Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
3.75 stars
I liked that this book was about a woman turning 50 because you don’t see that often in romance books. I wanted to yell at our FMC’s family and acquaintances to leave her alone and let her live her life. Overall, I enjoyed watching the FMC find herself and accept herself.

3.5 / 5 Stars
This book had a lot of really great themes and content, but also had a few pacing and dialogue challenges for me. The story revolves around Sade, a 50 year old Nigerian Brit, who is successful in her career, owns a home, and has a deep connection with her Christian faith, but feels like a failure because she is not married and doesn’t have children. She is reminded of this fact quite often by her mother and aunties who meddle in her life. Sade tries to navigate her life and a potential relationship while figuring out her value and what’s important to her.

You will probably like this book if you like:
💚 Women’s literature with a subplot of romance
💚 Novels where faith and Christianity guide the main character
​​💚 An older FMC (50 years old)
💚 Complicated mother-daughter relationships
💚 Learning about Nigerian cultural customs
💚 Discussions of fertility at an older age
💚 Fibroid representation

A lot of what Sade goes through was really meaningful and relatable. I was really excited to read a book with a female main character who is in her 50s who is trying to figure out what it means to be single. Society already places so much value on women as mothers and wives, when you add cultural expectations on that, Sade is put in a really tough situation. She knows that she is smart, capable, fun, and yet still feels less than in some way. Her dating horror stories sounded like stuff that happened to me in my 20s, so it’s great to see that things don’t get better for women as they get older (LOL but also not lol). Her relationship with her overbearing mom was also relatable (and slightly triggering). Sade’s mom loves her in the way that her mom thinks is right, not necessarily in the way that is right for Sade and oof, it got me. And while I was a little unsure of how the religious aspects would be written (I am not particularly religious), it was cool to see Sade push her church to do more for women and singles so that they felt less ashamed.

Sade’s relationship with Jimi had some sweet and cute moments but this is where the dialogue and pacing issues really stood out for me. Jimi is 45 years old, works as a psychotherapist, is the son of the Bishop at Sade’s church though he is not religious himself, and is smitten with Sade. Their relationship was built super slowly – they casually run into each other and it is a while before they even go on an official date together. They had some fun banter but they also had banter that felt super stilted and robotic which took away from their connection for me. Sade’s dialogue in other circumstances was also sometimes written in a way that was incongruent with what we knew about her (I cannot imagine she would actually say “no probs” to anyone in her life, let alone to a Sister at her church).

And while Jimi and Sade also really liked each other, they had fundamental differences. Jimi isn’t religious and he doesn’t necessarily believe in marriage, two things that are very important to Sade. So, how do they move past this? With one of them doing a complete 180 in the last 5% of the book. It just felt rushed, unrealistic, and like it undid all of the slow building in the rest of the book. Part of me wishes this stuck more to the women’s lit instead of romance so that there wouldn’t have to be a guaranteed happy ending because the ending kind of undercut some of Sade’s growth.

Even with those issues, I think this book portrays tropes that I haven’t seen often enough in romances and women’s lit (and it is on me to find these books too). Give me more FMCs in their 50s! Give me more women who are trying to navigate cultural differences between generations! Give me more about Yoruba and Nigerian customs! The more perspectives, the more writing styles, the better!

Thank you One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.

I struggled to fully immerse myself in this book. I genuinely appreciated the theme of a woman in her fifties still searching for love—because it’s absolutely true: it’s never too late to find your person. Her enthusiasm for life and openness to new beginnings were beautifully portrayed and felt refreshingly uplifting.

However, much of the story felt overly exaggerated for my taste. The portrayal of the aunties—constantly judging, commenting on relationships and marital status with unapologetic bluntness—felt less humorous and more uncomfortable. The societal pressure placed on women to marry and have children, which was framed as comedy, came across as frustrating and, at times, even cringe-inducing.

Adding that dynamic into a church context, with religious values layered on top, made the entire narrative feel heavy-handed and overly stylised. For me, it simply didn’t land.

A story with some touching moments and potential, but ultimately, it felt unbalanced and left me unmoved.

