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This Kind of Trouble
A riveting, emotionally-charged tale of forbidden love, centered on an estranged couple who are brought together to reckon with the events that tore their family apart decades ago.
In 1960s Lagos, a city enlivened with its newfound independence, headstrong Margaret meets British-born Benjamin, a man seeking his roots after the death of his half-Nigerian father. Their connection is immediate, but as the two begin to fall in love, they discover their pasts are more interwoven than they imagined. The shadow of events which unfolded almost a century ago, combined with Margaret’s deteriorating mental health, eventually tear them apart.
By 2005, Margaret has retired to an upscale gated community in Lagos, and seemingly happy Benjamin lives alone in Atlanta, managing his heart problems with no options when asked to name as his next of kin. But their attempt at a settled life is shattered when their grandson begins to show ominous signs echoing the struggles Margaret once faced. The long estranged couple are forced to reunite to confront the buried secrets they had dismissed in the passion of their youth—secrets that continue to ripple through their family.
A startling and propulsive tale of forbidden love, This Kind of Trouble traces the intertwined legacies of one family’s history, exploring the complex relationship between tradition, modernity, and the ways we seek healing in a changing world. With this debut novel, Tochi Eze announces herself as a dazzling new literary voice in world literature.
In 1960s Lagos, a city enlivened with its newfound independence, headstrong Margaret meets British-born Benjamin, a man seeking his roots after the death of his half-Nigerian father. Their connection is immediate, but as the two begin to fall in love, they discover their pasts are more interwoven than they imagined. The shadow of events which unfolded almost a century ago, combined with Margaret’s deteriorating mental health, eventually tear them apart.
By 2005, Margaret has retired to an upscale gated community in Lagos, and seemingly happy Benjamin lives alone in Atlanta, managing his heart problems with no options when asked to name as his next of kin. But their attempt at a settled life is shattered when their grandson begins to show ominous signs echoing the struggles Margaret once faced. The long estranged couple are forced to reunite to confront the buried secrets they had dismissed in the passion of their youth—secrets that continue to ripple through their family.
A startling and propulsive tale of forbidden love, This Kind of Trouble traces the intertwined legacies of one family’s history, exploring the complex relationship between tradition, modernity, and the ways we seek healing in a changing world. With this debut novel, Tochi Eze announces herself as a dazzling new literary voice in world literature.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2025
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10295 people want to read
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March 12, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books and Penguin Random House for this e-arc via NetGalley! This is truly one of the most refreshing and notable books of 2025!
If the events of the life one lives is a a result of all past actions made by the people who came before you, the ones who are directly responsible for your coming into the world, are the consequences of their actions, whether folly, righteous, well-intentioned, malicious or simply careless, also for a person to bear in their own life? There's a thought-provoking epigraph before the first chapter of Tochi Eze's debut novel "This Kind of Trouble" that wrestles with the "Western" idea that not only should children, those innocents, not be responsible for the actions and the consequences of such actions committed by their forebearers, but that family is, according to fellow Nigerian author Tola Abraham Rotimi, everyone's first war. The two ideas, in contrast, really sets the stage for this incomparable, riveting novel that brings into focus what happens when tradition and modernity converge and wrestle with each other, what happens when the past and the present intertwine to create events that are fated and altogether mysterious, while also calling into question what makes a family. What does it looks like when a life is lived as the result of the actions taken by our ancestors? And what is a person's life in the context of those actions, some fated, some not? Are the connections each of us has to the past and the present, the ties we have to our family, home people, villages, our communities that produce us, shape us, house us and raise us, the moulds of our identity, the thing that gives us humans form and function?
Tochi Eze has weaved a truly magnificent, insightful tale that beautifully captures the complexity of family history, especially shining a light on the Igbo-Nigerian sense of family. Her story follows two key characters, whose stories are intertwined - a white-passing Englishman of Nigerian heritage, Benjamin Fletcher, and his ex-wife Margaret. Their shared connections and troubles predate their first meeting in the 1960's to their forefathers who come from the same Nigerian village, Umumilo, the start of all the troubles. Through three timelines starting in Umumilo during British-imposed colonization in 1905, Tochi Eze weaves and bobs from the fated events that lead to Benjamin and Margaret's coming together, moving to the "present-day" of the book which is in 2005 when the couple are in their sixties and have become estranged. Benjamin lives in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA while Margaret lives in Lagos, Nigeria, battling a mental illness seeming to be schizophrenia. She's constantly communing with spirits, which in the African religious/spiritual context spells something quite different than what Western medicine/people might understand to be happening.
Margaret has taken to heart the words of Umumilo's dibia, who has determined that all the trouble their family lineage faces is due to a curse in his communion with the gods and the ancestors that preside over the home people of Umumilo. Margaret's quest to seek healing and resolution for her family's troubles leads to a quasi-family reunion/reconciliation. In seeking to explore her fraught family history and committing to the payment the gods seek for clearing the path forward for her and Benjamin's direct lineage of family members, in particular their daughter, Nwando, her husband, Nosa and their son Chuka who attends boarding school. Tochi Eze really has a gift for showing the divergence in how the dibia vs. the psychiatrists treat the unsettling, violent events that Margaret believes has resulted in her spiritual disquiet and the discord in their lives. Is it schizophrenia or are the spirits of the ancestors and the gods the home people answer to communing with her about what needs to be done to correct the wrongs they've perceived as being committed by Benjamin and Margaret's ancestors?
