I'm going to be the odd one out. This wasn't what I was expecting, even understanding that it is meant to be a romance. Feyi, a young widow, throws caution (and the concerns of her friend Joy) to the wind one night five year after her husband Jonah died, when she meets and hooks up with Milan in a bar bathroom (in the opening pages). She then takes up with his friend Nazir, who introduces her to his father, Alim, an acclaimed chef with a sad back story. They romp (my word) around the Caribbean island where Alim lives and Feyi contemplates her relationships. There's good writing but I didn't like Feyi (I did like Joy). Points for a diverse rom-com (of sorts, especially the com part) with pretty people and good locations. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Wasn't for me but I know others will enjoy it.

Speaking from experience when I say that the easiest thing in the world is to become obsessed with Emezi’s storytelling. This contemporary romance was messy, vulnerable, honest, raw. The main character grows with/heals through grief, and as a reader, you can really feel this push/pull as she is on this journey.

Some other faves about this one include a forbidden romance, a boujee tropical setting, and off the charts best friend energy. YOU MADE A FOOL OF DEATH WITH YOUR BEAUTY is going to be a great beach read this summer, put this on your radar if it’s not already!

“She was hers; she was alive; there was so much to do.” 🖤

Thank you @atriabooks for this advanced copy!!!

I was a little unsure about this book when I first started reading it. Feyi is so wild and closed off at the start of the book and, as she puts it, “messy.” She’s lost her one true love in a terrible accident 5 years ago and has had to navigate her grief and finally jumps back into the dating world (literally head first and immediately having sex with a man she’s just barely met in a bathroom). She doesn’t want to talk about her lost love and tries to keep her relationships light and without feeling. She surprised me when she agreed to go on a trip with Nasir after having been so detached with Milan. And the second she saw Alim, her kind-of-boyfriend’s father, and thought about how hot he was, I felt like screaming at her. As the story continues, you can see Feyi change and she starts to soften. Feyi and Alim have so much in common that there’s no way they could not fall for each other. I would have loved to see Feyi and Alim’s relationship grow even more, but the ending feels like it’s full of possibilities and hope. This is a wonderful, complex book!

✨ Review ✨ You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

This book is ELECTRIC. Its sensory-laden descriptions absolutely sizzle. It's filled with rich flavors, distinct sounds, beautiful colors and textures, sensual romance, and so much more. I loved every moment on this roller coaster as we moved between grief and joy with just SO much emotion along every bit of the way. The descriptions of people, places, food, and more were just so gloriously lush.

This book is a romance, but not your typical romance. Feyi is entering back out into the world of dating and hook-ups almost five years after her husband died in a car crash. This is isn't your typical linear romance novel, but instead a brilliantly messy book that recognizes romances and loves of different kinds. As she explores what she wants and needs as she moves forward, she leans on people in different ways in this story while also moving her art career forward.

This is the first book of Emezi's I've read, and I am HERE for their writing. It was absolutely brilliant and I was hooked, praising this book to friends by the end of chapter 1 (which by the way is 🔥 🥵). They brilliant weave in nuanced understandings of race, gender, sexuality, identity, and more. I can't wait to read more of their books.

This is absolutely one of my favorite books of this year, and you NEED TO READ IT.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: m/f bi romance , women's fiction
Location: NYC, an unnamed Caribbean island
Reminds me of: Six Days in June
Pub Date: May 24, 2022

Thanks to Atria Books and #netgalley for an e-copy of this book!

Blog: Angry Angel Books (angryangelbooks.com)
Posting Date: 5/24/22
Link: https://angryangelbooks.com/2022/05/24/you-made-a-fool-of-death-with-your-beauty/

Source: DRC via NetGalley (Atria Books) in exchange for an honest review
Pub. Date: May 24, 2022
Synopsis: Goodreads

Why did I choose to read this book?

My answer to this one is complicated this time. I am finishing one of the most difficult school years I’ve ever taught through; I feel so dead inside that I’m not sure how I’ll bring it all back to life again. I’m tired, but not the normal kind of tired. There’s a word that hasn’t even been invented yet that would describe how my entire being feels in this moment, after everything, just going through the motions with this weight heavy over my entire soul. I know that sounds over dramatic, but it’s real.

So when the very first line that describes this book said “Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again,” Akwaeke Emezi had me. Maybe if I read this book about this woman’s journey, I could unlock something in myself that could have the chance to regrow into something different but alive. What would that look like? I was excited to find out.

