This story of Sam and Efe is a powerful, relatable struggle.

I was amazed at how oblivious Sam allows himself to be. Him thinking everything was perfect is astonishing.

I absolutely hated him at one point.

Efe felt unseen, ignored, desperate. She was struggling, drowning really under the pressure.

Overall the story was amazing.

It contains
- postpartum depression
- abandonment
- self harm

Mayhaps this is unkind, but I really felt like I was reading the notes of a book more than an actual book at times.

Not in a way that I thought the book as written was poorly done. If anything it was more middle of the road than anything. It was just the way that the flashbacks were executed that left me wanting more.

This is hardly the first book to have the book start at something that the reader is supposed to consider the present in terms of the narrative arc of the story, end that first chapter on something of a cliffhanger to keep the reader invested enough to wade through a series of flashbacks until we can finally catch back up at some point to the moment where we left off. It's just that because it's hardly the first book to use this storytelling execution method it's not that interesting to read when the writing is average. It didn't help that each chapter felt like we were rushing through plot points in the most cookie cuter way imaginable.

Ultimately this was a book about motherhood and marriage and in some instances making the best of a situation that you find yourself in... All of which felt pointless when 80% of the book were these lackluster flashbacks. We spent so much time with understanding what drove Efe back to Ghana that we really took the scenic route, but the version of the road that was not at all scenic and was actually one of the dullest car rides you could go on. That when we finally got to the point in the narrative that the pieces fit together for the reader, we were on the same page as the characters, not only was there not a lot of page time for use to see the resolution to this, but the characters themselves did not seem interested in sorting any of that out.

As a result we got an ending that made me want to toss my kindle across my bedroom and ask whatever higher being exists out there the four hour and twenty minutes that I spent reading about Efe and Sam and their small collection of close family members back.

I can't endorse the book, I can't say that anyone should rush out and read it. There are some buried gems about motherhood and not feeling ready for that, elements that felt like they were trying to shine a light on postpartum depression, general conversations about self harm and mental health struggles... they are just surrounded by text that was again, very uninspired.

5 stars

"Speechless" feels more accurate. This is an exceptional debut and easily one of the most moving and memorable novels I've read in a long, LONG time.

Efe and Sam meet each other early on, and their story starts in the recent past and jumps back nearly 20 years to their early encounters. Readers have the incredible privilege of knowing these two - their secrets, their desires, their truths - in ways that even they are not aware of until much later. As their relationship evolves, they grow together in some ways and very far apart in others, and the entire journey is indelible. I like to know as little as possible about a book before I pick it up, and that worked well for me here. I'm glad I had no idea what to expect beyond whatever trials and tribulations of a marriage I might guess at, at best. I recommend these elements of surprise for prospective readers, too. Go on the journey *with* them.

There are aspects of Efe's character that are so relatable to me that I couldn't help but root for her, but that didn't stop me for also rooting for Sam, and that's a mark of both great character development and brilliant plotting. How can one be on both sides of a situation like this? Read and learn.

While Efe and Sam's relationship is at the center, what makes this novel even more special is the way in which the secondary characters are woven through the years and various stages. Friends, acquaintances, mothers, fathers, sisters...everyone brings new texture to these characters' experiences.

I can't say enough about this novel. It's incisive, honest, painful, beautiful, shocking, comfortable, and moving all at once. In case this isn't clear, I loved this, recommend it highly, and commit to keeping my eyes _Clockwork Orange_-style peeled and open for whatever Appiah produces next. This is a gift.

This book here is definitely worth the read from following Efe and Sam from teenage years all the way to the years where they married with a child and started to go through the struggle of family life. Now I see why Efe left and the first place she had to get right with her self. But I’m disappointed in Sam for what he did 😡. Then this ending I’m crying now.

This is a hard book.

It's hard to follow a woman through her life and watch her feel lost and out of control. It's hard to watch love try its best but get it wrong. It's hard to see someone reach out for a lifeline and come up short. It's even harder when your protagonist is a force like Efe in Rootless.

