I loved this book! A great read, that I could not put down. I thought the characters were fully developed & fabulous. I enjoyed the mix of cultures & the vibrant descriptions. I also liked that no character was perfect & that they all had their flaws. I thought the story was pacy & engaging. I would certainly recommend this.

Wahala is amazing. I couldn’t believe it was a debut, I couldn’t put it down. Nikki May has written a fantastic story of love, friendship, revenge and jealousy.
Wahala follows the lives of 3 Nigerian/English close friends, Ronke, Simi and Boo. Their friendship is unbreakable, secrets are kept, advice is given and everyone continues with their lives until we meet Isobel.
Isobel is stunning, absolutely loaded and has everything she’s ever wanted except friends. But is everything as it seems?
Life implodes for the friends. Marriages are on the rocks, crushing secrets are revealed and revenge is served.
I adored this book. The characters are well written. You can relate to their clique and all the dramas that go with it. May manages to capture the paranoia that inventively comes with having a close knit group of friends perfectly.
My thoughts as I read the story was that it would make amazing tv and I was thrilled to read that it is set for an adaptation soon.
4.5 stars

I was drawn by the stunning cover and premise. A Sex and the City type of book but with WOC friendships. Count. Me. In. While I LOVED the prose and the author’s voice and perspective on looking at the world, ultimately I found the book overall lacked any direction in terms of plot and sort of meanderingly looks at the lives of 3 women, two of whom are married to white men and have a holier-than-my-own-race self-hating attitude. I found them whiny, especially Boo 🤦🏻‍♀️ And I felt they lacked any character development because they don’t learn a thing. Then we have Isobel, the one stoking the fire and playing mind games. Looking at the cover and tag lines I’d expected more plot, but it didn’t surface until the last third. Even the revenge aspect took awhile to surface. What kept me turning the pages was the quality of the prose, the voice and the author’s perspective of these WOC. A shame the story itself wasn’t well-plotted enough. I’ve heard there’s a tv show being adapted. I think it will translate well, as the dialogues were zingers and I loved all the African food descriptions.

A small group of British-Nigerian friends in their mid-30's face relationship crisis in London. Eating and drinking are central to the book, we are introduced to the three friends (one in fashion, one dentist and one mother/biotech wiz) in a Nigerian restaurant in North London and the book ends with three recipes. The ordinary concerns of love and marriage give way to a darker vibe as a new friend from Nigeria become part of the circle.

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to read this much anticipated debut and absolutely loved it. I was completely immersed in this over the course of a weekend and felt quite bereft when I finished reading. Wahala focuses on Ronke, Simi and Boo, 3 mixed race 30 something women living in London. Their worlds are changed dramatically when Isobel, a childhood friend of Simi's appears in their lives. May writes so insightfully, convincingly and honestly about race, friendship, relationships and careers. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for my free e-copy.

Wahala is the story of 4 women all of Nigerian background living in London. I have always loved finding out about different countries and backgrounds and as I have many friends with families from Nigeria I found this book interesting and relatable in many parts. I also loved the cultural food references and many times my tummy rumbled from the delicious descriptions.

When an old friend of Simi's turns up, is she really who she says she is , normally 3 is a crowd, but in this case could 4 be just as bad?

I really enjoyed this book. I loved some characters more than others which was I believe fully intended.

I will definitely be looking out for more from Nikki May

prior to reading this review, i would like to clarify that i dnfed wahala at 57%. the biggest issue i had while reading wahala is that nothing seemed to happen. it's supposed to be a thriller, but it reads like the housewives of the uk (but they're nigerian).

i tried so hard to enjoy this book, but i really struggled. the plot was uneventful and boring, and the characters were unlikeable and mean. there was a few i liked at first, but the more the book progressed, the less i liked them.

on the upside: the writing was really well done. it was easy to follow and generally well written. i just wish there was more to the plot.

a huge thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy to review.

