A Very Gidi Christmas

by Tomilola Coco Adeyemo

Genres: Romance, Love, Christmas, Fiction, Nigeria

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2024

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, it was so fun and sweet. Brb, gonna reread it!

[Ojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review at https://littafi.com/all-book-reviews/...

[Mosope · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

I was really eager to read this book, but it fell a bit flat for me. The premise was strong, but the plot holes were hard to ignore, and the “contract” which seemed like it should’ve been central felt unnecessary.

That said, it was still a quick and easy read, and I’m curious to explore more of the author’s work.

[Amaka Azie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars


Such a fun read. Naija love story with a lot of pleasant scenes, a happy ending and laugh out moments

Billionaires romance ☑️
Second chance romance ☑️
Sibling rivalry ☑️
Family drama ☑️

It has everything that makes holiday romance lovely.

I recommend for lovers of African romance fiction.

Good job Tomilola!

[Odilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tomilola Adeyemo has written a Christmas masterpiece. I enjoyed this thoroughly. I fell in love with both BG and Kunle and it was an absolute pleasure to read their second chance, romance blossom in the city of Lagos. If you were looking for something really sweet and easy and a little sultry holiday season this is definitely the book

[Tosin (booksxnaps) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shared my thoughts here. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDw_fgRRS...

[Muhsinat 'Deen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I'll say is that Tomi never disappoints. Been following her works since 360nob days and this was an interesting read.

[Muthoni Ngocho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, well-written and my favorite work of fiction this year (at least thus far).

[Uche Ezeudu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful romance book that is written with so much experience and I can tell that the author takes the romance genre very seriously because the taste is indeed in the pudding.
A girl can dream with hopes that these dreams become reality. Reconnecting with your ex in a boardroom meeting doesn’t seem exciting especially when you’ve spent the past 12 years running away from his betrayal and the hurt he caused you. Well, without divulging so much about the book, I just want to tell you that you won’t regret picking up this book.
At the backdrop of our FMC, Biodun and MMC, Kunle hashing out the events of their past lives, lies the struggle for power. Kunle has contenders for the position of CEO of a billion dollars company. Ruthless contenders who are not shy to play dirty when the need arises.
If you want to read a sweet African romance set in the crazy city of Lagos, here is just your cue 🤗🤗
Watch my review on YouTube here;

https://youtu.be/zHiLgJOSayI?si=NIOxC...

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying—I binge-read this book from 8 PM to 3:32 AM! I simply couldn’t put it down. It was that good.

This story follows Kunle and Biodun, once young lovers whose relationship fell apart after an explicit video changed everything. Now, at the lowest point in Biodun’s life, Kunle reappears—this time as the COO of his mother’s company, which is set to acquire her workplace. Just when she thought the past was behind her, the video resurfaces, forcing them to face it together.

This book is such a ride. It’s got the heart of a romcom—funny, lighthearted, and effortlessly entertaining—yet serious moments weave in without ever feeling overwhelming. The writing? Sharp and engaging. The characters? So well-crafted, I couldn’t help but love them. And the spice? Perfect. I think I’m finally embracing my love for romance with a little heat!

If you’re a fan of second chances, a touch of marriage of convenience (if Kunle and Biodun insist), and family drama, this book is exactly what you need. Go read it!

[Temitope Asama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice book if you're looking to read a light-hearted, cringy romance set in Lagos. Well-written intimate scenes. Weird pacing, things feel slow and then pick up the pace and then, bam! another dimension—it kept going on like that throughout the book.

Nice book overall.

[Hassana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows a former couple; a business mogul and struggling radio personality, who are forced to work together after a scandal resurfaces from their shared past.

I enjoyed this book. There was never a boring moment. It was fast paced. The writing was great, in short, that's the best part of the book. The main characters were likeable and interesting, and the side characters were multidimensionaI.

I just wish I did not expect a romcom. I think this is where it failed me - it failed to deliver the promise of a rom-com or feel good story. It explored a heavy topic that contrasted with the supposedly light nature of the book. And I don't think that heavy topic was well explored or resolved.

Also, this story is supposed to be a second chance romance, with a fake dating/contract marriage premise. The reason for the fake engagement was logical however the reason for the contract marriage did not make sense at times. The second chance romance was under explored because I did not see why they loved each other so much, and I did not really see the process of them trusting each other and falling for each other again. In short, I think the romance aspect was treated lazily.

