Sister of Mine

by Marie-Claire Amuah

Sika's holiday to Ghana is the trip of a lifetime, until she uncovers a family secret that changes her life...

When Sika is invited to a lavish family party in Accra, she jumps at the chance. Her life might be in London – with a high-powered job, demanding boss and intense friendships – but she's itching to get to know her cousins, aunts and uncles, and explore the country her mother left just after Sika was born.

The holiday is better than she could have imagined, especially when handsome, charismatic Danso steps onto the scene. But on the night of the big party, as her happiness soars, Sika discovers a dark secret that will change everything – for everyone – forever.

From an award-winning writer, Sister of Mine is a poignant and heartfelt novel about family ties, family lies and the truths we withhold to protect the ones we love.

Genres: Fiction, African Literature

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2026

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-seven years ago, Selom left Ghana and headed for Britain with her young baby, Sika. Neither of them have been back since, so Sika is very excited to finally be travelling to Akkra for a big family celebration. This will give her the chance to meet the people she has heard so much about, to get to know something about the country of her parents - and to have a break from her demanding boss.

Sika is overwhelmed by the heat and noise of Akkra, and both charmed and bemused by the people she meets. She is especially pleased to meet handsome, charismatic Danso, and feels an instant connection with him.

But on the night of the party, Sika overhears a conversation that brings into question everything she thought she know about herself and her family. Can she ever move past the dark secret that has shattered her happiness?

This beautifully written, poignant novel follows Sika to Ghana, where she is in high anticipation of having a great time in the company of the friends and family. She also hopes to discover all she can about her own roots, and learn more about what lies behind the stories her mother has shared with her.

Ghana is an assault on Sika's senses - loud, bright, hot, and so different from her life in Britain. Many of the people she meets offer a warm welcome, especially her mother's oldest friend Larjey (whose wedding anniversary they are here to celebrate), but there is an awkward distance between Selom and her older sister, ultra-religious Edem, which Sika cannot fathom.

Soon, Sika is fully immersed in her Ghanaian adventure, spending time with gentle Danso, navigating uncomfortable situations as well as joyful ones, and getting caught up in preparations for the lavish party. But her happiness is cut short when she overhears a conversation that was not meant for her ears. Distraught, she cuts short her holiday, and flies home alone without saying goodbye to anyone. Sika's life has been derailed by the impact of what she has learned, and she does not know how she will begin to deal with what this means for her whole family.

Amuah does not shy away from exploring the light and shade of Ghana in this compelling novel, and she does the same with her wonderful cast of characters, who range from warm and loving to downright monsters in both Ghana and Britain. The characters are utterly captivating, especially Selon, and Larjay, who I cried heart-felt tears with - such amazing strong women, who are totally unforgettable.

Echoing themes weave throughout that cut you right to the quick. Amuah touches on so much in Sika's story, especially when it comes to loss, sacrifice, heart-rending trauma, and complicated family relationships. The moments of shocking hypocrisy and religious fakery are very bitter pills to swallow too.

There are lovely moments of humour, and much needed love and romance to lighten the pain though. And I revelled in the Devil Wears Prada vibe when is comes to Sika's high-pressure job - with shades of Miranda Priestley in the awful Caitlyn, and more than a touch of Nigel in Sika's fab 'work husband' Julian. I am so impressed how Amuah ties the work-side of Sika's story into the themes of the novel, which I did not see coming.

This is the kind of novel that takes you on an emotional journey at the side of its characters. I loved it from thought-provoking prologue to gorgeous uplifting ending.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister of Mine by Marie-Claire Amuah is a book about family, though not necessarily in the way I was expecting, given the title. The book follows a young woman named Sika as she travels to Ghana with her mother for a family party. It is the first time they have returned since leaving when Sika was just a few weeks old following the tragic death of her father in a traffic accident and Sika is eager to spend time with family and discover the city where her mother grew up. At first the trip is everything she hoped for but at the party which should have been the highlight of it all she overhears a revelation that shocks her to the core and makes a lie of everything she grew up believing. Shattered by this secret she returns to London wanting nothing more to do with her mother or the rest of her family, instead throwing herself back into the high pressured job she is starting to realise she hates. How did everything spiral out of control so quickly and will Sika ever figure out what she really wants?
I loved this character driven story, Sika is a character who will resonate with many readers, trying to juggle family obligations and a high pressure job, desperate to know more about the side of her family that she has never met but not wanting to hurt her mother by bringing up her loss again, she is very easy to root for. One of my favourite things about the book was how vividly the author brought the city of Accra to life on the page, it felt vibrant and alive, I could smell the food and hear the honking horns of traffic. I thought it was very interesting to contrast Sika's thoughts as someone new to the city with those of her mother who had grown up there. There was a very sweet romance between Sika and a young man named Danso but also a bittersweet reunion between her mother and her childhood sweetheart, made even sadder when the truth behind their breakup is revealed.
If you love character driven books and want to travel in your reading this is absolutely a book I would recommend.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Kim Snaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

