Bitter Honey by Lola Akinmade is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of Nancy, a young Gambian girl with big dreams who migrates to Sweden, only to have those dreams quietly crushed by someone meant to guide her: her university professor. As I read, I could feel the weight of that single moment echo through the rest of her life. The story traces how that derailed ambition stunts her growth and shapes the woman she becomes, influencing everything from her sense of self to the way she raises her children, especially her daughter.
One thing that stood out to me is how Akinmade weaves Nancy’s personal journey into a broader historical landscape. The backdrop of Olof Palme’s assassination, Eurovision, and the Arab Revolution gives the story a textured, time-anchored feel without ever overwhelming the main narrative. It’s history used purposefully, not decoratively.
Despite the heavy themes, the writing itself is far from heavy. It’s an easy, accessible read with a plot that flows smoothly and has all the ingredients of a TV-worthy soap opera; family tension, ambition, heartbreak, identity, and the quiet tragedies that shape us. What struck me the most was how Nancy simply succumbs to the circumstances life throws at her. Her sense of unfulfillment becomes a barrier, not only to her own growth, but to her ability to nurture her children’s potential. It’s frustrating at times, heartbreaking at others, and always deeply human. For me, Bitter Honey reads very much like a Young Adult novel, engaging, clear, emotionally direct and I think younger readers in particular would connect with Nancy’s early hope and later disillusionment.
I received this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity. It was my introduction to Lola Akinmade, a Nigerian author based in Sweden, and I’m glad to have stepped into her storytelling world.
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