A bit slow moving in my opinion but I think it is worth the read. I always like to read what Jenna puts her “stamp of approval” on! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Three stars.

This novel follows the lives of 3 expats living the luxury life in Singapore. Dara is a lawyer trying to make a name for herself at her law firm. Amaka is embroiled in a family dispute yet is also hiding a dangerous shopping addiction. And Lillian is the musical prodigy who is trying to figure out her life in the midst of a messy marriage. Add in the new stranger in town, Lani, who wreaks havoc in the lives of these women.

This novel has a soap opera-ish vibe to it as it takes a fresh perspective on the lives of modern women. Their messy and complicated lives show the struggles of balancing trying to have it all and fulfilling their own desires. And with a little help from complicated friendships and questionable loyalties.

Thank you to @netgalley @grandcentralpub for an early digital review copy

I loved this book. While each character had her own struggles, they had really interesting character arcs and I was completely invested in them individually and in their friendships.

I really liked the setting and idea of Nigerian ex-pats living in Singapore and what brought each of the three to be there. They each had her own challenges and had to deal with very real problems -- or see how not dealing with them made things harder.

I really loved these women and I know I'll be thinking about them in the future and hoping they're okay!

The Sun Sets in Singapore is full of unobtrusive and understated description which nonetheless perfectly conveys the scene of the novel, and I was hooked from the very first chapter. It tells the story of a group of Nigerian ex-pats in hot and humid Singapore. These woman are lucky in many ways, but each is struggling with her own past wounds. There is the underrated Dara who grew up knowing she would never be one of the cool girls but also realized how little that mattered to the people who could make her successful, an underdog who has struggled to fit in despite encounters with racism and sexism. Now she must deal with the male version of herself arriving to snatch her hard-won success right out of her hands. Her friend is the resentful and spiky Amaka who struggles to hide her origins, compulsive shopping, and longings for family, a woman who is great at her job but makes a mess of her personal life. The third main character is the guilt-tortured Lillian who is alternately a realist and fantasist who can’t see how her obsessions trigger the conflicts that threaten to bury her. I knew nothing about this culture and world before reading this novel, and I found it fascinating. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven stories.

I was so excited to get a DRC for this title!

My favorite part of this debut was how lived-in it felt. Each character's POV and conflict was unique, and I appreciated the distinct but universal threads of othering, belonging, and family relationships. I was instantly hooked. Toward the end, I felt it get a little meandering and long because of how much is packed into the plot. Though we center around 3 main characters, there are loads of supporting characters explored (some with "off-screen" cameos). The constant desultory flashbacks were thorough but a bit exhausting.

The atmospheric descriptions of a place unknown to me reminded me of You Can't Stay Here Forever (and of course Crazy Rich Asians), and the messiness, chaos, and sincerity of our MCs reminded me of Homebodies and Maame.

While my interest waned a bit in the middle, THE SUN SETS IN SINGAPORE reminded me that we need more books like this! I appreciated the peek into new-to-me cultures and the book's support of therapy. Would make a great (and meta) book club book!

While a quick easy read, this felt more like a soap opera (Housewives of......) than a touching story of female empowerment and friendship. And at one point, I was pretty sure it wouldn't pass the Bechdel Test. Likewise, the female characters felt a bit stereotypical and shallow and the heavier topics presented felt brushed over instead of really examined. Maybe too many plots with too many characters? Too much drama instead of real human relationships? I'm not sure. Whatever it was, I finished the book feeling like I didn't get as good a book as I should have.

"The Sun Sets in Singapore" is a compelling novel that explores themes of identity, otherness, mental health, and the complexities of modern life. It offers a glimpse into Singaporean and Nigerian cultures while providing a well-told story of friendship, honesty, and togetherness. If you enjoy stories of travel, immigration, corporate drama, and the intricacies of human relationships, this book is a must-read. Fadipe's ambitious debut is sure to leave a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to those looking for a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience.

The story of three expat Nigerian women living in Singapore whose lives are turned upside down by a fine man who has come to town.

Told from alternating points of view, this at times felt like sex in the city..in Singapore. It was the story of friendship, black womenhood, and balancing a career.

Beautifully told and i say this as someone who often looses interest when there are more than two main characters.

Thanks to Net Galley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.

While the characters' stories overlap in this novel, it was a bit too much going on to keep track of for me. The setting and multicultural/expat group are interesting and made it enjoyable despite feeling overwhelmed with so many people to follow.

Special thanks to NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. My rating is a 4.5 stars. I loved the debut novel by Kehinde Fadipe. The tone is lyrical and nuanced.

"Forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts, Dara, Amaka, and Lillian soon learn that unfinished history can follow you anywhere, no matter how far you run from home." And yet this story was so much more, families, expat life, where do you and land on the class totem pole with regards to work. We get a glimpse into racism, implicit and explicit biases, sexism, the good ol' boys network and everyone trying to claw their way to the top.
I will be looking for more from this author.

