Many thanks to the author, Selali Fiamanya, @netgalley, and the publisher, Harper Collins UK, for an ARC of this book, which will be published on 27 February. It's the story of a British Ghanaian family, focusing in particular on the eldest son, Elom. We follow the family over 30 years, from Abena and Kodzo's first meeting in Ghana through to the aftermath of Elom's unexpected death.

I really wanted to love this novel, and it contained a lot of elements that appealed to me. The exploration of moving to a different culture and what it means to belong to your new land as well as your original home is well explored and Elom’s struggles with others are carefully described. However, it's relatively short for a family saga, especially for one that's told from four different perspectives. The chapters are also short, and the narrative often jumps forward a few years with each change of chapter. Taken altogether, it felt a bit disjointed to me, and I felt that I wanted each character to be given more space to tell their story.

There's also a mystery at the heart of the narrative. While the other characters are clearly sketched and their motivations easy to understand, Elom felt unknowable to me: even at the end of the novel, I wasn't sure why he found it difficult to relate to people in different areas of his life. I suppose that's true to life - the reasons for people's behaviour can rarely be encapsulated by a simple definition- and it kept me thinking, but it also felt unsatisfying.

Posted; today, 20 February, on GoodReads, Waterstones.com and Instagram - see links below.



I think this novel is still worth reading, but it could have been even better.

Thank you to netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for gifting me copy of this book in an exchange for a review.

“They had shown him that love was a tightrope between freedom and control. He didn’t know how others seemed to walk it with ease”

"Before We Hit The Ground" totally floored me! Selali Fiamanya's debut novel is a stunning exploration of family, identity, and acceptance that had me hooked from start to finish. In this powerful and poignant story, Abena and Kodzo, Ghanaian parents living in Glasgow, navigate the complexities of cultural heritage, family dynamics, and personal identity alongside their children, Elom and Djifa.

I loved how the story wove together the lives of this family, each character's voice and perspective adding a rich layer of depth to the narrative. What really resonated with me, though, was Elom's journey towards self-acceptance. It's this beautifully poignant portrayal of the struggles and fears that come with finding your true self - and it's something that I think we can all relate to on some level.

“But slowly, he began to admit to his own desires in the daylight: he didn't have a name for what he was, but he knew what he wanted. The white-hot release of sex gained more colour: he had good sex, bad sex, intimate and wild sex. Eventually he brought men back to his, scooting them past his housemates, then later walking downstairs with a bashful pride. Now when he went out and saw other boys, he was more concerned with communicating his interest than with hiding it. He stressed out about uni, and money, and getting enough sleep, and sex: normal things” - this passage marks a turning point in Elom's journey, as he begins to embrace his desires and identity. The way Fiamanya writes about Elom's experiences with sex is both frank and tender, capturing the complexities of intimacy and vulnerability.

Furthermore, the following passages highlight the complexities of Elom's relationships with his family. The first quote, 'There was something they never understood about him, and things he was never able to tell them...', perfectly captures the essence of Elom's struggles with his family. It's a powerful reminder that love can be present even when understanding is lacking. Meanwhile, the second quote takes this theme further, as Elom observes that his family reacts to discussions of mental health with the same 'compassionate avoidance' they exhibit towards his sexuality. This insightful passage underscores the tension between empathy and avoidance, and highlights the ways we often struggle to confront difficult topics. Fiamanya's portrayal of Elom's struggles is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Although Elom is undoubtedly the heart of this story, I found myself wanting to delve deeper into the lives of the other characters, particularly Kodzo. His struggles with faith and the tensions at home are expertly woven throughout the narrative, but I couldn't help feeling that there was more to explore.

Fiamanya's writing is just gorgeous - it's tender, it's unflinching, and it's totally immersive. Her storytelling has the power to make you feel seen, heard, and understood. If you're looking for a novel that'll make you feel all the feels, this book is an absolute must-read for 2025!