What is this book about?

Feyi lost her husband in a car accident 5 years prior and has decided to try to re-enter the dating scene. Her journey from a friend with benefits to a caring partner to rediscovering her own desire and learning to live again is where this book will take you. Emezi’s story is marketed as a romance novel, and I suppose it is given how much relationships and physical intimacy play a role, but I think that this story is about Feyi honoring her love for the husband she lost, opening her heart to the possibility of new love, but most importantly she’s learning how to fall in love with herself and her own experiences again.

What is notable about the story?

The language Emezi uses to describe everything is so lush and decadent. Your senses will be engaged throughout this novel and I absolutely love that. I can see the tropical birds, smell the spices and busy city streets, I can taste the foods; all because the story is written beautifully.

Its exploration of grief is also beautiful. There were a few sentences that really hit me about halfway through the book:

Those were moments that broke timelines, that cut them so deep and so bloody that they would never stitch back together again, that they life before the cut was as dead as the person who was lost. Just memories through a haze of hurt.

Recognizing how to move forward from events that knock you completely off course, away from anything you every would have imagined for yourself, is something that is very difficult to do, and I speak from multiple experiences. It’s complicated and terrible and you’re always haunted by the other timelines. The best you can hope for is to learn to live with the ghosts and move forward on whatever timeline you ended up on.

Part of this also is the imposter syndrome that Feyi struggles with as her art gains more and more attention. When you remake your life and go in another direction when you thought you would be elsewhere, it is natural to feel like you do not belong, that you didn’t get there by your own merits, that you are a charity case among stars and soon you will be discovered and thrown out, onto yet another timeline where you must recover and rebuild. The strength to know that you belong where you are because you are you and you worked hard and smart and any other combination of things to be in that moment is something that must be built as well – the strength to demand to take up space because you are worthy. This journey spoke to me so loudly that had points I had to set the book down and take some deep breaths.

The line that made me cry, that hit me deepest though, was:

She wanted to be someone she could recognize.

I could try to describe this, but then this would turn into a personal essay and not a book review. All I’ll say about this at the moment is that if you know, then you know. And it’s devastatingly heartbreaking.

Was anything not so great?

Honestly this book was a straight up banger. No notes. Everything Emezi was trying to say with this story needed all the elements present in order to deliver those messages, and it’s done so exquisitely that there’s nothing to critique, really.

What’s the verdict?

5 stars on Goodreads, this is one of the most immersive stories I have ever read and it left me wanting more. I hope that there are many more stories left to be read by Akwaeke Emezi, because I will be first in line for as many more as they plan to write.

This was wild. Feyi was being crazy and frustrating me a lot but she ended up being my fav. The twists and turns were crazy.

I don't have the proper words for this besides wow. I can't say much without giving it all away but Feyi was on my nerves but I ended up loving her.

The Death of Vivek Oji was one of my favourite books of years past, and I was incredibly excited to receive this, Let me start by saying - this book pulled me out of the reading lull I seem to be stuck in. Emezi described it as "a metric f*%kton of profanity, and queer Black girls f#$king their way through Brooklyn" - YES, INDEED. I don't know what I expected going into this but ultimately, it was a love story, about pulling yourself out of grief, and leaning into your intuition, with art, food, beauty and island life at the heart of it! If you're looking for a great romance this summer, check this one out

To get into more detail, Feyi is struggling to find herself after the loss of her husband, Jonah. In an effort to "get back out there", she starts ahem, seeing, different people around Brooklyn. She befriends Nasir, who whisks her away to his familial home in the islands, where she's able to explore nature, her art, her sense of identity, what she truly wants and needs, and ultimately, true happiness.

There are TWISTS, there are TURNS, there are DILFs, there are laughs. This was soo unlike Emezi's other books, but I found that refreshing and truly, wonderful. Everytime I read their work, I am inspired to read more - which is exactly what I will do!

Five years ago, Feyi Adekola lost the love of her life in an accident. Now, she’s finally ready to start living again, although she’s not sure if her roommate’s push to start dating is the right move. When Feyi attends a swanky rooftop party, it kicks off a glamorous and romantic summer of unexpected connections that may be just what she needs to get her artwork noticed. But despite the excitement, she can’t seem to keep her eyes off the one person she shouldn’t want.