A moving debut about three Nigerian expats living in Singapore navigating careers, family drama and love while trying to foster their burgeoning female friendship. Told through alternating POVs, this book reads like a modern take on Sex and the city but set in a foreign country featuring three very different women.

Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jane Igharo, Jessica George or Nikki May. I liked the relationship between the three women and that the unique look at the Nigerian expat community in Singapore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Set in Singapore, the main characters all have Nigerian heritage which plays an important part in their stories. As usual, we have three contrasting women: Dara is an ambitious corporate lawyer keen to make partner; Amaka is a banker; and Lillian a professional pianist no longer playing and fretting about her marriage. All of them are affected by the arrival of the handsome, charming Lani, a Nigerian/British lawyer - but not necessarily in the genre-expected ways.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-arc.*

The Sun Sets in Singapore is the story of 3 women from Nigeria who are living the Expat life in Singapore. I found it interesting to follow these women's stories and I kept returning to the book each day to see what happened next in their lives. The novel has great descriptions of Singapore that give you that sense of place.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this expat story of three women, all from Nigerian backgrounds, but coming from different areas (London, Nigeria, and United States) meeting up in Singapore. I liked the descriptions of living life in a foreign country, and I liked following these three women as they navigated jobs, romances, friendships, and family issues, as well as the snippets of the book club they all participated in. The ending was neatly wrapped up, so I liked it!

Really enjoyed this book! Loved exploring the backgrounds of these women and really loved feeling like I could picture myself in Singapore. Had no idea it was so competitive. I was a little frustrated by the lack of communication and honesty between the friends - but overall, a great vacation read and asks good questions and discussions about what friendship means to you - and how to make friends in a place where you may not know people....

"The Sun Sets in Singapore" by Kehinde Fadipe is a dazzling and compelling exploration of expat life in the vibrant city-state of Singapore. Fadipe weaves a collage of ambition, insecurity, and intrigue, enveloping readers in the glittering world of three fascinating women whose lives are about to be transformed in unexpected ways.

Set against the backdrop of Singapore's nonstop sunshine, low tax rates, and luxury goods market, the story revolves around the lives of Dara, Amaka, and Lillian, each hailing from different corners of the globe. As they bask in the glamorous expat dream, their seemingly perfect lives are about to face a stunning upheaval with the arrival of a mysterious newcomer.

Dara, the workaholic lawyer from the UK, is on the cusp of partnership at her firm. Yet, despite her professional success, she grapples with insecurities, compounded by the competitive environment and her strained relationship with her mother. These insecurities reach their zenith when Lani, a fellow British Nigerian, enters the picture, and Dara's career-defining case becomes a battleground. The clash is orchestrated by their boss, pitting Dara against Lani in a high-stakes power play.

Amaka, a sharp-tongued banker from Nigeria, faces her own tribulations as she navigates a painful family dispute. Isolated thousands of miles from her homeland, she tries to cope by immersing herself in a flirtatious office romance while concealing a shopping addiction that threatens to unravel not only her finances but her very identity. The instant attraction she feels for Lani further destabilizes her already fragile world.

Lillian, a talented pianist turned "trailing spouse" from the US, grapples with the aftermath of a messy divorce. To hold onto a piece of her past, she clings to her beloved piano, the last connection to her parents. Her life takes a surreal turn when she encounters Lani, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late father. This chance meeting rekindles suppressed grief, setting off an obsession that endangers everything she holds dear.

As Dara, Amaka, and Lillian confront the ghosts of their pasts, they discover that unfinished history has a way of following you, no matter how far you travel. The novel brilliantly explores the intricacies of ambition, rivalry, and the human capacity to adapt and evolve when faced with unexpected challenges.

Kehinde Fadipe's storytelling is evocative and insightful, taking readers on a journey that is compelling and thought-provoking. The characters are richly developed, each with their own unique struggles and desires, making them relatable and captivating. Fadipe paints a vivid picture of expat life in Singapore, capturing the city's allure and the complexities that come with pursuing success and happiness in a foreign land.

"The Sun Sets in Singapore" is evidence of Fadipe's literary talent, offering a narrative that effortlessly combines drama, intrigue, and exploration of the human psyche. The novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, turning page after page to unravel the secrets and transformations that await its characters.

This tale of ambition, rivalry, and self-discovery is a compelling and intricate narrative that will resonate with readers from all walks of life. It reveals how our pasts have a way of catching up with us, and that confronting our history is an essential step in finding our place in life. "The Sun Sets in Singapore" is a literary jewel, a story that leaves a permanent mark and invites readers to contemplate their own journeys of self-discovery.

"Kehinde Fadipe's 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' is a literary voyage that explores the uncharted waters of ambition, rivalry, and the haunting echoes of the past. A mesmerizing narrative that will keep you enthralled until the very last page." — A literary voyage through ambition and the echoes of the past.