<b>Wahala</b> has a seemingly simple concept but executes it with perfect pacing and engaging character development. It is all about how one person can wreak havoc in your life - in this case, one long-forgotten friend infiltrates a group of three friends. Those three friends know each other from a university where they initially bonded over common biracial heritage.

I couldn't put down this book! I had to know what will happen next, what will be the next move of each of the characters. It is amazing how well the author presented the inner thoughts, regrets and emotions of each character - I never was in any of the situations they were in, but I could feel and understand why they were acting this way. Especially impressive for me was portray of Boo - she's married and a mother. Her life on the surface seems ideal, but it is very much not. She doesn't feel satisfied and yerns for something different, something more. I felt what she felt when she was battling her doubts about work, love, life.

The characters from the book are British-Nigerian, and each of them treats their Nigerian culture differently. It was great to see different representations of how one may feel about part of their cultural heritage, and just genes don't define your culture, but the environment and people you live with. We are lucky to get some amazing descriptions of delicious sounding Nigerian dishes - and there are even recipes at the end of the book! I really want to try some of the dishes described, and too bad there's no Nigerian restaurant where I live.

Wonderful characters with plenty of rich and vibrant detail of their shared culture from hair to food, belief systems and dreams along with their unique takes on which parts of that heritage are important to them and which they would rather leave alone..
I loved that the three friends were so different but gelled so well and I liked the easy-to-dislike Isobel with her slyness derailing the friends.

I really enjoyed this book if you loved the book queenie your going to love this book
I loved all the characters in this book and have recommend it to all my friends
with thanks to the publisher, & netgalley

I loved this story of three friends who get entangled with a girl that has no intention of letting them get on with their normal lives. So many twists and turns. So excited to watch the series!

This was a really enjoyable read. Loved the characters and the cool plot twist. Kept my gripped throughout. A really awesome cover too. I think this will do well!

Ronke, Simi & Boo are three Anglo-Nigerian friends living in London. Ronke is a dentist with a stalker and a boyfriend who won't commit; Simi works in fashion (alongside people who think that calling her "urban" is a compliment) and is married to Martin, who wants to start a family as soon as possible despite being currently based in New York; and Boo feels trapped at home with her husband Didier and demanding toddler Sofia.

When Simi's glamorous (and recently divorced) friend Isobel joins the group, Ronke and Boo are immediately put out by her self-confidence, attitude, and extravagant displays of wealth. Soon, Isabel and the women become friends - but simultaneously, their lives all begin to unravel in ways none could have seen coming.

I loved this. It has been compared to Sex and the City, which I feel is inaccurate - not every group of four women needs to be compared to the ladies of NYC. The dark humour, the descriptions of Nigerian culture and food, the backstories - all were thoroughly enjoyable. I would take little notice of the "thriller" aspect of this - although the characters do all hold secrets that they really don't want made public.

What stops this becoming a 5* read for me was Isobel - I wish that she had had her own chapters. I didn't really feel like I knew what her endgame was, and the reveal was a little confusing and juvenile to me. Up until the end she came across as a sort of Panto Villain (which I'm absolutely on board with) so I found it a little hard to believe the extent of her malice. My favourite characters were Ronke and Didier, who I could have happily read ten more chapters about.

Wahala will be released in January 2022, and has also inspired a BBC drama adaptation written by BAFTA nominated writer Theresa Ikoko, who has described it as "Big Little Lies meets Girlfriends".

Such a fabulous depiction of female friendship, with a surprisingly dark twist. All of the characters were so well written that I really felt embroiled in the plot. This is a triumph of a book and the author should be very proud of what she’s achieved with it.

Wahala is a strong and interesting insight into modern female friendship and I adored this read with its beautifully drawn main female characters, who all really shine. Having previously enjoyed Queenie and My Sister The Serial Killer, the dynamics between the friends plus Isabelle and then also the emphasis on community made this a standout read for me. It deals heavily with racism, the expectations on women in modern society and how different lifestyle choices impact friendships, which all captivated me. Loved the writing by Nikki May, its engaging and relatable – look forward to reading her future books too.