Going back in time and reckoning with the events that led to their current situations, Tochi Eze doesn't give exact answers to all the questions Margaret and Benjamin both ask about each of their forebearers. As the reader, you'll have to make that decision for yourself. Besides being original, riveting and altogether unforgettable, I loved the focus on older characters, the dynamics of a family that's in discord and trying to make peace with each other, the focus on the impact of colonialism on indigenous values and ideas and the treatment of family as a sacred group of people who are related not only through lineage, but also a series of events. This is an extraordinary debut!
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books and Penguin Random House for this e-arc via NetGalley! This is truly one of the most refreshing and notable books of 2025!
If the events of the life one lives is a a result of all past actions made by the people who came before you, the ones who are directly responsible for your coming into the world, are the consequences of their actions, whether folly, righteous, well-intentioned, malicious or simply careless, also for a person to bear in their own life? There's a thought-provoking epigraph before the first chapter of Tochi Eze's debut novel "This Kind of Trouble" that wrestles with the "Western" idea that not only should children, those innocents, not be responsible for the actions and the consequences of such actions committed by their forebearers, but that family is, according to fellow Nigerian author Tola Abraham Rotimi, everyone's first war. The two ideas, in contrast, really sets the stage for this incomparable, riveting novel that brings into focus what happens when tradition and modernity converge and wrestle with each other, what happens when the past and the present intertwine to create events that are fated and altogether mysterious, while also calling into question what makes a family. What does it looks like when a life is lived as the result of the actions taken by our ancestors? And what is a person's life in the context of those actions, some fated, some not? Are the connections each of us has to the past and the present, the ties we have to our family, home people, villages, our communities that produce us, shape us, house us and raise us, the moulds of our identity, the thing that gives us humans form and function?
Tochi Eze has weaved a truly magnificent, insightful tale that beautifully captures the complexity of family history, especially shining a light on the Igbo-Nigerian sense of family. Her story follows two key characters, whose stories are intertwined - a white-passing Englishman of Nigerian heritage, Benjamin Fletcher, and his ex-wife Margaret. Their shared connections and troubles predate their first meeting in the 1960's to their forefathers who come from the same Nigerian village, Umumilo, the start of all the troubles. Through three timelines starting in Umumilo during British-imposed colonization in 1905, Tochi Eze weaves and bobs from the fated events that lead to Benjamin and Margaret's coming together, moving to the "present-day" of the book which is in 2005 when the couple are in their sixties and have become estranged. Benjamin lives in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA while Margaret lives in Lagos, Nigeria, battling a mental illness seeming to be schizophrenia. She's constantly communing with spirits, which in the African religious/spiritual context spells something quite different than what Western medicine/people might understand to be happening.
Margaret has taken to heart the words of Umumilo's dibia, who has determined that all the trouble their family lineage faces is due to a curse in his communion with the gods and the ancestors that preside over the home people of Umumilo. Margaret's quest to seek healing and resolution for her family's troubles leads to a quasi-family reunion/reconciliation. In seeking to explore her fraught family history and committing to the payment the gods seek for clearing the path forward for her and Benjamin's direct lineage of family members, in particular their daughter, Nwando, her husband, Nosa and their son Chuka who attends boarding school. Tochi Eze really has a gift for showing the divergence in how the dibia vs. the psychiatrists treat the unsettling, violent events that Margaret believes has resulted in her spiritual disquiet and the discord in their lives. Is it schizophrenia or are the spirits of the ancestors and the gods the home people answer to communing with her about what needs to be done to correct the wrongs they've perceived as being committed by Benjamin and Margaret's ancestors?
Going back in time and reckoning with the events that led to their current situations, Tochi Eze doesn't give exact answers to all the questions Margaret and Benjamin both ask about each of their forebearers. As the reader, you'll have to make that decision for yourself. Besides being original, riveting and altogether unforgettable, I loved the focus on older characters, the dynamics of a family that's in discord and trying to make peace with each other, the focus on the impact of colonialism on indigenous values and ideas and the treatment of family as a sacred group of people who are related not only through lineage, but also a series of events. This is an extraordinary debut!
February 20, 2025
Within the first few pages, readers are drawn into the mystery of Benjamin and Margaret's relationship and what led to their separation. Eze masterfully reveals just enough information about Benni and Maggie, along with their ancestors' stories, to keep readers eagerly turning pages to uncover the details of the curse that has crippled Margaret for years.
For those unfamiliar with Nigerian culture, this book provides an accessible introduction to cultural interactions and speech patterns. The village scenes effectively convey basic customs, while each chapter's storytelling deepens our cultural understanding. The book weaves historical context throughout—particularly in depicting the relationship between the Nigerian village and English colonials.
Margaret emerges as a fascinating character. Her internal struggle—balancing ancestral cultural traditions with Christian beliefs while seeking answers in modern medicine—creates a relatable portrait of someone striving to protect her family while feeling constrained by limited solutions. Driven by fear, she pursues every possible avenue—therapy, medicine, spiritual cleansing—to safeguard her loved ones.
The ending illuminates the true nature of Benjamin and Margaret's characters and their deep affection for each other.
