This deeply moving novel switches between Temi, an African princess in the 1890's, and Landri, a young woman in present day England.
It opens with Temi's life in Africa, before she and her childhood boyfriend Olu move to Britain. Here the reader is introduced to the connection between Temi and Landri, their lives and loves. Two fierce women in a story of independance, friendship, family, betrayal, loss and survival. Beautifully crafted and fast paced.
The last chapter is exquisite and truly pulled my heartstrings. An impressive read, hard to put down.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.

We're following Temi, aka Adeline Copplefield, in the end of the 1800's, but also Landri in present days. We're following both women's evolution, Temi since she's 15 years old, and Landri on a couple of months. Both having their own fight, their own research to finding what they want and how to get it as women, to be themselves. And oh I was so proud of them both!

I really wasn't expected to be so enthralled by their stories, their survival, their fight. I was disgusted, outraged, sad, angry, and happy for them. I was touched by Temi's strength and power to always getting up, to always fighting for herself and what she deserves. I was touched by Landri's revelations of her own life and her fight to getting it back in her own hands.

I loved this book so much, the way it was written and constructed with both POV, for Landri to finally giving Temi the visibility she deserved as a black woman in the Victorian England. It was amazing.

The Manual for Good Wives by Lola Jaye is a historical saga across generations that follows an African princess as she escapes an unhappy arranged marriage to emigrate to England with her childhood sweetheart. Her story unfurls within a dual timeline, with her great, great granddaughter discovering more about her life through a long-hidden journal in the family home.

I usually struggle with dual timeline stories, as I often find the contemporary counterparts a bit twee, unfortunately for me this was still the case with Good Wives.

Every single dual timeline story I’ve read follows the trope of a downtrodden woman escaping an abusive relationship and ‘finding herself’ and her power through finding out more about her ancestors. I realised this book followed the same pattern - it’s just not my cup of tea.

What was interesting about the book was the detail Jaye injected into the historical characters of Temi and her sweetheart Olu - the colonising of the coast of their homeland and the impact that had on their own political leaders was complex and interesting. Later, the treatment of Temi throughout the book by white people in England was understandably awful, with most people looking down upon her or fetishising her.

It’s no surprise that racism and sexism were rife in Victorian England - I was glad of the opportunity to have a story that dug into this more. I really appreciated that Jaye included the racist attitudes of leaders of the women’s suffrage movement, an important historical footnote that often gets washed out of the narrative.

I thought Jaye’s exploration of Temi’s beliefs and her complicated relationships with her daughters to be really emotive and well done too.

If you enjoy reading about strong women characters who keep fighting against significant adversity, you’re likely to enjoy this book.

Thank you to the author and @panmacmillan for an advanced copy of the book. The Manual for Good Wives is published on the 20th February!

I will post on my instagram @charlottereadshistory nearer the date of publication.

The title is somewhat misleading, although the various chapters of the book open with quotations from this phantom manual and from the mid-point onwards the reader is finally able to understand the true scope of those words and finds, in retrospect, the intelligence of its use. Lola Jaye again brings to our attention a story about one of the many Africans who landed in Britain in colonial times, this time a young woman, an African princess destined to become a royal wife, who for love flees her country, and, having to disguise herself as a man, learns what the privileges of masculinity are and begins to ask herself questions. The novel is really interesting, well written, funny even in its most tragic moments. A really must-read.

Thank you very much to Pan Macmillan | Macmillan for granting me access to this ARC. This book was like a tender hug for someone who lives in England and identifies as English. It encompasses everything one loves about a captivating historical fiction novel. The dual timelines were easy to follow, and I found the writing to be absolutely delightful. Overall, this book is a masterpiece in storytelling!

I loved “The Attic Child” from this author, and was thrilled to receive this latest book to review. Really like the dual timeline, exploring ancestry, empowerment and courage that flows throughout this book. Enjoyed the first part of the book more than the latter stages but overall another really great read..Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

Temi and Landri's journey is one of self knowledge and empowerment, although devided by more than a century. Their journeys of self-discovery and resistance against oppression are both empowering and heartbreaking.
The Manual for Good Wives is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged read. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in stories of resilience and empowerment. Jaye’s storytelling shines as she delivers a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go. I’d rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was heartbreaking and very different from the usual light stuff I read. It was also incredibly well written and very captivating.

It’s is a dual timeline with Temi in Victorian times and Landri in the present. The main story is about Temi, an African princess, who left behind her much older, abusive husband, and baby daughter, and fled her home country to be with her beloved Olu.

This book reminded me of the Lessons in Chemistry, it is a similar setup of an independent, strong minded woman who loses the love of her life and has to fend for herself and her family. This was however less depressing and I enjoyed it a lot more.
Don’t get me wrong, Temi’s life was full of pain and hardship, but there was strength in the way she dealt with it, which made this book one about hope rather than misery.
She was a Black woman in Victorian England, but she navigated that world like a true badass and it was a delight to read. She knew her worth and didn’t allow anybody to treat her like anything less.

The ending made me cry a little but it was absolutely perfect for both, Temi and Landri.

If you enjoy poignant, well paced historical fiction and dual timelines, this is definitely worth a try.

TW: forced marriage, sexual assault, loss of a loved one, grief, racism

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beautiful storytelling by Lola Jaye! Just like the Attic Child, The Manual for Good Wives puts the characters and their development in the spotlight - not just their hardships. I loved the jumps between the different timelines as well and how the stories of our two heroines become more intertwined over time. Great character development and beautifully written, I would recommend this book to anyone. 4.5 stars rounded up

The Manual for Good Wives is a historical novel of female resilience and connection across time.

As in The Attic Child, Jaye employs a dual narrative to unravel a gentle historical mystery. Though Temi and Landri are separated by over a century, both are on similar journeys to establish their own independent identities. When Landri finds Temi's old journals, she finds a kindred spirit who gives her the strength to face her own conflicts.

It's an enjoyable read, but I kept hoping for a little more. Temi has so much potential, but I felt the compacted narrative didn't quite allow her spirited character enough space to thrive.

I loved this book! I loved the strength of the women within its pages, I loved how Landri was able to honour Temi as she deserved and I loved how itdidn't shy away from the racism in Victorian England. The ending was so beautiful and emotional and I really enjoyed how everything ended up.
The writing!!! I thought it was incredible.
I'm not articulating this review very well but trust me when I say, this book is one you need to add to your tbr!

A very well written novel which takes the lines and stories of Jane Austen and uses a black victorian woman to turn it all on its head. I enjoyed it but sometimes it was a bit confusing as to what I was supposed to be feeling. The cultural differences and the strength of the women - the lead character - was someone I really enjoyed reading about.