Leave Your Mess at Home

by Tolani Akinola

"Warm, smart, hilarious, delicious, riveting."—Curtis Sittenfeld, New York Times bestselling author of Romantic Comedy

“Powerful… There are multiple messes in Leave Your Mess At Home; I loved reading about every one of them.”—Rachel Khong, New York Times bestselling author of Real Americans

**A Best Book of People, The Millions, Atlantic Journal-Constitution, The Root, Muses of Media
**A Most Anticipated Book of 2026: Electric Lit, SheReads, HelloBeautiful, ScaryMommy

The Longe siblings are really botching their parents' American Dream.

Sola Longe, eldest daughter, estranged from the family, is secretly back home in Chicago for the first time in a decade. She’s a newly single and recently disgraced influencer trying to quietly put her life back together again. The other three Longe siblings aren't doing much better.

Anjola is in love with her best friend, who just got engaged to someone else; Karen, a college junior and the baby of the family, is grappling with her sexuality and self-image; and Ola, the golden child with a baby of his own on the way, is questioning his marriage and how to raise a Black son in America.

Sola’s unexpected return sets them on a crash course towards each other, and when the four siblings find themselves together again at their Nigerian immigrant parents' Thanksgiving table, a decade’s worth of secrets and a lifetime of resentments explode to the fore.

In the wreckage of their fateful reunion, each Longe is forced to reckon with the past, take stock of what really matters, and find a way back to each other. Big-hearted, hilarious, and wise, Leave Your Mess At Home is a poignant exploration of forgiveness, unconditional love, and becoming who you want to be, asking the what do we owe to our families, and what do we owe to ourselves?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Family, Audiobook, Race, Adult

Audible Audio

First published April 14, 2026

Reviews

[emma]

words to live by.

https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...

i was nervous when i realized this book followed all four distant children in a family in turmoil, because i am a multi-pov skeptic.

but i never should have doubted my love of reading books about siblings.

this managed to be deep and complicated while following so many different threads, achieved silliness in the midst of seriousness, contained countless tragedies without feeling melodramatic (almost all of the time).

bottom line: what a great read!

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)

[Brittany]

MESSSSSSSSSY. 4 siblings and they are all going through SOMETHING. Not the closest but thanksgiving finally brings them all back together and everything finally comes out. This book explores finding one’s self identity, grief, parental issues and pressure, relationship woes, exploration of what can family can be once forgiveness is on the table.

BUT THEIR MAMA…. SHE WAS THE PROBLEM

[Thomas]

Overall I enjoyed this novel about four Nigerian siblings living in Chicago. Sola, the eldest daughter, is back home for the first time after having been estranged from her family. Anjola, the second eldest daughter, is in love with her best friend who is getting married to someone else. Karen, a college junior and the youngest sibling is confronting her sexuality and who she wants to be in this stage of her life. And Ola, the only male sibling, has mixed feelings about embarking on the journey of fatherhood with his wife. Sola’s return to the family after many years away catalyzes changes that force each of the siblings to figure out who they are and what they’re willing to go for in each of their messy lives.

There were several elements of this novel that I really liked. First, I felt that Tolani Akinola nailed the family estrangement dynamic with Sola. Loved reading about how she navigated that and how her siblings responded, took accountability, grew in their understanding, etc. Each character also had a respectable growth arc (Ola’s I was kinda eh about, I think the ambivalence about being a parent could have been more richly explored, it was okay though.) Sola coming into herself after being in a mid interracial relationship, Anjola confronting her desires, and Karen developing confidence in herself and her sexuality were all moving and meaningful. Props to Akinola to writing a positive portrayal of therapy within Sola’s arc, and I was deeply in my feels about how Anjola’s story ended up because it was so relatable as an accomplished person who unfortunately still does not have everything I want in life.

The main constructive critique I have about this book is that I did find the writing style a bit predictable and not that exciting, especially for the first half of the book. For the first half of the book I was pretty certain I would give it a 3-3.5 at the highest. However, the way things came together for each of the characters in the second half impressed me enough for me to give it four stars instead. And, appreciated that Akinola truly decentered white characters/white love interests and focused on Black/Nigerian characters in this novel. If you’re into realistic fiction about family and relationships, you may want to check this one out!

[BookOfCinz Reading Retreat Host]

Family saga and drama like no other but filled with heart and will leave you cheering for everyone!