For those unfamiliar with Nigerian culture, this book provides an accessible introduction to cultural interactions and speech patterns. The village scenes effectively convey basic customs, while each chapter's storytelling deepens our cultural understanding. The book weaves historical context throughout—particularly in depicting the relationship between the Nigerian village and English colonials.
Margaret emerges as a fascinating character. Her internal struggle—balancing ancestral cultural traditions with Christian beliefs while seeking answers in modern medicine—creates a relatable portrait of someone striving to protect her family while feeling constrained by limited solutions. Driven by fear, she pursues every possible avenue—therapy, medicine, spiritual cleansing—to safeguard her loved ones.
The ending illuminates the true nature of Benjamin and Margaret's characters and their deep affection for each other.
August 10, 2025
3.5🌟 I love the combination of multi-pov and a non-linear timeline, which together serves to create a sense of suspense. This story, which comes to a head with Margaret and Benjamin but started long before they were born, asks several intriguing questions. The events of Margaret’s life- are they the will of the Gods, or are they a result of mental illness? Do these events stem from chance or, rather, fate? This book also had me reflecting on familial relationships, and which is more important- a shared name or shared blood? Overall, I found this to be an interesting read, despite it feeling slow at times.
Read
August 15, 2025I was so excited to read this book, the synopsis instantly hooked me. However where I just read to, there is a character seeing demons and that’s a topic that I draw the line at reading about. So I am DNFing this book.
Thank you so so much Tiny Rep for this gifted book!!
Thank you so so much Tiny Rep for this gifted book!!
August 8, 2025
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books and Penguin Random House International for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review #gifted #PRHInternationalPartner
In many ways, THIS KIND OF TROUBLE reminds me of the storytelling prowess of great African writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Yaa Gyasi. It’s an intensely emotional, character-driven multigenerational family saga with a splash of “is it or is it not?” magical realism. Some pacing issues and a somewhat unsatisfying ending make this fall just short of my favorites list, but it’s still a formidable debut for 2025, and well worth checking out.
What is THIS KIND OF TROUBLE about? A formerly married couple, Benjamin and Margaret, whose ancestors come from the same Nigerian village. Some interconnected drama reverberates across generations, and, as senior citizens, Benjamin and Margaret have to reconcile the harm they’ve done themselves, one another, and others if they want a chance at ensuring the happiness and health of their children and grandchildren.
As with many canonical Nigerian writers, Eze’s prose is sharp, constrained, yet powerfully evocative. In the space of a few sentences she can masterfully and confidently delineate the edges and textures of each character—their quirks, worries, and values.
This in particular leant a hypnotic, “fable-like” air to the chapters set in Benjamin and Margaret’s grandparents’ timelines, in the tiny Nigerian village of Umumilo at the turn of the twentieth century, when British colonial influence was beginning to make its way into Nigerian society. It was a bit confusing at first to keep track of what was happening in those chapters and what they had to do with Benjamin’s and Margaret’s chapters, but Eze’s prose meant that it was easy to persevere.
I did wish that the ending had been a tad bit more satisfying, as the buildup was slow and didn’t feel like everything was fully resolved. Despite that, though, THIS KIND OF TROUBLE is still one of the strongest debut novels I’ve read this year. I am so excited for more people to check out this book, and can’t wait to see what Tochi Eze has got for us next.
In many ways, THIS KIND OF TROUBLE reminds me of the storytelling prowess of great African writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Yaa Gyasi. It’s an intensely emotional, character-driven multigenerational family saga with a splash of “is it or is it not?” magical realism. Some pacing issues and a somewhat unsatisfying ending make this fall just short of my favorites list, but it’s still a formidable debut for 2025, and well worth checking out.
What is THIS KIND OF TROUBLE about? A formerly married couple, Benjamin and Margaret, whose ancestors come from the same Nigerian village. Some interconnected drama reverberates across generations, and, as senior citizens, Benjamin and Margaret have to reconcile the harm they’ve done themselves, one another, and others if they want a chance at ensuring the happiness and health of their children and grandchildren.
As with many canonical Nigerian writers, Eze’s prose is sharp, constrained, yet powerfully evocative. In the space of a few sentences she can masterfully and confidently delineate the edges and textures of each character—their quirks, worries, and values.
This in particular leant a hypnotic, “fable-like” air to the chapters set in Benjamin and Margaret’s grandparents’ timelines, in the tiny Nigerian village of Umumilo at the turn of the twentieth century, when British colonial influence was beginning to make its way into Nigerian society. It was a bit confusing at first to keep track of what was happening in those chapters and what they had to do with Benjamin’s and Margaret’s chapters, but Eze’s prose meant that it was easy to persevere.
I did wish that the ending had been a tad bit more satisfying, as the buildup was slow and didn’t feel like everything was fully resolved. Despite that, though, THIS KIND OF TROUBLE is still one of the strongest debut novels I’ve read this year. I am so excited for more people to check out this book, and can’t wait to see what Tochi Eze has got for us next.
August 25, 2025
Benjamin, a half-Nigerian living in the US, goes back to his roots in Lagos and has to face his once love-of-his-life after receiving an unexpected call.
Alternating between two timelines and spanning continents, the story transcends what seems like a love story between Benjamin and Margaret, whose ancestral come from the same village. As this estranged couple survive the consequences of the past, floundering between tradition x modernity amidst a changing world, Eze examines the impact of colonialism, westernization, race, culture and religion, specially in the Nigerian community.
