Title- Ties That Tether
Book of the Month Selection
Rating– 5/5
Genre- Contemporary Romance
POV- First person, past tense
Trope- Forbidden Love
Similar Books/Comps– The Dating Playbook, Honey Girl
My emotions- happy, comforted
Characters– all relatable and Rafael was hot HOT
Plot/Blurb-
At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture, even after immigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping—well forcing—her to stay within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and…white.
When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother. Soon, Azere can’t help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? The answer will either cause Azere to be audacious and fight for her happiness or continue as the compliant daughter.
Best part-
I loved the social and family dynamics and contemporary theme. I was highly satisfied with the ending and I haven’t been able to say that in awhile about a book so that was refreshing.
What I’d change-
All the cliches at the end were a bit much, so maybe I’d take them out. No, nevermind, they were perfect. Maybe what I’d change is the obsessive need to please the parent. But, that was kind of the premise of her character arc, so, nope can’t change that either.
Quote-
“Well.” He blinked rapidly, his glare quivering under the strain of mine. “You’re stubborn.” He knifed the steak again. “Your mother didn’t mention that. Personally, I prefer my women to be a lot more . . .” He pondered, eyes narrowed and darting as if considering some vast complexity, and then his stare stilled on me, and he said: “Submissive.”
Pacing- I flew through this book fast which shows how much I couldn’t put it down.
Cassie Swindon 