Wahala

Description

by Nikki May

Soon to be a major BBC TV series.

‘A journey of friendship, revenge and finding your true self. Gripping’ ― Stylist Magazine

‘I would definitely recommend this book to friends. I already have!’ ― BBC Radio 2 Book Club

‘What makes this slow-burn story of friendship and vengeance refreshing and original is the exhilarating ease with which it portrays a London steeped in the colours and sounds of Lagos’ ―The Times, Best Popular Fiction Books of 2022

Ronke, Simi, Boo are three mixed-race friends living in London.

They have the gift of two cultures, Nigerian and English.

Not all of them choose to see it that way.

Everyday racism has never held them back, but now in their thirties, they question their future. Ronke wants a husband (he must be Nigerian); Boo enjoys (correction: endures) stay-at-home motherhood; while Simi, full of fashion career dreams, rolls her eyes as her boss refers to her urban vibe yet again.

When Isobel, a lethally glamorous friend from their past arrives in town, she is determined to fix their futures for them.

Cracks in their friendship begin to appear, and it is soon obvious Isobel is not sorting but wrecking. When she is driven to a terrible act, the women are forced to reckon with a crime in their past that may just have repeated itself.

About the book

Fabulous friendship novel with a killer edge for fans of Big Little Lies and Expectation.

Explosive, hilarious and wildly entertaining, this razor-sharp tale of love, race and family will have you laughing, crying and gasping in horror. Fearlessly political about class, colourism and clothes, the spellbinding Wahala is for anyone who has ever cherished friendship, in all its forms.

About the author

Born in Bristol and raised in Lagos, Nikki Mayis Anglo-Nigerian. At twenty, she dropped out of medical school, moved to London, and began a career in advertising, going on to run a successful agency. Her debut novel Wahala was inspired by a long lunch with friends. It will be published around the world and is due to be turned into a major TV serial. Nikki lives in Dorset with her husband and two standard Schnauzers.

Reviews

Refreshing and original. Portrays a London steeped in the colours and sounds of Lagos ― SUNDAY TIMES, Best popular fiction books of 2022 so far

Full of food, humour and pitch-perfect observation ― STYLIST MAGAZINE, Books you cannot miss in 2022

All the ride or die realness of female friendship is captured perfectly in this funny, multi-layered, just-another-chapter-before-you-turn-out-the-light novel. ― RED MAGAZINE

This is the book on everyone’s lips…a razor-sharp book about friendship that will have you on the edge of your seat. With a cast of engaging characters, this bold tale of friendship, race and love will leave you marvelling at this fresh new voice in fiction. One of 2022’s most exciting debuts ― MY WEEKLY, Editor’s Pick

It’s surprising, it’s fun, it’s incredibly funny and will give you characters you’ll take to your heart in all their flawed glory, keeping you hooked to the very last page ― Editor’s Choice, BBC Radio 4 ‘Open Book’

Beautifully written and fabulously fresh debut. It’s sad, funny, clever and contains important messages. Utterly addictive and my hands-down favourite this week ― DAILY MAIL

I have a feeling this book is going to be huge! It examines friendships that are held together by the thinnest of threads, all the doubts and questions that come from the choices women face, self-destruction, good intentions, bad intentions and a creeping sense of… well, trouble ― MARIANNE CRONIN, author of THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT

A gloriously biting story of secrets and friendships ― FABULOUS MAGAZINE

”Wahala’ means ‘trouble’ and there’s plenty of it in this entertaining debut. A fascinating, funny and nuanced look at identity and female friendship ― GUARDIAN

Has all the makings of a modern blockbuster ― VOGUE