In Leave Your Mess At Home we meet the Longe Family, who are at odds, everyone vying for the mother’s attention. The mother and father came from Nigerian with a big American dream for their family, the children are held to a very high standard and are judged heavily when they don’t meet it.

Sola the oldest is estranged from her family and holds deep resentment. Her brother Ola, is the golden child who can do no wrong, but struggles to be a good husband. Anjola followed the path by becoming a Doctor but decides to move back to Chicago, much to her mother’s shame. Karen the youngest is struggling with her sexuality and knows she cannot speak with her mother about it. Everything come blows up when Sola shows up uninvited to a Thanksgiving dinner…

I truly enjoyed this debut novel. I cannot remember the last time I cried reading a book and this one sent me over the end. Leave Your Mess At Home is filled

[Lauren W -behind! (work)- trying to stay semi-caught up♥︎]

4.25 What a beautiful mess of a family! Leave Your Mess at Home invites us into the lives of three sisters, one brother, and parents who are all dealing with their own complex baggage. Following this Nigerian-American family from childhood into the present day means experiencing all of their joys, pain, struggles, separation, and eventual coming together.

The standout for me was the father—his dancing, joy, warmth, and unconditional acceptance of his children exactly as they are was so beautiful to read. There is some deep, unexpected heartbreak in these pages, but I ultimately loved it. An incredible debut.

[A Mac (on hiatus)]

Actual Rating 4.5

This work focused on messy family dynamics, including having a toxic traditional parent and a passive parent; struggles between siblings and their perceptions and interpretations of events; and general family dysfunction. I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and that the author chose to give us chapters from each sibling's perspective. It was a powerful reminder of how differently siblings experience childhood under the same roof, and how that carries through to their adult lives. The author balanced the characters excellently, and as their characterization was so strong, it added much to the book to hear each of their voices.

The ending of this one is satisfying and bittersweet, and part of what made it so strong was the character growth. Having those multiple POVs meant seeing the growth firsthand over the course of the book. The flawed characters were relatable, messy, and interesting, and there were so many different themes explored through their lives.

This was a highly impressive debut novel, and I can't wait to read more from this author. If you're looking for a slower, character-driven work focusing on a dysfunctional family, then this is a must read. My thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Rincey]

I really, really enjoyed this book. As someone who doesn't always get along with multi-POV books, I think this one was really well done. All of the siblings are distinct and have their own mess to deal with, the sibling relationship feels so real and honest. I found the ending to be a little bit neat, hence this not being a 5 star for me personally, but I highly recommend this one and definitely think it's a contender for favorites of the year

Watch me discuss this more in my wrap up: https://youtu.be/-0xKTojtvME

[AlexTRBG]

Leave Your Mess at Home was the contemporary family drama I really needed. I’ll always love a messy family story, but this one took it to a much deeper level for me. I really loved the Longe siblings. After getting to know each of them in the beginning, you really start to see just how different their first-gen experiences were and how those experiences shaped the people they became.

I especially felt for Sola. Learning everything she had been through and watching her slowly grow beyond it was honestly everything. And I loved seeing the other siblings come to terms with their own flaws, take accountability, and realize they all wanted to do better. And not just for themselves, but for each other. 🥲🫶🏽

[Stitching Ghost]

It was a surprisingly quick read and a pretty solid debut.

I'm terrible with names and this book features characters with names like Sola, Ola, Marisol (Sol), Anjola, and so on, so I did have to backtrack a fair bit on account of forgetting who was who. Still I found the story and characters very engaging.

There were moments that had me raging and some that had me near tears. Akinola knows how easy it is to make a villain, to let things fester until distance is the only near comfort left and how hard it can be for a family to come back from things left unsaid for too long.

[cam 🍂]

This was simply beautiful. Heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and oh so real.

First, I liked the writing. This is written in third person limited from the prospective of each sibling (and even the mother getting her own chapter). I feel that this prospective was perfect to tell this story as it allowed me to properly observe the story as if I were in the room or walking alongside the characters.

Each person was messy and imperfect and at times incredibly unlikeable and that just made me enjoy their journey's that much more. They weren't created to be liked, but you couldn't help but love and feel for them because of how realistic they were. While I couldn't relate to the characters' main struggles, I found bits in each that truly spoke to me. I couldn't help but to root for them.

