Lola Akinmade Åkerström returns to the literary scene with "Everything is Not Enough." Fearlessly addressing themes of personal struggle, cultural displacement, and the immigrant experience, the narrative weaves a captivating, compelling tale - regardless of whether we are familiar with the first novel, "In Every Mirror She’s Black”, I wasn’t.

"Everything is Not Enough" portrays the complex lives of Yasmiin, Kemi, and Brittany, three women set against the backdrop of liberal yet quietly demanding Scandinavian society (this is a side of Sweden that I wasn’t aware of). Each character faces diverse, deeply personal challenges, forming the navigation of their unavoidable, often harsh realities.

Yasmiin, a Somalian refugee, grapples with the weight of her hidden past, which threatens her peaceful existence. Kemi, living in the shadow of a thriving career left behind in the US, wrestles with regret and self-destructive tendencies. In contrast, Brittany unravels secrets within her seemingly perfect marriage, prompting her to question her future.

Åkerström's writing style exudes fluidity and precision, delicately illustrating the struggles immigrants encounter while endeavouring to align themselves with their new circumstances. While it had the potential to morph into a taut thriller, Åkerström chooses a more gradual, character-driven narrative that underscores the stark, unyielding spectrum of human emotions. The narrative subtly echoes a contemporary Charlotte Bronte, as each character's trajectory, though peppered with trials, errors, and poor decisions, beautifully epitomises their resilience.

"Everything is Not Enough" is a thought-provoking introspection into the hallmark experiences shared by these three resilient women. Åkerström's storytelling allowed me to walk beside them. Her heartfelt narrative offers a mindful observation of not just surviving, but thriving amidst life's turbulent seas.

A heartfelt thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus, and Lola Akinmade Åkerström for the advance readers copy. "Everything is Not Enough" gets published 23 October, and #pudseyrecommends

I loved this sequel. Like the first book, I immediately felt closely involved in the lives of Kemi, Brittany and Muna. I highly recommend reading the first book before starting this one, as everything becomes clearer. I found Yasmiin's story the most interesting, I loved getting to know her. We got to see a new side of Brittany-Rae, which was also great. And as much as Kemi frustrated me, I also rooted for her.

This was a hard read. It was beautiful and colourful but also very deep and disturbing. The mirror was held up to racism in all its ugliness and the impact it has. The protection the colour of skin gives someone, the pain and the glory that the characters went through was everywhere.
The promise of the first book is followed through in Everything is not Enough. My stomach clenched for the women fighting against all the odds to be heard and seen. There is more hope in this book, although it takes its time to bloom and once more children start to fill the holes left by loss and abuse and cruelty.
Not a relaxing read, but pretty much an essential one.

I loved In Every Mirror She’s Black so I was so excited to read this. Sadly though, I really struggled to engage with it and it was a bit of a chore to get to the end. I didn’t feel like any of the characters were particularly engaging so it was difficult to believe in or care about their individual stories.

Having said that though, I thought Yagiz and Yasmiin’s relationship was incredibly well written and really showed off the author’s ability to depict complex relationships.

Apologies for the largely negative review. I appreciate being given access to this ARC.

This is the story of the lives of Yasmiin, Kemi and Brittany, black women living in Stockholm. They are all in different circumstances, but their lives overlap through Salima's a hairdresser, and her sister Amani, a divorce lawyer. They all have hard lives and different challenges. The female characters listed all seem real, and are likeable.
I enjoyed this book, the writing is fresh, and it was interesting to explore the differences and similarities of immigrant lives in Sweden compared to the UK.
Recommended.

Everything Is Not Enough is a follow-up to brilliant In Every Mirror She's Black. Lola Akinmade Åkerström has a way with words; she pulls the reader straight into the book.

I'm so glad that this book made up for what irked me in the previous installment - camaraderie amongst the three main characters; Kemi, Britanny and Yasmine; Yasmine being Muna's friend. Each chapter alternates between the three.

I much preferred Britanny in this book to how she was in the previous one. However, I found Kemi's actions to be quite frustrating, considering how empowered she once was. Yasmine's story was interesting to read.

These women still face challenges in their relationships and careers in Sweden. They still face discrimination with regard to their skin colour - yet, they still stand tall.

Everything Is Not Enough is a compelling read and will not disappoint.

I haven't read the novel to which this is a sequel and I certainly will now as I love the main characters, Brittany Rae, Kemi and Yasmin. The book is cleverly structured so that there is no need to have read the first book about Brittany and Kemi. I loved the setting in Sweden and the insights into the immigrant life and the exploration of the various ways in which racism manifests itself in various strata of society from those on the lowest rung to those in the incredibly wealthy bracket.. I found the thriller/murder sub plot involving Brittany Rae's in laws and her husband a little far fetched when his abusive behaviour was enough to take on board. However, this was a minor niggle in a good and thought provoking read.

I found parts of the plot very interesting and compelling, but others (e.g. her affair/work storyline) a bit dull and already done. The intertwining of different cultures and languages was smart.

