Sade is 50, successful, with an extended network of friends. She loves her life and enjoys being herself, but she may miss something. Not that she feels like a failure, but other entities, like the fearful aunties and her mom too, may expect some ´happy ever after´.
For those who need to believe in love coming slowly, no matter the age, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties´ Association by Nigerian-British author Ola Awonubi is a gentle humorous reminder. Her main character, the lovely Sade has the kind of strength one needs to wait, build her own dream life and be ready to fall in love when life may show finally the pathway to romance.
It´s impossible not to love the characters, the aunties aka MMAA, may deserve a special mention: although bothering, everyone needs some of them in their lives (except the bad dates recommendations, obviously). ´They lie in wait at birthdays, christenings, and weddings to spring out from corners on unsuspecting single women and quiz them about their single status, ask them the kind of uncomfortable questions they do not ask their single sons, and ridicule them for not being married´. I liked the author´s take on them, annoyed yet kind, trying to explain their role from the point of view of the traditional conventions related to age and expectations on women.
I personally loved Sade, as an authentic presence, assuming her condition and struggling with the conflict between her own expections and what other people may wish from her, especially in terms of romance and love life in general. Her decision may be completely not following the society - aka aunties, again - rules, but it´s her and loved her even more for her mindset. She is a fine person, not judgemental, never angry, trying to navigate life with grace and faith. Wisely and with kindness she is able to navigate the trouble waters of mature relationships and it is the merit of the author to feature so many important aspects of a different level of romantic connection.
Noteworthy that through Sade, the author´s introduce a less discussed medical condition, endometritis, a widely experienced occurrence, but seldom finding its voice in the contemporary literature.
If you are looking for a funny yet inspiring romcom with a relatable woman character, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties´ Association is a perfect summer and weekend option. You may not want to break ways with them, believe me. It also gives some smart advice on dating, particularly in the multicultural context.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
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