3 stars

This book was really difficult for me to rate. How do you rate a book where the story was entertaining, the characters vivid, and the story relatable, when all you can think of is how easily the main character forgave her bully at the end of the book? Just thinking about it makes me so mad! I REALLY liked the first 90% of the book, but the last bit leaves me seething. My disappointment in the ending would not be this severe if the book had been mediocre from the beginning — I feel my reaction to the ending, in a way, signifies how excellent this book was. On the other hand though, the aftertaste of Yinka not growing a spine bothers me — clearly, I was a little too invested in the story.

Now that I’ve got that bit out of the way, let me delve into all the things which endeared the first 90% to me.

Yinka is one of the more relatable characters I’ve come across in a contemporary novel. (Relatable to me, maybe?) There’s something about the things that happen to her and the way she reacts that instantly made me like her. She’s not proactive about the hurdles she faces, but she’s no Bella Swan either. She complains just the right bit, and aren’t we all that way?

The narrative style was entertaining and engrossing, and I liked the author’s style of description — the words came to life. I wasn’t just reading a book, but I felt I was right there by Yinka’s side, sort of like a trusted confidant.

The characters are colourful and are a motley bunch, and were definitely entertaining. The feelings of rivalry between cousins, aunts and moms comparing their kids, meltdowns and gossip, the veiled insults and the outright clap backs — I enjoyed this aspect completely!

I was even all right with the romantic indecisiveness and the plot surrounding it, but the ending was a damper. Things did not end up in way that felt satisfying. This was overall a great book, but that “resolution” had me knock off a star.

Thank you for giving me a copy to read! I enjoyed the book!

I regret sitting on this book for so long, it was great!

I loved Yinka and her friends, and I loved how British the book was- waxing lyrical about Chicken Cottage really made me laugh. I really enjoyed the writing style and it felt pretty fast paced and I loved learning about Nigerian culture too.

The one thing I will say, though, is that this isn't a romance and I believe it's doing this great story a disservice. I'm a lifelong romance reader, and I knew that this wasn't when I read it so I wasn't disappointed at all, but if someone went in blind expecting a romance they will not get it. The ending is so hopeful, but there is no HEA or HFN, so it wouldn't be a romance to me.

I feel like the majority of the book was about Yinka's relationship with her family, friends and herself rather than a specific romantic partner- she is trying to find love but there is nothing definitive. That's not a criticism at all, but I think if you're expecting a full romance you will potentially be disappointed. I loved watching Yinka grow and become more comfortable with who she is, what she looks like and what she wants from life and I really enjoyed how the relationships with her friends developed- their fallings out felt realistic.

Overall, I had a great time reading this and I wish I'd read it sooner. But, it isn't a romance!

Where is your husband is a common refrain to an unmarried woman across the Africa diaspora post university, and this is what drew me to Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn.

I found the book to be friendly and incredibly relatable as a diasporan born and raised in London.

A good debut novel and a welcome addition to the Black Britih chick/ lit romantic genre.

I look forward to sweing what else Lizzie Damilola Blackburn writea.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

What a hoot?!! This is an absolutely fantastic rip-roaring read that provides a wonderful insight into Nigerian culture, London life and living up to the expectations of family. With a cast of amazing characters, this is hugely entertaining, smart and witty. This deserves huge success.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was incredibly hilarious to read! I had a ball of a time with it. Yinka is 31 and single and her mum and aunties never let her forget it. On top of this she has just been made redundant at a company she's spent years at. Instead of admitting this though, she get's caught up in the moment and lies.

As a POC this story hit home a bit. You see how Yinka is struggling under the pressures of her culture and you see the lengths she goes to to avoid disappointing her family. On top of all this she's pitted against her friends and family, who are deemed to be 'more successful' than her because they are married and starting families. There's also the gossiping element. Anyone that's grown up in black or brown culture will know gossip spreads like wildfire, especially within the aunties.

This reminded me a bit of Bridget Jones and I was laughing a lot throughout. I also appreciated the London references, as someone who was born and raised in London I enjoyed being able to visualise the places described in the story.

I loved it so much I bought a copy when it came out. Although Yinka can come out as childish, I found all the characters quite likable and interesting. I did not want to put this book down! The humor is absolutely brilliant too!

Thank you to Penguin General UK and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn.

I enjoyed this book, and loved most of the characters. I say most, as Yinka, I found was sometimes a bit childish in not saying that she couldn't tell her mother that she did not receive a promotion but had been made redundant instead. She thought that she would change how she dresses and her hair style to suit a man. Despite that, I loved the relationships that were described and was rooting for Yinka to find someone. And not someone that has big biceps!! That constant referral made Yinka come across more childish than she should be.

I'm not sure I'd describe the book as a romance, it certainly didn't feel like that to me.
I did love the humour in the book.

Really enjoyed the humour throughout the book. Imagine being the disappointment to your family and they want you to be settled down and married.
An insight into Nigerian culture.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn. I've voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. All thoughts are my own.

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? is such a heartwarming, funny, female-driven and quirky read. I've really enjoyed all the banter, female friendships and especially the Nigerian aunties. I have laughed, I have felt second-hand embarresment and I have found it relatable. Definitely gave me a bit of Bridget Jones vibes, but then more empowering and woke. Recommend to anyone who enjoyes a good, fast-paced and entertaining read.

I really enjoyed this story - I liked learning a little more about Nigerian culture and appreciated the London references as I have been to many of the same places so felt like I could relate. I was rooting for Yinka throughout the book. I didn't agree with all of her decisions but I admired who she was as a character.

Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? is a great debut about staying true to yourself and I look forward to seeing what Lizzie Damilola Blackburn writes next!

A great book from Lizzie, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters and I found myself hooked. Thank you netgalley for the review copy!

I did enjoy the opening chapter of this book, but not enough for it to pull me in and keep reading before the file expired. I might try it again in future though if I find it at my local library.

I’ve seen this all over tiktok and it did not disappoint. I couldn’t put it down from first page to last.
The writing was fluid and the writer has a fantastic way of words.
Highly recommend

I loved this book.
Absolutely adored it, it gave me very much Bridget Jones vibes. Yinka is single and her family won’t stop pointing it out to her. Can’t the poor woman just do her thing?

She thinks she’s the problem of why she’s is single but she isn’t and this connects with a lot of women feeling the exact same way.

Loved it.

A really fun read that's relatable, good fun, likeable characters and an interesting plot.
Would recommend to others.
4 stars.

This was a very interesting novel with superb character progression. Heartbroken from a previous relationship, Yinka suddenly finds herself in need of a boyfriend when one of her best friends announces that she's getting married. To make matters worse, her high achieving position is made redundant and Yinka spirals from one lie to another to keep up pretence with her pressurising family. It's a story of coming to terms with who you are and who you really want to be, and challenging expectations. It's also a story about friendship and family and not losing sight of what is important in life.

I really enjoyed this book.

Such a fun read! I really enjoyed it. Yinka is such a brilliant character that I really grew to care and root for. Would love to see this adapted for the big screen!

A fun read that I’d be happy to recommend to other readers in this genre. Great humour and really great debut novel.

This book was hilarious. Very insightful into a different culture, I really enjoyed learning about traditions, and the food made my mouth water!

I loved this book from start to finish, an excellent debut novel. I really enjoyed the audio along with the book and loved the characters we were introduced to.

I laughed and cried throughout this book and felt the warmth of Yinka's family and friendships through the page. I would highly recommend this book.