It isn't until she travels to her mother's homeland of Ghana that twenty-something Sika finally learns who she is. She thought she had a pretty good idea: she's close to her mum, she has a wonderful circle of friends, and a good job that she cares about. Life is pretty good, all things considered.

All that is missing is knowing some of her extended family. More than just a holiday, she's desperate to spend time with her mum's friends and family - but she also wants to meet her father's family for the first time. Her mum tells the story of a loving man who tragically died the day she was born, and Sika feels it's time to know more about him.

But perhaps the things Sika learns aren't exactly what she expects. Ghana holds so much wonder and love for Sika, but maybe she's going to find out some much darker truths too.

I've listened to Sister of Mine on audio, and the narration by Yasmin Mwanza is just perfect. She breathes so much life and character to Amuah's words, and it's been a key component of helping a white person like me who has never been to Africa feel fully immersed in Ghanan culture. Mwanza has done such a brilliant job in making certain Ghanan terms and dialect not only accessible, but unputdownable.

I couldn't stop listening, and have been eager to learn more about Sika, about her culture, about her mum and her family; a gorgeous, rich tapestry of people with larger than life personalities that really jump off the page. It's a story about family, about love, about finding out who you are. Sure, it feels a privilege to learn more about Ghanan culture, but ultimately it's a novel that absolutely anyone who has ever had questions about who they are will relate to.

Thank you, Marie-Claire, for a beautiful, touching journey into a new culture, and filling this novel with so much heart. The characters here feel as real as you or I, and after reading the last page I find myself thinking about them, what they might be doing or feeling next. That's quite an achievement, I think.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel follows Sika as she travels to Ghana for the first time since being born in London. Reconnecting with her mother’s sister and long-lost friends, Sika finds the holiday far better than she imagined—especially after meeting the charismatic Danso. However, during a major celebration, Sika uncovers a dark family secret that threatens to change everything for everyone involved, forcing a reckoning with the past.

Sister of Mine is a poignant and heartfelt novel exploring family ties, roots and the weight of long-held secrets. I truly enjoyed discovering Ghana and Accra through Sika’s eyes; experiencing the setting at the same time as the protagonist made the journey feel very personal. The characters are well-drawn, and I found it fascinating to learn about the history that shaped them over the 27 years they were apart.

The story highlights the complex relationship between a mother and daughter and I found Sika’s mother’s journey particularly touching. She carried so much trauma alone and I found myself wishing the author had delved even deeper into her internal feelings. Interestingly, because the heart of the book felt so focused on these maternal links, it made me question the choice of the title, Sister of Mine.

At times, I struggled with the narration, which jumps between the present and memories, and between London and Ghana. This frequent shifting occasionally left me feeling a bit lost. Additionally, the pacing felt slightly slow leading up to the climax. However, the revelation of the dark secret completely caught me by surprise, it was far from what I had imagined. That twist kept me gripped until the very end to see how Sika would navigate the fallout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

[Annie‘s Library 🧝🏻‍♀️🌙✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Sister of Mine by Marie-Claire Amuah follows Sika as she travels from London to Accra, Ghana with her mother for the first time. What begins as a visit for a family celebration quickly turns into something more meaningful as Sika experiences the place her mother once called home and starts to uncover pieces of her family history—especially the story of the father she has only ever heard about.

During their stay in Accra, Sika and her mother reconnect with relatives and old friends while Sika explores the city and learns more about her roots. Along the way she meets Danso, who quickly becomes part of her experience in Ghana. Things seem to be going smoothly until Sika overhears a conversation involving her mother’s childhood friend that reveals information capable of changing how she sees her family.

One of the strongest aspects of the novel is the relationship between Sika and her mother. Their bond feels caring and layered, and the story does a good job exploring family connections, identity, and what it means to learn about where you come from. The pacing also keeps the story moving quickly, making it an easy book to get through.