'Wahala' follows three mixed race friends, living in London in their late 20s. There's Ronke, the cook and dentist who wants to get married and start a family. Boo, who's child has just started school and is trying to re-claim who she used to be before she was a mother. And Simi, who lives a mostly fantastic life but wishes her husband would stop talking about babies. What they all have in common is that they all studied, and met, at The University of Bristol. This is where the similarities end.

Nikki May has provided us with a variety of viewpoints, life stages and wants in her characters that you don't usually find with ensemble female casts. Maybe I just don't read widely enough but I usually find that all the women are mothers, or single and looking for love, or all divorced. The chapters rotate through the perspectives of the different women as a old friend of Simi's, Isobelle, joins the group. Through Isobelle's need to know EVERYTHING about everyone she meets we learn the secrets and vulnerabilities of the women until it all comes crashing out into the open.

I enjoyed every chapter of 'Wahala'. It's a completely wild ride and I will absolutely be watching it when it's adapted for TV. May has all of the little details of London just right. Each women experiences, and deals, with their mixed race heritage and family differently and oh my word the food - I want to eat everything.

Although I really enjoyed 'Wahala' I felt like a couple of things were missing. First, the ending is terribly unsatisfying in how bad deeds remain unpunished, but that's probably very realistic.

Secondly. I really couldn't understand how Ronke was friends with the other two? I really felt as though I needed more scenes with her friends being actual friends. All they do is eat her delicious food and tease her. And then when it seems as though sweet, amazing Ronke has betrayed them her friends don't try and talk to her about it - they just get mad and ignore her while she's obviously going through the toughest time of all of them. Simi and Boo screw up their own relationships and lives while Ronke has someone traumatise her for life for reasons that have nothing to do with her.

So yes - absolutely read 'Walhala' for the fantastic writing, evocative setting and nail-biting suspense. But not if you like to see the big bad getting their just-desserts.

Ronke, Boo and Simi are best friends. All British-Nigerians, they met at university and bonded over their shared mixed heritage. Though they all live in London, they lead very different lives: Ronke is a dentist with her own practice and a habit of picking boyfriends who exploit her; Boo is married to a Frenchman and is struggling with the challenges of parenting her young daughter; Simi is happily married and a fashion marketing exec. whose husband wants to start a family. They have their challenges, but they also have each other.

Then Simi’s old friend from Lagos returns to London. Isobel is beautiful and rich. With her arrival everything changes.

Wahala is a fabulous thriller. It’s one of those gripping reads that has you wincing and worrying well past the time when you should have put the book down to do whatever else you are meant to be doing with your day. The characters have a depth and complexity that draws you in, even as they frustrate you with some of their choices and misunderstandings. It will undoubtedly translate brilliantly to the screen.

I can’t say much more about the plot, for that would spoil what keeps you turning pages, but I will add that everything ties together almost too perfectly… There is plenty of thought-provoking social commentary and lashings of drama. It is being billed as a bestseller and it certainly will be. Out in January 2022, put it on your New Year’s wish list.

An interesting, intriquing read. I thoroughly enjoyed Wahala. I loved learning about the three main characters, their past and present and being enlightened about Nigerian tradition.

An engrossing read that takes you through a myriad of emotions. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Engaging characters and enjoyable to read, friendships are tested when a girl from the past resurfaces and tries to impress a close group of friends. As loyalties are tested, you'll be guessing motives and next-steps as you follow what some will do to create their sense of order.

I really enjoyed this book- I love that it shows the different sides of London and gives you an insight into Nigerian culture too. The main characters are all well drawn and I desperately wanted the best for them, it was painful to see them making mistakes! I also like that they are all real women- in their mid 30s all with their own things going on- no body is perfect. A must for fans of Queenie and Luster.