Everything is Fine Here is a story about two sisters from Uganda, younger Aine and older sister Mbabazi, who is gay but is not supported by her parents. Throughout the novel, Aine has to weigh the love she has for her family with how they treat her sister.

Tushabe writes beautifully – the setting feels especially vivid and alive. I was drawn into the environment from the start, and it didn’t let up throughout the novel. The relationships were also incredibly well written, particularly the one between Aine and Mbabazi. They clearly care about each other, even though they make mistakes and hurt each other. Each relationship in the novel was complicated, and it was very interesting to see that explored, particularly those that arose from the tragic event that shakes up the family and the community.

Overall, the novel was incredibly enjoyable and immersive. There were some moments and arcs that felt a little rushed that I would have liked to see explored more, but overall I really liked the book. I will for sure be tuning in for any of Tushabe's future novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📚Book Review:

Everything is Fine Here
By Iryn Tushabe
Publisher @houseofanansi
Released April 22nd, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
No spice

📚 Blurb:
“Eighteen-year-old Aine Kamara has been anticipating a reunion with her older sister, Mbabazi, for months. But when Mbabazi shows up with an unexpected guest, Aine must confront an old fear: her beloved sister is gay in a country with tight anti-homosexuality laws.

Over a weekend at Aine’s all girls’ boarding school, sisterly bonds strengthen, and a new friendship emerges between Aine and her sister’s partner, Achen. Later, a sudden death in the family brings Achen to Mbabazi’s and Aine’s village, resulting in tensions that put Mrs. Kamara’s Christian beliefs to the test. Aine runs away to Mbabazi’s and Achen’s home in Kampala, where she reconnects with her crush, Elia, a sophomore at Makerere University.

In acclaimed writer Iryn Tushabe’s dazzling debut novel, Aine must make hard choices, with inevitable and harrowing results.”

📚 My thoughts:

This is a great debut novel!
Thank you @houseofanansi and @netgalley for this arc!

This was a fast read for me, about 3 hours total.
It is a beautiful and powerful commentary on the effect of colonialism on religion and society in African countries. Also a strong commentary on the dangers of being queer in these countries.
It explores woman hood, patriarchy, colonialism, religion, found family, queer identity, grief and more.
This story is powerful!

It was hard for me to get into at first but by the time I finished it, I wanted more.
I’m hoping there is another book with more about Aine, Achen and Mbabazi. It felt like the story wasn’t ready to end where it did for me.

Definitely recommend reading this! Anyone can take away something meaningful from this work of art.

How any parent, let alone one who has actually given birth, could reject their child to obey a bizarre (and demonstrably untrue) imaginary bully in the sky's idiotic rules is utterly beyond my ability to comprehend.It made this story one I could never fully commit to. In setting this dynamic at the center of several characters' awakenings, societal and personal, the author's veracious presentation of Mrs. Kamara's conflict between her religion and her love for her children left me out.

It isn't simply that I don't *like* it, this reality, the truth of many many families...some I've known quite well...is so alien to what I know of parenting and the love of a parent for a child that I quit believing the story's heart of truth. It *is* truth, I'm fully aware. I simply can't get over that utterly insane and viciously cruel behavior attributed to "moral" people, so I end up outside looking in.

That's why this powerful, beautifully written novel only gets 4 stars.

The love and the hope and the genuine human interlinking that is a family takes place among the people rejected by this vengeful god. I think if that as a powerful indictment of the belief system. The young women all seem to accept the reality of god while declining to accept the rules they're told are ordained by him. That resistance is delightful to me, and is expressed as a firm rejection of patriarchy: "...she'd read enough novels to suspect when patriarchy was disguising itself as romance," as I practically weep with jubilation.

A note to my more vocal women negative commenters: Logic and evidence dictate that honest men oppose patriarchy solely for its demonstrable and unconscionable wastefulness; self-preservation demands that gay men...I am one...oppose its procrustean dualistic insistence on a gender binary. That I benefit from it does not mean I must be blind to its evils and insensitive to its costs. Please stop DMing me about it. (This same attitude is applicable to my old white man's opposition to racism.)

The most fun I had reading this Uganda-set novel was its evocations of the life lived there, the backdrop of the natural world...not paraded in some weird tourist-trap way, rather that Aine (our PoV character) notices what is natural for her to notice. It's a solidly built world. It feels to me like I could get off a bus there and not feel culture shock because the rhythms and the ethos aren't completely unfamiliar after reading this story. That is some excellent writing, Author Tushabe.

A truly honest, very emotionally centered, coming-of-age and coming out story. One that is set in a world very hostile to women and to queer people. This is a gift to US readers from a place and at a time when understanding the costs and injustices of repression could not possibly be more important. Reading is, always, an act of resistance. Resist ignorance of what misogyny and homophobia deprive their human victims of.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of Everything is Fine Here.

This book contains so much beautiful writing. It feels as though every word, every phrase was plucked out with precision for the purpose of being in the space contained within the pages of this book. However, I did find the overall storyline lagging a bit here and there. And while I found the characters interesting, I wasn’t always fully invested in what was going on or some of the conversations.

✨ Adult Fiction
✨ Coming of Age
✨ Set in Uganda
✨ Character-driven
✨Third Person POV

> content warnings after review

3.5 stars rounded up

Everything is Fine Here follows a young woman, Aine, who is almost finished with school and preparing to go to college. Her older sister is a doctor who has been furthering her studies in Canada. Her older sister also is a lesbian, which is punishable by imprisonment and even de*th in Uganda.

