Book Spotlight: Ties that Tether

When a Nigerian woman falls for a man she knows will break her mother’s heart, she must choose between love and her family.

At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture, even after immigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping—well forcing—her to stay within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and…white.

When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother. Soon, Azere can't help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? The answer will either cause Azere to be audacious and fight for her happiness or continue as the compliant daughter.

One of Betches' 7 Books by Black Authors You Need to Read This Summer

One of Elite Daily’s Books Featuring Interracial Relationships You Should Read In 2020

One of Marie Claire’s 2020 Books You Should Add to Your Reading List

Borada Photography.

Jane Abieyuwa Igharo was born in Nigeria and immigrated to Canada at the age of twelve. She has a journalism degree from the University of Toronto and works as a communications specialist in Ontario, Canada. When she isn't writing, she's watching "Homecoming" for the hundredth time and trying to match Beyoncé's vocals to no avail.

Adult Review: The Worst Best Man

Lina's own wedding day didn't go as planned when her fiancé's brother (Max) told her, the groom wasn't going to attend the wedding. Now Lina makes sure other people weddings go off without a hitch. When one of the weddings she manages catches the eye of a powerful woman in need of a wedding/event planner for her hotel, Lina has the opportunity of a lifetime.

Until she walks into the conference room and sees her ex-fiancé and his brother as the marketing team. Of course she does what any woman would do and pretends to have just met them. She's not interested in walking down memory lane.

But she will have to work closely with Max. Can she put aside her feelings and be a professional without trying to kill him - or kiss him?

My Thoughts: I really loved this book. It was funny and sweet. It would make the perfect Hallmark or Netflix movie. I loved Lina and her family. I loved the banter between Lina and Max - and how they played a few pranks on each other before talking out their issues from the past. I like how they broke down the walls between them. I enjoyed them working together and seeing them bounce ideas off each other. A lot of great moments - I loved the couples therapy weekend. I loved how Lina stood up for herself when talking about her emotions and how as a woman of color, she wasn't allowed to be angry or emotional. And of course that changes a person. This would make a great Hallmark or Netflix movie. A fantastic enemies to lovers story. 

Cover Thoughts: Awesome
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A must have for your public library's romance collection.