Maybe it was just my expectations that slightly dulled my experience, but if I had read this book expecting drama with a hint of romance, I would have been more satisfied.

Overall, I liked this book, I really enjoyed the author's writing and I look forward to reading her other books. Fingers crossed, it's about the male character's lawyer friend and the shady politician's son.

[Destiny]

i picked up this book because i’m still obsessed with one of the author’s previous works, and i just needed to see what this one would give. and i promise you, it did not disappoint.
this story is intense in all the right ways. the plot never loses momentum, and every twist is purposeful. nothing feels random or out of place; it’s dramatic but never unrealistic. and what makes it even better? it’s funny. genuinely funny.
i genuinely love how the author weaves everything together with so much cohesion. it’s one of those books where every chapter leaves you wanting more, and not once did i feel like i hit a dull point. just continuous, compelling, and entertaining storytelling.
i’m someone who thrives on drama in fiction—it keeps me going—and this book delivered that from start to finish. the pacing was tight, the emotions layered, the humor perfectly timed, and the stakes always felt real. i stayed hooked the entire time and honestly didn’t want it to end.

i really admire this author’s writing. she knows how to grip a reader, and i truly hope her work reaches more people because the quality is undeniable. i’m now just sitting here, lowkey hoping she drops something new tomorrow, because i’m ready.

[Turning Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biodun’s life is a mess—dodging landlords, crushing on coworker Andrew, and facing job loss from a merger. Her prophet’s words about finding a husband at work feel like a joke until her ex, Kunle, a reformed “Yoruba demon,” reappears to lead a project. A leaked sex tape from their past sparks social media chaos, forcing Biodun to face old heartbreak while hosting her show. Kunle, now running the family biz after his mum’s cardiac scare, claims innocence and proposes a fake engagement that turns real. Meanwhile, Kunle’s brother Teslim and his scheming fiancée Nkem, who’s always hated Biodun, stir trouble over old family grudges. With friends Timi, Alex, and Malik by her side, Biodun fights enemies and undeniable chemistry. This book had me smiling like I won the lottery—pure Naija holiday magic!

[Readwithmmesoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Very Gidi Christmas! It’s the perfect mix of humour, romance, and heart. The story follows Kunle and Biodun, two exes forced to reconnect years after a scandal tore them apart. Now older (and maybe wiser), they have to face their past and figure out if love still has a chance.

The writing is smooth and super engaging. I found myself laughing, blushing, and rooting for these two the whole time. The characters were well written, and the themes of shame, second chances, and self-worth were handled with care.

Also, if you enjoy a bit of spice and well-placed drama, marriage of convenience, second-chance romance, you’ll love this one!

I’m now officially a Tomilola Coco fan. More, please!

[Goshen Mmoneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book? Easily a 5 star read for me!

A very gidi Christmas reminded me how much of a lover girl I am! I loved every bit of it.

First off, Tomilola Coco’s writing is Teaaaa! She writes so well, in a way that you can just relate! I love how every part of the story was developed.

The family background, was well written, and there was no part that felt like a drag or a hanger. I love have she brought everything together!

This book made me smile so much, I also think that the writing style can make a Nigerian movie. The level of relatability, the language was easy, it was well paced. I also really like the tension with the company, how the book followed through with the work drama, it felt like I was watching those K-drama series with conglomerates and inheritance.

I really enjoyed reading this book!

[Tobi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think a lot of romance books fail to capture love in its true essence. Too often, they equate love with sex. In many of these stories, the defining moment, what convinces one or both characters that they’re in love, is sex or some form of sexual activity, which is something I personally struggle with.

That said, the book itself is good. It’s an easy, almost “cheap” read in the sense that it has all the usual elements of a romance novel. It’s fun, easy to get through, filled with drama, and has a solid plot. Overall, it’s an enjoyable story.

P.S. If anyone has recommendations for romance books that explore love in its entirety, beyond the usual sex-driven interactions, please hook me up.

[Oluwamayowa Ogunnaike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed A Very Gidi Christmas! It’s not often you find Nigerian authors who strike the perfect balance in a romcom, but Tomilola Coco Adeyemi absolutely nailed it. This book combines laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt romance, all tied together with a well-executed plot.

