Publishers Weekly
09/11/2023
In Fadipe’s striking debut, three Nigerian women living in Singapore contend with the arrival of Lani, a handsome and charming British Nigerian lawyer who threatens to unravel their seemingly perfect lives. Attorney Dara sees her dreams of making partner evaporate when Lani is brought in by the firm to lead one of her major cases. To make matters worse, her friendship with Amaka, a banker secretly struggling with a shopping addiction and mounting debt, is threatened by Amaka’s physical attraction to Lani. Also in the mix is Nigerian American Lillian, a former professional pianist, who’s painfully reminded of her parents’ deaths after meeting Lani, who bears a strong resemblance to her father. Fadipe casts a studied eye on Singapore’s small but thriving African expatriate community while weaving a cautionary fable about how all that glitters may not be gold. Although Lani for the most part remains a cipher, the female protagonists embody complexity and hidden depths of character. Fadipe’s shrewd observations on identity, classism, and racism give the novel an emotional edge (“Nobody really fits in—that’s why people try to oppress everyone else”). Fans of recent Singapore-based fiction like Kyla Zhao’s The Fraud Squad will savor the local settings and depictions of high society. Agent: Hayley Steed, Madeleine Milburn Ltd. (Oct.)
author of Hold My Girl Charlene Carr
Vividly depicted and compelling . . . A tumultuous journey through betrayal, heartache, and the healing power of finally being honest with those around you, and with yourself. An engaging read that may just prompt some wanderlust!
author of Where We End & Begin Jane Igharo
A satisfying blend of drama, glamour, and friendship—a stunning and impressive story with bold characters worth loving and rooting for.
author of GMA Book Club pick Dava Shastri's La Kirthana Ramisetti
In The Sun Sets in Singapore, Kehinde Fadipe expertly weaves the stories of three Nigerian expats seeking to write their futures in the luxe, moneyed world of Singapore, only to have their lives disrupted by the arrival of a handsome newcomer. The interloper's impact is both unexpected and rewarding, deepening our understanding of this trio of remarkable women as they learn to confront the scars of their pasts and reexamine what truly matters to them. A compelling story of ambition, identity, and friendship, this dynamic debut novel is a must-read for every book club.
Author of Ghana Must Go Taiye Selasi
Unlike anything I’ve ever read. Slick, agile, and utterly engrossing, this spectacular debut features a set of protagonists so rarely portrayed: Black women expats.
author of The Cove Alice Clark Platts
Sizzles off the page. I couldn’t put it down.
international bestselling author of In Every Mirro Lola Akinmade Åkerström
With a vibrant host of characters set against the lush, wanderlust-inducing backdrop of Southeast Asia, Fadipe's energetic, technicolor prose sucks you into the maddening worlds of Dara, Amaka, and Lillian, and spits you out with more grace, more empathy, and more understanding. A rich celebration of the nuanced complexities of Black womanhood and friendship.
From the Publisher
"Unlike anything I’ve ever read. Slick, agile, and utterly engrossing, this spectacular debut features a set of protagonists so rarely portrayed: Black women expats."—Taiye Selasi, Author of Ghana Must Go
"In The Sun Sets in Singapore, Kehinde Fadipe expertly weaves the stories of three Nigerian expats seeking to write their futures in the luxe, moneyed world of Singapore, only to have their lives disrupted by the arrival of a handsome newcomer. The interloper's impact is both unexpected and rewarding, deepening our understanding of this trio of remarkable women as they learn to confront the scars of their pasts and reexamine what truly matters to them. A compelling story of ambition, identity, and friendship, this dynamic debut novel is a must-read for every book club."—Kirthana Ramisetti, author of GMA Book Club pick Dava Shastri's Last Day
"A gripping portrayal of the highs and lows of living and working in a foreign country within a small community. [Fadipe] creates complex characters whose motives continually keep the reader in suspense, while also addressing wider issues of workplace dynamics, misogyny, and the discrimination Nigerians face around the world. A perfect recommendation for fans of Nikki May's Wahala (2022) and Lolá Ákínmádé Âkerström's In Every Mirror She’s Black (2021)."—Booklist
"With a vibrant host of characters set against the lush, wanderlust-inducing backdrop of Southeast Asia, Fadipe's energetic, technicolor prose sucks you into the maddening worlds of Dara, Amaka, and Lillian, and spits you out with more grace, more empathy, and more understanding. A rich celebration of the nuanced complexities of Black womanhood and friendship."—Lola Akinmade Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black