Overall, Sister of Mine was an enjoyable read with heartfelt family dynamics and an engaging setting. While it didn’t fully stand out for me, I appreciated the emotional core of the story and the way it explores family, heritage, and personal discovery.

[African Women Writing · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most anticipated 2026 reads by a woman of African descent (out 9 April 2026)! And a very poignant theme with the recent mothers day celebrations in the UK.

As a mother, how far will you go to shield and protect your child from a devastating truth? I reflected on this question as I listened to this book.

We follow Sika, a young Ghanaian woman, raised in London, who travels to Ghana with her mum for a two week holiday. What began as a trip to reconnect with family and investigate parts of her identity quickly changed when she accidentally overheard a conversation that revealed a dark family secret concerning her and she came undone.

This is a warm, steady, and immersive read. The characters are easy to connect with, and the story gently pulls you in. I really appreciated the subtle threads woven throughout, especially the mosquito theme, which was intriguingly done. I loved the cultural insights into Ghana, particularly the fantasy coffins - such a beautiful reflection of celebrating life after death.

However, I did find myself questioning the title. I didn’t feel a strong enough sense of sisterhood to fully anchor Sister of Mine. It’s present between Sika’s mum and Aunty, but perhaps a befitting title would have been Daughter of Mine?

Yasmine Mwanza did a fantastic job with the audiobook narration. Well-paced, engaging, and her ability to move seamlessly between accents gave the story such an authentic feel.

Thank you @netgalley and @bolindaaudio for the ARC.

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful yet heart-wrenching story!

I received this free advance listening copy via Netgalley. Thank you to Claire-Marie Amuah and Bolinda Audio. This review is being left voluntarily and the opinions are my own. 

As a daughter of parents from another country, I resonated with so much in this story, from the chaotic arrival at the Ghanaian airport to food as a symbol of love. In particular when Sika tells her aunty that she is pescatarian, to which her aunty answers 'don't worry its only chicken!' 

In African cultures food is a love language so if you feed the ones you love then you are showing them love and they will be ok. 

This is a story of returning home to your roots and finding oneself.

27 years ago when Sika was a baby, she and her mother left Ghana and now they are returning for the first time. Sika is desperate to visit and connect with her mother and father land. She is desperate to connect some dots to know where she has come from and understand her self betrer. 

Sika's father, who passed before she was born, has always remained a mystery and one that Sika wants to uncover. Whilst in Ghana she uncovers some dark and painful family secrets, distorting everything Sika knew to be true. 

Overall, this story made me feel a deep sense of nostalgia. It's such a great listen - the narrator did a wonderful job of bringing this story to life and bringing a sense of authenticity and providing an immersive experience.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Sister of Mine is a novel about reconnecting with your heritage and the complicated relationship we can often have with our families. Sika goes to Ghana for the first time as an adult and we see her exploring the country, meeting old family friends and developing a new romantic connection.

This novel really shines in its descriptions of Ghanaian culture. I truly felt transported to Accra. I also enjoyed how Sika’s relationships with her aunts, cousin and mother were crafted. It felt textured and full of feeling.

Now things I didn’t love
I don’t understand why this book is called Sister of Mine. It’s very misleading and I kept waiting for a sisterhood dynamic to emerge. I thought there was going to be a secret sister reveal. Nope. Nada. I also don’t understand why we went that cover. Again, you see that cover and the title and you obviously expect this to be a book about sisters. It is not. A lot of this book takes place in flashbacks which meant that it felt passive at times. Some of the strongest parts of this book was when the action was taking place in the present. As expected, there was a bit more telling instead of showing than I would like.

Overall
I would recommend. If you want to read more contemporary African literature set in the continent and that gives an insight to everyday life, read this one.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh how I would have loved this book, if only the pacing didn't drive me up the wall. Funnily enough, I had the same problem with this as I did with the film Gosford Park, which is that so much time was spent on the set up (two thirds of the story, in both cases) that it sucked the tension out of everything after the Big Event. This wasn't helped by the meandering structure, as much a series of vignettes as a cohesive plot, and I would have enjoyed it if there was a stronger sense of where the story was going. It made the trips to an exploitative church and dates with a cute guy and flashbacks to her shitty job seems kind of pointless, even though the scenes themselves were well written. But the family dynamics were delicious, the portrayal of Ghana was a feast for the senses, and the story had a simultaneously heart-rending and heart-warming emotional core.

