I really enjoyed this debut novel. It is written so beautifully
There were some pacing issues and the ending seemed rushed

I love this! I have Nigerian friends and the culture is similar enough that I could really see and feel Nigerian traditions even though this was set in Ghana. Even the pidgin was similar and much of the food- every time I see that evocative ‘ehn hehn’ it makes me smile :)
I was totally invested in the struggles and lives here but I wish the ending hadn’t been so sudden. I felt that some of the peripheral characters Afi had met earlier in the novel could’ve come back (shout out to Abraham!) otherwise this would’ve been five stars.

Afi is a young woman from a small village in Ghana, who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Her life takes a turn when, via an arranged marriage, she marries the favourite son of a local businesswoman. Moving to the city to the city of Accra, Afi begins to live a much more luxurious life with opportunities she could never have imagined however things aren't perfect as there is another woman in her husband Eli's life whom he is not willing to let go of.

This was a well-written colourful story about a young woman's life as she starts out on the cusp of being an adult with a home, a husband and the potential of future children. I really enjoyed following Afi on this journey, and I felt really proud of her as she grew from an unsure, shy girl to confident woman with skills and the means to opening her own business.

I learned a lot about Ghanian culture in this book too especially family structure and the dos and don'ts. I felt for Afi as her greedy uncle kept holding his hand out for more, yet doing nothing for anyone in return, as well as the times when Afi felt like a pawn being moved around a chessboard by the Ganyo family. Polyamory is a theme in this book such as Afi's uncle Pious having multiple wives and children, but also the fact that Afi is expected o put up with her husband Eli also having another woman and child - just one his mother does not approve of. The book was a very interesting take on the 'other woman' trope with Afi technically coming second so being the other woman, yet she is the one approved by the family and married by Ghanian tradition (though not a legal wedding).

While the story as a whole is very mundane - it's just the day to day of Afi's new life, her journy into motherhood and her marital troubles/worries - I enjoyed the gentle pace of the novel and I loved Afi as a character.

His Only Wife was quite a slowburn up until like the middle, since that was when a lot of the conflicts for the rest of the book became clear to me. I loved the fact that the story was set in contemporary Ghana. So there was a lot of the culture and we also got to see some of Accra's day and nightlife.

Afi is a seamstress herself and I did like that in the beginning of the marriage that passion of hers was explored, however I did feel like the opportunities were handed to her quite easily. The marriage with Elikem was also just as expected of the fact that there was another women involved in the relationship just messy messy all around. I just couldn't get invested in it, because never once did I feel like they were "in love", from both sides. In this entire book it also never felt like anyone was happy or liked each other at all, except like between Afi and her mother maybe. It just didn't do it for me. Which is quite a shame. I had really hoped that it would've some kind of women uplifting other women twinge to it, but that was also far and few between. I mean, I get that not everybody would get along all the time, but even the relationships between Afi and other women were not there at all, really.

Besides that tho, there was a lot of negative connotations towards darker coloured women in this book and in the end that kind of just got "resolved" with like a throwaway line or just like a paragraph. However it felt like it was written as some kind of plot twist that darker coloured women were beautiful? Like what? That felt very harmful and just overall put a bad taste in my mouth.

This is a review of an arc I got from NetGalley.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s been so long since I devoured a book in one sitting.

“It takes strength to walk away from someone that you love”

Peace is a brilliant, emotive storyteller. A story of arranged marriage in the modern age, that explores everything from class, matriarchy in West-African culture, feminism and polygamy was explored. It wasn’t heavy; it was human. You empathised, and hoped with the characters.

We need more brilliant African female fiction writers!

I just struggled with this one, I found it to be a great concept but I didn't find myself hooked or wanting to read more of it.

As someone who doesn't usually gravitate towards domestic stories, I was pleasantly surprised at how engrossed I became in this story!

His Only Wife follows the story of Afi Tekple, a young seamstress in Ho who is chosen by the wealthy Ganyo family to marry their son, Elikem, in a bid to get him out of the clutches of another woman.

This was such a compelling read. I loved experiencing Afi grow into herself as a woman and also discovering her own self-worth. The feminist themes were written fantastically and I loved how they weren't as obvious or clear-cut as other books. We are able to experience how differently women can adapt to a male-led society and the power that lies in having self-awareness. Unfortunately, I feel that some familial relationships were left underdeveloped. It was clear that some members of Afi's family wanted to exploit her new marriage, but I wish that this had been expanded a bit more.