"A satisfying blend of drama, glamour, and friendship—a stunning and impressive story with bold characters worth loving and rooting for."—Jane Igharo, author of Where We End & Begin
"[A] striking debut . . . Fadipe casts a studied eye on Singapore’s small but thriving African expatriate community while weaving a cautionary fable about how all that glitters may not be gold . . . Shrewd observations on identity, classism, and racism give the novel an emotional edge . . . Savor the local settings and depictions of high society."—Publishers Weekly
“Sizzles off the page. I couldn’t put it down.”—Alice Clark Platts, author of The Cove
"Considered and thoughtful writing meets page-flicking drama . . . The vivid storytelling is a masterclass in exploring the impact a new person can uniquely have on each of us, based on our pain points, pasts, and passions. I felt like I had been listening in to years of these characters' therapy sessions; thanks to the richness of their inner lives as told throughout the chapters. This book is made for living next to SPF and sunglasses in a summertime basket bag."
—Giselle La Pompe Moore, author of Take It In
"Alternating among the perspectives of the three women, Fadipe showcases her rich talent for illustrating Singapore’s social and economic landscape as well as the emotional complexities that motivate each character. A lovely exploration of the phase of self-discovery between early adulthood and middle age."—Kirkus
"Vividly depicted and compelling . . . A tumultuous journey through betrayal, heartache, and the healing power of finally being honest with those around you, and with yourself. An engaging read that may just prompt some wanderlust!"—Charlene Carr, author of Hold My Girl
"[The Sun Sets in Singapore] is going to make your summer sizzle! This page-turner is so unique and immersive, you won't be moving for a while!"—Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder
FEBRUARY 2024 - AudioFile
Dami Olukoya juggles the three central female characters in this audiobook. The lives of these expatriates play out amid the luxury of Singapore. Olukoya moves between Dara, an ambitious lawyer on her way to making partner; Amaka, a banker obsessed with designer brands; and Lillian, the newbie expat wife. Olukoya sets a quick pace, playing up the humor laced throughout the dialogue. This fast-moving story brings the women together through their strongest desires. Olukoya expertly builds suspense and carries listeners along. Will Dara lose her promotion due to lack of sleep, rising stress, and her inability to navigate office politics? Can Amaka afford to keep shopping at the astonishing rate she does? And will Lillian's past come back to threaten everything she holds dear? M.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-09-21
Three expatriate women navigate love, work, friendship, and family amid the sunny, cosmopolitan glitter of modern Singapore.
Dara, a workaholic Nigerian British lawyer, excitedly senses that she’s on the verge of becoming a partner in her firm, a long-awaited reward for the long hours she’s put in. Amaka, Dara’s best friend, is a credit-risk officer from Nigeria who’s navigating her father’s death and her place—or lack thereof—within his second family as she finds herself spending more and more time gazing lustfully at luxury shoes online. Finally, there’s Lillian, a Nigerian American former pianist turned teacher of Business English who's followed her husband to the island, hoping to start a family even as their marriage threatens to fall apart. Initially drawn together by a book club, the three women become further intertwined when Lani, a handsome and accomplished Nigerian lawyer, joins Dara’s firm, and the women find themselves involved with him in distinctive and potentially explosive ways. As Lani racks up successes and builds admiration at the firm, Dara senses her position is threatened, and she must decide what she’s willing to do to preserve her career. Amaka finds herself irresistibly attracted to him (and away from her stable relationship with her boyfriend) after a chance meeting one night. Seeking an evening course in Japanese, Lani meets Lillian at the language academy where she works, and she is immediately struck by, and then increasingly obsessed with, his resemblance to her late father. Alternating among the perspectives of the three women, Fadipe showcases her rich talent for illustrating Singapore’s social and economic landscape as well as the emotional complexities that motivate each character.
A lovely exploration of the phase of self-discovery between early adulthood and middle age.
