved learning about the traditions and expectations that shaped Ofosua’s journey.

From a glamorous publishing party to heartfelt moments of self-discovery, Ofosua’s story was full of humor, courage, and growth. Her slow-burn relationship with Cole — starting from playful banter to deep, emotional connection — was sweet and satisfying. Their chemistry was undeniable, but it was the trust and emotional foundation that really made the romance shine.

Ofosua stood out to me the most — her bravery to reclaim her voice and navigate the expectations placed on her was inspiring to watch. I laughed out loud several times; the humor hit at just the right moments to balance out the heavier themes. I really enjoyed watching Ofosua’s journey of growth and empowerment. Nana Malone did a great job showing how cultural boundaries, family expectations, and stereotypes shaped Ofosua’s choices and struggles, adding real depth to the story.

That said, there were moments that felt like unnecessary fillers, which pulled me out of the story at times and made it hard to fully stay connected.

Overall, it’s a beautifully layered story about love, cultural identity, and personal empowerment. A solid 3.75 stars from me!

April 28, 2025
This was a great modern Pride & Prejudice biracial romance set in the NYC publishing world that sees heiress Ofosua Addo, an up and coming Ghanaian American assistant book editor getting appointed to lead a new African American imprint but being forced to work with Cole Drake, the white nephew of the company's CEO and the man she had a hot kiss with the night before her would be wedding.

I loved the dual POV forced proximity enemies to lovers chemistry and how the book addresses the flagrant microaggressions and ignorance of so many in the publishing industry. Highly recommended for fans of books like The other Black girl but heads up that there is explicit language and open door bedroom scenes.

It was also excellent on audio narrated by Soneela Nankani and Tim Paige. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @simon.audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you VPR and Netgalley for my ebook arc!

I loved every second of this love story.

From the start at a lavish publishing party to the emotional depths of cultural identity and personal growth, Ofosua's story was so sweet. Ofosua and Cole’s journey from witty banter to deep friendship to lovers was everything I wanted and more. Their chemistry was electric, but it was the foundation of trust and connection that truly made their romance shine.

I especially admired Ofosua—her courage to stand up for herself and to reclaim her voice was powerful and inspiring. Watching her grow through heartbreak, expectation, and rediscovery made me proud. I laughed out loud multiple times! The humor was on point and balanced the emotional moments beautifully. Sadly, there is a 3rd act break up!

This is definitely a must-read for anyone who loves a heartfelt and funny romances

3.5 ⭐️

This was my first Nana Malone book and I had a good time with it!! Ofosua Addo meets Cole Drake at a publishing party were sparks fly but due to her societal demands as a Ghanaian heiress and being promised to another man, nothing can come of it. In the wake of a terrible wedding, Ofosua finds herself fending off potential suitors from her overbearing mother and being a minority in her workplace (I can relate to this HEAVILY). Through work she learns that Cole Drake, the blast from the past, is the nephew of her boss. From there comes a whirlwind story of self-discovery and self-love. I really enjoyed Nana's writing in this and appreciated that she took the time to talk about familial stereotypes. However, I still found myself wanting more from this book, mainly the romance. Cole felt hot and cold at times and I didn't know how to feel about that. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the ending plot twist but could understand why it was there. Overall this was still a cute story. with real issues happening today.

Thank you to Valentine PR and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This was a roller coaster of a story with the FMC going through so so much before she can finally find her match. The MMC was definitely a jerk to her unnecessarily, but I could understand why he behaved the way he did. I enjoyed the writing, and learned so much about Ghanian culture. I can't wait to read more by this author.

OMG Nana Malone has done it again!

I really enjoyed Gold Coast Dilemma,

I really loved the Ghanian culture and this book has me wanting to try the food and learn more!!

Also the banter between Ofosua and Cole was so good!!! Very entertaining and even had me laughing in some moments.

If you love romance, with really, really, good spice, this is the book you definitely want to read!!! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rated 4.5 Stars

Another winner from Nana Malone. I loved Gold Coast Dilemma. It's steeped in Ghanaian culture which I knew absolutely nothing about but after reading this I feel like I've gotten a masterclass on all things Ghana. It's for sure on my list of places I want to visit. I loved how Ghanaian culture woven into every part of the story.

Publishing was another thing that played a major role in the story. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at the publishing industry and all that entailed especially with regards to black women. It was interesting and eye opening.

It was also such an amusing read that I highly enjoyed. There were shenanigans and funny moments aplenty. There was a great supporting cast.

I loved Ofosua and Cole. I loved watching them navigate the ups and downs of their careers and also their relationships. They overcame a lot during the course of the story. I loved watching them grow and Cole awaken to things he had been asleep to.

This book was awesome and I can't recommend it enough.