I'd say the ending was bittersweet. They spent a lot of time angry, confused, and insecure and yes, there was some goodness at the end, but I saw it as the beginning of their journeys. They still have a ways to go of accepting themselves, healing relationships, etc. and I like that thought more than everything being okay at the end. Healing is a long journey and I think the author did a great job of showing that.

There were even funny moments! It was nice to laugh away some of my tears.

Utterly unputdownable and amazing for a debut. Everyone should definitely give it a read.

** There's not a TWs page but be mindful that there are mentions of child molestation, chastisement, and abuse. They're not incredibly detailed and the mentions are brief, but they are there.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for a review!

⤷ Fave quotes:

• 'Knowing what she wants out of life is a hard thing. If she had to describe what she's done so far to, say, a blank-faced God on Judgement Day, she thinks she would say it's mostly been a mixture of what she's been told to do and what seems right. Want is something else entirely.'

• 'She realizes that she keeps trying to bargain herself into the life designed for her and then making small compromises to inch outside of it.'

• 'Learning this late that love takes kindling and stoking work, diligent effort, that it isn't just handed to you? The same way she's had to learn, this late, that she even deserves love at all?

[Bobbieshiann]

Am I enough?
Is love enough?
What must one sacrifice to even be considered enough?

Leave Your Mess at Home is as unavoidable as death and taxes. It is layered with trauma, the idea that hurt people hurt people, and screams how sacred but lonely culture can be. In this story, we are introduced to four siblings raised in the same Nigerian household, yet they are worlds apart. Their mother's way of raising her children strangles their adulthood to the point that they do not know how to love themselves or others.

As a reader, my perspective on the characters changed throughout the story (besides Ola), but the vulnerability of each character when telling their POV makes you feel seen. Whether it is the defensive mechanisms Sola has shielded herself with, the inward shell Karen has retreated into, the arrogance Ola hides behind, or Anjola, the one who follows the plan even though the jail she has encaged herself in can only be unlocked by her, Leave Your Mess at Home feels so close that it is practically at my doorstep.

All four siblings have grown distant, fighting their own internal battles while their mother plays puppet master and their father just wants peace. But how can he be afforded that when he is unaware of what was happening in his own household? Through this journey, we discuss culture, sexuality, abuse, forbidden love, loss, new life, and what forgiveness can look like, even when it should not be afforded to someone.

Individual healing takes place, but things will never be the same. How can they be when the damage is done? So you move forward. Move forward with stronger connections, but also without people you once held dear.

“She considers that maybe she deserves the loneliness that always finds her, that no one can really stand to hold the weight of her heart.”

And even in that loneliness, we still want love. Love of self. Love of others. But it takes courage, and sometimes words left unsaid.

[Esosa]

4.5 stars*

Trigger warning: eldest daughters in African households 😭 proceed with caution reading this one. Phew.

The Longe family is a mess and unfortunately they did not leave that mess at home. It followed each of the siblings into adulthood and is now manifesting in ways they’re individually struggling to understand.

This is one of those stories that perfectly captures how siblings can grow up in the same household with the same parents and still experience completely different versions of childhood.

The story follows four siblings: Sola, Ola, Anjola, and Karen. Sola, the eldest daughter and family “black sheep,” ran away as a teenager and returns home years later after becoming a disgraced influencer trying to rebuild her life. Ola, the only son and golden child, seems to have everything together on paper but is quietly struggling with marriage and impending fatherhood. Anjola has spent her life trying to compensate for Sola’s “mistakes” by following every rule possible, while Karen, the youngest, is navigating identity, self-image, and sexuality.

When Sola unexpectedly returns home to Chicago, the siblings are forced to confront the adults they’ve become, the dysfunction between them, and the roles they all played within the family. And when they all end up together for Thanksgiving with their parents… catastrophic doesn’t even begin to describe it.

This book was hard, emotional, and funny all at once. Hard because of the portrayal of abuse disguised as tough love. Emotional because of the way it shapes someone’s understanding of themselves and their relationships. And funny because wherever there are Nigerian siblings, trust the banter will still prevail!!

What a debut.

[Ro_Monique_]

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Tolani Akinola. It really is a case study in how cultural upbringing and trauma can manifest differently in siblings despite overlapping experiences. Every character carried their own mess and the reckoning that occurs is heavy, endearing, and entertaining. Definitely a bit trope heavy. The way some of the storylines wrapped up were a little too neat. I came up with alternate endings in my head for Ola and Neil. Loser behavior from these two. 🫠

I need a physical copy asap!