Um.. this wasn't bad. I am trying to remember something about this that stood out for me but it's been too long and I know I enjoyed parts of it.

When I came across this story centred on a 50-year old Nigerian FMC, I was so eager to read it. Sope is a woman who lives a relatively stable life with a good job, her independence and (somewhat) decent friends…but even with all of that, the pressure of not having a man looms over her head.

I appreciate this kind of story being told because it’s necessary to have a narrative which reinforces the message that life doesn’t stop when you hit a certain age, especially for women.

That being said, I was unable to finish it and it could just be because I picked it up at the wrong time. I found that Sope’s voice didn’t match her age nor her outward characterisations to other characters. The crafting of the story, from general prose to scene breaks, drew me out of the story rather than pulled me in. And for a 50 year old character, I wanted Sope to lean in more to being her own woman instead of her timidly pining for a man. I didn’t get to the point where she does meet her love interest (major impatience on my part, I will hold my hands up) but I think it’s because I wasn’t taken by Sope as a character that I wasn’t hooked in enough to see how her story panned out.

So, even though this didn’t work out for me, I still want to celebrate a story like this being published and I hope it opens the door to more stories about older black woken being told

I imagined a lighthearted, humorous story with elements of culture, family, and romance, and this had all of these, but it went deeper, was more poignant and spiritual, and delivered a heartwarming read and a fascinating insight into a culture I am unfamiliar with. Sade is a believable protagonist, someone to invest in. Many of her issues relate to older women, which makes her relatable. I like the cast of characters, the cultural ethos and the relationships explored with humour and sensitivity.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Okay, so I just finished The Marriage Monitoring Auntie’s Association and… it was an okay read. The message behind the story? Top tier. I mean, this is something women everywhere can relate to—not just in Nigeria. You hit a certain age and realize, dang… life didn’t exactly go according to plan. Whether it’s work, timing, or not meeting “Mr. Right,” sometimes your body’s on one page and life’s on another.

But what I loved was how the book showed that some women refuse to settle. Like, yeah, things didn’t line up, but they keep going. They keep living, trying new things, taking chances, and doing what makes us happy. I loved that energy. And Sade? Whew. I loved how she stood ten toes down in who she was. She wasn’t about to settle for less than what she wanted, and honestly? I respect the heck outta that.

That being said… I was expecting more comedy. I thought this would lean heavier into the rom-com lane. You know how Nigerian romance novels usually give you that banger banter? That laugh-out-loud, side-eye-your-book kind of humor? That’s what I came for. And while it was there a little bit, it wasn’t giving what it needed to give. It started to feel like a “pick-on-Sade” fest. Even her friends had moments where they were just like, “girl… chill.” I get it—they wanted her to be happy—but still.

The story was well written, and I do think it’ll resonate with a lot of older women.

I really loved that the main character was a 50 year old Nigerian/British woman trying to find love. I also loved the effect her religion had on the way she perceived the world, and on her sense of self.

It was really great to be immerse in another culture throughout the book. However, the pace was not quite right. Sometimes very slow, sometimes very rushed.

Overall, a good and interesting read.

Ola Awonubi nailed this to a tee. Humorous. Relatable. Bloody Brilliant.

Sade is a fifty year old single Nigerian woman who is under enormous pressure from her mother and the busybody aunties to get married.

This is an exposé into what it is to be a single Nigerian woman-a matured single Nigerian woman in a society that defines you not by what you’ve achieved professionally but by your love life or the lack of it.

MMAA blends faith, culture, tradition into a journey of self love, self awareness, resilience and respect.

The author told this story accurately with all the theatrics and shenanigans of the typical Nigerian mother. All of the characters delivered what was expected of them.

It was engaging and entertaining and interesting. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end.

If you love reading books about older protagonists, other cultures then you should read this.

I received an advanced copy and the review is mine and voluntary.

