Somewhere Soft to Land

by kai alonté

In this crackling portrayal of friendship in peril, a young woman's world is upended when a tragedy in her best friend's life forces them to test the boundaries of their sisterhood—a sharp and compelling debut novel from an award-winning author.

Dzifa has always felt a bit off. Maybe it's the family baggage, or maybe it's just the way her brain is wired. She's never seemed to be able to do anything right in work, love, or life. She can't seem to pull herself out of her depression. Meanwhile, her best friend, Tatiana, had everything Dzifa never a supportive family, an unshakeable confidence, and the lucky fortune of things often going her way.

Now, Dzifa has finally made a home for herself in Oakland. She has her own place, a stable job, new friends. She’s feeling stronger, better even, while trying on the Cali-lifestyle of farmers’ markets and new moon rituals. But when Tatiana tells her that her baby has passed cracks begin to form. Carried by the guilt of not being more present in Tatiana’s new journey of motherhood, Dzifa rushes to Boston to be there for her friend not knowing what to expect. From dealing with the baby’s father’s racist family to Tatiana’s overbearingly supportive one, Dzifa tries to guide Tatiana through the grief even as her own life she’s worked so hard to rebuild rapidly starts slipping away. And when Tatiana asks her for the ultimate favor, Dzifa must choose between standing by her friend or saving her own sanity as it all comes crashing down

A riveting, vibrant, and deeply moving exploration of sisterhood, complicated family dynamics, and mental health, Somewhere Soft to Land reckons with the complicated and sometimes fraught friendship between women as they evolve and makings of a second chance at life.

Genres: Fiction, Friendship, Literary Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

Reviews

[emma]

i need this cover. and also this title

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m between 3 and 4 ⭐️! So we’ll call it 3.75. A story about the complicated dynamics of friendship. When Dzifa(main protagonist) and Tatiana meet, I didn’t think they would establish a friendship that would drive the narrative of this book, they seemed to be too different to form a lasting bond. Tatiana was unwavering in her quest for friendship, not with any malicious intent, but simply as a facet of her character.

Consequently, Dzifa gradually became a confidante. This friendship experienced fluctuations, alternating between intensity and weakness, primarily due to Dzifa’s reserved nature. The prose is propelling, keeping the reader humorously engaged, but when Tatiana experiences serious grief (no spoilers) the limits of their friendship gets profoundly tested.

Will it all work out? Can you really lean on friends in the worst of times? Well, you can see if there is indeed a soft landing by accessing this promising worthwhile debut novel. I will be looking for more from this author for sure. A big thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine books for an advanced DRC. Book drops April 2026.

[Bianca J. Martinez]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this arc. Somewhere Soft to Land is a tale of friendship and the tribulations of being friends with someone out of necessity, and outgrowing them through the years. There are some beautifully articulated sentiments regarding mother love or the lack thereof and of amicable love. I felt hooked at the beginning, excited to see how the collegiate friendship between two black women would fare at an overwhelmingly white university, but my excitement to read this sort of petered out as the book went on.

When Dzifa's best friend is faced with a catastrophic event, I don't feel that her behaviour, as it was written in the book, was realistic in the slightest. There seemed to be a minimal amount of grief, and I think this book would have been better if there had been more of an exploration on grief and how it might affect friendships. In my opinion, most, if not all, of the characters in this book are unlikeable and, at times, unrealistic in the way they speak and act. The main character, Dzifa/Mercy, is the least unlikeable, but her attitude is tiring to read about, though not unfounded. I felt that this book dragged on and I found the plots difficult to follow at times.

Some of my favourite quotes:
"I saw in her what it was to love someone not in. spite of their flaws but in full awareness of all that they were, in full belief of their worthiness of love..."
"One person's 'starting over' could be another person's 'moving forward.'
"It's just like...you're always hyper visible when it'd be safer to blend in, you were invisible when it mattered to be seen."

[Vmndetta ᛑᛗᛛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting premise. The topic of friendship and grief is strong. I really wanted to like it more, but sadly I didn't fully enjoy the reading experience. For me, the story rambles a lot. There were many parts that felt like they went everywhere, and because of that I lost focus while reading sometimes. Sometimes I wasn't sure what the main point was or what the narrator was trying to say. It made the book feel a bit heavy and confusing for me. Maybe other readers will connect with it more, but this was just my experience. It's not a bad book, just not really for me.

[Favour’s flavor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew…this book has pulled some emotions out of me. I was so angry on behalf of Dzifa and everything she went through. This book definitely explores complex and complicated family/ friendship dynamics. There are a lot of flawed people in this book. I like the representation of mental health in this book too. Dzifa the main character is an emotionally distant person for reasons you will learn about.

There was a lot of mystery in this book, didn’t really care for that. I wish we got more on Dzifa’s mother because she definitely deserves a good beating before being put in jail. Honestly, I would have loved to hear more about her other siblings and the mystery father too.