[Lola]

I really wanted to LOVE this one because the premise had so much potential. I’m always interested in books about sibling-hood and complicated families, especially Nigerian families, and I really enjoyed seeing the different dynamics between the siblings and their parents. There was so much history between everyone, and I liked how the book explored family, identity, grief, expectations and all the little ways parents can shape their children without even realising it.

I also really liked how different the siblings were from each other. Everyone had their own issues, their own mess (because apparently nobody in this family knows how to leave it at home LOLLL), and their own relationship with their parents. It made the family feel very real because nobody was completely right or completely wrong.

But that said, I struggled with the actual reading experience more than I expected to. The book felt quite slow in some places and insanely boring in another. The author’s writing didn’t resonate with me at all so it felt like they added so much unnecessary scenarios. I’m thinking they were trying to make the situation realistic but it wasn’t necessary. At a point, I asked myself why was this book written like this?? Some of the dialogues were not enough too (I wanted MORE from the conversations on thanksgiving night but I guess what the author gave me is still okay) and there were moments where I just wasn’t as invested as I wanted to be. I kept waiting for certain things to really hit, and while there were definitely emotional moments, I don’t think they landed as strongly for me as they could have.

I don’t necessarily have an issue with any of the siblings. I think i understood everyone’s ‘mess’ so it’s fair that I didn’t give them any specific attention in this review. I felt sorry for Sola though, she was already having a relationship with their father and life happened again.

I still think there are a lot of good conversations in this book, and I enjoyed getting to know the family.

[WURLD]

FUCK.

[Shannell Evans Barrett]

I don’t believe in perfect books but this one is making me reevaluate that. A perfect story of family, sibling relationships, culture, immigrant families, the courage to be yourself, and more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for honest opinion.

[Charnell]

Brb I’m crying 🥹

[Denae]

I really enjoyed this. This character driven novel brings the Longe siblings, who are each very layered and complex characters. I enjoyed getting to know each of the Longe family members as individuals and watching them figure out their “mess” so to speak. Grief has a way of bringing out the worst of us, but also can give way to beautiful beginnings as we noted in Leave Your Mess at Home. I wasn’t sure I liked Sola, but as the book went on I began to understand her more and why she was the way that she was. Long held family secrets keep the Longe children estranged and one particular sibling completely on the outskirts. I loved the way the author brought everything full circle and love books that have a true reckoning and space for healing and change.

This was a debut novel and I’m so impressed! This is definitely going on top read/standout list for me this year. Also, I did this mostly 100% audio. It takes a really really good audiobook to get me to listen without distraction and losing focus. It’s very hard for me to listen to audiobooks without immersive reading but this is one of those that I had no problem! The drama, the “mess” if you will kept me thoroughly invested and I also loved the narrators voice and the way she captured the Nigerian accents. Highly recommend the audiobook!

[Darriona]

Incredible debut. I love a book with a messy family dynamic. Everyone was truly a mess in ways. So much social commentary too but I really like how it was discussed. This was a very entertaining read and I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

[Keeping.Volumes.Harris]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was such a good family drama. Every sibling was carrying their own pain, and I loved how the story peeled back the layers little by little instead of giving everything away at once. By the end, I understood every character so much better—especially Sola. The conversations felt real, the emotions hit, and the ending brought everything together beautifully. Definitely a 5-star read. ❤️📚

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ]

Really enjoyed this debut novel about the messy family dynamic and lives of four second generation Chicago based Nigerian-Americans. The writing and storytelling were engaging and fresh. While this is a story about family, it also manages to seamlessly infuse lots of current day social issues that lend to it and add realism.

The characters were all beautifully developed and it was quick how invested I became in all of them. The story pace covers a short period of time but with all characters looking back through time at decisions and experiences that contributed to where and how they have landed in their current lives.

For the most part I was unsure where the tale would take me. There was one plot point that I could see coming a mile away but the nice part was I couldn't predict how this would impact the storyline and characters. I hope we see more from this author!

Rate 4.5 Stars Rounded Up to 5

Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book through NetGalley from Pamela Dorman Books/ Viking/Penguin Random House LLC (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.

