Enemies to lovers trope has its thrill, but it could pale in comparison to a good friends to lovers trope. I’m not in my romance era actually, but I guess I can make exceptions when it comes to Nigerian novels. And since I met Adesuwa Nwokedi in person, and actually heard a few people gushing about the Malomo High Reunion Series (which I didn’t know existed till that day, anyway), I decided that I could just read this. And I did and finished it in a day complete with a busy schedule and all.
An Unlikely Kind of Love by Adesuwa Oman Nwokedi
The first book in the Malomo High Reunion series, this novel tells the story of Tomi and Ikenna who have been best friends for more than twenty years, tracing back to their secondary school days. Even with the distance between them, being on different sides of the continent, they’ve managed to remain constants in each other’s lives.
Things, however, begin to change when Ikenna returns for the Malomo High Reunion where his classmates are celebrating twenty years since they graduated high school. His plus one to this three-day reunion is, of course, Tomi. But as they meet, they struggle to come to terms with their individual lives. Ikenna in all his millionaire promiscuity and Tomi who is starting a Robotics Company with her boyfriend, Tola. In a plethora of stories and nostalgic tales, these two must decide what Cupid has in store for them... Or not.
My Thoughts and Rating
I don’t know, I think I am willing to cut the author a lot of slack since we shouldn’t necessarily be judged by our early works and there’s always room for growth. I enjoyed this book a lot. Adesuwa has definitely written better but it was still enjoyable nonetheless.
I’m not sure how well I liked the protagonist, though. Tomi id not the most likeable of characters. I tried a lot to like her but each time I felt like I was getting there, she did something that took me right back to where I started. Her sense of judgement? Also very subpar. Call me a prude, but your best friend finally realizing that you had a 20-year long crush on him, and then you guys sleep with each other same night without even talking about it a little bit is just subpar for me.
And then, the whole deal with her boyfriend. Yes, Tola makes assholes look like saints but there was not a single guilt or even mention of guilt at the fact that she’d cheated on him. Terrible guy or not, she did cheat. So, acting all defensive and “I too love my boyfriend,” later on just didn’t sit right with me. The guy clearly is a user and was already taking advantage of her every step of the way, but she was no saint either. Aggravating, to say the least.
I’m honestly looking forward to the other books in the series. I’m sure they would have more likeable characters. This one didn’t do it for me, at all. A lot of things just felt missing, and kind of made the whole friends to lovers trope feel a tad...tacky? I don’t know. Maybe, you could tell me what you feel in the comments for those who have read the book. It’s a 5.8/10 for me.
Jhymi 🖤
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