Publication/Blog: Goodreads (Jeifa Tackie)
Run Date: 13th February, 2025
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7295811170

4.5 Stars

Before We Hit the Ground is Selali Fiamanya’s debut novel, and I absolutely loved it. The story follows a Ghanaian family over the course of 30+ years, beginning with the parents, Abena and Kodzo, as they navigate their move from Ghana to Scotland. Later, we are introduced to their two children, Elom and Djifa.

Each of the four main characters has a distinct and compelling voice, making their perspectives a joy to read. The second half of the book centers more on Elom as he grapples with his sexuality and journey into adulthood. Despite being a debut novel, the writing is impeccable. From the very first page to the last, I was fully invested in the story. The themes the author explores are thought-provoking and add depth to an already engaging narrative.

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I truly hope more people discover it. It deserves to be a bestseller.

For the first 50% of this I was hooked and on board. I was interested in seeing how the story of Abena's acclimatization to Scottish life would unfold, I wanted to see her navigate through life and succeed and stumble along the way. That's what kept me turning the pages. As soon as the story switched from being about the parents and focused on the kids and their struggles, I lost interest.

I found both kids to be incredibly boring with the son being mildly better. I found the daughter's POV to be a snooze fest and kept asking myself why it was needed to begin with. It added nothing to the story besides a higher page count. If it was completely cut out we would still have the same story. The girl has no personality beyond being the poster child for perfect kids. What was her purpose in this book?

I don't understand what we were trying to do in the latter half, it felt directionless and pointless. In a sea of books about the immigrant experience and coming of age this really adds nothing to that conversation. I'm confused as to what message we are supposed to draw from this. What was the point of this whole narrative? What are the takeaways? What is the point? If someone gets it I'd love it explained to me because I simply don't get it.

The writing was decent otherwise the rating would be much lower. The two halves of this book just didn't come together in a way that made this one complete story. We should have just stuck to the parents' POVs there was a lot more to explore there that was just hinted at especially in the dad's arc

Thank you to NetGalley and The Borough Press for this ARC!

Before We Hit the Ground tells us the story of a Ghanian family living in the UK, and we follow them from the parents' meeting in Ghana when they are young adults, through their lives in Glasgow, to the lives their children lead as they grow up.

This book was a fantastic, multi-faceted read, one which I truly don't think any summary will do justice. On the surface it's simply the story of a family over the course of about three decades, but it discusses many heavy and important themes with compassion and grace in a way which I feel will bring them closer to any reader, even those who have led completely different lives.

This book discusses topics such as blackness in Scotland but also just in white-dominated society. The roles women are forced into, with a focus on the expectations placed on Ghanian women, though in a way I feel many people who have emigrated from countries ravaged by centuries of colonialism will relate to, as well as their children. As someone who is Catholic, but deviates in the way he practices from what is considered the standard, I found Kodzo's spiritual journey especially interesting.

But I must not neglect talking about Elom, who I feel in a way is at the very heart of the story. We are told at the start of the book that Elon has died, so for the rest of the book you feel as if you are putting together a puzzle, figuring out the events that have led to this. Elom's sexuality is part of that puzzle, but not the one I found most intriguing. Instead, his issues with feeling and understanding himself and his emotions was what made me love his character as much as I did; as someone who is autistic I constantly saw myself in the ways he struggled to connect with and stay connected to people and hold onto friendships and relationships alike.

In general the characters in this were utterly fantastic, both those whose POVs we get to see and those who are just a part of their individual stories. Every single character felt rich and unique, and just plain human. We were never just shown any character's faults or only their good sides, but instead they were shown as a real human being is: with equal measures of both of them.

All in all this was an absolutely stunning debut novel, I cannot wait to read more of Fiamanya's work in the future. I highly recommend reading this if you love character-focused fiction, if you want to see the world from a perspective that differs from yours, or if you just want to see your experiences masterfully reflected in novel-form.

