You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

January 30, 2023

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi | Book Review

You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Awaeke Emezi

☠ ☠ ☠

"Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again.

It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio, and sharing a brownstone apartment with her ride-or-die best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career.

She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the dangerous thrill Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits. This new life she asked for just got a lot more complicated, and Feyi must begin her search for real answers. Who is she ready to become? Can she release her past and honor her grief while still embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?" (Goodreads)

I wanted to love the romance in this book but just couldn't. Some tropes aren't for everyone and that's okay. Feyi is a super interesting character who has had a tragic past that unfolds around her art and romantic life. The writing paints the picture of this story, especially the tropical scenery. While I didn't enjoy the dating sections in this book - I found the deeper parts to be worth the read. They write so beautifully about grief, healing, and love.

Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer, Adult

Goodreads Choice Award: Nominee for Best Romance 2022

“Dimly, in the back of her head, alarm bells were clamoring, but she didn’t care. To hell with what trouble this would bring, she was alive. She was fucking alive, and Feyi knew that in that moment, she would burn anything, everything, a whole world just to hold on to that feeling.”