When the ancient ways linger as a pillar of the thoughts, the characters challenge the looks of fierce judgements, the boundaries often set by religion and legacy. The story covers relevant themes while diving into the mystery of their grandparents, with a dash of magical realism and suspense. The back-and-forth and initial scattered narrative might demand reader's perseverance at first, however, Eze's intention becomes clear, quite well-executed through a confident prose. This book is not a feel-good book, rather, I was heavily sad by witnessing the gravity and complexity of mental health. And I am still digesting that ending...
THIS KIND OF TROUBLE is a solid debut, a multigenerational family saga that invites deeply emotional reactions. I am eager to see what Eze writes next.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Tiny Rep books . All thoughts are my own ]
Alternating between two timelines and spanning continents, the story transcends what seems like a love story between Benjamin and Margaret, whose ancestral come from the same village. As this estranged couple survive the consequences of the past, floundering between tradition x modernity amidst a changing world, Eze examines the impact of colonialism, westernization, race, culture and religion, specially in the Nigerian community.
When the ancient ways linger as a pillar of the thoughts, the characters challenge the looks of fierce judgements, the boundaries often set by religion and legacy. The story covers relevant themes while diving into the mystery of their grandparents, with a dash of magical realism and suspense. The back-and-forth and initial scattered narrative might demand reader's perseverance at first, however, Eze's intention becomes clear, quite well-executed through a confident prose. This book is not a feel-good book, rather, I was heavily sad by witnessing the gravity and complexity of mental health. And I am still digesting that ending...
THIS KIND OF TROUBLE is a solid debut, a multigenerational family saga that invites deeply emotional reactions. I am eager to see what Eze writes next.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Tiny Rep books . All thoughts are my own ]
August 2, 2025
generational trauma, here i come!
i enjoyed this debut a lot, even though the first 30-40% i was mostly confused but addicted.
with its many characters and wide range of eras/periods, 'this kind of trouble' kept my attention and intrigued me with every chapter. i think i enjoyed the 1900s chapters more, probably because of how different the times were, but i still loved the book as a whole.
3.75 stars from me
thank you netgalley and penguin group dutton for this arc.
i enjoyed this debut a lot, even though the first 30-40% i was mostly confused but addicted.
with its many characters and wide range of eras/periods, 'this kind of trouble' kept my attention and intrigued me with every chapter. i think i enjoyed the 1900s chapters more, probably because of how different the times were, but i still loved the book as a whole.
3.75 stars from me
thank you netgalley and penguin group dutton for this arc.
August 15, 2025
Loved it!
Thank you to the publisher for my copy!
Thank you to the publisher for my copy!
September 1, 2025
DNF - I really struggled to connect with the characters and there is no interesting plot halfway through.
March 26, 2025
Estava com saudades de uma história nigeriana. Foi ótima a leitura, mas o livro perde um pouco o ritmo no final.
July 22, 2025
This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze
Publication Date: August 5/25
A compelling debut novel exploring family, community and the invisible threads of history. This is a powerful multigenerational novel that follows a family’s attempts to outrun a curse placed on their ancestors. Spanning Nigeria, London and the US, the story centers on Benjamin and Margaret, whose passionate romance is overshadowed by their tribal clan who forbids their marriage due to tragic events that befell their grandparents.
Initially the forbidden love feels heady and tantalizing, but it slowly unravels into something darker. Margaret begins to feel the heavy weight of the ancestral curse. Is it the anger of the ancestors or is it a slow devolution of her mental health? Benjamin unwilling to support the changes he is witnessing in Margaret, abandons her and his young daughter. Decades later, he is reluctantly drawn back into their lives when Margaret becomes convinced that the curse is now threatening their grandson, Chuka.
Eze’s novel is rich with themes of identity, family, community and duty. Margaret emerges as a
fierce independent woman - one who builds a successful career and raises a child alone during a time when single motherhood was heavily stigmatized. The novel explores the complexity of family relationships especially within the communal traditions of Igbo-Nigerian culture, where the boundaries between life, death, spirits and ancestors are deeply intertwined.
The novel skillfully shifts between three timelines: the era of British colonization in the early 1900’s in Umumilo, the ill fated love story of the 1960’s, and the present day urgency surrounding Chuka. Through these interwoven narratives, Eze examines the impact of colonization, the tension between traditional spirituality and Christianity, the struggle between maintaining cultural and community traditions vs embracing modernity.
At its heart, this is a story about family - its strengths, expectations and its burdens. Eze thoughtfully portrays the complexity of relationships through marriage, parenthood and the cyclical nature of children caring for their elders. The novel also offers a nuanced exploration of mental health raising the question: is Margaret truly suffering from a psychological condition or does she possess a deep, spiritual connection to her ancestors, one that demands reconciliation for past transgressions?
While I found the themes deeply resonant and the storytelling evocative I struggled to connect with the main characters on an emotional level, which slightly diminished my engagement with the narrative. Nevertheless this is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading future work.
Publication Date: August 5/25
A compelling debut novel exploring family, community and the invisible threads of history. This is a powerful multigenerational novel that follows a family’s attempts to outrun a curse placed on their ancestors. Spanning Nigeria, London and the US, the story centers on Benjamin and Margaret, whose passionate romance is overshadowed by their tribal clan who forbids their marriage due to tragic events that befell their grandparents.