First I think this is one where you should set your expectations because I consider this more Inspiration Fiction rather than a contemporary romance. It was refreshing to see a story based around a 50 year old woman who still seeks romance and children even well outside of her 20s and 30s. But we didn't get to see the romance bloom because Sade our FMC was a little too caught up trying to honor her religion rather than honoring and going after her own wishes. Hence why I think this should be grouped under Inspiration Fiction. Both of our MCs had that dry british humor that I enjoy but this one just didn't live up to expectations. Also the title in the case wasn't supported by the content. the 'Aunties' in the book only make a few appearances and Sade's interactions with them are relatively quick. While I think this book had potential, it didn't live up to my expectations.

I love stories steeped in cultures that are fighting to keep themselves heard while in another country, so this UK-based story with a Nigerian cast of characters was right up my street!
Sade Sodipo is a successful career woman with her own house, unmarried, and, shock, horror, fifty years of age! This is a sticking point for her mother, the various aunties of the church, and pretty much anyone in her Nigerian circle.
The story is based on Sade's own ingrained religious and cultural beliefs, which include saving herself for 'The One' and true love leading to marriage and children. However, with her age against her and her health not cooperating, this is looking increasingly unlikely.
Is it a romance? Well, yes, romance 100% plays a part in this story, as Sade meets someone, but it is more about her accepting herself, as she is, and realising that maybe she needs to think a bit more about the expectations she (and the community) has put upon herself.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter, for an ARC.

Sade’s got the dream job, the dream friends, and even her own house but the aunties? They’ve got a mission: Operation Marry Sade ASAP. This book is a hilarious, heartfelt roast of every meddling matchmaker in your WhatsApp family group. I laughed, I cringed (in solidarity), and I cheered for Sade like she was my cousin. Nigerian aunties may not rest but neither will you until you finish this book. 💍😂

I am a Black American 45-year-old spinster, reading a British Nigerian novel and I can say that there was a lot of themes that hit home for me. I have read several books where the overarching theme of a 30 plus professional woman being pressured to start her true life as a wife and mother, but this one gave me something a little different. At 50, Sade is balancing cultural pressures, family loyalties, her relationship with God, health issues, professional success and truly sitting with who she is and what she wants: I appreciated that Awonubi never allowed Sade to forget herself. I would recommend this for multigenerational reading groups, but especially singles groups, as this will promote lots of discussion.

alright, so. i can't speak much for the Nigerian side of things. the presence of the nigerian culture in this story was beautifully written, and i found rather educational, actually. I have had my own battle with Christianity in the past, I no longer follow the religion, and I felt a very small urge to dnf because of the sheer attitudes presented in this. It's a personal bug, but it's actually real life, and the author wrote this perfectly.

this is your sign to seriously consider whether it's the writing that makes you want to dnf or the characters/story. i dont share the same faith, beliefs, or culture as the characters in this book, but I really enjoyed it!

Sade is brilliant, beautiful, and humorous. l love Jimi.
it was well paced (set over a year).
and the title is spot on. my own aunties are wildly different, but the same in very subtle ways.

loved it.

thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such a refreshing and powerful read. As a South Asian reader, I deeply resonated with the cultural themes around marriage pressure, societal expectations, and the way women’s worth is often tied to marital status.

Sade is a smart, accomplished 50-year-old woman constantly questioned about being unmarried. Her story felt authentic and necessary, especially in how it tackled aging, virginity, fibroids, faith, and female desire with nuance.

The romance with Jimi was mature, respectful, and never rushed. Sade stayed true to herself, and that quiet strength really moved me.

Ola Awonubi’s writing is warm, funny, and rich in Nigerian culture. The meddling aunties were hilariously spot on, but the story also sensitively explored the emotional toll of judgment and societal pressure.