I think the highlight of this book is the relationship between Aine and her sister, Mbabazi. It is clear there is so much love there and although there is a stigma against LGBTQ+ people, Aine loves her sister just the same. Their relationship reminded me of the relationship between my younger sister and me. Aine also developed a strong friendship with her sister’s partner, Achen.

This is most definitely a character-driven novel because while there is a plot of sorts, the focus is very much on Aine’s relationships, life events, and struggles. She is young and trying to figure things out. She has a good grasp on something’s, but she can be a naive at times and does not always understand the gravity of situations.

I enjoyed the setting and cultural aspects quite a bit. My nephew’s father is from Uganda, so I was able to ask him about some things mentioned in the book which sparked some good conversation.

I liked this book overall, and I do enjoy character-driven novels; however, I was kind of hoping for a bit more for this book. Though I enjoyed the characters they did fall a bit flat, and there were topics that I wish had been explored more within the story. I felt there were some missed opportunities when it came to the subject matter.

I would be interested in reading further works by this author as this was her debut novel, and I enjoyed the writing and characters for the most part.

There may be potential spoilers below.

Content Warnings
(this list may not be all-inclusive)
mentions of su*cide/self-harm, homophobia (including threats of de*th/incarceration and disowning by family), religious trauma, fatal car accident, de*th (parent)

A coming of age novel that sees Aine torn by her love for her older sister Mbabazi and the beliefs of her parents and her country. Aine is 18 when Mbabazi brings her partner Achen to visit and changes everything. It's thoughtful, thought provoking, and beautifully written. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A good debut.

Loved the characters! A very quick, engaging read. I really liked how the author explored sexuality and how family and community plays a role in how you are viewed. Not my personal cup of tea type of book, but I’m sure others will find it incredibly moving.

A biting debut where the ironic title perfectly captures an Ugandan family's delicate dance with truth. Eighteen-year-old Aine's weekend with her gay sister turns into an emotional minefield where love and law collide.

The boarding school setting provides both breathing room and pressure cooker for these complex relationships. When tragedy forces family confrontation, Mrs. Kamara's Christianity meets its match in her daughter's authenticity. Sharp, unflinching, and refreshingly free of preachiness while tackling heavy themes.

This was a really moving and intense debut novel. The relationship between sisters Aine and Mbabazi was so beautiful. They navigate religious trauma, grief, and estrangement together. Mbabazi's girlfriend Achen was also such a touching character. I honestly wish this book had been longer! I ended up reading it all in one sitting.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

This book has been on my radar for a long time as i included it in a books from around the world post months ago. I had high expectations and they were 100% acceded this book was everything i wanted and more. The writing is beautiful and flows together well. It was really easy to get sucked in to the book. The story was really well done and brought tears to my eyes at the end
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5/5⭐️
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Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this arc!

I believe that many people will feel a sense of connection with the storyline. Although it is set in Uganda, there are many families dealing with similar struggles related to religion or tradition and how that intersects with their knowledge of acceptance of other people. This novel does have a strong place in contemporary fiction, with an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both the communities it writes about, and in the broader conversation concerning progressive legislation.

I would have liked to get to know modern Kampala society and how it related to the way Mbabazi lived her life professionally and personally. The author did a great job describing the characters personalities. Overall it was an interesting read.

this was a great book! it was deep and emotional. It was a great read, and I love learning about different cultures and seeing the differences through the characters experiences. I like the way this book flowed, and how it was written

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

“Everything is Fine Here” by Iryn Tushabe is a beautifully written novel that transports readers to Uganda with its atmospheric and visceral storytelling. The narrative centers around two sisters and creates a compelling coming-of-age story.

The youngest sister, Aine, is finishing school, turning 18, and preparing to return to her family home before her next steps. Her elder sister, Mbabazi, is a doctor living in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Mbabazi is in a long-term relationship with her girlfriend, Achan. However, when their mother discovers Mbabazi’s relationship, it leads to conflict due to her religious beliefs.

While this premise may seem heavy, the story is so much more. Both sisters are learning to navigate their lives as adults. The novel explores themes of family—both the one you are born into and the one you choose. It delves into the search for meaning, resilience, and identity. At its core, it is about love: the love of family, community, partners, and oneself.

After reading this book, I walked away with a full heart and a sense of hope. I would definitely recommend it to others. Mbabazi’s story is particularly relatable for many in the LGBTQ community, especially in the U.S., where family rejection after coming out has been a common experience. In a time when the U.S. can feel increasingly hostile, it is helpful to see characters navigating a culture where they may not fit in, yet still manage to find joy in life and effect change.

Thank you to House of Anansi Press Inc. and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy (ARC).

this novel is such a bold and moving story about family, identity, and love in a country where being yourself can come at a high cost. 18 y/o Aine Kamara’s world is turned upside down when her sister, Mbabazi, introduces her girlfriend, Achen. what starts as discomfort for Aine transforms into a deep connection, but when tragedy strikes, their family is forced to confront harsh truths about faith, love, and acceptance. it captures Aine’s struggle to balance loyalty to her family with her growing understanding of who her sister is and who she wants to become. her escape to Kampala—and a reunion with her longtime crush, Elia—adds layers of self-discovery and young love to her journey.

with relatable characters and a fresh, unapologetic voice, this book tackles tough topics with heart and honesty. it's a powerful reminder that love and courage can thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about growth, resilience, and standing up for what matters.

3.5 stars because i wasn't fully invested but it is an amazing story. maybe not for me, but i hope it find its way to another reader.