Krystle Zara Appiah's debut novel creates a richly detailed universe tethered to Efe, Her traditional Ghanaian parents send Efe and her younger sister to stay with their aunt in the UK to get an education beyond what they can obtain at home in Ghana. While her sister handles their parents expectations, Efe struggles from the start. Despite her trouble with the finance-based coursework encouraged by her parents and her overall lack of enthusiasm to start a family, she eventually marries Sam, a friend from University who studied to be a lawyer, and begins to create a life she's proud of.

Sam loves Efe fiercely, and the two seem like the ideal couple to their friends and family. When Efe becomes unexpectedly pregnant, she forgoes her chosen childlessness and puts he dream job on hold to embrace the family Sam is absolutely beaming to start. Sam wasn't prepared for Efe's post-partum depression and fails to reconcile how she can be so unhappy with their dream life. When he calls in Efe's family for support, they find themselves unsure how to treat her. Can't she snap out of it? What is so wrong with the beautiful life we all wanted for you?

Although their attempts were occasionally misguided, the love from her family and friends pulls Efe back from the edge. She and Sam make it through their rough patch, and she finds herself connecting on a deeper level with her young daughter and finding the footing to feel like herself again. Efe's homeostasis doesn't last for long before she's face-to-face with a life changing decision and she's forced to find out if her husband and her family's support is truly unwavering.

The author's ability to create a rich, detailed world for Efe and her family is the beating heart of this novel. It's so effortless to fall into place with Efe and to see her family and friends' love through her eyes. The empathy and nuance surrounding her struggles with mental health, family pressure, career pressure, and finding herself are beautiful layered and feel as real as each character. Efe's struggles are far from textbook, and it makes them feel so very human.

So I'll say it again: this is a hard book. It's not, however, a hard decision to read it.

Thank you so much to Ballantine Books for the copy of this ARC.

Rootless starts off with Sam noticing a charge on a shared credit card with his wife for a plane ticket. Efe decided to leave Sam and their daughter and fly back to Ghana as their marriage has reached a crisis point. From there, the book goes back to when Sam and Efe first met and closes in on the present timeline, and I really loved that structure. Their meeting was so sweet and I loved all the 90s/early 2000s references. We learn about the ups and (lots of) downs from their pasts and get to understand who the characters really are and delve into their experience as Ghanaians living in London.

When we get to Part 2, closer to present day, I had a harder time with this book. Sam and Efe both made some choices that I really wasn't on board with, but still think they can reconcile their marriage. The ending had a CHOKEHOLD on me - totally unexpected - but I think it worked well for the novel..

There are some pretty major trigger warnings in this book that I think will affect the reading experience pretty heavily, as it did for me, so be sure to research those.

Rootless explores the relationship of Efe and Sam, seemingly so similar in background and interests but so far apart in what they truly want. We start off with Efe leaving her husband and child in present day. Then we backtrack to the 90s when they meet. We see how their friendship then love grows, get a peek into their childhoods and get an understanding of their struggles. I started out really enjoying this book but lost interest along the way. I’m surprised because this really has all the elements of books I love but something was lacking in the character development for me. Overall this was a sad, intriguing read and I think a lot of people will love it but it won’t make a lasting impression for me personally. 3.5 stars

Have you ever wanted to read a book solely based on its title or cover?

I don't even know which caught my attention first: the beautiful cover or the resonant tittle, but as soon as my eyes landed on this book, I was eager to read the blurb and find out what this book would be about.
Being an immigrant myself, I was immediately drawn to the story of a young Ghanaian woman adapting to a new life in London. It seemed right up my alley because it was so relatable, but it was something else, completely foreign to my reality, that ultimately made me request the ARC—this niggling curiosity as to what would make a mother suddenly buy a one-way ticket and move nearly 5,000 miles away from her toddler without even saying goodbye.