Also, Tatianna wasn’t really a good friend. I can’t really say she was a good mother either. The whole situation with her baby daddy was questionable. However, I found myself learning from their friendship and how they showed up for each other.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style and her choice of writing about an unpopular character like Dzifa. This isn’t an easy read, but a good one especially if you want to challenge yourself. This would be a good book club pick, I would love to discuss this book with someone. For a debut book, I’m excited to see what else Kai releases in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. This book releases April 21st, 2026 if you want to get a copy.

Check out my YouTube video (reading vlog) where I read this book: https://youtu.be/EN_zudoKXig

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just amazing. Dzifa was a highly relatable character and the tension between her and the other characters was so palpable at times it felt like it oozed out of the pages. This was a relatable plot in many ways for me especially when it comes to female friendships and how they can ebb and flow and even fade away. I was drawn to the choices that Dzifa had to make with loyalty, her own well being, and her future.
This book has very strong female characters and a storyline that many women can relate to in one way or another. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I felt this book had a really hazy, lethargic vibe that feels like it’s meant to match how Dzifa, the main character, experiences life - she’s very emotionally repressed and withdrawn, however, I felt like the story didn’t give much background about this. Most of what we learn about her trauma from her mom comes from other characters saying she’s a monster and there’s really just one flashback that demonstrates their toxic relationship but it felt vague and distant.

Most of the other characters in Dzifa’s life aren’t very likable, especially Tatiana, who’s supposed to be her best friend. Her interactions with other characters are also lethargically awkward and restrained, which I think is an artistic choice, but at times it was a bit suffocating - but perhaps that was the point?? (I’m running circles in my head 😅) There are moments where the book touches on racism, blackness, and motherhood, but it didn’t land deeply for me.

My biggest gripe with the book though is that Dzifa’s character arc is essentially flat until the very last chapter, where something finally snaps but that’s where it ends! There were a lot of loose ends and what felt like many unexplored relationships with characters and not many breakthroughs, which made the story feel a bit unsure.

What I did really like was Kai Alonte’s writing style. It was fluid, observant, and full of subtle gestures that sprinkles life to scenes. I highlighted many lines that were just 🤌🏻. I just wish the story itself had more rhythm or momentum. Beautiful prose, but felt emotionally distant.

Overall, I felt like an outsider in this story and found myself intentionally trying to find a deeper message or justifying why I didn’t enjoy it as much as I usually resonate with this genre. Maybe it just wasn’t the right fit for me, or maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace to fully connect.

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is a noteworthy debut with intriguing characters, a compelling view into friendship, and a hard look at what happens to people as they experience tragedy in the moment and in the aftermath. While this is not a lighthearted read, it is, overall, a hopeful one.

I found the start of the book to be incredibly charming. Both friends, Dfiza and Tatiana, are layered on their own, and their friendship develops in ways that made each character more interesting as individuals and as a unit. When the central tragedy - the death of Tatiana's very young child (noted clearly in the synopsis so NOT a spoiler) occurs - the tone of the book and the friendship changes. Things get - as any logical person might expect - dark.

What I found fascinating is that the death of the child is really the catalyst for so many other challenges: buried issues in relationships, hidden truths about individuals, and more. In some ways, it's a relief to not be pulled into this level of insistent grief the whole time. In others, it's overwhelming to keep uncovering challenges and disappointments.

At times, I struggled with slower pacing and with the heaviness of the topic. While the characters grow in some obvious ways, there is also some redundancy that did not help the forward movement. Yes, our pasts shape us. But we have to keep growing, too.

Because of the subject matter, this won't be for everyone, but I do think this author is for me. I'm looking forward to reading more from alonté, especially if there's a little more lightness involved.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Emma Thomasch at Random House for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Ryan Brandenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine For the advanced copy of this upcoming novel that releases on April 21, 2026.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I enjoyed parts of the character-driven storyline. Dzifa’s storyline was engaging and complex. She clearly lacked self-esteem due to her past traumas, and I found her character arc interesting. However, some parts of her storyline left me wanting more. I believe that if the author had built her storyline better, I would have had more empathy for her.

Tatiana, the secondary character, was equally troubled, but at times, I found her to be very spoiled and unrelatable. It’s quite unclear to me what initially drew Dzifa to her and made her care so much about their scattered friendship.

The book certainly delved into some dark themes, but I didn’t feel as emotionally invested as I had hoped. Additionally, I found the concept of wealth quite perplexing. Both characters appeared to originate from affluent backgrounds, yet neither seemed to possess any money or motivation. The repetitive instances of Dzifa checking her bank account throughout the story became tiresome.

I had postponed reading this book for a while, and I must admit that I’m not entirely satisfied with its conclusion. While it might appeal to some readers, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone I know. If you’re seeking a compelling story about female friendships, there are far superior options available!