On a marketing note, I don't know why this is called Sister of Mine (it's a book about mothers and daughters) or who the other woman on the cover is (the one with multiple earrings is evidently Sika, but the other? A younger version of her mother, maybe?).

I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[BookOfCinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Question: What could go wrong when Sika takes a trip home to Ghana with her mother for the first time?
Answer: Everything!

Sister of Mine opens with Sika and her Mom leaving London to go to Accra, Ghana for a big family friend celebration. This is Sika’s first-time visiting Accra and her Mom is returning home after a decade of being gone. Sika grew up hearing of her father, what he was like, but this is the first time she is in a space he lived and this is her chance to learn more about him.

Sika and her mom tours Accra, visiting family and family friends. She is introduced to Danso a charismatic Ghanian who wants to get to know her more. Her first trip to Ghana is going great until she overhears a conversation with her Mother’s childhood friend that changes everything.

This is my second book by Marie-Claire Amuah and her writing keeps getting better. I loved how fast paced this book was and how the author wrote a mother-daughter relationship that was filled with care. Overall an enjoyable read.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an immersive read. As a Ghanaian British reader, the setting really landed for me. From the moment Sika arrives in Accra, you can feel it. The heat, the movement, that slightly disorienting sense of familiarity and distance all at once. It felt lived in rather than romanticised, which I appreciated.

At its core, this is a story about identity, family, and the weight of things left unsaid. The characters are messy in a believable way, and the emotional tension carries through without everything being neatly resolved.

I gave this 4.5 stars rather than 5 because while the title Sister of Mine makes sense, it didn’t quite capture the full impact of the central reveal for me.

Still, a strong read and one I’d recommend, especially if you enjoy character-driven stories with a strong sense of place.

For a more detailed review visit www.elaineadupoku.com

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a black British woman of Sierra Leonean descent and who hails from London, the interweaving of both Ghanaian and British culture were presented well.
Amuah really presented the theme of identity well. I liked the idea of discovering parts of your identity from going to your country of origin to find it. At some points I even saw myself in Ghana and it helped to convey emotion.
The theme of relationships was also exceptionally highlighted with Sika’s love for her family at the forefront.
Amuah has a great way of writing and I really enjoy in particular her descriptions as they are so vivid. However, the title didn’t really align with the story and the secret that Sika would come to find. I feel as if there was some ambiguity there and the title is not so fitting with the story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sika and her mother's return to Ghana from England and the events that unfold was interesting with many references to the day to day Ghanian ways of life that I had not known previously.
The story was quite a slow burn though and I think if I had been reading the physical book it probably would have been a struggle to keep my attention. I am happy to say I enjoyed the audiobook, with the narrator Yasmin Mwanza excelling between English and Ghanian accents as well as differing tones for the characters.
Get this one on audiobook!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the audiobook arc for review.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a Ghanaian-British woman who grows up in London and returns for a visit to Accra in order to find out more about her family - in particular, the father she has lost - and make peace with her multi cultural identity.

There are some interesting elements to the story, especially when family secrets inevitably emerge, but it felt like too much of a slow burn for my taste.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Kate Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio thanks to Bolinda Publishing and Libro.fm.

I feel like, although the blurb is technically accurate, it gave me the wrong impression going into this book. Somehow, it made me feel like this was somehow going to be a thriller, but it was actually a deep look into family dynamics and the painful secrets that can affect relationships both past and present.

I enjoyed this book, but caution those who appreciate a trigger warning -- contains violence against women.

[Uzoamaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay! Not a bad second book so waiting for a third from Marie-Claire Amuah.

When I saw the title of the book I thought the travel to Ghana after so many years would reveal a different secret. These sisters are different and a lot had transpired over the years but nothing beats a homegoing/coming.....Sika had a bomb dropped on her and she had to realise herself for who she is. It's long in some parts but I enjoyed reading this with the short chapters with interesting titles too.

[Lau · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice book, I really didn’t expected this plot twist from the title
I did found tho that some sections were long for nothing and that the romance with Danso really came out of nowhere, like he just asked her out once and then boom. It didn’t give a proper reason for me of why they even like each other even though they’re cute

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent character development - felt like I knew the people! So easy to read with a great balance of emotions. Got to love short chapters too.