I always say that there books and there are books. Some books come at you with fireworks from the start, and some creep in quietly and before you know it you're fully invested in it. Call Me Legachi falls into the second category for me. The title itself was what made me curious about the book. And I started the book thinking I would get a sweet, maybe even predictable love story, but what I got instead was not just a love story but a story about growth, disappointment, heartbreaks and how life sometimes people in ways they never imagined. I also really liked the setting of the book. This book isn't just fiction for fiction sake.
The Plot
The book follows Legachi, a young Nigerian woman who gets the opportunity of a lifetime, a scholarship to study abroad. It's the kind of chance many people dream of, to escape the limitations back home, pursue higher education and finally chasing after a better future. But for Legachi, it wasn't just about academics. She was also eager because her long-distance boyfriend, Mezie, was already abroad. She thought their reunion would be everything she'd been waiting for. Unfortunately, that dream didn't match reality. Mezie turned out to be far from the supportive partner she deserved. He was unreliable, emotionally distant and rather than being her safe place in a new country, he made things harder for her.
It was frustrating to read sometimes because of how much Legachi wanted to hold on to the image of him that she had in her head, when when his action kept proving otherwise.
Being a new country meant bills and responsibilities. With limited resources and no reliable partner by her side, Legachi had to juggle multiple jobs while still focusing on her studies (I could almost feel her exhaustion coming off the page). This is where Roman came in. Roman is a single father and a medical doctor who hires Legachi to care for his daughter. Their relationship started off as strictly professional but with time, the walls begin to come down. Roman had his own flaws, challenges and emotional baggage but through their interactions, something soft and real begins to form between them.
My Thoughts
Reading about Legachi's character was the best part of the book for me. She wasn't perfect and sometimes she made decisions sometimes that made me want to roll my eyes, like how she kept tolerating Mezie's nonsense. But at the same time, I think that's life. Most people has held onto someone longer than they should have just because of love, hope or fear of starting over. That's what made her feel real and not like some flat fictional character. When things got though, she didn't just curl up and wait for help. She worked, adapted and hustled her way. At the end of the book, I wasn't just happy about her love life, I was proud of her as a character.
Legachi and Roman's romance was honestly so nice to read. It built slowly, with trust, small moments and learning each other's scar. It was mature, believable and very different from the instant, over-the-top romance I have read.
Adesuwa's writing style is also very great. It's simple and not too flashy. She doesn't waste words but she still manages to paint feelings so clearly that you cannot help but pause and reflect.
My Rating
4.5/5
Call Me Legachi isn't just a romance story. It is a story about finding self worth, surviving disappointment and finding love that doesn't dim your light. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. This book is worth anyone's time.
Image is a screenshot from my e-library