The Attic Child was one of my favourite reads from a couple of years ago and I was very excited to see this!

Like her first book, this new one is written from both the past and present in a dual narrative. I have to say that the historical part about Temi and her life was far more interesting to me than her decedent Landri in modern times. She didn’t really appeal to me as a character and I struggled to find sympathy for her in her situation. However that didn’t make the story any the less enjoyable and I will happily look forward to any future books by Lola.

This was a very poignant read which I throughly enjoyed . It’s set in two timeframes , the 1800’s and the present day. We follow Temi who is an African princess who comes to England with her childhood sweetheart when she escapes an arranged marriage . We then follow Landri who is a professional woman who seems to be in a controlling relationship. It is later revealed there is a family connection between the two. It is a portrayal of women and their struggles in a male dominated society. Temi show such resilience and courage with every obstacle throughout her life . As Landri discovers her own identity she becomes stronger and is determined to learn more about Temi. It’s a story about race ,friendships , determination , strength and family. I loved reading about the progression of these two women and what they discovered about themselves and I just loved the ending.

I LOVED The Attic Child, so reading this book was an instant yes for me. Many of the things I enjoyed so much about The Attic Child were here too, and I’m very glad I was able to read it.

I really enjoyed the main storyline, about Temi and her life story. I thought Jaye struck the right balance of having an inspirational, hope-filled story, celebrating a Black woman’s achievements in a historical setting, without shying away from or glossing over the very real barriers and challenges she would have faced. Some of the things she went through were extremely traumatic, and we felt the weight of them without it being too harrowing of a read. She’s a really great character and narrator, and hers was an incredibly powerful story.

I wasn’t so keen on the modern-day storyline. I never really got a strong sense of Landri as a character until the end, and it often felt like a distraction from the main storyline. Often Landri discovered things about Temi after we did, and I really would have liked to discover Temi’s story through Landri’s eyes. I found the writing suffered in these sections too, losing some of the subtlety there was there for Temi’s chapters. The framing device of the trial also fell flat, with the blurb, tagline, and general marketing of the book giving it much more significance than it actually had.

Temi’s story was so strong, and by the end I just wished it had been allowed to stand on its own. It made for a thought-provoking page-turner, but there were just a few too many distractions for me.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

We meet Temi, a 19th century Nigerian who has followed her true love across the sea to England, and her modern day descendant Landri, both of whom have escaped hidden abusive relationships.

We follow these women as they adapt to their environments, and make difficult decisions, showcasing their independence and intelligence, their loyalty and love, and ultimately their fierce resilience in the face of adversity.

I loved The Attic Child and couldn’t put The Manual for Good Wives down either.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

This was a slow read for me, I felt it was all a bit scrappy, disjointed and contradictory. Temi is a good character with a very modern outlook for a girl from her patriarchal background and country. I am not entirely sure that someone from a pre industrial country would have adapted so very easily into life in Britain. I also must have missed the bit where Temi learned to speak English so well and to be competent in book keeping.. It was lucky too that Olu had such a sympathetic mentor allowing Olu to rise through the ranks of his business without encountering any obstacles or racism.

Landri is a interesting character too although I got very mixed up with all the ancestors, not so much Temi of course or Amelia but where does Antoinetta fit in? I was sure I had read that Landri was estranged from her grandmother but later in the book it says that her grandmother was, as always, first to phone her on her birthday?

I would have thought that an intelligent woman like Landri would have recognised coercive control long before she actually did and with a friend like Sadia, encouraging her to marry Ross, who needs enemies?

I was bemused by Temi and Edward, one minute she is physically obsessed with him, next minute she hates him? I didn't find the trial scenes very authentic either but that could be ignorance on my part. I thought the disposal of the house at the end was just so impractical, where was Landri going to find the money for its upkeep?

I didnt like the Manual for Good Wives snippets, they seemed forced and just a hook to hang the story on.

There was a good story and a much better book somewhere within it all but I feel that it hasn't been told in the best way.

Lola Jaye has done it again! After The Attic Child, I was so excited for her next book and The Manual for Good Wives did NOT disappoint.

This dual-timeline historical fiction follows Temi, an African princess who flees her village with her childhood friend (and love of her life), Olu, seeking freedom in Victorian England. But freedom comes at a cost. In the present day, Landri, a woman from England, learns more about Temi and her powerful story through their connection.

Both women are fighting to define their own lives, pushing against expectations placed on them. Temi’s story, in particular, was heartbreaking yet powerful—she didn’t just carve a path for herself but for generations to come.

Lola Jaye weaves these timelines together beautifully, creating an emotional, gripping, and empowering read. Also, each of Temi’s chapters starts with a little extracts from The Manual for Good Wives… and let’s just say, I would NOT have survived as a wife back then!

Lola Jaye, your storytelling is phenomenal! This book may be fiction, but the impact it leaves is very real. Thank you for writing this! I need to add a physical copy to my shelf!
Thank you @panmacmillan for this ARC.✨

Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for this eCopy to review

The Manual for Good Wives is a powerful dual narrative that spans generations, weaving together the lives of two remarkable women. The story primarily follows Temi, an African princess who escapes an abusive arranged marriage to start a new life in Victorian England with her childhood sweetheart, Olu. In the present day, we meet Landri, who is uncovering her family's hidden past and the legacy of strength and resilience passed down through the generations.

I especially enjoyed the rich historical context, Jaye does an excellent job of bringing Victorian England to life, particularly through the lens of a Black woman navigating a society that is often hostile and unwelcoming. Temi's journey is both heart breaking and inspiring, as she faces numerous challenges but never loses her sense of self-worth and determination.

The dual timeline structure adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to see the long-lasting impact of Temi's choices on her descendants. Landri's modern-day story is equally compelling, as she grapples with her own identity and the weight of her family's history. The way Jaye intertwines these two narratives is masterful, creating a seamless and engaging reading experience.

While the book tackles heavy themes such as forced marriage, sexual assault, and racism, it is ultimately a story about hope, love, and the strength of the human spirit. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply.

I would highly recommend The Manual for Good Wives to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong, multidimensional characters after a challenging but uplifting read.

I had read this author’s previous book The Attic Child and loved everything about it so I was thrilled to receive this latest book and hoping it would be just as good. Well was it you ask and I’m so over the moon to report this one is even better and I didn’t think that was possible!! It’s a superb story I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and desperately trying to get some more reading time to continue finding more about the two main characters Temi in the 1890s and Landri in the present and the very different lives they are both living at that time and also to find out what the relationship is between them.
I really do have to praise the author Lola Jaye she is a writer with so much talent she draws you into a story and never fails to satisfy your every need giving you not only a wonderful story but also interesting historical facts and I can’t wait for the next book from her and many many thanks for another wonderful and inspiring tale
My thanks also to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When Mrs Copplefield, the writer of a column advising young Victorian women on how to be better wives and mothers, is found to be not a woman of good character and breeding but a black woman from Africa aka Temi, all hell breaks loose in that conservative society.

On trial in more ways than one, Adeline Copplefield's trial also reflects many of the social attitude of the time around class, race, and criminality.

The roots of this story lie in the 1890s, when an African princess, Temi, and her lover Olu move to England. What happens after that, and its connection to the life of a modern day young woman in Britain, Landri, are explored with nuance and care in the novel. A moving, romantic story providing food for thought. It gets 3.5 stars.

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!