pickI went into this not expecting much and so was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. A good character development plot about becoming your own person, standing up to your family while still loving them, and discovering romance is found unexpectedly and with an unexpected person.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
#botm
pickI ended up liking this romcom/culture clash story. The Nigerian-Canadian MC is conflicted about her cultural identity in the way that comes with immigration, the inevitable generational conflict with her mother and a life that does not go according to plan.
I like the way she grows in this story and the happy end makes you feel all warm and cozy.
Also good introduction to some Nigerian food and traditions.
#foodandlit
@Catsandbooks @Texreader
pickI enjoyed reading this Nigerian-Canadian romance where marrying a fellow Nigerian to maintain Odo culture trumps everything. There were some family dynamics and heartbreaks that had me questioning how this HEA would resolve. I liked the ending and got a kick out of the many nods to rom-com movies.
“Let go of the life you‘ve planned and accept the life that‘s waiting for you.” Read this book in 2021, but have since discovered Litsy and wanted to share. This quote spoke to my soul and maybe it will speak to you as well. ❤️ I loved this book so much. You can feel the relationship struggles throughout but love and forgiveness win in the end.
Hoping for something quick, romantic, and fun. Don‘t know if this will deliver or not. Mixed reviews plus I tend to roll my eyes at a lot of romance these days, so we shall see...
so-soI found it too predictable and a little frustration with the protagonist, Azere. It seemed like she was meant to be a strong female lead but several times I felt she wasn‘t the strong woman I wanted her to be.
bailedDNF @ 20%. The idea of finishing this was...painful. The writing was so incredibly wooden & awkward — like the writer was consciously trying too hard to adopt a tone “expected” for romcoms, but didn‘t know how. Consequently, the plot felt very forced & contrived. The MC was awkward & so immature, & her love interest was barely a caricature. I had such high hopes for this one but...it‘s a definite no for me.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a solid 3 star read: engaging story, wonderful Nigerian & Spanish cultural references, but a bit clunky in delivery, especially the (over)use of rom coms throughout.
I would recommend it to romance readers because there are some plot points we don‘t see often & the cultural aspects are really interesting. But it‘s not one that I‘ll probably ever go back to.
so-soMeh.
Things I enjoyed: learning about Nigerian Edo culture &, in general, the culture clash between Spanish Raphael & Azere. The ending because it was like a fav rom/com tribute.
Things I hated: the capital D-rama around a very obvious twist regarding their relationship. The immaturity of their relationship.
Overall these contemporary fiction/romance smash ups aren‘t my genre, but the mediocre (IMO) writing in this one was a huge turn off 2⭐️⬇️
panI was kind of disappointed by this one. The themes had promise but it lacked the depth I expected.
Luckily it was a really quick read so I was able to squeeze this in as my FOURTH and final bingo for January #bookspinbingo
I had a killer month 🤙🏻
pickAfter promising her father on his deathbed in Nigeria at the age of twelve that she was never going to forget who she was or where she came from after she, her mother and her sister left to live in Canada, by marrying someone other than a Nigerian Edo man, what does Azere do? Fall in love with a Spanish man. Much to the chagrin of her mother. This was very telenovela dramatic. There‘s a lot about being an immigrant in here. It was alright.
pickI liked parts of Azere and Rafael‘s story. At other times, wanted to shake some sense into them. Glad she had her sister Efe and cousin Jacob because her mom...regardless of motive, super controlling and manipulative. But...I recalled friends who‘d dated outside their race/culture and their family‘s reactions. The story got strong reactions out of me, so giving it a pick for making me react! Glad Azere finally stood up to her mom.
panThis was a disappointment. The good: liked discussion about cultural identity & assimilation, what interracial dating means for POC, what we owe to family vs ourselves. Liked seeing Azere stand up to her domineering mom. But writing & dialogue felt forced & cliché, too many conveniences & silly romcom tropes when it‘s pitched as a heavy book about family & race, the surprise baby, no communication b/t adults...sigh. Largely missed the mark. 2/5 ⭐️
The reviews of this one are a pretty mixed bag, but the premise still sounds promising to me. (BTW if any of you are of Nigerian descent, how would the name Azere be pronounced? I‘m assuming something like Ah-ZEER-eh or AH-zer-eh, but even if it‘s only in my head, I don‘t like to pronounce someone‘s name incorrectly so please let me know if I‘m off base!)
pickCute love story also addressing identity, culture within identity and family power struggles. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
#litforturecookie
Love this @KVanRead ! Pick a book that fits the fortune.
While I haven‘t finished this book, where I left off Azere (the MC) was very tempted to buck her Nigerian roots and date a white coworker. Is this an opportunity for love or not? I guess I‘ll have to finish and find out.
Play and tag if you wish! 💖💖
This is my best @BarbaraBB picture!
I was enjoying Ties, then some serious things happened, and I didn‘t want to read this bouncy, bubbly brain candy. Since I was enjoying it, I‘m putting it in hibernation and not DNFing it.
Bear time! 🐻
so-soAlthough the premise and the gorgeous cover of this book drew me to it, the story couldn't hold my attention for too long. What I thought would be a slow eventual breathtaking revelation of one's identity with ones culture and also the association with a new culture, was just another common clichéd romcom that wasn't that enjoyable or original in any way. The writing was too forced and the characters weren't well thought out though it's humorous.
pickNot my usual genre, but I really enjoyed it. Good culture-clash romance and as a person who might be slightly obsessed with rom-com movies I enjoyed all the references to movies I‘ve watched more than a few times. Even though I‘m a cynical old broad, a happily ever after is nice sometimes.
pick5 stars. A book about living in two different cultures and how the family heritage adapts. Azere is an educated young lady finding herself indulging in falling for a man for passion. She's educated and a spitfire of a personality. I enjoyed the feel good ending. The details about the culture in Nigeria was fascinating along with the clothes her mother worn that exemplified her love of her culture. Easy, fast read too.
#newrelease #BOTM #cover
panThis cover!! 😍
Unfortunately, the book itself was very problematic. The protagonist is surrounded by such manipulative (emotionally abusive) people. Even her best friend ignores her explicit wishes and creates a publicly embarrassing and personally upsetting scene. The only two redeeming characters were minor ones. Too many unhealthy relationships here. 👎🏼👎🏼
Ties That Tether | 