Well, I find out quickly because I couldn't put this book down. The writing is brilliant, and the characters come off the page as the narrator weaves through the hours, months, years in Efe and Sam's past and present.

I don't have children yet. Granted, I can only imagine what's like to go through all the strain and changes—physical, emotional, and financial, to mention a few—that mothers experience. But following Efe's journey felt almost like living it along with her, and it got me really thinking on how unfair this ingrained expectation that every women should compromise who they are once they become a mother is.
The pressure from society, family and friends, culture and customs, that women should want to become mothers, the notion that we're selfish when children aren't a dream or even a desire for whatever reason, that they can't have a life and aspirations outside being someone's mom is dehumanizing, while parenthood looks totally different for men but not because of the obvious physiological reasons.

Efe's story will stay with me for a long time. There's only one reason it isn't a five-star read for me, but I can't disclose it without giving spoilers, so I'll keep it to myself. 🤐

Thank you, NetGalley, Krystle Zara Appiah, and Ballantine for the free ARC.

⚠️ This book doesn't shy away from heavy, highly sensitive topics, so please check for triggers before picking it up.

Efe never wanted to be a mother, she was always a free spirit. She married her high school sweatheart Sam, but even this couldn't hold her down. She goes through so much, and puts her husband and daughter through it too. THis books hits, new mothers, depression, and so many other things that people do not speak about. Even though this is a fiction it hits so many spots in real life. I was impresed with the writing in this book.

We love a story about the complicated nature of being a mom. Not everyone feels like it is a "gift" to be a mother. We are doing a disservice to women when we talk about the beauty of motherhood, we alienate women. This book reaches out to all women as they deal with what it really means to be a mother.

Can you ever be rooted in a home that's on the brink of collapse?

Brief Synopsis: Rootless is a heartrending love story about motherhood and sacrifice, providing an intimate look at what happens after a marriage collapses, leading two people to rediscover what they ultimately want--and if it's still each other. As Efe says, "Love and regret aren't mutually exclusive."

The story begins with Sam discovering a significant amount of money missing from Efe, his wife, and his savings account. After repeatedly being sent straight to voicemail, Sam discovers that Efe is 5,000 miles away leaving both him and their toddler behind.

This book will make you angry, disappointed, aggregated, happy and sad. It’s a mixed bag of emotions, but I’m so happy I read it.

I felt taken on a journey, especially as the story is told in such a unique way with each chapter being a year in the past and each one gets you closer to the present.

I went from severely disliking Efe as a character, to sympathizing and relating to some of her feelings at a deep level. If you’re a mom, I think you’ll feel the same.

So powerful.

TW: There are tough topics covered in this book. I recommend checking any warnings prior to reading this book.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I was completely taken off guard by a scene of self harm and though I kept pushing on, it tainted the book for me and I had to quit. I wish there were either a trigger warning or some other indication that the character were headed in that direction. It felt completely out of the blue and left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. It makes me sad to leave it unfinished, as I know many have loved this book, but I think it’s best for me to leave it for now.

OMG, I loved this book! Rootless is one of those books that had me up until 3 a.m. because I had to finish. The main characters, Sam & Efe are two people meant to be together even before they themselves realized it. Once they become married adults, expectations weight on them both.

Rootless is a beautifully written story about motherhood, sacrifice and finding yourself again after losing your personal dreams in the name of family. The characters are real and relatable. And I still thought of Sam and Efe long after I finished the last page.

Finding one’s true love in life can bring about great comfort and pure bliss at times. It can also elicit deep sadness.

Maame is the queen. She wants the best for her daughter, Efe, with a good education, job, husband and children. She is direct and manipulative at times. Paa tells her to find happiness. Her sister, Serwaa, is her best friend. Her husband, Sam, is her sweet soul mate.

The story starts “five months before” and then skips back 19 years to give the reader a glimpse which leads up to the last part. Each is well-paced with a little bit more each time to develop the characters. All along the reader just gets more engaged in what’s happening between the couple.

