I received this book because I moderate for BookBrowse.com's book club, and this book will be the focus of an upcoming discussion. Because of that, I haven't written my usual 600+ word review, since my employer hasn't paid me to review the novel.

... And I have to say I'm grateful that I didn't pick this as a review book. It was such as disappointment! I've loved this author's other work, and I was shocked at how much I hated this one. It may be my age and temperament, but seeing these young, talented women obsess over men and having children just seemed so silly. Or perhaps I couldn't get into it for cultural reasons; my family never made husband/children a priority. And it made me angry that they kept choosing such awful men.

The only part of the book I thought was worthwhile was Kadiatou's story, but even there, after her chapter ended the rest of her story wasn't well-developed.

Sorry, but I haven't disliked a book this much in a long time.

I have always enjoyed/admired Adichie's writing, and this book is no exception. Dream Count focuses on the stories of multiple women navigating the difficulties of life, love, and trauma. While there were moments in the story that I could not relate/connect to, I still found value in reading the women's stories. Some story elements may be triggering, but I highly recommend others read this book.

There is no question that Chimamanda is a beautiful writer. We follow 4 women who struggle with many things including relationships, trauma, cultural identity, and their own desires. Unfortunately some of the characters storylines I had a hard time connecting with since it was just a lot of choosing bad men and then repeat. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the format. I felt there was so much more that could have been explored and woven together instead of the multiple povs. Just be warned that Kadi's chapter is absolutely gut wrenching and I encourage everyone to look up trigger warnings before proceeding.

I really enjoyed this novel and it's split focus on the many women navigating the twists and turns of life set in both Nigeria to America. We explore their unique struggles as well as the foundational needs and yearnings of all women. The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical, yet easy to follow. I loved this read - recommend!

ARC Review: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rating: 4.75 stars

I’m really torn between 4.5 and 5 stars, but ultimately I’ve settled on 4.75 because this book still left a powerful impact. There were moments where I felt some fatigue due to the dense information and slower parts of the narrative, and I needed to take breaks. However, that didn’t take away from the overall emotional weight of the story.

This book focuses on the interlinked desires and experiences of four women during the pandemic, but many of the events in their lives are reflections from before. The author beautifully weaves together their personal struggles, desires, and regrets, especially through the character of Chiamaka, or Chia, a travel writer who is forced into isolation and spends much of the pandemic reflecting on past relationships.

Kadiatou’s story resonated deeply with me, particularly the tragic events and the complex sibling dynamic. Trigger warning for FGM and sexual assault—these events are important to the narrative, and I urge readers to pay attention to the author’s note at the end of the book to fully appreciate the depth and significance of what’s shared, especially in one of the character’s storylines.

Zikora’s journey also had me reflecting on the complexities of relationships and personal growth, from her past with Kwame to her struggles with time-wasting men.

Omelogor, with her ambitious and determined nature, added another layer to the story. Her pursuit of independence and personal freedom, even through unconventional means, kept me engaged. Both characters provided rich, thought-provoking perspectives on love, ambition, and self-worth.

While the pacing slowed in some parts due to the information-heavy narrative, the book is filled with raw honesty and explores cultural stereotypes, gender expectations, and the complexities of relationships. The slower moments and dense sections did test my patience, but the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it, and the characters lingered with me long after finishing the book.

Adichie’s ability to interweave historical, cultural, and political context into the lives of her characters is masterful. Dream Count is a book that asks you to slow down, reflect, and take in the depth of the stories shared. It’s long, it’s heavy at times, but it’s also profoundly enriching. I can’t wait for readers to experience it when it releases in March.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage for this ARC.

This is my first book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie but it certainly won’t be my last. So beautifully written. I felt like I got to know Chia, Kadi, Omelogor, and Zikor on a personal level. They were real, honest, likable, and relatable. Although the book follows the story of Nigerian immigrants, I do believe any woman will be able to relate to the story and the characters. We are all connected in our humanity and I think that is one of the main gifts this book shows the reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie follows the interconnected lives of four women navigating love, identity, and self-discovery. The novel explores their personal struggles, relationships, and dreams, set against a backdrop where the pandemic subtly influences their lives. The central character, Chia, a Nigerian travel writer, reflects humorously on her past relationships, which she terms her "dream count." The other women—Zikora, Omegolor, and Kadiatou—each have their own compelling storylines that address themes like family, career, and cultural identity. Adichie’s nuanced exploration of human desires, immigrant struggles, and the quest for empowerment is insightful, and the book ends with a poignant reflection on grief and identity. It’s a lyrical, memorable exploration of womanhood and personal growth, with a satisfying and authentic conclusion.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Such such beautiful writing. Each story was so profound and heartbreaking. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie somehow broke every piece of my heart and then put it all back together again.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC copy. Adichie's writing is like poetry. 4.5 stars just for her lyrical style. The book deals with 4 strong and different female characters. I enjoyed reading their stories but kept waiting for something to bind them together other than their terrible relationships. Trigger warning; Sexual Assault, which came out of nowhere. However, the emotions of a Limited English Proficient (LEP) survivor and the anguish of working with a non trauma informed legal team and interpreters leapt clear through the pages. Over all 3.5 stars. I say read the book and make up your own mind :)

Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was amazing, but it was a tough read. I wish I had read any trigger warnings before I jumped feet first into this book because it was... tough. There were multiple themes I was not prepared for, and I needed to take many breaks as I pushed through this book.