I don't think I could ever even begin to write a review for this book that reflects all the layers of this story - everyone please read this so I have more people I can fawn over this with.

Hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking, this took my breath away. Wow, what a gorgeous novel. I can't recommend this enough. Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for my ARC.

Before We Hit the Ground is a breathtaking exploration of love, grief, and resilience that left me utterly captivated. From the very first page, the prose is stunningly lyrical, balancing raw emotion with delicate beauty. Every sentence feels purposeful, pulling you deeper into a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

The characters are written with such depth and authenticity that their struggles and triumphs feel intensely real. Fiamanya captures the complexity of human relationships with incredible nuance, weaving themes of identity, belonging, and healing seamlessly into the narrative.

What truly sets this book apart is its emotional impact. It is one of those rare stories that lingers with you, making you think deeply about life and connection long after the final page. Fiamanya’s talent for storytelling is remarkable, and the pacing, structure, and resolution are all handled masterfully.

Before We Hit the Ground is a profoundly moving and unforgettable read. I cannot recommend it highly enough. A perfect 5/5!

Before We Hit the Ground by Selali Fiamanya is a poignant and multifaceted exploration of family, identity, and belonging. Spanning three decades and set against the vibrant backdrops of Ghana, Glasgow, and London, the novel delves into the lives of each family member, offering nuanced insights into their choices and struggles. Through themes of migration, faith, sexuality, and cultural adaptation, Fiamanya crafts a rich tapestry of what it means to move between worlds. At its heart, the story is a moving meditation on love—its complexities, its challenges, and the longing to be understood and cherished. This is a beautifully written, deeply resonant novel that navigates the intersections of identity and the universal human desire for connection.

Before We Hit the Ground by Selali Fiamanya is a powerful and introspective debut that navigates the complexities of identity, love, and belonging. At the heart of the story is Elom, a young man caught between the expectations of his well-meaning family, his boisterous friends, and his self-assured partner, Ben. Elom's desire to feel understood is palpable as he grapples with the evolving world around him and the even faster-changing world within. The book explores his search for authenticity in a world that seems to demand constant adaptation.

Set across Accra, Glasgow, and London, Fiamanya crafts an intimate portrait of Elom’s family, revealing the intricate dynamics between a young family of four with Ghanaian heritage. The story alternates between the perspectives of each family member, providing insight into their struggles with work, relationships, societal expectations, and faith. Through these shifting viewpoints, the book delves into the tension between personal desires and familial duties, all while navigating the complexities of cultural identity.

From the outset, readers are aware that a tragic event will eventually occur, but the suspense surrounding the when, how, and most crucially, the why, keeps the narrative gripping. Fiamanya masterfully builds this tension with a blend of bold, economical prose and occasionally lyrical passages that heighten the emotional resonance of the story. Particularly compelling is Elom’s perspective as a young Scot with Ghanaian parents, coming of age in the early 21st century. His internal struggle with identity, sexuality, and belonging forms the emotional core of the book, making it a deeply relatable and poignant read.

Before We Hit the Ground is an extraordinary book that reflects the intricate complexities of family life and the personal battles we face when trying to carve out our place in the world. Fiamanya’s debut is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking exploration of what it means to love, be loved, and ultimately, to understand oneself.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Wow. I didn't expect to love this quite so much.

With Before We Hit the Ground, Selali Fiamanya has crafted a dense, fantastic debut novel, spanning three decades across Accra, Glasgow, and London in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

This family saga follows a young family of four with Ghanaian heritage, with chapters alternating between their respective perspectives, revealing their struggles with family life, work, societal expectations, relationships, and faith. The novel’s structure is quite neat and chronological, with only occasional time leaps – and one significant exception:

From page one or two, we know that a tragic event is bound to occur at some point in the story, but this doesn't take away the suspense of knowing when, how, and, first and foremost, why it is going to happen. This "why" is the crux of the story. Fiamanya masterfully builds the tension using bold, economical, straightforward prose interspersed with downright poetic passages. Not surprisingly, I particularly loved the perspective of Elom, a young Scot with Ghanaian parents, coming of age in the early 21st century, and his struggles with identity, sexuality, and belonging.