I'm not really sure how to rate this book. I completely adore Emezi's writing, and this book has the same magical turns of phrase that make you stop and look at the world differently as their other work. But I struggled with the actual relationship in the book and the way it was portrayed. It's definitely a unique and interesting story that will make you think!

Loved this book. This was my first time reading Akwaeke Emezi and they did not disappoint! This book follows Feyi as she makes a move towards dating after experiencing a loss 5 years earlier. Feyi goes from Brooklyn to an island as part of this journey and for a professional opportunity. From there things get messy as Feyi unexpectedly falls for someone she should not. All in all this book is a romance, but it doesn't shy away from messiness in away that felt more real than other romances/romcoms I have read. Also everything about this book is beautiful from the descriptions of the characters, the island, the house on the island to the cover and title. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for access to this ARC!

Akwaeke Emezi can write anything! This certainly isn't a typical romance novel, because it takes time to develop the protagonist's story before we meet her match. But it really takes off when it gets there. Wonderfully written dialogue, evocative prose, and a really great exploration of a relationship where the tensions come from outside forces. I hope to see more romances from this author!

Have you ever read a book and felt like there was a disaster waiting on every page and you weren't even really rooting for the relationship but when you finished you still felt like the book was 5 stars?

Enter You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty,

When I first started this book, I struggled through the first few chapters. Between the seemingly random sex ( although as you get to know our main character you understand why) and the N-word that seemed to be thrown around in every other sentence between the characters...I was not feeling it.

But I soldiered on, and I'm so glad I did.

The writing is beautiful, the themes of grief and sexuality and love and friendship and art all overlap and give this story so much depth even though it is MESSY.

MY GOD IT"S MESSY!

And I was drawn into the drama, the tension, the stress, and the messiness of the story and I couldn't put it down until the bitter ( really sweet actually) end.

This book got 5 stars from me because, despite the fact that the story was convoluted and crazy and OMG SO MESSY, it was also really good. LOL. Because it's that life sometimes? Good with a side of messy?

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite books are always literary fiction, but I read the occasional romance as well. When I do, I prefer a romance with some serious underlying themes, some humor, or a combination of those two factors. Because I loved The Death of Vivek Oji, a beautiful work of literary fiction, I was excited to read a romance by its talented author. I was not disappointed. Emezi certainly had the heavier themes going, with an exploration of grief through art, of finding love again after loss, and with complicated characters navigating family and friendship connections. I didn't love everything about the book, and I think it dragged a bit in the latter half, but I would recommend it to romance readers who care about the quality of the writing and who are ok with open door scenes. I would not recommend it to literary fiction readers who don't already also read romance, even if you've enjoyed other works by Emezi.

“You always fall for the impossible.”

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is a poignant study of grief and life after unthinkable loss. Feyi is a budding artist, whose works explore the crushing death of her young husband five years before. She’s slowly realized that to truly live, she has to move on with her life, and that includes venturing back out into the dating scene.

Her best friend Joy is an utter delight - brutally honest, an unrelenting cheerleader, and always the voice of reason. Even if she doesn’t have her own shit together, she’ll be damned if she doesn’t pass on her two cents to Feyi (always from a place of love 😂)

Life takes Feyi on unexpected paths, and ultimately the person who most resonates with her is also the most difficult and controversial choice. But I mean - an emotionally intuitive, bisexual silver fox? Who understands how to communicate?? Yeah. I totally get the appeal. And their shared experience with grief allows them to connect on a deeper level.

There’s a subtle feeling of impending catastrophe threaded through the entire book, but also a fragile, tentative beauty…much like Feyi’s healing heart. Was her choice and Alim’s, in ways, fucked up? Yes - but I also get why they made it.

I especially love it when fiction stretches the boundaries of my world. Reading this novel felt like stepping into a sphere I’ve only gotten glimpses of - the international Black art and intellectual scene. It’s full of allusions to real-life art/music/literary talents just outside mainstream awareness. I googled a ton of names mentioned and they’re (almost) all real and very compelling people.

This was my very first ARC reviewed via NetGalley, and I was utterly delighted to receive this book! Thanks again to Atria and the marvelously talented Akwaeke Emezi for providing me with a copy, in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Feyi is recovering from the tragic loss of her husband and is ready to get back into the dating world, but she wants easy and no strings attached. She makes a friend, Nasir, who agrees to take things slow. Everything is going great until she goes to visit Nasir’s home with him and finds herself crushing on his DAD.

