Abi Daré grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and has lived in the UK for eighteen years. She studied law at the University of Wolverhampton and has an MSc in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University as well as an MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London.
One Leg on Earth (2026) 'Pemi Aguda "A stunning achievement. 'Pemi Aguda writes with luminous prose that feels both mystical and human. Brief and powerful, this conceptually daring novel haunted me long after I turned the last page."
Homeseeking (2025) Karissa Chen "Homeseeking is a layered, beautifully written, and deeply moving novel. Karissa Chen masterfully blends love, music, history, and heartbreak to create a sweeping tale that spans decades and continents. The novel captures the resilience of the human spirit and the bittersweet reality of the immigrant experience. It's more than just a love story; it's a profound reflection on the impact of history, migration, and identity - one that explores the tension between holding on to the past and embracing the future, revealing both the pain and grace of finding where we truly belong."
Grown Women (2024) Sarai Johnson "Beautifully rendered, intricately delving into the bonds of multi-generational relationships with raw honesty, great emotional depth, and skillful storytelling. Johnson expertly weaves together the complexities of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery; creating a narrative that is both heartbreakingly real and profoundly moving."
The Night of the Storm (2024) Nishita Parekh "This dazzling and multilayered thriller has everything: a brilliantly twisty plot laced with intelligent social commentary, a stormy and claustrophobic setting, and characters who leap off the page and into your heart. It's a thoughtful story of sisterhood, the ups and downs of single parenting, and the complexities of starting fresh in a new place...and at the same time, a wildly entertaining thriller filled with secrets and mayhem that will keep you guessing until the final page. I loved it and I can't wait to see what Nishita will write next!"
The List (2023) Yomi Adegoke "The List was phenomenal. Brilliantly written, intricately plotted and incredibly clever. Once I started, I could not put it down, and I am sure I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time. Five solid stars from me. Thank you to Yomi for sharing her talent with the world."
When We Fell Apart (2022) Soon Wiley "Takes on the friction between family bonds, cultural expectations, and personal desires in a way that feels both urgent and intensely real . . . For me the true heart of the book was Min, and his search for a sense of belonging that neither America nor Korea is quite able offer him. His story is truly unforgettable."
What the Fireflies Knew (2022) Kai Harris "Kai Harris's fierce, lyrical writing drew me in from the first page. KB is an unforgettable narrator whose voice comes vibrantly to life through her journey from childhood to adulthood, even as she grapples with the forces that tear families apart and the power that holds them together. This is an extraordinary, powerful debut, and I hope there will be more to come from Harris."
Hell of a Book (2021) Jason Mott "What a powerful, timely, and provocative novel. Jason's ability to take on deeply important themes with both poignancy and humor makes for an extraordinary emotional roller coaster of a read, and I tore through this profoundly moving novel in a day but have been thinking about it ever since. Thank you, Jason Mott, for sharing this story with the world."
The Music of Bees (2021) Eileen Garvin "Exactly the book I needed to read right now—I laughed, I cried, and in the end I was left with a renewed belief that there's always hope for all of us, no matter how broken or stuck we may feel. This deft, compassionate story about the enduring power of friendship and the sparkling promise of a fresh start will stay with me for a long time. It's simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting, and I loved it."
Fifty Words for Rain (2020) Asha Lemmie "A hugely compelling debut about Noriko, a mixed race girl growing up in Japan after WWII. Moving and honest and at times intense, Asha Lemmie takes us on an emotional journey that spans years, one which sheds light on Noriko's family traditions, prejudices, struggles, triumphs and ultimate transformation. This is a well-researched and eye-opening tale, told with compassion that breathes through each page."