This is the second book I have read by Lola and really enjoyed the last. We are back in Stockholm, Sweden to catch up with Kemi and Brittany . We also meet Yasmin and her husband alongside Muna who is in hospital following a horrific incident.

I liked that all 3 leading characters were strong, black women. I loved how down they felt and what they were each going through, their own personal battles - they still find it within them to have a voice and do what they feel is right. Racism is discussed through out the book from different points of views and on different levels, from the micro racism encountered and every day comments, to the bold in your face discrimination. I think the author did this extremely well.

The other topics discussed in this book include infidelity, child loss, sexual assault, and suicide. The general theme through the book is I found was feeling misplaced and never really fitting in.

Muna and Ahmed's story particularly I found to be extremely sad and harrowing in parts to read. I liked how Lola manage to weave the story to interlink each character.

Throughout it all though and down to the author and characters she built - these incredible women there is still love and hope to hold on to.

I will be recommending this book to others and looking out for more from this author.

This book was incredibly. The author seamlessly slipped us into the lives of the characters and I felt such a multitude of emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of his book in exchange for a review.

Firstly thank you to net galley for a free copy in return for my honest review.

A fantastic read with some strong female characters battling against the odds to build a life for themselves and their families. The Western world sells itself on equal opportunities for all, but this book explores how people fall through cracks or show the image people want to see. This is about building and maintaining female friendships and supporting each other.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC

I stupidly was not aware that this book was a sequel, and therefore I won't be fully reviewing it as I feel like had I of read the first book, my opinion would be different! As expected with having not read the first book, I was a bit confused at times and felt like we didn't get a real introduction to the characters. But now that I know this is the second book of a series, that makes total sense. Besides the obvious bumps because of that, I did actually enjoy this book overall! Now I'm off to read the first one!

I had difficulty getting into this book. It was also assumed that the reader had read the first book (I had, but couldn't remember details) as the book is about the 3 characters in that book. You are immediately thrown into the plot without much explanation about who is who, though when you read on there are reminders about the history of the women. I didn't feel engaged with these characters or really care very much about their lives. There is a message about the lives of women of colour, but is buries quite deep . Some detail is too overdone and there are a lot of diffeent characters who are part of the womens'lives to keep track of .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARc,

I liked the novel but it was a little too fast paced for me. It seems that the author also spends a lot of hours a day, maybe the day job, in front of the computer. This is the only explanation I find for the way the book is written.

Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book, which will be published on 23 October 2023. This is my honest review of it:

This book is a sequel, and even though the author said this could be read first, I don't think I've made a good decision by reading this one first. Maybe if I read the In Every Mirror She’s Black, I would enjoy more Everything is Not Enough...

I liked the writing and the three points of view, but it wasn't enough for me to like the story 100%. Sometimes I thought the chapters were very slow and I found it difficult to read more than one chapter a day. The plot focuses on three black women, bad decisions, toxic relationships and racism! My favorite part of the book was definitely Kemi's point of view.

I think I'll need to read In Every Mirror She’s Black, and maybe my opinion about this book will change!

If you liked the author's first book, I'm sure this one won't disappoint you!

Lola Akinmade Åkerström's "Everything is Not Enough" takes readers on a captivating journey through the lives of three remarkable women in Stockholm. This second novel from the acclaimed author of "In Every Mirror She's Black" is a thought-provoking exploration of life, love, prejudice, and the unexpected connections that bind us.

Yasmiin finds herself in disbelief when she learns that her friend is in a coma following an attempted suicide. As Yasmiin delves into her friend's past, she uncovers mysteries that lead her to question her own life's trajectory. Akinmade Åkerström skillfully builds suspense and keeps readers engaged as Yasmiin's search for answers takes unexpected twists and turns.

Kemi appears to have it all—a successful career, a beautiful home, and a loving boyfriend. Yet, she struggles with an underlying restlessness that pushes her toward destructive choices in search of change. Akinmade Åkerström delves into Kemi's internal battles, offering a poignant portrayal of the complexity of human emotions and the quest for fulfilment.

Brittany-Rae, a woman overshadowed by her domineering husband Jonny, embarks on a journey to reclaim her identity. Uncovering disturbing secrets about Jonny, her focus shifts to protecting her daughter and creating a life far away from his influence. Brittany-Rae's story is one of strength and empowerment, reminding us of the resilience found within ourselves when faced with adversity.

In "Everything is Not Enough," the lives of these three women unexpectedly intersect, revealing the power of connection and the potential for healing through shared experiences. Akinmade Åkerström explores themes of prejudice, privilege, and personal freedom, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative.

The author's writing style is engaging and evocative, painting vivid pictures with her words and eliciting a range of emotions. The story flows smoothly, keeping readers enthralled and eager to uncover the resolutions to the characters' dilemmas.

"Everything is Not Enough" serves as a poignant reminder that our paths can cross in surprising ways and that sometimes, the answers we seek can be found in the most unlikely of places.

With relatable characters, an intricate plot, and powerful themes, this book is a must-read for those seeking an engaging and thought-provoking narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley, Head of Zeus, and the author for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ákínmádé Åkerström returns to tackle racism in Sweden in her sequel novel, Everything is Not Enough.