With the story so masterfully written, I couldn’t help but read the entire novel in one sitting – one frantic afternoon after the Christmas holidays, long past my bedtime. A novel that has gone straight to my favourites – I’ll definitely revisit it in the future.

4.5 stars.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | The Borough Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Before We Hit the Ground is a beautiful, heart-breaking book that left me stunned. Fiamanya captures the introspective minutiae of normal people so effectively and poignantly, it is a joy to read.

The themes of belonging and home were the most impactful to me. A mother and father leave their home country of Ghana to settle in Scotland, a son goes on a journey to find himself, and more importantly, accept himself. No one quite feels like they fit in, yet they have friends and family that love them.

By switching perspectives with each chapter, you really get to know each character, their motivations and shortcomings, and you fall in love with them even deeper. However, in the opening pages, we learn that a main character has died. I found this a jarring choice - waiting for the inevitable moment to arrive, and having the death haunt over the beauty of the book was almost painful.

"They had shown him that love was a tightrope between freedom and control. He didn't know how others seemed to walk it with ease.

Before We Hit The Ground is a beautiful, sensitive and heartbreaking novel.

This is the story of a family - a family ; Abena and Kodzo born in Ghana and living in Glasgow; Elon their son ; Djifa their daughter. This is the story of family connections, trying to navigate the relationships within and how we breathe as we get older - finding our true selves and trying to remain true to who we are.

The first part of the book focuses on the early relationship and married life of Abena and Kodzu - the desires to succeed in life and life in Glasgow contrasted with the cultural differences to life for their families in Ghana- in particular Abena who grew up supporting her mother and helping to raise the children. The birth of their own children Elon and Djifa brings new challenges - chapters are told through the voice and perspective of each of the family as the years proceed.

Kodzo struggles with his faith ; Abena is torn between her life in Scotland and family in Ghana; Djifa focuses upon her studies and desire to be a doctor ; but it is Elom's story that is the heart of the book.

Elom is gay and struggles to fully accept his sexuality in relationship to family and relationships. His family do not speak of his sexuality and in romance, he finds it difficult to make deeper connections- fear and confusion.The heartache and struggle for Elom is palpable and very moving

"He never understood the rules of social games. Relationships weren't like they were in films and smarter people knew which promises were real and which were romantic aspirations.Perhaps he'd taken things too literally in his eagerness to connect."

Selali Fiamanya has written a wonderful novel- the love within the family is beautiful as they all navigate life and what acceptance means.

This is a superb debut and deserves all accolades it should receive. A 2025 must- read

I absolutely loved reading this and I felt so moved by this story.

Following the life of a family, across two generations: the parents Abena and Kodzo, both born in Ghana, and their children Elon and Djifa born in Glasgow.

The way to characters are described is so quietly spot on and moving. Elom is probably the one who moved me the most by being himself, how well I understand how he feels, how he wants to fit in but doesn't know how, or rather doesn’t understand how to connect, how to belong, how to pretend.

This is a groundbreaking story where we get to follow the ins and outs of four people who love and care but are humans, have their own traumas and experiences, express themselves differently, want different things and feel different things.

“ It was unfair that between Ghana and Scotland, a language had been lost. There was something they never understood about him, and things he was never able to tell them; ways of loving they couldn't agree on, though he knew the love was there. “

I can’t wait to read more by Selali Fiamanya.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful book. A compelling read, following a family through 3 decades of life in Ghana, Glasgow and London. I enjoyed the writing style from this author, and the way the characters were so well fleshed out. I liked the different chapters showing the viewpoints of each member of the family, which helped you to realise why they each made the decisions they did. The book explores the themes of family, what it means to move to a new country and culture, faith, sexuality. It is incredibly moving and I read it quickly.