The Sweetest Remedy

by Jane Igharo

Overview

When a woman travels to Nigeria to attend the funeral of the father she never knew, she meets her extravagant family for the first time, a new and inspiring love interest, and discovers parts of herself she didn't know were missing, from Jane Igharo, the acclaimed author of Ties That Tether.
 
Hannah Bailey has never known her father, the Nigerian entrepreneur who had a brief relationship with her white mother. Because of this, Hannah has always felt uncertain about part of her identity. When her father dies, she's invited to Nigeria for the funeral. Though she wants to hate the man who abandoned her, she’s curious about who he was and where he was from. Searching for answers, Hannah boards a plane to Lagos, Nigeria. 
 
In Banana Island, one of Nigeria's most affluent areas, Hannah meets the Jolades, her late father's prestigious family—some who accept her and some who think she doesn't belong. The days leading up to the funeral are chaotic, but Hannah is soon shaped by secrets that unfold, a culture she never thought she would understand or appreciate, and a man who steals her heart and helps her to see herself in a new light.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593101964
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/28/2021
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	447,359
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jane Abieyuwa Igharo was born in Nigeria and immigrated to Canada at the age of twelve. She has a journalism degree from the University of Toronto and works as a communications specialist and voice over actress in Ontario, Canada. She writes about strong, audacious, beautifully flawed Nigerian women much like the ones in her life.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/30/2021

Igharo’s distinguished sophomore outing (after Ties that Tether) follows biracial Hannah as she connects with her roots and falls in love along the way. After a brief fling with Hannah’s white American mother, Hannah’s Black Nigerian father, Chief Jolade, returned to his wife and children. Hannah had no contact with his side of the family growing up and, as a result, feels out of touch with her Nigerian heritage—until Chief Jolade’s death and posthumous request that she attend his funeral. Upon Hannah’s arrival in Nigeria, her siblings and extended relations learn of her existence for the first time. As Hannah navigates a foreign culture and finds her place within a complex family dynamic, her only lifeline is Lawrence, a longtime friend of her father’s family whom Hannah happens to have met at a party in her hometown of San Francisco. The pair reconnect in Nigeria, and in the midst of finding herself, Hannah finds love with Lawrence as well. This well-paced, multi-narrator tale expertly marries romance with a moving story of family and identity. Readers will be impressed. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

A page-turning, emotional, and romantic journey of self-discovery. Jane Igharo beautifully celebrates the powerful ties that link families and the legacy of love that unites them.”
—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba

“The Sweetest Remedy is a journey around the world into the complex and wonderful intricacies of family. Igharo gives readers a story filled with love, humor, and the magic of belonging. Reading The Sweetest Remedy will have you calling your family, updating your wardrobe, and looking for your passport!”
—Denise Williams, Author of The Fastest Way to Fall

“The Sweetest Remedy is a stunning story about family, love, and what it means to belong. Jane Igharo has a knack for writing bold, heartfelt stories and this one is a joy from start to finish!”
—Saumya Dave, author of What a Happy Family

“Jane Igharo does it again in The Sweetest Remedy! Igharo masterfully weaves together family drama, romance, and acceptance into this gorgeous, unputdownable novel.”
—Kaia Alderson, Author of Sisters in Arms

"This well-paced, multi-narrator tale expertly marries romance with a moving story of family and identity. Readers will be impressed."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An engrossing work of women’s fiction.”
—Booklist

Praise for Ties That Tether

“Lovingly written and heartfelt. Ties That Tether is a beautiful exploration of culture, family, and romance. Azere’s journey to find her own voice should resonate with anyone who’s ever felt trapped between conflicting worlds and expectations.”
—Helen Hoang, USA Today bestselling author of The Heart Principle

“Ties That Tether takes the reader on a rich, emotional journey. A big, bold story about finding ourselves amidst the struggles of family loyalty, honoring one’s culture, and the endless facets of love. Loved every glorious moment of this book!”
—Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author of Our Italian Summer

“[An] intriguing examination into the dynamics of family relationships and what it means to have pride in one’s culture and heritage. It also holds some unexpected twists and turns that will keep readers engaged until the end."
—Associated Press

“This exploration of identity, love and loss in the context of an interracial relationship feels authentic and bittersweet, yet hopeful all the same.”
—BookPage

“Happily ever after is hard-won and satisfying in this #ownvoices romance.”
—Shelf Awareness

“Igharo’s debut beautifully depicts the tension between self-determination and the desire to live up to family expectations…Clever and heart-warming storytelling. Readers will be rooting for Azere from the very first page.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
 
“An unexpected and heartfelt romance about true love and the sacrifices we make for it.”
—Sonya Lalli, author of Serena Singh Flips the Script
 
“Ties That Tether was a roller coaster ride from page one and holy cow did I love it. Jane Igharo chronicles Azere's journey in such a beautiful, wrenching, and relatable way. As Azere struggled to find a balance between her love life, her own happiness, and the expectations of her family, I went through a whirlwind of emotions—and I adored every minute of it. I laughed and teared up and cheered and yelled. Best of all, Jane Igharo delivers a happily ever after that made me smile until my cheeks hurt. I tore through this amazing book, I couldn't read it fast enough."
—Sarah Smith, Author of Simmer Down

“A Nigerian immigrant herself, Igharo tackles issues like immigration, cultural identity, and interracial dating in a compelling way. While a love story at heart, this book is so much more than that. It’s a must-read for your summer vacation.”
—Betches

“A wonderful fall romance with immense depth, Ties That Tether seizes you from the very beginning.”
—Shondaland

“The best part of this book for me was Azere and her mother’s relationship. It is so fraught with the immigration experience…. To read this book is to read it for the tenderness of the romance and for the immigrant experience, to feel your heart soften and your throat clog with tears, and to celebrate the resilience of the spirit. As Rilke has said, 'To love is the ultimate human task.' So celebrate the love between the protagonists and within their families as you turn the pages.”
—Frolic

“…with deft writing, snappy dialogue, rom-com movie references throughout, and a delightful cast of characters, Ties That Tether is a wonderful romance and the start of a long career for Jane Igharo.”
—Fresh Fiction

“Igharo brings a great deal of heart to Azere’s internal conflict as she navigates two cultures. This emotional debut marks Igharo as a writer to watch.”
—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2021-07-28
A woman travels to Nigeria to attend the funeral of her estranged father—and not only connects with her long-lost family, but discovers love along the way.

Hannah Bailey only met her father once, when she was 8 years old. Since then, her relationship with the man has been completely nonexistent—until word reaches her of his death. With her mother's encouragement, she flies to Nigeria, a place she's never been, and finds herself intensely unprepared to deal with his family—her family, biologically speaking. The Jolades are one of the wealthiest and most prestigious families in the country, and not all of them welcome Hannah with open arms, but the first time she lays eyes on Lawrence, her late father's protégé, the sparks are undeniable. Sticking around on Banana Island and getting to know the half siblings she never knew she had is an emotional journey all its own, especially when it comes to winning over the Jolades, who aren't convinced she belongs. On top of that, Hannah finds herself newly shaped and redefined by a culture she's always felt somewhat removed from, and she's also opening up her heart for the first time in a long time—not just to the possibility of kindred, but romance, too. Igharo's latest isn't only a romance novel, however; it's a story that delves into nearly every character's perspective, carving out a richer narrative in the process. The book ultimately explores a wide range of love between people as well as strong themes of self-discovery and how blood ties aren't always what connect members of a family to each other, with many emotional ups and downs along the way.

Captivating love story meets generational saga in this novel about forging an identity and forgiving the sins of the past.

Kirkus Reviews