[MJ]

This book shocked me. This debut novel delivered a story about siblings pushing forward through their own traumatic experiences. Nigerian culture wrapped around a messy family dynamic, submerged in the grief of what could have been. As much messiness this book brought, there were equal parts growth. And the reckoning! 🤯 I didn’t expect such a page turner and to be locked in. I loved this book.

I could have done with an extra epilogue or maybe even a sequel 👀🤞🏾 Either was this was a strong debut novel and I really look forward to seeing what this author gives us next.

[Katie B]

Thank you Viking Books, Pamela Dorman Books, and Netgalley for providing a free digital copy!

4.5 stars out of 5

If you like family dramas you should read LEAVE YOUR MESS AT HOME. The story revolves around 4 siblings with Nigerian immigrant parents. There’s Ola, the golden child son who is questioning his marriage. Bad timing as they have a baby on the way. Anjola, a doctor, is in love with her best friend but hasn’t worked up the courage to tell him. Sola has been estranged from the family for years but after a nasty break up is back in her hometown of Chicago. And then there’s Karen, a college student trying to get a sense of her true identity. There’s conflict, resentment, poor decisions, suffering and love which made for a heck of a read.

The story features each sibling and allows a good look at the family dynamics. I love how the author chose to feature a key moment for this family and you got each character’s perspective of what happened. It’s fascinating how you can all witness a situation but the outlooks can vary.

I wasn’t expecting to get emotional while reading but there were some great lines that just struck me. This book has a lot to offer so pick this one up.

[hailey ౨ৎ]

Thank you to Viking Penguin, Pamela Dorman Books, and NetGalley for the eARC! Greatly appreciated :)

This book's bittersweet story about the lives of Ola, Sola, Anjola, and Karen navigating their lives of being children of Nigerian immigrants was something fresh and in a way, very inspiring and relatable. I lowkey feel that I resonated most with Karen, especially with trying to be the person my mother wants me to be but wanting to pave her own path and do what feels right for her. Her also being a lesbian black woman also made her story all the more interesting and relatable, but everyone's stories and how they intertwined with each other and how their parents shaped their lives and relationships with others.....wow.

This book was so well written and even though I'm not really well versed with familial contemporary fiction, this is was very well done. Reading about Sola's story was so heartbreaking, and I felt like a could relate to each of the sibling's experiences. From Anjola having feelings for a best friend of years who loves someone else, to Ola's experience of never really knowing or feeling adequate enough as a partner, to Sola's experience of always being the one who had to be the prim and proper child and always being on the receiving end of her mother's scorn, and to Karen's experience of her feelings towards women and feeling like she has to fit in a certain box to be validated and appreciated by her mother.....just wow. Akinola did her BIG ONE with this one. For this to be a debut.....is absolutely incredible and impressive.

[Rae | My Cousin’s Book Club]

RTC

LOVED

[Nnenna]

I want to read this book again for the first time, it’s that good! I loved that Akinola wrote so authentically about the experience of adults who were raised by Nigerian immigrant parents. I loved that she did not make a caricature of said parents like so many of our diasporan authors have done in the past. Again everything felt so honest, raw, and authentic. The topics were quite sad and heavy, but she had a way of getting us through it with bits of humor and lightheartedness.

[L'Wanda Greenlaw]

If you are a fan of dysfunctional family fiction, this was an interesting read. Plenty of drama, secrets, etc told from the various viewpoints of most of the major characters. There is some strong emotional content. Because there is a reference to childhood abuse, I do wish a page with a trigger warning had been included. Otherwise, well written for the genre.

[ShelfLoveWithDee]

4.5 star 🥹😭😭

[Lit_eraryqueen (Salena C.)]

I loved this book! Especially the audio.
I'm always going to fall for a family saga/ drama with strong character development and engaging storylines.
Each of the siblings felt like family. Nigerian cousins. They each had their own crosses to bear and I was here for all of it! When family secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes, they can either come together or be driven further apart.
Excellent book!

[Bill Silva]

As dysfunctional families go, this one is right up there, and for about the first two-thirds of the novel, the author takes her time in exploring all their individual and collective conflicts…thus the frustratingly slow pace of the story (and the repetition of key scenes from different perspectives doesn’t really help in that regard). When finally something (melo)dramatic happens, the pace picks up…but here the novel becomes more or less predictable, and the ending is too pat for my taste. I appreciated the view into this family’s multidimensional immigrant experience and the cross-cultural currents the author explores…but I never fully connected with the characters or their different journeys.