"In 'The Sun Sets in Singapore,' Fadipe weaves an expat tale that glistens with intrigue, capturing the allure of a foreign land and the complex relationships that thrive in its shadows. An evocative journey of self-discovery that resonates with every reader." — An expat tale that glistens with intrigue and self-discovery.

"Kehinde Fadipe's character-driven narrative is a masterpiece of interpersonal complexity. 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' explores the depths of ambition and insecurity, intertwining the fates of three unforgettable women in a land where the sun never stops shining." — A masterpiece of interpersonal complexity where the sun never stops shining.

"Prepare to be captivated by the allure of 'The Sun Sets in Singapore.' Fadipe's storytelling expertise is at its peak, creating a world of expat glamour and emotional depth. The mysterious newcomer Lani is the enigmatic key to a narrative that will keep you guessing." — The allure of expat glamour and emotional depth.

"Lose yourself in the pages of 'The Sun Sets in Singapore.' Fadipe's narrative of ambition and transformation is an enthralling exploration of the human spirit's capacity for adaptation. A story that will leave a mark on your heart." — An enthralling exploration of ambition and transformation.

"Kehinde Fadipe's prose in 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' is as radiant as the city's sun. The three women's journeys will strike a chord with every reader, and the mysterious Lani adds an element of intrigue that makes this narrative a must-read." — Radiant prose and an element of intrigue in a must-read narrative.

"Dive into the depths of 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' and discover a world of ambition, insecurity, and self-discovery. Fadipe's characters come alive on the page, drawing you into a story that is compelling and thought-provoking." — A world of ambition, insecurity, and self-discovery brought to life on the page.

"In 'The Sun Sets in Singapore,' Kehinde Fadipe paints an evocative portrait of a city that never sleeps, and the three women who find their lives forever altered. A tale of ambition and transformation that keeps you turning the pages." — An evocative portrait of a city that never sleeps and lives forever altered.

"Kehinde Fadipe's 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' is a narrative that resonates universally. The characters' intertwining stories are evidence of the human capacity for adaptation and transformation. An emotionally resonant and suspenseful journey awaits." — A narrative that resonates universally with emotionally resonant and suspenseful intertwining stories.

"The sun may set in Singapore, but Kehinde Fadipe's narrative shines brilliantly. 'The Sun Sets in Singapore' is a captivating story of ambition, rivalry, and the inescapable pull of the past. A must-read that leaves an inescapable mark." — A captivating story of ambition, rivalry, and the unforgettable pull of the past.

Three strong Nigerian women find themselves living in modern-day Singapore, all chasing success in their own way, and are brought together through a book club, reminiscent of Kevin Kwan.

There’s romance and infidelity, corporate success and backstabbing, shopping and debt, hope and heartbreak, family and independence. Each woman, in their own way, avoids reality by their own favorite coping mechanism. In truth, that was my favorite piece of the way this book is written - the characters are imperfect and make choices that don’t necessarily reflect the best decision. But Fadipe writes them in such a way that you can identify with what they did - in the moment that they did.

The only drawback of the story is I was hoping for a richness of description of Singapore and the locations, matching the quality of character development.

Not the romance you might be expecting but rather an interesting look at three women living in Singapore, all of Nigerian heritage, all with a darkness with their family in the past. Yes, when Lani a good looking Nigerian attorney joins Dara's firm, the firm where she's about to make partner, he upends everything, not only for her but also for her banker friend Amaka, and Lillian, an American "trailing spouse" who works as a language instructor. Each of the women tell their story- Dara of her struggle to be accepted, Amaka of her challenges as the child her father did not acknowledge until his death, and Lillian, perhaps the most poignant who has not, can not touch the piano she brought to Singapore. It's Lillian, who believes Lani is the reincarnation of her long dead father that sets off much of the conflict between the woman, as well as with her husband. Fadipe does a good job with the other expats and with the expat lifestyle but she shines with these three women. There are some little surprises and twists here- no spoilers. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this very much.

Moving but it just wasn’t for me. I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this title!

Dara, Amaka, and Lillian are each of Nigerian decent, though they are from the UK, Lagos, and the United States respectively. Dara is a lawyer, competing for partner in a race that is already stacked against her. Amaka is a banker managing a painful family dispute while navigating tricky interpersonal relationships. Lillian is a “traveling spouse”, who left her career as a pianist to follow her husband, only to watch her marriage dissolve. As each woman experiences her own expat life in Singapore, the arrival of a new man, Lani, sparks chaos in each of their lives.

When I picture Singapore, I envision a wealthy, global country. But as the story progresses we are reminded of the barriers that are ever present, particularly for Black women, a minority in this southeast Asian country. Lillian, Dara, and Amaka each have their own distinct goals, secrets, and histories. As their friendships begin and change, we see the evolution of identity, vocation, and passion in this thoughtful and funny novel. While, there were some obvious audio edits or revisions that were distracting to the listening experience, I enjoyed most of the narration and the story overall!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, Libro.fm, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!