The development of characterisation that we see throughout the novel, was paced really well and I really enjoyed the changing of perspectives between the lead characters and how they touched each others lived in various ways and manners.

The best thing about this novel is that no one is perfect and everyone is flawed. The author hadn't sought to make life appear like a fairytale for these women but even in the harsh moments, the novel is grounded in a stark and real reality faced by many people living in western, white majority cities/countries.

I love grey characters and Ákínmádé Åkerström tackles this really well, take for example the husband of one of the women, he loves his wife greatly, but we are continually asked the question does his love trump his no desirable traits?

We are invited into a world where women have to fight for their autonomy in the workplace, their homes and the wider culture sphere of Sweden, and they take on the mantle successfully. They aren't perfect, but who is and although some of the characters I wanted to shake, Ákínmádé Åkerström does so well to feed into the lives of these characters and the struggles to find their place in Sweden and bring a level of understanding to their actions.

This book contains heavy, real topics such as infant death, infidelity and sexual assault so please check in with yourself before starting to read.

Thank you to Head of Zeus, Lola Ákínmádé Åkerström and Net Galley for this advanced copy. I'll be releasing a more in-depth review closer to publication.

This is a sequel to ‘In Every Mirror She’s Black’ which I’d highly recommend reading before continuing to this book. I loved the first book and when I finished it, I was left wanting to know more, about how each story would continue so was glad when I heard that this book was in the works and it did not disappoint!

As with ‘In Every Mirror She’s Black’ I really enjoyed this book. I loved how we continued to hear the stories of three different women with distinctive voices who live completely different lives but share the struggles of navigating life, love, and prejudice in a country where they have moved to.

We primarily continue to hear the stories of Brittney, Kemi and Yasmiin (and Muna through Yasmiin’s perspective) and how they overlap. But we are also introduced to some other bold women such as the “tigris/tigress Amani and her sister Salima.

Brittney continues to struggle to find her place in Sweden and tries to come to terms with revelations regarding her husband Johnny and their relationship. Kemi questions where her future lies and whom it lies with. Yasmiin gains some independence but struggles with coming to terms with her past. Each of them faces a huge personal crisis and we follow how they attempt to overcome this.

I enjoyed how this book ended. Whilst I wouldn’t call it predictable, I was satisfied with how this book ended and where the story of each of the main character concludes. However I would be interested to hear the stories from the perspective of the men; Johnny (to hear his feelings on his family, how the relationship with Maya unfolded and his relationship with Brittney), Yagiz (to hear his arrival to Sweden and how he became a “boss”) and Tobbe (his family, growing up in Sweden and his feelings on the career differences between him and Kemi).

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading other books by Lola.

Thank you to Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for the advance free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Our mistakes as Black women are unforgivable in this world .”

⚠️ In Every Mirror Shes Black Spoilers. Please Google The Trigger Warnings.

After the success of 'In Every Mirror She's Black' in 2021, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this sequel, "Everything Is Not Enough".

'Everything Is Not Enough', starts immediately after the ending of it's predesscor. With Brittany trapped within the clutches of the Von Ludin clan, she attempts to break free from her marriage. But with no one to trust, can Brittany forge allies to help her leave? Following the suicide attempt of Muna, Yasmiin, the wife of Yagiz, is left to pick up the pieces, all the while trying to establish a new career, motherhood & marriage, along with fighting to be seen in a country where her race is a barrier. And finally, after her entanglement with a white colleague, will Kemi be able to continue climbing the corporate ladder whilst enduring macro & micro-aggressions?

Much like the former, 'Everything Is Not Enough' explores the nuances of being Black, especially being Black in a land where it is not the norm, nor accepted with ease. Fetishism, microaggressions, racism, sexualisation of black bodies, the list goes on.

Unpopular Opinion: 'Everything Is Not Enough' fell rather flat for me. I was expecting more from.the characters and hoped that they would form greater bonds. Unfortunately, due to their personal afflictions, the women were extremely cold & unlikeable within this story. I would have loved a sisterhood bond for these characters.

The plot was not as driven as I expected, and my interest picked up around the 75% mark. Brittany's story would have benefitted from a darker & more suspensfull backdrop. I wanted to see more of her love for baby Maya & her mothering. Kemi - I'm not going to say anything. Yasmin, held my heart more so, she offered this story a lifeline that it needed to stay afloat.

Unfortunately, not one for me on this occassion, however I am happy that I now have closure from 'In Every Mirror She's Black'. Is 'Everything Is Not Enough' on your TBR lIst?

Release date Oct 2023

4.5 stars rounded up

I don't think I was quite ready for the wealth of feeling this book evoked in me. It took me a little while to get into this, mainly to get acquainted with our three heroines, but once I did, I could hardly put this down. There are so many layers to Everything is Not Enough, so many different issues that are being discussed, and yet none of it felt forced or exaggerated. Beautifully written, heart-wrenching story - I highly recommend.