The writing was astounding and beautiful - Adichie is able to verbalize and communicate so many feelings and put into words in a way most people could never. I really appreciated this important read.

Thank you again for the ARC!

Chimamanda writes unlike anything I’ve read before. Such beautiful, unique prose. I had to take my time with this one, but it was a top read of the year so far.

Four very different unmarried women who were born in Nigeria are the main characters in this novel. I find Adichie’s voice so full of curiosity, insight and humanity that she grabs me from the very first page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Just wow! I am still processing.

Such a thought provoking novel. It has so many amazing characters and, a serious thought provoking plot.

Loved the story line, and cast of characters

This is going to be atbthebtop of every book club list.

I think Adichie is a wonderful writer and this book shows how great she is. I think the first half of this book was very well done and kept me engaged. As the book went on and more perspectives were added it was harder to stay attentive to the book.

Dream Count is a book I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Chia, Zikor, Kadi, and Omelogor became my friends and sisters, as I read their stories. Finishing it was heartbreaking, not just because I had to say goodbye to them, but because I knew their journeys would stay with me forever.

This isn’t a book to rush through. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes in a way that's meant to be savored. The story reads like a stream of consciousness, deeply immersing you in the minds of these characters. As someone whose mind is constantly racing, it really resonated with me.

At its core, Dream Count is a character driven story about four Nigerian women navigating life — exploring their careers, struggles, and relationships. It’s real, raw, and unflinchingly honest. Even though my experience as a Hispanic woman immigrating to the U.S. differs from theirs, I found a deep connection in the way they spoke about their families, their homes, and the expectations placed on them by the women in their lives. It's a reminder that there's more that connected us, than what makes us different.

Chimamanda’s exploration of these women’s lives is a beautiful reminder that, as immigrant women, we are bound by more similarities than differences—our dreams, our contradictions, the tension between what we’re taught and what we choose to believe. This book resonated with me in a way few others have.

As painful as it is, Dream Count is a love letter to womanhood, one that left me feeling seen and connected in ways I didn’t expect. It's a story that has changed something in my brain and will linger.

*This book contains some heavy themes, so I would recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in. The storytelling is raw and unflinching, and at times, it can be difficult to read. But it also provides an honest portrayal of the challenges women face in this world, especially women of color.

I didn’t hate the writing, but I absolutely loathed the structure. This just didn’t feel like a cohesive novel.

Adichie takes us on a journey through the lives of 4 very different Nigerian women. We watch as their lives unfold through the choices they make. The paths they take turn out to be much different than what they imagined for themselves when they left their homes and university.
It is told from multiple POVs as the story intermingles seamlessly going from one to another. We first get others impressions of each woman and then we see life from their point of view and understand their needs and fears. We see each as they try to turn their dreams into reality.
The central character is Chiamaka. She comes from a wealthy family. She takes advantage of her background to become a travel writer. She is caring and the core that holds the four women of this story together. Her best friend Zikora is a successful lawyer. Heading on a career track that looks to others like a perfect life. However, like her friends she is weighed down with the expectations of family. Omelogor leaves a fast paced life in the world of high finance of Nigeria. Still, with all her success she is disillusioned and unfulfilled. The final character is Kadiatou who is Chiamaka’s housekeeper. Her story is quite different and she has a quiet strength that she must draw on at the end of the book.
The book asks “What do people need to be happy? Is it ok to live a life alone or is happiness defined by the traditions we’ve been brought up with?” It addresses the topics of race, misogyny, and assault. We must be honest with ourselves and recognize what is required to turn our dreams into reality. An excellent book, 5 stars.

I would like to thank Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this amazing book. These opinions are my own.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Dream Count delves into the lives of four women who are connected to each other. While the book opens as a "covid" novel, it really is a novel about relationships, relationships between the women, but mostly relationships between the four main characters and the men they have been involved with in their lives.

While I enjoyed this novel, I had a sense that the stories of each of the main characters was unresolved. Perhaps this was on purpose, but I wanted more after having spent so much time getting to know these women.

Readers should know that they must read the author's note at the end of the book to fully appreciate and understand the novel and the events in one of the main character's story.

Ten years of waiting and it was worth it! The joys and disappointments of four African women on both sides of the Atlantic. The author gives all 4 women a brilliant and distinct voice, and this one is sure to be a huge hit with independent readers and book groups alike.

I should preface by saying I'm a big fan of Chimamanda Adiche and this long-awaited new story surpassed expectations. Unfortunately I'm still at the stage where Covid-era books give me the ick (maybe still just too soon for me, I don't know), but firstly, nothing about this book gave me the ick and, secondly, it also jumps around a bit in the timeline so it's really not heavily focused on the pandemic. But I love how the whole story really does get at those universal but unprecedented (lol) feelings we all had during the pandemic. The reflection it caused. The doubt it sowed in our life choices up until that point. Adichie explores a variety of universal but not often discussed feelings that span heartbreak, unrequited love, parenthood, and contentment.

The story follows a group of women connected in various ways, starting with Chiamaka and branching out to her best friend, her housekeeper, and her cousin, and wildly different paths they took in life, and, in doing so, creating a beautiful and heart breaking story of womanhood. I just want to sit down to dinner with these women and could talk about their lives for hours. Adichie creates such full, imperfect, and inspiring characters and these women have to be her best yet.

Thoroughly enjoyed, thank you so much to NetGalley & Knopf for the honor to read a copy early!