Initially the forbidden love feels heady and tantalizing, but it slowly unravels into something darker. Margaret begins to feel the heavy weight of the ancestral curse. Is it the anger of the ancestors or is it a slow devolution of her mental health? Benjamin unwilling to support the changes he is witnessing in Margaret, abandons her and his young daughter. Decades later, he is reluctantly drawn back into their lives when Margaret becomes convinced that the curse is now threatening their grandson, Chuka.
Eze’s novel is rich with themes of identity, family, community and duty. Margaret emerges as a
fierce independent woman - one who builds a successful career and raises a child alone during a time when single motherhood was heavily stigmatized. The novel explores the complexity of family relationships especially within the communal traditions of Igbo-Nigerian culture, where the boundaries between life, death, spirits and ancestors are deeply intertwined.
The novel skillfully shifts between three timelines: the era of British colonization in the early 1900’s in Umumilo, the ill fated love story of the 1960’s, and the present day urgency surrounding Chuka. Through these interwoven narratives, Eze examines the impact of colonization, the tension between traditional spirituality and Christianity, the struggle between maintaining cultural and community traditions vs embracing modernity.
At its heart, this is a story about family - its strengths, expectations and its burdens. Eze thoughtfully portrays the complexity of relationships through marriage, parenthood and the cyclical nature of children caring for their elders. The novel also offers a nuanced exploration of mental health raising the question: is Margaret truly suffering from a psychological condition or does she possess a deep, spiritual connection to her ancestors, one that demands reconciliation for past transgressions?
While I found the themes deeply resonant and the storytelling evocative I struggled to connect with the main characters on an emotional level, which slightly diminished my engagement with the narrative. Nevertheless this is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading future work.
July 9, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. It's a story of 2 descendants of families in a Nigerian village, where, 100 years before the events described in the book, an odd event happened. The event haunts the two protagonists' lives, and seems to make any potential happiness they might want elusive. At its core, the story is about the sins of the fathers lying on the shoulders of their sons and daughters. It is also a story about the tension between the older beliefs and gods, and Christianity (or lack of faith, altogether). This tension explodes in particular when the pivotal event of the story happens in the early 20th century - as the old and the new collide, with the coming of the "white man" to the village at the centre of the book.
I liked the premise and found the structure of the book quite compelling. The writing and plot development were actually quite exciting, and the characters (especially the two protagonists) were well defined and minutely articulated. The latter two's psychological profile was especially well crafted.
However, I really struggled with the book. There are probably two main reasons. First, I am not sure why I should care about the events. Having finished the book, I'm not sure that there was anything interesting or empathy inducing in what I read. I'm not sure whether this is because of the writing, which didn't make me feel enough, or because of the ambivalent attitude to the villagers' traditional faith and traditions. There just wasn't anything happening that I felt any affinity to - it felt not universal enough, and too far away from any experience I could make myself care for. Secondly, as mentioned, I struggled with the overtones of ghosts, spirits, and their ilk. The book seems to be saying that there is something to it, and that these can and should co-exist with any modern beliefs. It gives credence and validity to a horrid system that is cruel, terrifyingly violent, and misogynistic. It just turned any empathy I might have off.
I don't think the book is for everyone. Perhaps Nigerians or Africans more broadly might find more in it to like or be interested in. Otherwise, I think this book lacks the universality of experience that makes great literature.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I liked the premise and found the structure of the book quite compelling. The writing and plot development were actually quite exciting, and the characters (especially the two protagonists) were well defined and minutely articulated. The latter two's psychological profile was especially well crafted.
However, I really struggled with the book. There are probably two main reasons. First, I am not sure why I should care about the events. Having finished the book, I'm not sure that there was anything interesting or empathy inducing in what I read. I'm not sure whether this is because of the writing, which didn't make me feel enough, or because of the ambivalent attitude to the villagers' traditional faith and traditions. There just wasn't anything happening that I felt any affinity to - it felt not universal enough, and too far away from any experience I could make myself care for. Secondly, as mentioned, I struggled with the overtones of ghosts, spirits, and their ilk. The book seems to be saying that there is something to it, and that these can and should co-exist with any modern beliefs. It gives credence and validity to a horrid system that is cruel, terrifyingly violent, and misogynistic. It just turned any empathy I might have off.
I don't think the book is for everyone. Perhaps Nigerians or Africans more broadly might find more in it to like or be interested in. Otherwise, I think this book lacks the universality of experience that makes great literature.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
I raced to request an ARC of this book when I saw it because I've been a fan of the author's work for many years and read her newsletter. When I received it, I practically gobbled it up and had a few bleary-eyed mornings because I said, "One more page," way too many times the night before.
This story is different. It's about Margaret and Benjamin, whose love seems destined to fail because of things that happen decades before they are born that aren't within their control. This book is a poignant meditation on how our personal histories affect our lives even when unaware of what has happened before us.
I really liked the plot of this one and how the characters were intertwined. I enjoyed the parts of the book set in Igboland in the early 1900s and bore witness to the struggle between the people and their colonisers. I'm a sucker for books set in that timeline, and it reminded me of Things Fall Apart in a very good way.