Her writing style? Impeccable. The prose is smooth, the dialogue engaging, and it’s all so easy to immerse yourself in. This is the kind of book that reminds you how fun and refreshing a good romcom can be. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a light yet meaningful read this season!

[Amina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as Nigerian romance fiction goes this is definitely the new bar. I loved both the MC and forgave the villains. This was so well written and every plot ended beautifully. My only side eye moment was how forgiving her mum was to him but its fictions and that’s what we dream of Nigerian mothers. A Christmas miracle

[Oreoluwa Dada-Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly it was a good effort but all the cliches were packed in one book. Maybe it’s just not my style. The writing was also just okay. Nigeria does not have a lot of romance authors so I will say this is a valiant effort. I look forward to hearing more from this author, I believe she has a lot more to say…I will definitely be reading her next book.

[Ice Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful romance book and I had such a good time reading it. Felt like a lovely romcom and it made me giggle from time to time. The drama and everything really made me happy and it was truly a good book. Looking forward to more books definitely.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me chuckling from the very first sentence. The author's vivid description of the characters and events made the book an exciting read.

[Haddy • haddyreadshere · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a relaxing and enjoyable read. I loved how the characters were interconnected and honest about their feelings. They were intentional in their actions, and their relationship stood out for its maturity and lack of unnecessary drama. It was straightforward, thoughtful, and considerate, which made it refreshing.

That said, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with how the scandal was resolved. It started off strong and engaging, but as the story progressed, it felt like it fizzled out without much substance. This was a bit disappointing, especially since the rekindling of their relationship was tied to their involvement in the scandal. I would have loved to see more exploration of how it impacted them, but it seemed to lose momentum as the book went on.

Still, this is a great feel-good book. If you’re looking for a story free of trauma, drama, or heavy emotions—just something clean, uplifting, and enjoyable—this is the perfect choice. I definitely recommend it 100%.

[Ileh Favour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really want to read this book I have heard a lot about it but I am unable to download it

[Bisi Miyebi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad at all for a debut novel 👍.

[Anna’s _bookmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to know what happens when a sextape gets leaked
Dive in

[bookjunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, thoroughly did. I'm not a fan of romance novels in general, but Tomilola wrote this in such a satisfying way. I loved how she did not rush the romance process and how she made Biodun very deliberate about her decisions. She was not rushing into doing anything because of how she felt, but thought every step through, deliberately pulling back when she knew it'll cost her. The dynamics of the story, the chemistry between Kunle and Biodun, the well developed characters, the understandable villains and the perfectly resolved conflict all made this into a wonderful read. I loved it. ❤️

[Bookish Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Very Christmas is not exactly a Christmas romcom

It is s chaotic comedy about love 😂

A Very Gidi Christmas starts off chaotic, and I think that is what pulls you in...
Biodun Gomez AKA BG doesn't have an idyllic life, nope, she is behind on rent and working in a media company at the brink of bankruptcy and she is still stuck on a quite devastating event that happened years ago to her naive undergraduate self. It is s whole lot.
But then, a not so shining knight in armor comes to save the day.
A Very Gidi Christmas is chaotic, hilarious and has the perfect Najia vibe. It is a perfect milkshake; love, chaos, humor and some spice 👅 all blended together.

[Favour Emmanuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing that drew me in was the humour.
I could relate with the Nigerian mother mannerism. If Abi’s mum had met mine, they would have been really good friends.

It was a good read, but the pacing was weird. The scenes that were supposed to be slow-paced were fast-paced and vice versa.

I almost dropped the book at the first few chapters because it was too overly descriptive but the humour kept me going.

I found the landlord part unrealistic. There’s no way a Lagos landlord will allow you owe him for 1 month, talk less of 9 months????

You see the drama in this book??? 10/10!!!! Those office scenes were page turners. They were so engaging and thrilling. I live for that kind of drama.

I must say the author did a really good job in building the background of the story.

I love how it ended. It was a beautiful book.

But you know what was my cup of tea????

You see that scene at the bathroom?

Omggggggg.

A standing ovation!!!!

It was so well done and ughhhh😋

That’s how you write a s!x scene.

Drops mic!