The beauty of this book is being able to easily picture the places and people. Efe’s family resides in Ghana but she lives with Sam where they went to the university in London. She works at a gallery; he’s a lawyer. They have solid careers and then things change when their daughter, Liv, is born.

I want to tell you that life is perfect for Efe and Sam. But I can’t. There are problems and some are difficult as it relates to the decisions that are made. It’s the part where you wish you could be there to help them.

There are just a handful of characters to keep an eye on with easy-to-remember names. The author tells just enough to make this a page turner with some surprises that I didn’t expect. She has a way of capturing one’s emotions with a dramatic ending.

My thanks to Krystle Zara Appiah, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of March 7, 2023.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC. I am thrilled to review this amazing debut novel by Krystle Zara Appiah. First, the caliber and subject matter of this book does not read like a debut author. It is the riveting (and sometimes painful) story of a woman (Efe) that opens with her walking out of her house one day and flying to Ghana. The rest of the novel take place in past and future, but the author has skillfully and interestingly started with chapter countdowns (20 years before, 19 years before) until the end where we see what happens after. In the countdown, she and her sister are sent to London to stay with an auntie to attend school on the UK. We see the adolescent ups and downs as well as the effect of a colonizing culture on a black girl.

KZA writes of pregnancy, motherhood and relationships in a raw and honest way I have not read before. It was refreshing and painful to travel through postpartum depression with her, but the choices she makes to save herself are so truthful and relatable.

I really look forward to reading the next story by this author!

Moving story of Efe, a young Ghanaian woman who goes to the UK for university. The book explores coming of age, marriage, parenthood, and the cost of following your dreams--as well as the cost of not following your dreams. Well done and felt very real.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

This book was definitely something... I am still shocked, confused and just all of the above.. This was definitely a decent read. I honestly wished that before hand I knew that this book wouldn't be a HEA where the couple lives in harmony. Be it as it may, this book was shocking, I did not expect that ending! At this point, I don't have any adjectives to describe how this book made me feel. Definitely good things in the beginning and now that I have reached the end, there are definitely some bad things too!!!

I am walking away from this book feeling like a hundred elephants just stampeded on my heart, but in the best way possible.

Synopsis: Sam comes home to find his wife Efe is missing. There is a $1,300 withdrawal from their bank account, their daughter Liv is crying, and Efe is dodging his calls. Where is Efe? Where did the money go? Feeling blind sighted, Sam is left scratching his head as to what went wrong. The author then proceeds to tell the story of Sam and Efe’s relationship, starting as a friendship in adolescence, and how their relationship could reach this unimaginable place.

Thoughts: This marriage in crisis story is one of the rawest portrayals of motherhood and the trials and tribulations of a partnership. I am truly in awe that this is Appiah’s debut novel— it really reads like the work of a seasoned author. The brilliance in which she tackles themes of motherhood, cultural pressures, marriage, regret, and family is nothing short of perfection. I worry that some readers will not be satisfied with the ending, but I think it was really the only way to end such a story. I cannot applaud Appiah enough for this stellar debut, and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!

Thank you Ballantine for my advanced reader's copy!

A heart aching story of losing and finding. Breaking and coming together. Beautifully written. I enjoyed the pace and emotionality of this book. It was a joy to read. I enjoyed the characters growth.

The beginning of Rootless is a flash forward, a glimpse into where Sam and Efe are headed. But the story truly begins when Efe and her sister arrive from Ghana to study in London. The story follows their paths, surrounded and overwhelmed by the helicopter of helicopter parents in Ghana. There are the predictable teenage friendships and romances. Efe wants to follow her own path in life, in school, in marriage, in motherhood. How she meets Sam and how their relationship goes through more than their fair share of ups and downs is the central plot line. The ending will come out suddenly and unexpected. You won't be able to put down Rootless!

Ms. Appiah, my sincere compliments!