Margaret & Benjamin's marriage falls apart because of her mental health struggles, and an ancestral curse supposedly causes the struggle. Even though they don't believe this, it deeply affects their lives, and they become estranged. When Margaret senses that her grandson might become a victim of the same curse, she decides to take action and fix things, and Benjamin, whom she hasn't seen for decades, comes from Atlanta to join in the rites.
If you're looking for clear answers, clear endings and a clean resolution, you won't find it here, and that's exactly why I love this book so much. Here, art imitates life. Nobody usually knows why or what will happen in life, and the author did a great job of portraying that tension. I also like how the delicate subject of mental health was handled here. It didn't take away Margaret's complexity; sometimes you love her and sometimes you hate her.
Definitely pick up this debut if you're looking for a fresh, unique voice and perspective.
This story is different. It's about Margaret and Benjamin, whose love seems destined to fail because of things that happen decades before they are born that aren't within their control. This book is a poignant meditation on how our personal histories affect our lives even when unaware of what has happened before us.
I really liked the plot of this one and how the characters were intertwined. I enjoyed the parts of the book set in Igboland in the early 1900s and bore witness to the struggle between the people and their colonisers. I'm a sucker for books set in that timeline, and it reminded me of Things Fall Apart in a very good way.
Margaret & Benjamin's marriage falls apart because of her mental health struggles, and an ancestral curse supposedly causes the struggle. Even though they don't believe this, it deeply affects their lives, and they become estranged. When Margaret senses that her grandson might become a victim of the same curse, she decides to take action and fix things, and Benjamin, whom she hasn't seen for decades, comes from Atlanta to join in the rites.
If you're looking for clear answers, clear endings and a clean resolution, you won't find it here, and that's exactly why I love this book so much. Here, art imitates life. Nobody usually knows why or what will happen in life, and the author did a great job of portraying that tension. I also like how the delicate subject of mental health was handled here. It didn't take away Margaret's complexity; sometimes you love her and sometimes you hate her.
Definitely pick up this debut if you're looking for a fresh, unique voice and perspective.
September 2, 2025
2.5 stars rounded down
This book explores how long-buried events from a century ago continue to cast shadows over the present, shaping lives and relationships across generations. The narrative delves into the influence of both traditional and modern religious beliefs as well as the absence of faith revealing how they stir inner conflict and generational tension.
At the heart of the novel are Margaret and Benjamin, though the roots of their story run deeper, beginning long before their time. The book raises thought-provoking questions: Are the strange turns in Margaret’s life dictated by divine intervention, random chance, mental instability, or perhaps fate itself? It also prompts reflection on what truly defines family—biological ties or simply a shared name.
Despite its strong character development and solid writing, the story felt emotionally flat. While the novel clearly aimed for emotional impact, it left me unmoved. The characters, though well-crafted, didn’t resonate with me personally, and I struggled to find them relatable or engaging. The pacing was slow, and although the ideas were intellectually stimulating, the overall experience felt dull. I reached the final page wondering what I was supposed to care about—the romance, the plot, or even the characters themselves.
Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book explores how long-buried events from a century ago continue to cast shadows over the present, shaping lives and relationships across generations. The narrative delves into the influence of both traditional and modern religious beliefs as well as the absence of faith revealing how they stir inner conflict and generational tension.
At the heart of the novel are Margaret and Benjamin, though the roots of their story run deeper, beginning long before their time. The book raises thought-provoking questions: Are the strange turns in Margaret’s life dictated by divine intervention, random chance, mental instability, or perhaps fate itself? It also prompts reflection on what truly defines family—biological ties or simply a shared name.
Despite its strong character development and solid writing, the story felt emotionally flat. While the novel clearly aimed for emotional impact, it left me unmoved. The characters, though well-crafted, didn’t resonate with me personally, and I struggled to find them relatable or engaging. The pacing was slow, and although the ideas were intellectually stimulating, the overall experience felt dull. I reached the final page wondering what I was supposed to care about—the romance, the plot, or even the characters themselves.
Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2025
This Kind of Trouble (thank you #gifted @tinyrepbooks @prhaudio ) explores mental health and the way the past affects our present through the lens of a Nigerian family.
It travels from 1905 in a small village where three virgins somehow become pregnant, and the fallout when the village learns how this happened. To the 1960s, where Margaret and Benjamin- both characters descended from those villagers- fall in love. To 2005, when Margaret struggles with hallucinations and Benjamin wants to reconnect with the daughter he abandoned.
It's about the things we do for family. The unknown consequences of our actions.
Eze's debut was full of fantastic quotes. "Perhaps it began with Benjamin himself those forty or so years ago when he'd moved to Lagos, that city damp with heat, aflame with postindependence ambition, unconscious of its chaos."
Benjamin's abandonment of his mentally unwell wife and infant was hard for me to get over though.
I paired the print and audio. Narrator Diana Yekinni's accent really brought the family to life. Unfortunately, there are quite a few time jumps and a larger cast, which made the book a bit harder to follow on audio. I ended up rereading a few sections in print to make sure I caught it all.
And the ending? It left me with questions about what exactly had happened. But maybe that would make this great for a book club. 3.5 stars
It travels from 1905 in a small village where three virgins somehow become pregnant, and the fallout when the village learns how this happened. To the 1960s, where Margaret and Benjamin- both characters descended from those villagers- fall in love. To 2005, when Margaret struggles with hallucinations and Benjamin wants to reconnect with the daughter he abandoned.
