Away In Bliss by Ifeoma Igwe
"Life happens the way it happens,”
Following her graduation from University in the UK & an unsuccessful job search, Nneka finds herself back on Nigerian soil sooner than she anticipated. Unsure of her next steps, Nneka's life throws her a curveball that alters the trajectory of her life. With a toxic ex who keeps popping up like a mole in a hole, will Nnekas romantic prospects pay the price for her past hurt?
Covering themes of, Pregnancy, childloss, family, heartbreak + culture, Away In Bliss is a very true to life depiction of life for many post-graduation, young mothers + the heartbroken.
I didnt quite know what to expect from Away In Bliss, but icl, it pleasantly surprised me. One of my biggest takeaways from this story was our expecting from our lives. It reminded me that while some of my past choices were deemed as "wild" + "irresponsible", I know now that without some of those "questionable" choices, that had I of never made them, they would have never led me to this moment right now. Life is not meant to be perfect, it's meant to be lived.
Another element of the story that I loved was the support that Nneka received from her family and friends. Sometimes I think family + friends underestimate how critical a kind word is, as well as support. I was so grateful that Nneka had this.
Now, as much as the aforementioned was great, I wont lie, Nneka is definitely in my Top 10 of most frustrating characters. There is NO way that Kunle should have been entering the chat so often post-break-up! They were only together for a year! Give it a rest!!!!! But in saying that, I think it made Nneka's character feel even more authentic.
As for Kunle, may you never know peace in this life, or the next. Audacious beast.
Overall, the story was easy to follow, but there were a few elements to the story that I felt could have been expanded upon. I also feel that the book could have been split up into more definitive sections. And finally I would have liked the beginning chapter to have been revisited at the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.85