This was such a unique romance to read. Emezi did a wonderful job of covering a wide range of topics - love and loss, guilt and grief, the importance of best friends, and taking time to put yourself first. The descriptions of the settings will transport you and you can get lost in the writing.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange of an honest review.

This is my first book by this author and based on this one sample, this author is not for me. Maybe I’m not the target audience, although I do read and enjoy a wide range of books and genres, including romance and LGBTQ themes.

The main character, Feyi, has been grieving her husband’s death for 5 years and is trying to move on. She has relocated to NYC (Brooklyn) to live with her best friend Joy. Right off the bat, we witness Feyi have casual unprotected sex in a bathroom with someone she meets (more like made eye contact with!) at a party. For shock value? My sympathy for her kind of went downhill from there. Feyi then is attracted to this guy’s friend, Nasir, who seems like a really nice guy and is willing to take things slow. And then, boom, she’s attracted to Nasir’s FATHER. At this point I struggled with any incentive to finish the book. I’m glad I did finish it, though, because the last several chapters were better than most of the rest of the book.

It makes me sad that the author has targeted people who leave less than stellar reviews. Everyone is entitled to enjoy the books they enjoy and not enjoy the ones they do not enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

CW: death by car accident, explicit casual sex, lots of profanity

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Awaeke Emezi

This is the story of Feyi, who, married in her twenties, loses the love of her life to an accident. Five years later, she’s ready for a physical relationship again, and we are in for a wild ride.

I should have expected that this book would be a bit much for me with the sex and bad foul language from the first sentence. I kept hoping we would get into more substance than Feyi, the main character’s, seeming promiscuity. So much sex, so many partners, and while it was always “great,” I, as a reader, never found it special. By the time we get to the end, we doubt our protagonist’s ability to be sincere, authentic, or faithful.

Emezi’s writing is lovely, or I’d have probably quit on this book. I think if I were in my twenties, as most of the characters are, and been raised in this millennium, I might be able to relate more, but I’m a midwestern mom, and I kept thinking how dangerous Feyi’s actions were. I loved the storytelling and the descriptions, but I wouldn’t recommend the book to my book club.

I didn't get caught up in the romance itself—in fact, I don't know if I was even rooting for it to succeed. But I felt that it was okay because I was hooked anyways. I was along or the wild ride that was this book.

Emezi's writing about being alive and feeling is just superb. Grief, love, and friendship are explored in the greatest depth and with such care. This is a tough story at times, yet it is always filled with energy and intensity. I just absolutely love how Emezi writes about the human experience, and this makes me even more excited to read their other books. I could feel the words as they landed and it is magical.

The drama. Unparalleled!! Impeccable!! The tension is here and it is making me STRESSED. I never knew what Feyi would choose to do next, but I knew it would be messy as fuck, and I am here for it. But, whew, I'm glad this had a happy ending (of course!) because I'm not sure my heart could take any more. And Feyi deserves all the happiness in the world!

We follow Feyi Adekola, a Nigerian artist, who is learning how to rebuild her life after experiencing a traumatic and devastating loss.

This is not your typical romance novel, so you can leave any typical expectations aside before you begin reading. This story could very easily have been about being messy in dating and retelling another story about a young woman living in the moment and being reckless about other people’s feelings. But it is not. And how Akwaeke crafted the story with her writing and character development will take you on a journey to a more nuanced exploration of love and self-scrutiny after a devastating heartbreak.

Akwaeke continues to show us complex imperfect characters who experience questions surrounding identity, guilt, accountability, sexuality, self-acceptance, self-worth, and navigating relationships.

I think how much you will enjoy the story will depend on how you choose to analyze situations. If you take a black-and-white approach, or if you take an emotional, grey-area, boundary-pushing look on life.

The story is about resilience, human connection, grief, desire, and the healing power of art in a tropical setting with opulent food descriptions.

Even though I personally may not have agreed with Feyi’s decision, I don’t let that affect my view of the story. I was taken on a rollercoaster journey of every emotion and that does not come often.

Life is short, but we also have time.

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
by Akwaeke Emezi
Pub Date: May 24, 2022
Atria
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
* Romance *Contemporary * Fiction * LGBT
Love the cover! One thing I like about Emezi’s books is that they’re not overly long. This one clocks in at 288 pages and it’s just right. This was not a hit for me. The profanity and vulgar behavior turned me off. The direction the story took also left me with mixed feelings.
3 stars