It's about the things we do for family. The unknown consequences of our actions.
Eze's debut was full of fantastic quotes. "Perhaps it began with Benjamin himself those forty or so years ago when he'd moved to Lagos, that city damp with heat, aflame with postindependence ambition, unconscious of its chaos."
Benjamin's abandonment of his mentally unwell wife and infant was hard for me to get over though.
I paired the print and audio. Narrator Diana Yekinni's accent really brought the family to life. Unfortunately, there are quite a few time jumps and a larger cast, which made the book a bit harder to follow on audio. I ended up rereading a few sections in print to make sure I caught it all.
And the ending? It left me with questions about what exactly had happened. But maybe that would make this great for a book club. 3.5 stars
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August 6, 2025This debut is a multigenerational book filled with mess, magic, and deep emotion. Set between 1960s Lagos, 2000s Atlanta, and a Nigerian village shaped by secrets, This Kind of Trouble follows Margaret and Benjamin, two lovers torn apart by family, culture, and a haunting past neither of them ever fully escapes.
Now, years later, their grandson Chuka is acting out, and the past, spiritual, personal, and ancestral is knocking. What unfolds is a layered, soulful exploration of what happens when old wounds go unhealed and love never gets the closure it deserves.
I loved how Tochi Eze weaved together romance, history, and spiritual inheritance. Her writing is lyrical, grounded, and so Nigerian in the best way, rich with tension, legacy, and truth. Some parts moved slow, but the payoff? Whew. Emotional and unforgettable.
This book reminds us that some kinds of trouble don’t start with us, but it’s still ours to reckon with. Healing requires going back, naming it, and choosing love anyway.
If you’re into stories about family, forbidden love, and the power of naming your lineage, This Kind of Trouble belongs on your TBR.
Now, years later, their grandson Chuka is acting out, and the past, spiritual, personal, and ancestral is knocking. What unfolds is a layered, soulful exploration of what happens when old wounds go unhealed and love never gets the closure it deserves.
I loved how Tochi Eze weaved together romance, history, and spiritual inheritance. Her writing is lyrical, grounded, and so Nigerian in the best way, rich with tension, legacy, and truth. Some parts moved slow, but the payoff? Whew. Emotional and unforgettable.
This book reminds us that some kinds of trouble don’t start with us, but it’s still ours to reckon with. Healing requires going back, naming it, and choosing love anyway.
If you’re into stories about family, forbidden love, and the power of naming your lineage, This Kind of Trouble belongs on your TBR.
September 6, 2025
A kind of trouble, indeed. Two lovers, Margaret and Benjamin cursed by the weight of their ancestral past. A literal curse forbids them from being together and as they choose to stay together regardless, they must reckon with understanding the events that even led to this curse in the first place.
This is a novel with multiple timelines that intersect to tell one story. I learned so much about Igboland in the 1900’s and as a Nigerian, this is the kind of historical fiction I love. The writer writes so poetically and through Margaret and Benjamin’s lives we see how the actions of people from the past can still actively mold and transform the present.
There’s also a lot of themes around mental illness and how this is treated or perceived in Nigeria. It also sheds light on a lot of cultural customs and ways of being that were heavily stripped away due to colonialism.
I liked this book because it wasn’t just a clear cut story, even the themes of magical realism are compelling, it keeps you spellbound till the very end and I think there’s something for everyone in this.
This is a novel with multiple timelines that intersect to tell one story. I learned so much about Igboland in the 1900’s and as a Nigerian, this is the kind of historical fiction I love. The writer writes so poetically and through Margaret and Benjamin’s lives we see how the actions of people from the past can still actively mold and transform the present.
There’s also a lot of themes around mental illness and how this is treated or perceived in Nigeria. It also sheds light on a lot of cultural customs and ways of being that were heavily stripped away due to colonialism.
I liked this book because it wasn’t just a clear cut story, even the themes of magical realism are compelling, it keeps you spellbound till the very end and I think there’s something for everyone in this.
April 18, 2025
This one was just okay for me. The concept had so much potential, and I was genuinely intrigued by the multi-generational storyline. But overall, I felt like the execution didn’t quite land.
The ending, in particular, left me scratching my head—it felt rushed and unclear. Was the curse actually broken? What happened next? I was left wanting a bit more resolution.
While I really appreciated the dive into the family’s history, I would’ve loved to see a stronger tie-in to the justice themes that were hinted at. Some plot points felt unnecessary or underdeveloped, and that took away from the overall impact.
The structure also made it a bit hard to follow. There were so many shifts in location and time that I struggled to stay grounded in the narrative. A more consistent timeline might’ve made the story easier to connect with emotionally.
That said, I still think the story idea was genuinely interesting—it just didn’t come together in the way I hoped.
The ending, in particular, left me scratching my head—it felt rushed and unclear. Was the curse actually broken? What happened next? I was left wanting a bit more resolution.
While I really appreciated the dive into the family’s history, I would’ve loved to see a stronger tie-in to the justice themes that were hinted at. Some plot points felt unnecessary or underdeveloped, and that took away from the overall impact.
The structure also made it a bit hard to follow. There were so many shifts in location and time that I struggled to stay grounded in the narrative. A more consistent timeline might’ve made the story easier to connect with emotionally.