This is an interesting book, more serious women’s fiction than rom-com, featuring Sade, a 50 yrs old Nigerian single woman. It’s a book about the cultural pressure, a trip to accepting oneself, and find yourself.
There’re some very funny moments and there’re some very serious moments. I would have love more aunties and had some issues with Sade’s mother, a woman so obsessed with the white-dress-husband-children vision to forget to accept and love her older daughter.
It’s a Christian book as Sade’s faith plays a relevant role in both giving her hope and creating her moral basis.
I’m not Christian but I was brought up Catholic in a Latin Country and Sade’s mother made me think about one of my mother’s cousin who was so obsessed by women’s sentimental status to check if I had a ring whenever she met me (funeral included). I solved the issues telling her I became a nun.
I appreciated the description of Nigerian cultural and social expectations and sometimes I laughed as there were some traits shared with Italian culture even if it’s rarer now.
It’s a good book, well written and intriguing. I wasn’t a fan of the conclusion but I enjoyed Sade.
I recommend it if you want to read a book which is book a serious reflection on women’s role and light fun.
Recommended
Many thanks to One More Chapter and Rachel’s Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

Sade Sodipo is fifty, with a good career and set of friends and a role in her church which is a bit confusing now, addressed as aunty, mothers of single daughters worrying about her potential jealousy and sitting through interminably useless meetings of the singles section of the congregation. Because Sade is single and this negates all of her other positives. Her mum and the church/community aunties are after her with poisonous words and stares; she's been on a series of horrible (and funny, but mostly horrible) dates with men recommended by the aunties, having never quite got over the guy she was more long-term with, Simon, being bullied by his mum into proposing to a much younger women.

Her tough effectively single mum (her father went to Lagos on business and founded another family there) wants to see grandchildren from both her daughters - sister Kike is sympathetic and tries to stand with her and she has found family - her mum's friend and pretend aunty, Aunty Remi and her own friends Sam and Vicky. And then when she does meet a potentially nice guy, a man who is "as un-Nigerian as I am. I don't have to live up to traditional expectations", she STILL can't get it right in the eyes of the aunties!

I loved this book but the bits I loved most are around the edges: Sade's Christianity and the fact she doesn't drink are positive parts of her life and her faith sustains her and keeps her on track even when it pushes her away from "opportunities". She reads Buchi Emecheta and Dorothy Koomson and, most importantly to me, as I also suffer from a hidden women's health condition (endometriosis in my case), Sade has fibroids, experiences pain, goes to doctor's appointments and has to dress to disguise their effects on her body; she's also encountering the menopause. It's so refreshing to see this portrayed in a modern romantic novel, and kudos to the author for including this really realistic aspect of women's lives.

As to whether Sade has found the man of her dreams or is going to disappoint the serried ranks of aunties once again ... you'll have to read the book to find out!

Book review published 17 July 2025: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/07/17/book-review-ola-awonubi-the-marriage-monitoring-aunties-association/

Sade Sodipo is determined to find ‘the one’ and live out the Nigerian Dream,whether her meddling family and the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association like it or not. At 50, she’s proud of her career, her home, and her amazing friends, but everyone else seems convinced she’s still single for all the wrong reasons. As Sade navigates love, family expectations, and her own hopes, she begins to wonder if her perfect match isn’t lost, it’s just arriving exactly when it’s meant to. A warm, witty story about timing, family, and finding happiness on your own terms.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Publisher Description: Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far, God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, have anything to say about it.

She might love her job, have great friends and even own her own home, but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50.

What if her prayers for the perfect man have been lost? Or maybe Sade’s happy-ever-after is right on time…


WHAT I THOUGHT: Sadie is a protagonist that I was cheering for from the first page to the last. Even if sometimes, I wanted to give her a good shake. There are a lot of romance novels out there, BUT they tend to be for 20-somethings. Let's face it, it's refreshing to have a romance novel where the protagonist is grounded in her community, her faith and has enough self-respect for herself to know that love is still going to find her.

I giggled, shed some tears and sighed with happiness upon finishing this book.

Highly recommended!







Publication Date 11/07/25
Goodreads Review 14/07/25

The Marriage Monitoring Aunties' Association centers Sade, a 50 year old Nigerian woman who has yet to be married and have children. These two things in her community and family outdo any accomplishments that she may have such as completing college and being a super dope project manager. Due to a medical procedure and her biological time clock she realizes that she may have to find a new way to approach the Aunties.

I enjoyed this book and I loved that it centered around a middle aged woman. I also loved learning about Nigerian culture, customs and traditions. I wished that the book focused more on the aunties and I also wished there was more of a solution or growth when it came to Sade sooner.

Thank you so much NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy.