Oh my gosh, Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is EVERYTHING. This book hit me right in the heart and didn’t let go. Adichie brings us into the lives of four women—Chiamaka, Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou—all of them flawed, fierce, and so real. The way she captures their struggles with love, identity, and heartbreak feels raw and deeply personal, like she’s talking straight to you. Chiamaka’s reflections during the pandemic really resonated, and I couldn’t stop rooting for Kadiatou as she fought to hold her world together.

Adichie’s writing is absolutely stunning—every word feels deliberate, emotional, and filled with truth. This isn’t just a story about these women; it’s about all of us and the choices we make in love and life. If you loved Americanah or anything that gets to the heart of what it means to love, live, and long for more, this book will completely captivate you. I’m already recommending it to everyone I know!

This novel was absolutely worth the wait. Adichie’s prose is so singular and lovely, and I felt totally immersed in the world she built for the four women at the heart of this novel. I was equally invested in each of the narratives, and all of the settings were so vividly depicted.

‘Dream Count’ is a story of four women with four different stories. Each story represents so many things. The things like love, power, and life. The book is well-written and brings so many emotions through each and every scene. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.

Dream Count, the long-awaited novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is nothing short of breathtaking. Set against the backdrop of a pandemic-weary world, Adichie delivers a poignant exploration of love, longing, and self-discovery through the eyes of four compelling women.

At the center of the story is Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer reflecting on her life and loves in a time of isolation. Her journey of self-reckoning, paired with the intricate narratives of Zikora, Omelogor, and Kadiatou, creates a rich tapestry of interconnected lives. Each woman’s perspective is beautifully distinct, yet their struggles and triumphs echo universal truths about identity, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness.

Adichie’s prose is as luminous as ever—her signature blend of elegance and raw honesty permeates every page. She tackles heavy themes like betrayal, cultural identity, motherhood, and systemic inequality with sensitivity and depth. The novel also grapples with existential questions: Is true happiness attainable, or is it an elusive ideal? How do we reconcile our past with our present to find peace?

What sets Dream Count apart is its unflinching honesty and the emotional urgency that courses through its pages. Adichie does not shy away from the complexities of her characters or the world they inhabit. Each of the women’s stories feels achingly real, their choices and regrets resonating long after the final page.

For fans of Adichie’s previous works, this novel reaffirms her brilliance as a storyteller who blends the personal with the political, the intimate with the universal. For new readers, it serves as an exquisite introduction to one of the most powerful voices in contemporary literature.

Dream Count is not just a novel—it’s an experience, one that invites readers to reflect deeply on their own lives and relationships. A triumph of storytelling, it is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Knopf for the eARC of this book.

I think this book was pretty good! It was a collection of stories from 4 different women, and some were better stories than others. The themes were of love, loss, success, loss, and more. I think it was nice, there was a lot of sadness and other emotions shining through these stories.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I can't quite say I "enjoyed" reading this book but it is well written and tells stories of love, loss and hope. This book is sad, thought provoking and eye opening and I liked the different POV's. These four women are all so different but their experiences with love and loss are similar. This is one of those books that after reading, I feel I will think about time and time again.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alfred A Knopf Publishing for the ARC! Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie follows the lives of four women, the choices they make, the ones that are made for them, and reflects on what could have been. There are tragedies, mistakes, successes, and hope. While told separately, their experiences in Nigeria and in the US are interwoven throughout the book. It begins with Chiamaka who is a travel writer reflecting on her past relationships. Zikura’s (a woman praying for a husband and a family) and Kadiatou’s (a hotel maid) stories had the most impact on me. I think it’s important to note that while the book opens in Covid times and there are some references, it is not the central theme.

Set against the backdrop of the pandemic, this book is a profound meditation on the elusive nature of happiness and the brutal honesty required for true love. Adichie’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the emotional urgency of each character’s journey as they confront their pasts, their choices, and the forces that bind them to the people they love. The novel pulses with insight into the human heart, offering a poignant reflection on the connections between mothers and daughters, the complexities of self-love, and the unspoken truths we often hide from ourselves. With Dream Count, Adichie reaffirms her place as one of the most dynamic voices in contemporary literature, crafting a novel that resonates deeply, offering a powerful exploration of the truths we must face to truly live and love.

I've been a fan of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for over a decade, and have read all of her fiction. I was so excited to see this. However, I read 10 pages and had to stop. I'm kind of surprised to find that it's another Covid book--I don't know how many people have the desire or stamina to read about lockdown. Too bad :-(

Great book! I would Highly recommend this book. The characters and plot were believable. I didn’t want the book to end.