That said, I still think the story idea was genuinely interesting—it just didn’t come together in the way I hoped.
August 15, 2025
3.75 stars rounded up! The non-linear structure of this book initially made my head spin, but once I got a handle on the characters, I was sucked into the family's relationships. Tochi Eze draws the reader deep into questions of generational trauma, mental health, and the lasting effects of these on people and their descendants.
The pacing did feel a bit slow at first, and the character development could be a bit uneven. I wanted to know everything about some characters and others I could sort of take or leave. Still, those minor issues were mostly eclipsed by the depth of the story overall. Two days after finishing, I’m still thinking about the history, family dynamics, and cultural aspects of this book. This is a good debut and I’m eager to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The pacing did feel a bit slow at first, and the character development could be a bit uneven. I wanted to know everything about some characters and others I could sort of take or leave. Still, those minor issues were mostly eclipsed by the depth of the story overall. Two days after finishing, I’m still thinking about the history, family dynamics, and cultural aspects of this book. This is a good debut and I’m eager to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 20, 2025
***Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review***
This novel spans a wide range of time and place, and it takes some time to connect the various pieces and to understand how they come together. The structure really detracted from my ability to do so, and that in turn negatively affected my reading of it. Some books can seamlessly switch between times and perspectives, but this one didn't quite manage it. The style and structure did not mesh well. That said, the story itself was interesting in that it explored different perspectives and approaches to what some might call spiritual possession and others might call schizophrenia. It brought up questions of what we owe to the past and what it means for the future.
This novel spans a wide range of time and place, and it takes some time to connect the various pieces and to understand how they come together. The structure really detracted from my ability to do so, and that in turn negatively affected my reading of it. Some books can seamlessly switch between times and perspectives, but this one didn't quite manage it. The style and structure did not mesh well. That said, the story itself was interesting in that it explored different perspectives and approaches to what some might call spiritual possession and others might call schizophrenia. It brought up questions of what we owe to the past and what it means for the future.
August 24, 2025
Are you reading about the inner workings of a mentally unstable person with schizophrenia or the results of a generational curse? I feel like the author leaves it up to you to decide! Personally, I don’t know and that’s why I like the book and enjoyed reading it. Margaret’s character draws you in and anyone who’s met an older religious Nigerian woman has wondered about their mental state- this story is not too far fetched.
The nonlinear story telling and multiple perspectives are sometimes hard to follow but it’s a rich story that takes you on a ride - love, justice, pride, mental health, trauma, religion, intergenerational differences, identity, etc
The nonlinear story telling and multiple perspectives are sometimes hard to follow but it’s a rich story that takes you on a ride - love, justice, pride, mental health, trauma, religion, intergenerational differences, identity, etc
August 6, 2025
I’ve read Tochi’s short stories before and they blew my mind but this was AMAZING on a different level!! So many intricacies- mental health, family brokenness, Igbo history & traditions, love, strength, faith and religion- all beautifully woven together. I’m trying to identify a favorite/worst character but I feel like I relate to all of them- which is rare when I read. She told their stories and poured their hearts out. Really good read.
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August 12, 2025honestly, i’m devastated to say that this book was just not for me.
from the synopsis, the themes expected to play throughout this book had me curious and interested but the pacing in order to build the story didn’t hook or hold my attention.
i hope that one day i pick this book back up and give it another try… but for now i’ll leave it with no rating.
Pub Date August 5 2025
ARC provided by Dutton, Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley. Thank you.
review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads
from the synopsis, the themes expected to play throughout this book had me curious and interested but the pacing in order to build the story didn’t hook or hold my attention.
i hope that one day i pick this book back up and give it another try… but for now i’ll leave it with no rating.
Pub Date August 5 2025
ARC provided by Dutton, Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley. Thank you.
review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads
August 1, 2025
I enjoyed reading and learning about Nigeria and some of its customs. Unfortunately for me, the book goes back and forth between time frames and characters which made it hard to follow. The character development was good but I did get confused sometimes because of the time changes. I do believe Tochi Eze has a good future as a writer.
July 24, 2025
A brilliant mix of global cultural differences, exploration of faith and Catholicism, spirituality and mental illness.
I went into this completely blind when I requested the ARC and was very pleasantly surprised.
The ending was very satisfying too.
I went into this completely blind when I requested the ARC and was very pleasantly surprised.
The ending was very satisfying too.
August 28, 2025
It really has been a miss for me on giveaways. Rarely has one come my way recently that can hit on all cylinders. Been months since I read a good giveaway. This didn’t do it for me. Sorry. The writing isn’t up to the level I expect.
September 6, 2025
3.5 stars
Very well written, especially for a debut novel. I particularly enjoyed learning a bit about Britain’s colonial impact on Nigeria and I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. Overall though, it was just way too slow for me to rate 4 stars.
Very well written, especially for a debut novel. I particularly enjoyed learning a bit about Britain’s colonial impact on Nigeria and I thought the characters were well developed and interesting. Overall though, it was just way too slow for me to rate 4 stars.
May 9, 2025
Love the book! Tochi is an amazing writer with a unique point of view.
May 9, 2025
Amazing read !!
July 2, 2025
In this sweeping novel about intergenerational trauma and family relationships, an estranged couple reunites after decades to make peace with the past.
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