[Catie Monks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very appreciative of net galley for the opportunity to review this book. At first I thought I’d chosen a genre that was not for me but as I persevered, I saw an opportunity to see into a complicated story about family, friendship and motherhood. The author introduces us to Dzifa who is turning thirty and is reckoning with all the complexities one can have at this time in life while dealing with depression and self worth issues. Her friendship with Tatiana is one long and very intense journey into self discovery. While it was a journey to get there, Dzifa (also known as Mercy) gradually becomes the person she was meant to be by learning who she is not. She grows in insight by examining her own mother, her sisters and her friends. Tatiana, to me, was the antagonist, though a necessary one, Dzifa’s mother, appears to be an antagonist as well. Dzifa, an intelligent Ghanaian woman, slowly learns to listen to herself and to shut out the noise. Are we going to become our truest selves by listening to what others tell us, or will we lean into the difficulties and trust ourselves to get there alone? The book is described as a story about friendship, but I saw it as a you woman’s journey towards self reliance and peace.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhere Soft to Land is a story of a strained friendship navigating a huge tragedy together.

I really liked the general idea of this story, but the book ended up falling a little flat. My biggest issue was the story tended to meander and it was hard to focus on what the author was trying to say. There were also a lot of important background items that were never fully explained. Like a huge part of Dfiza's story is that she has this tremendously complicated and toxic relationship with her mom, but we never really found out why or what that looked like. We just knew that was the case because several characters make vague references to it.

The characters in this book were also quite unlikeable. The character of Dfiza was obviously supposed to be a little unmoored, and I think had there been more character development I could have ended up liking her more. However, she really didn't have much growth. And then there's Tatianna, who was genuinely unbearable. I found myself spending most of the book wondering why Dfiza would ever put up with her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!

[Firetruckmama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“Somewhere Soft to Land” is by Kai Alonte. Oooh, I wanted to like this book., I really did. I was engaged in the beginning, but then slowly became less engaged as the story continued. While the beginning felt like the beginning of an interesting friendship, as it progressed I realized that I really didn’t understand why they were still “friends.” And that bugged me. Neither of the main characters are really likable (probably part of the reason I struggled) and I also felt like background information was hinted at, but never fully explored. Also, things meandered a lot. The author had a lot to say, but it wasn’t always conveyed in the best manner for the story. Not my cup of tea, but my recommendation would be to read other reviews because mine is hopefully in the minority.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at friendship and all of its intricacies. Dzifa and Tatiana meet in college and become friends. Seven years later Dzifa is known as Mercy and Tatiana has just lost her baby, Luca. Time has passed, their lives have both changed, and secrets are kept. It's often lovely and sometimes surprising as we see what changes each woman endures as they navigate all life has to offer!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Kera’s Always Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

My best friend since a very early age moved away some years ago. We went from inseparable for the entirety of our adolescence and into early adulthood, to talking on the phone from time to time, because life... I felt very strongly the relationship between these two women. The ups and downs, the insecurities, the ideology, the growing up and growing into people who are a little more different than they once were.

Dzifa and Tatiana have grown apart a little with life and the distance between them. Never feeling like enough, never getting anywhere, Dzifa is finally in a place where she is making a path for herself. Living in California, she has a job and is making friends, but she heads to Boston when her best friend needs her. Things just seem to naturally go well for Tatiana, and Dzifa has always coveted her idyllic upbringing and family support system. When the next chapter in Tatiana's life quickly becomes the most painful, Dzifa comes to be with her.

This was such a compelling read. The characters were so complex, the story and all the ripples made through every interaction, so powerful. I highly recommend this one.

[Rayo Reads]

DNF at 35% 😔 I was super hyped for this book, but at 35% in, I kept losing focus and asking myself where the story was heading. The book and its characters felt chaotic and didn't grab me enough. Thank you for the e-ARC!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written exploration of friendship, family, motherhood, and mental health, this debut novel explores the dynamic between two women who became friends when they were in college, drifted apart when they were living on opposite coasts, and then reconnected over a tragedy.

Dzifa, the protagonist of this novel, has always felt adrift in life, particularly in her own dysfunctional family, and the best friend she makes at college on the East coast, Tatiana, seems to have everything she yearns for – unconditional love from her family, a magnetic personality, unshakeable self-possession, and the uncanny ability to always get her way. When Tatiana’s youngest child dies, she calls on Dzifa for support, and as Dzifa helps her friend through this tragedy, Tatiana ask another favor that puts Dzifa in a position of choosing between loyalty to her friend at the expense of her own self-fulfillment or following her dream at the expense of a friendship she once valued so greatly.

Ms. Alonte did an admirable job bringing these extremely flawed characters to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of this novel, due to be released on April 21, 2026.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere Soft to Land introduces us to Dzifa, She is a Ghanaian woman discovering herself worth against the backdrop of navigating college. We see meet her best friend Tatianna and learn how her friendship helped shape adult Dzifa. When Tatianna needs her during a tragic time, Dzifa steps up for her. Is it worth it though? At its core this book is about friendship. At what point do we outgrow someone and determine its time to cut them off for our self-preservation? This book does a decent job tackling that topic.

The characters are deeply human. You like them sometimes and at other times you don't. For me though, I teetered on not liking them more often than liking them. I wanted to shake sense into them. A lot of times, character actions didn't make sense or seemed too unrealistic for me. In particular, I'm sad that we don't get to see Dzifa's character development until the end when she finally decides to stand up for herself. For me, it was a little too late. I also wish we had more background on Dzifa and her family dynamics growing up. I feel like it would have done a better job of understanding who Dzifa was before meeting Tatiana.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book before its release.