This was a lovely read and a fantastic debut. I loved the feminist undertones and I'd recommend it to those who are fans of domestic stories.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This book was absolutely fantastic. It was so good that after finishing the eARC, I went and bought the gorgeous hardback version which had been doing the rounds on booksta. There is also a lot of conversation around it being a Crazy Rich Asians for West Africa with a feminist twist, but it's not feminist in the way you may expect.⁣
⁣
His Only Wife is a domestic drama that opens up the lives of Ghanaian women which also considers the impact Africa's polygamous patriarchy on modern women. It's not a story of empowerment or advocacy, but instead looks at how different women need to adjust to allow them to make their way. It also develops into a story about the protagonist (Afi) discovering her boundaries with love and relationships.⁣
⁣
I loved reading this and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for insight into the female experience of discovering yourself and your boundaries. His Only Wife is a fantastic debut novel.

This was an interesting story in terms of the dynamics explored--I was invested throughout and found it to be a thought provoking read.

“All men are the same, they only know how to love themselves and to sit on women.”

This is a very interesting book discussing intense topics las arrange marriage, loyalty, family values, and life in Ghana. It is also a very short book, "page-turner drama".

the ending left me wanting more

I definitely enjoyed the author's writing and the plot of this book, it kept me gripped until the very end!

A brilliant story about Afi, a young girl who is set up to marry a family friend and wealthy man called Eli. Eli is completely controlled by his mother, who uses her money, status and power to manipulate the lives of her children and others around her. She wants him to be with Afi, and leave behind his other lover, whom she does not approve of. This proves harder than expected.

Afi is strong minded and smart, and I was completely rooting for her from the start. She irks lots of people in this upper class world as she isn't your stereotypical woman of their society, one who is supposed to be subservient and won over with gifts, and the glitz and glamour of the lifestyle. She pushes herself to establish a career in fashion, getting qualifications and learning to drive - all of which is judged by others around her, and seen as a threat to the power of Eli's mother.

We see the ways Eli navigates polyamorous relationships (through Afi's lens), something which is common among men in Ghana. Women are expected to just accept it, especially when the in-laws are offering the woman's family a better life as a result. Afi's refusal to accept it leads the plot, and makes for a wonderful read.

This novel set in Ghana examines class and power structures, gender roles, the familial responsibilities and expectations and the difference between country and city. It deals with all of these through the eyes of teen bride, Afi who marries the much wealthier Eli in a ceremony overseen by Eli's family. She is whisked from her village and plonked into what appears to be a life of huge privilege in a modern apartment block in the middle of Accra. Here she is encouraged to pursue her dreams, but whilst the marriage offers her (and her family) opportunities that she would not have had otherwise, it falls far short of meeting her romantic ideals.
The writing itself is insightful and skilfully done. The author creates a hugely evocative world that thoroughly immerses the reader. I felt great empathy for Afi who is pulled in all sorts of directions and as the book develops and finishes, I felt hugely for the majority of women involved. An outstanding book and I greatly look forward to reading more from this author.

His Only Wife 🧡💓

Ad - gifted

I loved loved this!

Set in Ghana, Afi marries Eli in a traditional ceremony, though Eli isn’t actually present for the wedding, how present will he be for the marriage?

Eli’s wealthy family has supported Afi and her mother since her father’s death, and now want Afi to be the perfect doting wife to Eli, to encourage him to leave his girlfriend that they don’t approve of.

This was such a page turner, and I am SO HERE for Afi’s character development. Watching her grow in confidence and stand up for what she wants was so amazing to see. I was rooting for her the whole way and she was such a likeable main character. I loved how she wanted to be more than a stay at home wife and wanted to develop her skills as a seamstress and realise her dream of having her own boutique.

It was also so interesting to understand Ghanaian family cultures and the intricacies of polyamorous relationships. Eli is happy to have a wife and a girlfriend, but would absolutely not accept his wife having a boyfriend.

I also really loved the setting and the contrasts shown between Ho and Accra. You definitely felt like you are there living this story.

Just to say as well, I finished this a week ago but can’t stop thinking about it, a great sign!

Thanks to @netgalley and @oneworldpublications for the e-arc.


