Author: Alice Takawira
Page Count: 304
Genre: Women's Fiction
Rating: ❤❤❤❤
Backstory
Hi friends. I'm back with another hot take on the latest books I've read. This one is a little different here. I was browsing on Goodreads in the Black Girls Read Books Too affiliated group (I know, I know. I can never get away from that group. 🤣) and I saw someone who was searching for Beta readers for their new debut novel.
So of course I jumped at the chance to help out. They sent me an ARC of the book called Turning Tables by Alice Takawira and gave me the instructions on what was required. I got the book and was super excited to get started. So, without further ado, here we go. *rubs hands together like Birdman*
Synopsis
Here is a blurb snatched straight from the Author.
Maita, a Zimbabwean graduate student, has returned to London on summer break with one goal: to reunite with Ade, her Nigerian ex-boyfriend. She made a terrible mistake when she broke up with Ade—and now she wants him back. On the flight to London, she meets Chris, a British gentleman who is instantly captivated by Maita and pursues her relentlessly.
When Ade rejects Maita’s efforts to rekindle their romance, she turns to Chris. As a couple, Maita and Chris are forced to confront racism, the complexities of an interracial relationship, and their insecurities.
But Maita has never forgotten Ade…nor has he ever gotten over her. Then, in a sudden turn of events, a determined Ade resurfaces and attempts to reconnect with Maita. But Chris is doubly prepared to keep her at any cost, unleashing a dangerous chain of events that will forever alter the course of all three lives.
How far will each man go to win her love?
Turning Tables explores the challenges and triumphs of multicultural and multiracial relationships—a poignant and engaging story of the power of love, missed opportunities, second chances, and the pitfalls of obsession.
My Thoughts
Synopsis sounds interesting right? Right! I read it and was like "oh snap. this is about to be lit!" After finishing the entire book I was happy to announce that it was really good. There were a few characters I liked and a few I didn't. Without getting too deep into what happens, so I don't spoil the ending for you guys, lets get into a quick breakdown of the story.
Things I Liked About the Story
First off, I was a huge fan of the amount of ambition and intelligence of the people in this story. I am not a huge fan of the stories surrounding black trauma or the black struggle. I love a couple with goals and ambitions. Ade was a doctor and Maita was in physio so there was a certain level of intelligence among the two of them and their friends.
I loved the mentions of different cultures in this story. Ade was Nigerian, Maita was Zimbabwean (did I spell that right?) and Chris was English. There were instances where the cultures clashed and to me that made the story more realistic. When mixing different people from different parts of the world, there is bound to be a culture clash of some sort. I also liked the fact that there were small phrases and words added in during each dialogue. Chris had English colloquialisms, Maita had Zimbabwean (seriously, am I spelling this correctly?) and Ade had Nigerian. All of this contributed to the authenticity of the story.
Things I Didn't Like About the Story
Maita had moments where she was unlikeable. Maybe that was just because she had certain expectations that I didn't agree with, not sure, but there were moments where I was frustrated with her. Ade had moments where he was doing too much. He wasn't sure what he wanted and was dragging people along, causing drama and heartbreak in his wake. Honestly, most of the characters in this story had moments that made me look like: wait hold up, what?
Chris was a lot. I had an icky feeling from the jump about this man. The overly charming behavior that distracts you from what's important is a huge red flag. I am always leery of the super charming type. I know the type. I've dated that type and it always ends up being more trouble than it's worth. I was ready for Maita to get rid of him from the jump.
Recommend or Nah?
Overall, this was a good read! It surprised me in some areas and had me shaking my head in others. The story was well written and entertaining. I had fun reading it. I usually lean towards the psychological thrillers and mystery whodunits, so this was a different pace for me. Took a minute to adjust to but that's only because it was a different genre for me. Not because of anything the author wrote. It was an easy read. If you have a free afternoon (depending on how quickly you read) and want something to keep you entertained, definitely grab this book.
Turning Tables by Alice Takawira is Booky Babe approved! It came with a surprising twist that changed the pace of the story. The buildup to that explosive moment was believable and well thought out. I definitely recommend this one to anyone who wants a good story to pick up. I look forward to reading more work by Alice Takawira. This was a great debut novel! Congrats to you, love! Writing a book is a huge accomplishment. The Booky Babe wishes you all the success in the world.
If you want to grab a copy of this book, you can get it directly from Alice's website or you can grab it from the Amazon link below.
The Booky Babe is an Amazon Affiliate. Any book purchased using the links provided allows me to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Every little bit helps in order to keep the content and the Booky Babe website up and running.
If you decide to purchase this book, please come back and let me know your thoughts. What did you think of Maita? Did Chris give you the icky feeling too? I can't wait to hear your thoughts, but until then
Happy Reading Babes! ❤