4.5 ⭐️

Absolutely loved this, a witty story about Afi a 17 year old who has the chance to marry a rich man and solve her family's poverty. At the wedding, her husband sends a stand-in to attend so he can be elsewhere. This duplicity sets the scene for their marriage where nothing is as it seems. A wonderful story, opened my eyes to a whole world that I knew nothing about

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book is very readable - Afi's character jumps off the page and her emotions are completely understandable as she fights for what she wants. There are a lot of different power dynamics in play in this novel - the Ganyos' wealth and class status, the other woman's child, and Eli's power as Afi's husband, which makes it difficult for Afi to find and wield her own power. Medie's prose is simple but effective and it's great to read a book with insights into this little-discussed practice.

🌿BOOK REVIEW🌿

His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie

“Please, put love aside and be practical. Love will not put food on the table; it won’t hold you at night.”

Afi is a young girl who lives with her widowed mother in a small town in Ghana. One day she is offered a ‘life changing opportunity’ in the form of a marriage proposal from Eli, the member of a wealthy family. She does not know Eli well but accepts the proposal as she is not naive to the power of wealth.

At the wedding Eli sends a stand in for him, and it isn’t until two weeks after their wedding that Afi finally meets the man who is meant to be her husband. Eli ensures that Afi and her mother are looked after in a fancy penthouse apartment but his presence in their life is scarce. Eli is in fact in love with another women, however this women is disapproved of by his family and so he was not allowed to marry her- despite having a child together. This is where Afi comes in, she was selected to take care of this ‘problem’.

WOW!! I absolutely adored this book and everything about it! Firstly, the character development of Afi was incredible and she was such a strong female lead to have. At then start of the novel she doesn’t really have a voice and then with time she stops letting others steamroll her and she stands up for what SHE wants! I also loved the exploration of gender norms, especially in relation to marriage. We regularly see how Afi was brought up to believe that her role was to be a good wife and obviously with time she realises she wants more than that. It shows how every single one of us is a product of their upbringing- but that does not mean we cannot change! I also thought the discussion of love and relationships in the story was great and really highlighted money does not buy happiness.

An excellent contemporary fiction that was very difficult to put down!

⚠️CW// toxic relationship, emotional abuse, misogyny

A very interesting debut set in Ghana. Afi is an intelligent young woman with a strong desire to work. She is used in this novel to try and bring Eli to heel by his mother. Afi should have had her reservations when Eli does not attend his own wedding but has a stand in, but she lives in a culture where she does as she is told by her family and relatives.
A simply told tale that gives an insight to Ghanian life. Afi shows strength of character, the conclusion of which does not sit well with everyone.
Three and a half stars for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Peace Adzo Medie/One World Publications for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A gentle story about love and heartache that keeps you reading long into the night wanting more.

Afi Tekple grows up leading a life more privileged than those around her until the death of her father. Facing poverty, she and her mother are forced to rely on the charity of family members and “Aunty”, in their small Ghanaian community.

One day Aunty has a proposal to change Afi’s life. She wants Afi to marry her middle son, Eli, and return him to her family. She would be marrying into their wealth and enjoying all of their success with one of the most respected families. After all that Aunty has done for Afi and her mother over the years, she cannot refuse and so they marry...albeit with Eli in absentia.

There is just the small matter of the other woman. According to Eli’s family: “she’s ugly, she smokes, she’s put a curse on him, they are no longer together”. Many negatives are given to Afi about this other woman and she learns very little. In fact, it is some month or so before she meets her new husband.

Finally he visits her at one of his properties, they begin speaking every day and eventually he spends the night and they fall in love. [Not the end of the story].

I admired Afi’s strength of character, standing up for what she believes is right, particularly in such a male-dominated environment. And how she reacted when she met Muna. I enjoyed reading about the very different Ghanaian culture, it was something I had not read about before. The book portrayed the harsh realities of polygamy but with a sensitivity that made it enjoyable for the reader. I commend the author particularly for this aspect.

I loved this book. I could not put it down and found myself trying to sneak a quick page whilst waiting for the kettle to boil or waiting on hold on the telephone.

I rate this book 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The story depicts the complicated marriage between Afi and Eli in contemporary Ghana. From the offset, the narrative captured my attention as we discover that Eli does not even attend his own wedding. It serves as an exploration of the patriarchy and the class divide as Eli holds so much power over Afi and her family’s livelihood. However, Peace Adzo Medie focuses on strong female characters and their empowerment as the story progresses. Overall, I found this a fascinating read. I particularly loved the insight into Ghanaian culture and traditions! Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld publications for this ARC.